Here are the Best Places for Camden, Maine Sightseeing
Camden is one of the most beautiful destinations along the New England coast. Our quiet town boasts peaceful views of the Penobscot Bay, lush greenery, and historic homes. Life seems simpler and more tranquil when you’re surrounded by such beautiful views. There are also several ways to take in the natural beauty of Midcoast Maine. Popular outdoor activities for sightseeing in Camden, Maine, include boat cruises, plane rides, kayaking, and hiking trails. Continue reading for more information on each sightseeing opportunity!
Request our complimentary Camden Travel Guide for more sightseeing options. This helpful resource is filled with innkeeper-selected recommendations on what to do during your trip to Midcoast Maine!
Top 4 Ways to Explore Sightseeing in Camden, Maine
1. Cruises
Being on the water is an essential part of any trip to Midcoast Maine. Our small town is located on Penobscot Bay, which makes it easy to hop on a sightseeing cruise during your visit! We recommend booking a sailing tour with Schooner Olad. These cruises are a great way to view wildlife, hidden islands, historic lighthouses near Camden, ME, and more!
Schooner Olad offers sightseeing sails from mid-May through late October. During this time, choose from sails that are ideal for wildlife viewing, sailing breeze, and more! However, if you can swing it, we recommend booking the Sunset Sail. This option is available in the summer months from mid-June to mid-August. You’re sure to be enchanted by the sight of the setting sun dancing on the water.
Remember that Schooner Olad guests can bring wine and cheese on any of the sailing tours!
2. Plane Rides
For panoramic views of Midcoast Maine, opt for a flightseeing tour with Penobscot Island Air! Choose from five scenic flights that highlight spectacular views in and around the Penobscot Bay.
Here are the five flightseeing options you can choose from and the areas that they cover:
- Flight A: Owls Head, Camden, and Rockland
- Flight B: St. George River and Coastal Maine
- Flight C: Penobscot Bay
- Flight D: All Acadia
- Flight E: Custom Lighthouse Tour
Choose from these five flightseeing tours or contact Penobscot Island Air to curate a unique scenic flight. Please note that all flights are priced at $380 per hour and can be divided using 15-minute increments. Each plane can hold up to five passengers. This company also offers water taxis, seaplanes, and more!
3. Kayaking
Kayaking is another great outdoor activity that allows you to take in spectacular ocean views. As locals, we have a couple of favorite outfitters to rent kayaks and/or standup paddleboards for a day on the water. Below are two of our go-to kayak rental companies!
Maine Sport Outfitters has locations in Rockport and downtown Camden. The stores are open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for Sundays, when the store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Maine Sport Outfitters offers equipment rentals as well as guided trips and tours.
For more experienced kayakers, you can rent a single or tandem lake or sea kayak and head out on an adventure! Maine Sport Outfitters offers one-day, multi-day, and weekly rentals for all their kayak options. These rentals range between $50 and $250 depending on the length and type of rental.
Maine Sport Outfitters also offer beginners classes as well as sightseeing tours. We recommend one of the Camden Harbor tours! The standard Camden Harbor Tour is available from June to September. This tour departs from downtown Camden and leads kayakers through the Penobscot Bay. From Curtis Lighthouse to the Camden Hills, you can discover some of the best sights on this kayak tour.
Maine Sports Outfitters also offers a Camden Harbor Sunset Tour. In essence, it’s the same as the standard tour, except it takes place at sunset and has fewer time slots. Between late-June and early September, this kayak tour departs from Bay View Landing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The landing is next to Peter Ott’s on the Water, which is one of our favorite waterfront restaurants in Camden and a great place to grab an after-kayak cocktail.
4. Hiking
Camden Hills State Park is home to 30 miles of hiking trails. The Mount Battie Trail and the Mount Megunticook Trail are two of the most popular hiking trails among our guests. Before you head out, be sure to enjoy a brown bag lunch at the park’s picnic area.
The Mount Battie Trail is a popular selection because it’s easy to traverse and offers spectacular views. This 1.1-mile trail features 600 feet of elevation gain. Thanks to its steep incline, you can enjoy views of the sun shimmering off the Camden Harbor at its summit. Along the way, enjoy views of beautiful wildflowers and other native flora and fauna.
For a bit more of a challenge, take on the Megunticook Trail. This one-mile trail takes about an hour to traverse due to the steep incline, but the views are well worth it! From its peak, you can look down on the Mount Battie Trail. With minimal cloud cover, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Washington in the distance!
Updated Aug. 31, 2020 | Note from the Innkeeper
Here are 10 thoughts on “sightseeing in Camden, Maine”:
In Camden
1. taking in the views of the graceful sailing ships from the hill in Harbor Park at the base of Camden’s idyllic harbor
2. strolls along quiet, forested Calderwood Lane and Beauchamp Point Road, with a lingering stop at Vesper Hill Chapel, as you gaze out toward beautiful Penobscot Bay
3. hiking the scenic nature trails behind the Inn, including Mt. Battie Trail, which overlooks Camden and its harbor, and Maiden Cliff Trail, which takes you through a forest to exposed cliffs from which you see both Megunticook Lake and Penobscot Bay
4. mixing with the locals at the quaint Camden Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings
5. enjoying the peace, solitude and natural beauty of the Inn’s park-like garden and the stream running along the back of our property
Around Camden
6. venturing off Route 1 – and not worrying about getting lost, because you always have GPS – and heading south down the St. George Peninsula or west to the villages of Hope, Appleton, Union and beyond
7. admiring the engineering skill of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and the simple, pure beauty of Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde
8. enjoying a fresh, flavorful whole lobster or lobster roll at famed McLoon’s Lobster Shack on Spruce Head Island in South Thomaston
9. picking apples and drinking fresh cider at family-owned, Rockwell-esque Hope Orchards in the town of Hope
10. seeing Midcoast Maine through the eyes and brushstrokes of the famous artist Andrew Wyeth at the Farnsworth Museum in nearby Rockland and the Olson House in slightly farther Cushing
Stay at the Camden Maine Stay Inn
Come back to our bed and breakfast after a day of sightseeing in Camden, Maine. Our Inn is located just minutes from downtown Camden, so it’s easy to access all the most popular things to do in our area. We also have an on-site park-like garden that spans nearly two acres. Here, you can continue to enjoy tranquil views. After an evening stroll around the garden, enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in your chosen guest room.
Consider a stay in the Latanza Room. This spacious, two-room guest room boasts a king-size bed, a living room with a queen-size sleeper sofa, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. This room also features beautiful views of the houses along historic High Street as well as in the garden.
Check our availability to start planning your trip to Camden, Maine. We can’t wait to show you around!