Three Days or More In Camden Maine A One to Three Day (or more)

Itinerary for guests of the Windward House B&B with ideas to enjoy all Camden has to offer.

• (Optional) Morning Hike Option 1 (Sunrise) – Mt. Battie, Camden Hills State Park Take your coffee or water and sneak out the back door and up Megunticook Street to the Mt. Battie Trailhead. The trail is half a mile to the top although you may decide to stop along the way and enjoy the view of the sun coming up over Camden Harbor and the town. The second half of the hike has some precipitous hard scrabble -, more vertical areas, so you may decide to continue to the top or not. Either way it’s a fantastic way to start the day.
• Option 2 – Camden Downtown Take your coffee or tea or water and stroll across the street, and to the lawn of the Camden Public Library, Camden harbor Park and Amphitheatre where you’ll find the perfect bench to enjoy the sunrise over Camden Harbor.

Breakfast

Complimentary Full Menu Breakfast (Enjoy in your room or in our sunny Greek revival dining room) Return for Breakfast- the longest breakfast period of any B&B in town – 7:30-10am during high season. Breakfast at the Windward House B&B (guests only). The menu although not all-encompassing will satisfy those hotel guests who prefer a full to continental breakfast, and bed and breakfast guests who often yearn for choices in the morning when they expect just one offering at the typical B&B. Help yourself to fresh brewed organic locally roasted fair trade coffee, an assortment of teas, cocoa, or mulled cider. Once your order is taken you’re served fresh fruit while your breakfast is being prepared. Organic and fresh local ingredients brighten the simple traditional fare and daily specials excite.

• Morning Activity Option 1 – Go Sailing on one of the many historic daysailers in Camden Harbor! Enjoy a two hour day sail aboard a historic schooner with possible 9:45am or 10am departures*. Walking distance from the Windward House B&B, Camden’s public landing is the departure point for a choice of captains and boats. Whether it’s an elegant turn of the century racing yacht or a former coaster that plied the island towns with wares during the last century, the view of the coast and Penobscot Bay from the water can’t be beat. True sailing, islands, wildlife and the Captain’s tales of local lore, plus the sea air will give you a good appetite for lunch.
• Option 2 – Go Shopping! Camden’s downtown is a very manageable yet eclectic mix of mostly independently owned shops. From the sublime to the obscure and everything in between, Maine Gatherings and Once a Tree have many interesting local artists and crafts as well as national and international objects and pieces chosen for their beauty and uniqueness. The Leather Bench has a fantastic assortment of leather goods and clothing. There are photographic prints, paintings, clothes and souvenirs. The Camden Cooperative, located in the old movie theatre, is a collaboration of antique stores around the Midcoast filled with interesting items for sale from clothes and furniture to actual vinyl records! If you’re a cowgirl make sure you check out the leather jackets in the back.

Lunch

Camden Maine for its small size has an excellent choice of lunchtime venues…

• Camden Deli – For a great view casual dining and a selection of local beers, try the Camden Deli, serving sandwiches inspired by some of our local celebrities (like our windjammers and schooners) fresh ingredients and hearty homemade soups. They also feature many delicious home baked treats. If you get up early enough you can see their elves on the second floor street-side windows whipping up delectable confections. Try their lobster rolls!
• Waterfront Restaurant – Another great lunch spot with a wonderful view, and an outdoor deck the Waterfront serves a variety of foods from simple traditional pub fare to more elaborate pasta and seafood dishes. Local beef burgers from the Aldemere farm can’t be beat. Great view, great service.
• Scott’s Place – a local tradition, a lunchwagon style place in Reny’s shopping center on Route 1, maybe just a little further than you’d like to walk. If you’ve never been to Reny’s it’s worth a trip, and while you’re there you can get a cheeseburger or egg salad sandwich, great French fries and drinks and eat at a picnic table in the parking lot. – Inexpensive and casual to say the least. Or instead of eating in the parking lot, take your lunch for a picnic at the A Quick View of the Lighthouse the spot for a picnic.
• Graffam’ Seafood – If you’re planning on any of the Rockport Short Trips in this itinerary– including Beauchamp Point, The CMCA art museum, or Rockport Harbor, and want to have a fantastic picnic, take Union Street out of Camden (turn left at the flashing light by the old yellow schoolhouse) and pull over at Graffam’s, either the shop or the lunchwagon and get lobster rolls, or sandwiches or chowders and drinks and bring them with you. Picnic tables at Rockport Harbor, Walker Park in Rockport, or on a flat rock along Beauchamp Point scenic byway are the perfect places to enjoy your food -, if you can resist the temptation to eat what you bought in the car!

After Lunch – if you went Sailing in the morning, then you should try Shopping after lunch. If you went Shopping in the morning, then you should try Sailing in the afternoon. The Afternoon Sail or Afternoon Shopping are great preludes to a fantastic dinner in town. But, if you think you need to burn some calories after your lunch and before dinner, you might try one of the Short Hikes on the Day Two List.

DAY TWO In Camden Maine -

Many of our guests break up the activities in Day One into two days, but if you’re ready to do more stuff here’re some suggestions:

Short Hikes

• A Quick View of the Lighthouse (Camden Lighthouse Lookout) A small viewing spot accessible from Bayview Street leads to a place to sit and see Curtis Island and the Curtis Island Light. (Ask your Innkeeper for better directions, this is a hidden gem).
• Beauchamp Point in Rockport This local favorite hike is at the end of Mechanic Street, a scenic byway with views of Rockport Harbor, and access for sitting on the rocks or swimming.
• Beach Hill Preserve Drive down Route 1 south to Beach Hill Road – turn right and continue until the sign indicates. Enjoy a walk through a blueberry field up a road to a hilltop with Pen Bay views and the sod-roofed restored tea house. This walk is wonderful if you want to get some sun on your face. The walk is through blueberry fields, there is no overhead canopy to block the beautiful ocean and lake vistas.

Longer Hikes, But Well Worth The View

• Camden Hills State Park – Drive to the trailheads for any of these trails, and enjoy a leisurely hike at an average of about 2 to 2.5 hours or a quick hike in less time. Innkeeper’s favorite Long Trails
• Carriage Trail to Tablelands Trail to Ocean Lookout (1.5 hours) The Ocean Lookout from atop a rock face above Mt. Battie is a great place from which to view Camden, Camden Harbor, Mt. Battie, and the westward view of Ragged Mountain and the waterways that run from Megunticook Lake to the Harbor.
• Bald Rock Mountain (3 hours) A longer hike, but not precipitous. A large part of this hike is from the road to the trailhead along the road-like trail that gradually rises. The wider gravel road trail gives way to a narrower trail that gets slightly steeper until the summit. A great view of Lincolnville Beach and Islesboro in Pen. Bay.
• Maiden’s Cliff Trail (1.5 hours) A fantastic view of Lake Megunticook, the trailhead is reached from Route 105 or Mountain Street. A switchback trail leading to a rockface above the lake.

DAY THREE Kayaking Camden Harbor or Lake Megunticook

You may rent a Kayak for a tour of the Harbor or have one dropped off at the lake. If you enjoy swimming, then choose the lake. Lake Megunticook has some lovely picnic spots which are on preserved land open to the public. Ask your Innkeeper for directions or pick up a trail map from Maine Sport downtown. Pack lunch and snacks and enjoy the lake the entire day. Guided Tours of Camden Harbor via Kayak are offered at various times of the day, and there is a long and a shorter one available. When you return to Windward House you’ll be ready for a nice hot bath or shower, and a nice glass of wine or a beer before dinner. Add a Maine Artisan Cheeseplate to your drinks – you’ve earned it. Enjoy your snacks on the deck or out in the backyard.

DINNER OPTIONS ALL NIGHTS

How About Dinner In Camden Maine? One of the fantastic things about dinner in town is that you can walk!

For a view If you haven’t gotten enough of the fantastic view of Camden Harbor during your morning or afternoon activities and just have to have a nice view to enjoy during dinner, you might try one of these restaurants…

• Atlantica Seafood Bistro – has limited number of seats on the deck. If that’s important to you or even on busy weekends reservations are recommended. Innkeeper can help with that.
• Waterfront Restaurant – Their dinner menu is more elaborate than their lunch. The view is fantastic, the harbor, Curtis Island, Mt. Battie beyond the Public Library, -, and they serve food and drinks on a large outdoor deck. No reservations are taken, and it can be a bit hectic on a nice day on the deck.
• Camden Deli – Casual dining above the waterfall. They have a great second story deck that looks out over the waterfall and the harbor.

View is Not So Important But Good Food Is:

• Francine’s Bistro – is a local favorite so reservations are needed. Local and organic ingredients from chef owner feature in food which is rich in a small restaurant.
• Long Grain – Asian cuisine homemade noodles fresh ingredients in a small intimate setting, a great option for vegetarians. Reservations are a must.

*check times and availability of activities sometimes change, and usually vary with the seasons so always check ahead or ask your innkeeper to help make your arrangements!

Additional Items to fit into your time at Camden Windward House: Day trip to Bar Harbor Acadia National Park, Day trip to Rockland for the Farnsworth Art Museum and Breakwater lighthouse, afternoon trip to the Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville. For more are ideas, please check out Activities in Camden Maine posts and pages. Check to see if the dates you want are available