3 Easy Day Trips from the Boothbay Harbor Area (That Are Totally Worth It)
View from Damariscotta’s public boat launch park
Sometimes the best part of staying put is having the option to leave for a bit. If you’re based in the Boothbay Harbor area and want to explore a little farther afield, here are three easy day trips that pair perfectly with a week at the cottage.
1. Monhegan Island
A car-free island that feels like a time capsule — if time capsules came with cliffside hikes and art galleries.
Getting there: Ferry from New Harbor (~50 min) or Boothbay Harbor (longer, fewer sailings)
Best for: Hikers, painters, unplugged wanderers
Don’t miss: Cathedral Woods, the Monhegan Museum, and fresh donuts from the island’s only coffee spot (bonus: the almost-80-year-old shipwreck on the southeastern shore)
Pro tip: Bring cash, good shoes, and layers — weather can change fast
2. Pemaquid Point & Lighthouse Park
The kind of rocky coastline you think of when you think “Maine,” complete with a classic lighthouse.
Getting there: About 50 minutes by car from Southport
Best for: Low-key explorers, photographers, lighthouse lovers
Don’t miss: The Fishermen’s Museum inside the lighthouse, the tidepools, and nearby Pemaquid Beach
Pro tip: Pair it with lunch at the Harbor Room in New Harbor or the lobster pound near the beach
3. Damariscotta
A small riverside town with just the right mix of charm, bookstores, and oysters.
Getting there: About 45 minutes by car
Best for: Strolling, browsing, local flavor
Don’t miss: Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop, a Damariscotta River oyster tasting, and The Kingfisher & The Queen for the perfect souvenir (for yourself, of course)
Pro tip: Go on a weekday if you want less foot traffic (and more bookstore browsing time)
Whether you’re craving a ferry ride, a windswept cliff walk, or a downtown made for wandering, these day trips offer a change of pace without feeling like a chore. They’re part of what makes staying at Camelot such a great base camp: quiet mornings on the deck, and big little adventures just down the road.
Want to go deeper? We’ve got individual guides for each of these day trips — perfect if you’re narrowing down your plans.