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

Most of our rooms have a wonderful fireplace that you can come back to and warm up by. Skiing, winter hiking, outdoor ice-skating, snow shoeing, ice fishing, whatever your favorite winter activity is, I can help you find it in Camden Maine.

A frequent comment our guests make is the feeling of quiet and peaceful seclusion. Camden is a quiet spot in the Winter, and with five book stores, and the Camden Public library, what better setting to catch up on your reading that the Chart Room Suite? (I stole this idea from one of our guests. She and her husband read while the snow piled up outside). The library’s reading room is also a great option, with comfortable chairs antiques a fantastic view of the harbor!

Our Camden Maine lodging is the perfect location to enjoy Camden Hills State Park for snowshoeing, cross country skiiging, and winter hiking. Also ice skating at the Camden Library Amphitheater is just across the street. And when it’s cold Windward is short walk to Francine’s Bistro, The Camden Deli, Waterfront Restaurant, and the downtown shopping. So what are you waiting for? We have cocoa….

A Couple of Our Favorite Hikers Enjoy The View of Camden Village from Mt Battie

Summer in Maine, Check for Room Availability and Dates!

A periodic entry in the NY Time’s and other major publications articles as one of the best Maine vacation spots, located at 44.21°N 69.06°W, approximately halfway between Bar Harbor and Portland Maine, and only twenty minutes north of Rockland Maine -, but it feels like another world! Camden is the Maine summer vacation if you are looking to enjoy a nostalgic Americana experience for your summer vacation, or enjoy sailing, hiking, kayaking, or outdoor sports in Maine, or simply want a slow paced gourmet meal within view of one of the most scenic harbors in the world, there is no more enjoyable place for you than Camden on the coast of Maine. And the best place to stay when visiting Camden is the Windward House Bed and Breakfast. The Windward House has been hosting guests for over 25 years. It is located a block and a half from the harbor, restaurants and shops, and is central as a walker’s paradise!

The Camden Hills State Park has approximately 30 miles of trails, from picturesque babbling brooks, majestic cliff faces and the view of the church steeples and blue water of Camden Maine village.

Wildlife includes Bald Eagles, Deer, (the reclusive) Moose, Otters, Seals, Hawks and many others.

The Historic Windjammer fleet is just a block away. Whether you are planning on taking a Windjammer Cruise or a 2 hour tour of Penobscot Bay aboard one of Camden’s day sailors, our Maine Bed & Breakfast is just steps away.

Camden Maine on the Midcoast, which is considered south of Downeast Maine is the home to many unique crafters, including painters, shipbuilders and woodworkers. The Maine Center for Furniture Craftsmanship, the world famous Rockport Marine, the Maine Media Workshops and College, Swan’s Island Blankets, Windsor Chairmakers, the Farnsworth Art Museum featuring three generations of the Wyeths, are just some of the attractions minutes away from downtown Camden Maine.

While many lodging accommodations in Camden offer breakfasts as part of the room rate, Windward House B&B is the only lodging to offer a complimentary full menu breakfast of any of the B&B’s in town. Featuring organic local ingredients in made to order breakfasts, including vegan and glutten free options it’s fresh delicious and a terrific value.

Harbor Carriage Room

Our Bed & Breakfast features 8 guest rooms, three true two room suites, and all very comfortable. This in town B&B also offers many Maine vacation packages that help guests to have the best vacation while in Maine.

Windward House inn amenities include off street parking, air conditioning, cable t.v., free wifi, and many rooms have fireplaces and some even have single person Jacuzzi tubs. The Windward House Bed & Breakfast in Camden Maine is the perfect getaway, and even with all the amenities, still a terrific value considering the location and all we offer.

Never Stayed at a Maine Bed & Breakfast? When searching for lodging hotels in Camden Maine visitors have many options, and so should compare what’s available. Camden Maine offers rental cottages and cabins as well as hotels, motels and luxury boutique hotels, and many bed and breakfasts. Each lodging has its own unique characteristics, and since most are independently owned, and not chains, they are as different as their owners. The Windward House B&B concentrates on trying to make its guests feel at home. With home baked treats, gourmet coffee, an ice machine, a guest bar and guest deck, yet its small number of rooms, it is comfy and personal without feeling overly decorated or preciose. Consider a vacation in Camden Maine.

A Photographer's Paradise

If you enjoy taking photographs, painting, or collecting art inspired by the Maine Coast, Camden is a great place for you. With many scenic vistas, old barns, traditional Maine American architecture, farm fields with the rocky coastline in the background, lighthouses, lobster, schooners, luxury yachts -, you’ll feel like you want to photograph everything all the time!

Check out all there is to do in Camden Maine

Windward Weddings – —-CAMDEN MAINE WEDDING PHOTOS - CLICK HERE

Windward House specializes in “Green” and “Slow” celebrations & weddings. The Camden Windward House is certified by the State of Maine as an Environmental Leader in Hospitality. Our location is ideal. Windward House is across the street from the historic Camden Amphitheatre and Harbor Park.

Windward House is pleased to be a Maine Green Leader in Hospitality that offers green weddings in Camden. As a business, we make every effort to consider the environment and the community we live in. To that end, we would like to share with you some ideas on how to make your Camden Maine Wedding a “Green Wedding.”

Part of the charm of hosting your wedding at Windward House is that we are in town and walking distance to all Camden activities. Your guests can park their car and walk to and from the reception. Many of our brides choose to get married in the historic Camden amphitheatre, at the base of the harbor, or out on a boat. All three of these locations are walking distance to the Inn. While you are out taking your pictures in any of the numerous scenic spots in Camden, your guests can leisurely walk back to Windward House and enjoy a cocktail.

The reception venue:

The Camden Windward House has a strict code of gardening. No pesticides or poisons are used on the property. One of your guests just might have baby doves nesting outside their window. The property recycles all materials and encourages brides to buy local for all wedding items.

The venue at Windward House combines use of the historic home and the 1 acre property. You are invited to use the sitting room and dining room and the back yard for your party.

So you want a choice?

We love staying at B&B’s when we are on vacation, but we’ve also found ourselves skipping the breakfast part of the B when it was just one thing and it wasn’t something we wanted, or it was a cold continental affair, or the innkeepers didn’t drink coffee, so the coffee just wasn’t that great. While you can’t please all tastes, we have tried to remedy those shortfalls by offering locally roasted fresh organic free trade coffee -, we get compliments all the time. We also give you a menu – the only Bed and Breakfast in Camden Maine to offer a menu for breakfast. And it’s hot! We offer grains and other nutritious non cooked offerings, but also cooked to order traditional American breakfast fare – with the twist-, it will taste better than most because we only use organic ingredients. Real farm raised stuff just tastes better, and you won’t have to wonder if you’re doing the right thing.

A full menu breakfast – made to order is included with your room. Windward House is the only B&B in Camden that offers a complimentary menu breakfast. Breakfast – as much or as little as you like. Please see our menu here: Camden Maine Breakfast . Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions. We can accomodate vegans and gluten free guests.

But at the Camden Windward House breakfast is just the beginning. Our Maine Lodging offers a great nights sleep, hand pressed high thread count sheets, in a traditional Greek revival house that will feel like putting on your favorite old sweater. And more -, a fantastic location in Camden, and many free amenities including wifi throughout the house and backyard, complimentary tea coffee and baked goodies in the afternoon, offstreet parking , air conditioning, many rooms have Vermont Castings gas-fired wood burning stoves, and cable television (not that you have to turn the thing on!)

For a Camden Maine lodging at a reasonable price for all it has to offer you can’t beat the Camden Windward House B&B!

Harbor Carriage Room - with King Sized Bed

Please view all our wonderful and “comfy” rooms. Our great location and wonderful rooms make this the best value in comfy bed & breakfast lodging in Camden Maine. Click here to see rooms: Camden Maine Lodging

Quarterdeck Room With King Sized Bed

Our rooms are spacious, and all have private bathrooms, air conditioning, cable television and free wifi standard.

We have many King sized beds and a couple of two twin bed options. We are frequently asked about how we make the beds, because many guests say they never slept so well. We can’t take all the credit of course. Maine’s fresh air, the pleasant laid back feel of the town, contribute to our guests relaxation but also, we think our efforts also add to those things to make for a fantastic night’s sleep!

We hand press the sheets and get high quality high thread count sheets, and launder them with meticulous care. When you come and stay check out the guest books in the room, and you’ll see frequently the guests say they haven’t slept that well in years.

NOW WHEN YOU TAKE A SHOWER AT WINDWARD – YOU ARE HELPING FARMERS! Windward House uses Gilchrest & Soames BeeKind products:

Gilchrist & Soames is supporting honey bee and sustainable pollination research at the University of California at Davis Entomology Department by donating a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the BeeKind™ Collection to the University’s Honey Bee Research Program.

Feel Good. Do Good.

All the Windward House, Camden Maine B&B Rooms have

• Free WiFi
• Off Street Parking
• Full Menu Breakfast
• Air Conditioning
• Cable TV
• Private Bathrooms En Suite

Looking for a great seaside town to host your friends and family for your wedding ceremony or reception? Or Do you just need a quick getaway from the stress of Wedding Planning?

Windward House hosts weddings, receptions and wedding banquets, but also wedding guests and wedding parties and brides and grooms who are hosting their guests at another venue. This package is for all you prospective Brides and Grooms to come and check out Camden Maine for your wedding.

This package comes with: a complimentary bottle of Prosecco, a free one hour wedding consultation to provide basic information about venues for ceremonies, catering, decorating and what’s possible here in Camden Maine!

Packages Starting at $128.99.

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