Your Guide to Midcoast

I also get asked this A LOT, so, I’ve finally put down in writing my guide to Midcoast.

First, logistics. Midcoast is an area of Maine spanning from Belfast to Wiscasset, little towns all along the coast on Route 1. It’s a trip I take whenever I have a free day. From the island, the unofficial beginning of Midcoast is in Belfast, about an hour and a half drive away. You can keep going all the way down passed Wiscasset to Portland, Boston, etc.

Here are my favorite stops from North (MD) to South (Bath)—

1. First stop is Chase’s Daily in Belfast. I’m not 100% sure how to describe Chase’s Daily other than it is small town Maine heaven. The food and coffee are totally good, but that’s not really why I go. I go for the beauty of the space, a large, high ceiling building with exposed brick walls, and the Market on Saturday’s. Make sure you check with them before, but I am pretty sure Market day is Saturday. Chase’s Daily is run by farmers who grow the most insanely beautiful produce and flowers. They, of course, incorporate all of this gorgeous produce into their food. On Market day, you can shop their veggies, flowers, bulbs, plants, etc. I like to get there before 9, order my coffee, get a scone, and be near the front of the line when the Market opens. After you’ve shopped the Market, order a salad and sit outside in the sun.

2. Keep meandering South on Route 1, passing Northport, to Lincolnville. On the right side of the road as you enter Lincolnville is Swans Island Company Store. The shop is beautiful and the romance of hand spun and woven blankets in Maine is top notch.

3. Camden— definitely make a reservation for lunch at Long Grain. Incredible Thai and Vietnamese food. Pad See Ew is my favorite. Noodles are hand pulled. There is a beautiful library in Camden, and the lawn outside it slopes and looks over the harbor. Charming and beautiful. Wander around the shops and stop into Owl and Turtle Bookstore.

4. Keep going, on to Rockport. Maybe my favorite little midcoast towns. I have visions of being a Nancy Meyers character living in a gracious shingled home on the water, raising goats and wearing all linen. Get a coffee at Seafolk Coffee, then walk up the street to the dreamiest bookstore, Barnswallow, literally a bookstore in an old Maine barn *swoon*. I love it so much. Take a little drive to the Rockport harbor, one of the oldest harbors in Maine, look out at the boats. After, wind your way to Rayr Wine for some great wine and excellent cheese.

5. Next up is Rockland— stop first at Antique’s Etc., then check out the Farnsworth Museum, home to the Wyeth Center where some of Andrew’s Wyeth’s most beautiful pieces live. Go to early dinner (make sure to make a reservation) at Suzuki Sushi. I am a sushi snob (a Californian) and this is some of the best, most authentic and fresh sushi I’ve ever had.

6. My brilliant, beautiful best friend runs Glidden Point Oysters in Damariscotta. You HAVE to go! They grow delicious, literally world famous oysters, you can sit and slurp them straight out of the ocean, and then, with a little planning ahead, you can enjoy their private sauna. I’ve been. It’s the best, and you can cold plunge in the ocean, just steps from the sauna.

7. Continuing South, Wiscasset is potentially the most picturesque town in Maine. Meander through, stop at Treats.

8. End your day in Bath at Solo Pane for authentic Italian pastries, baked goods and 10/10 coffee.

I hope you enjoy!