1. Hiking Trails, Monhegan Island: This small, serene island has 13 miles of trails, all varying degrees of difficulty. Hike out to Lobster Cove to see a shipwreck, through the woods of the Cathedral Trail where visitors have been known to build small “fairy houses,” and out to the cliffs, which are the highest ocean cliffs on the Maine coast.
2. Primo Restaurant, Rockland: A pioneer in Maine’s foodie culture, this James Beard Award-winning restaurant brings you a farm-to-table, fine dining experience. Tour the gardens where your food is grown, then enjoy a world-renowned meal by celebrated chef Melissa Kelly.
3. Camden Hills State Park, Camden: See panoramic views of the midcoast from the top of Mount Battie. Drive or hike to the top of the 800 foot summit. The park offers 30 miles of trails for all abilities, with unbeatable ocean views.
4. Cellardoor Winery, Lincolnville: Breathtaking views of Maine’s midcoast surround you as you enjoy a fine glass of wine – whether it’s a full bodied Petite Sirah or a Vendange sparkling rose, the first estate-grown variety from Cellardoor. Enjoy a tasting inside a historic barn built in 1790, or attend an event or food pairing in the modern and chic event space.
5. Monhegan Boat Line cruises, Port Clyde: Take a ferry out to Monhegan Island, go on a sunset cruise or a puffin cruise. See lighthouses, islands, and wildlife from the water.
6. Norumbega Inn, Camden: Stay overnight in a castle. The Norumbega Inn was built in 1886 by an American inventor who wanted a castle like the ones he saw in Europe. The picturesque inn offers ocean views and private suites, along with dining fit for a king. The house chef offers 3-course breakfasts and 7-course dinners.
7. Monhegan Brewing Company, Monhegan Island: Get the flavor of Monhegan Island with a pint of craft beer on Maine’s only brewery operating on an island. It’s not easy to ship all the brewing equipment and ingredients 12 miles out to sea, but Monhegan Brewing Company does it well, offering Lobster Cove Pail Ale, Shipwreck IPA, and others.
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8. Trailing Yew inn, Monhegan Island: It’s been said that Monhegan Island feels like a place from a different time. You can experience a different time by staying overnight at the Trailing Yew, an inn that has rooms without electricity. Instead, the rooms are lit by oil lamps and the dining room has candles. A select number of rooms do offer electricity, but most guests opt for the “authentic” experience as a way to truly unplug.
9. Maine Lobster Festival, Rockland: Thousands of visitors from around the world converge on Maine’s midcoast every summer for the annual Maine Lobster Festival. This year, it runs from August 3-7. For another lobster fix, visit Archer’s on the Pier and try the famous King of Clubs lobster sandwich, which beat Food Network Chef Bobby Flay on his show, “Throwdown.”
10. Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland: Learn about Maine’s role in American art by visiting the Farnsworth museum and the Wyeth Center, where three-generations of Wyeth works are on display.
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