Things To Do
Beech Hill Preserve
One of our favorite places on the coast of Maine, it’s an easy hike/walk to the top and the views from there are spectacular.
Camden Hills State Park
Ragged Mountain, Bald Rock, Maiden's Cliff, and Mount Megunticook are our favorite hikes. You can also drive up to the top of Mount Battie for a great view of Camden and Penobscot Bay.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
The lighthouse is beautiful and offers a great view of Rockland from the end of a granite breakwater.
Bufflehead Sailing Charters
Our friend Daniel Bennett is the captain of the Bufflehead and knows just about as much as anyone about Rockland. Set sail for a whole day or just a few hours. There are a number of other historic schooners that leave from Rockland, Rockport, and Camden.
Monhegan Island
Brooks' ancestors lived here from the 1600s to the early 20th century and it's an amazing place. The boat trip (about an hour) from Port Clyde is beautiful and a great opportunity for bird/seal/dolphin watching. The hiking trails on Monhegan are awesome and the views from the back side of the island are spectacular. Make sure to pop up to the top of the hill to the Monhegan Museum and swing by the Monhegan Brewing Company for a pint.
Vinalhaven Island
Maine's largest year-round island, Vinalhaven is a great day trip from the Maine State Ferry terminal in Rockland (75 minutes from dock to dock). Explore the walkable downtown with shops and check out the Vinalhaven Land Trust's trails.
North Haven Island
Across the thoroughfare from Vinalhaven, North Haven has a great downtown area. Check out North Haven Brewing Co., the pizza at Calderwood Hall, and grab a coffee or tea at Waterman's Community Center.
Birch Point Beach State Park
Probably the best public beach around, this is a beautiful spot. The water will likely be too cold for all but the bravest polar plungers, but it’s a great walk and if the weather’s warm and you want some early season beach time, this is your place!
Farnsworth Art Museum
The Farnsworth has world-class Wyeth paintings and is a true Rockland treasure. Definitely worth a visit.
Archipelago
A great place for gift shopping, this store is on the first floor of the Island Institute, where Brooks worked. It has a great collection of Maine-made arts and crafts. Keep your eyes peeled for art by Nina Devenney, our dear friend who designed our invitations, and pottery by her parents Mary and Joe Devenney, who are just the best.
The Strand Theatre
See a movie or an opera livestream in the heart of downtown Rockland.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art
A cool collection of contemporary art (if that’s your thing).
Owls Head Transportation Museum
A quirky small museum of vintage airplanes and automobiles. Jen used to volunteer in the archives here.
Home Kitchen Cafe
Great breakfast! Try the huevos rancheros. They're amazing. If you want one of their legendary cinnamon or sticky buns, get there early.
Primo Restaurant
Amazing farm-to-table restaurant with great Italian food. We recommend the Farmer's Salad, the Pork Saltimbocca, and the Upper Manhattan. It's on the pricey end - but always worth it. Sit upstairs.
Rock City Cafe
Our favorite place for coffee, also has pretty good breakfast.
Cafe Miranda
Legendary in Rockland. Huge plates of delicious wood-fired food. Great vegetarian options.
Sammy's Deluxe
Fresh, fun, creative. Best cheeseburger around! Tell Sammy that we sent you.
Claws
Fresh seafood and a great place for lobster. Gluten-free lobster bisque!
Dorman's Dairy Dream
Our favorite ice cream place. Right on Route 1 as you come into Rockland (from the south). Delicious homemade scoops.
Morse's Sauerkraut
Pickles! Sauerkraut! German foods! This European market and lunch spot in Jen’s hometown of Waldoboro is a favorite of ours for holiday shopping.
Moody's Diner
This is where Jen went to celebrate with her fellow thespians after a big performance. Known for its pie and iconic sign along Route 1 in Waldoboro.
Drouthy Bear
Our favorite local pub. Great Scottish food, an excellent beer selection, and all the whiskey you could ever want and then some. Tell Jamie (the ginger bartender) that we sent you. Play Scrabble, unless you’re there on Wednesday: Trivia night!
Fog Bar & Cafe
Craft cocktails and pretty good food on Main Street in Rockland. Happy hour!
Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery
Our local family-owned winery, they make award-winning gin and some pretty solid wines. Their tasting option is cheap and generous, and the views from their back porch are fantastic. Also, they have sheep!
The Pour Farm
A new craft brewery up the road from Beaver Lodge in Union. Tasty brews and a fire pit!
Odd Alewives Farm Brewery
Another new craft brewery in Waldoboro, Jen’s hometown. Good beers and a really nice spot up the hill from downtown Waldoboro.