Skip to main content

Maine Micro Guide: Portland & Boothbay Harbor

By Amanda Gabriele Dec 16, 2019 6:04 PM

Maine Sunset

The Danforth

Duckfat

Eventide Oyster Co.

Boast House Bistro

Lobsterman's Wharf

Atlantic Edge Lobster

Downeast Ice Cream Factory

Anderson Studio

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

If you have never been to the Maine Coast, you’re truly missing out on one of the most beautiful places in the world. Situated at what feels like the edge of the Earth, its pristine waters, luminous skies and abundant wildlife make for a peaceful and utmost relaxing holiday. Not to mention the seafood is some of the freshest you’ll ever sink your teeth into.

Recommended Videos

If you’re looking for a summer getaway that is relaxing, affordable and the perfect mix of city and country, check out our Maine micro guide to Portland and Boothbay Harbor. A mere 90 minute drive from one another, spend a day and night in Portland before heading northeast to Boothbay where you should spend as much time as humanly possible.

Portland

Stay

The Danforth – This is how a bed and breakfast should be done – always. Situated in a historic house almost two centuries old, each room offers a unique design, wood-burning fireplace and WiFi. Don’t miss homemade breakfast every morning, prepared with the most delicious ingredients Maine has to offer.
163 Danforth Street | 207-879-8755 | danforthinn.com

Eat

Duckfat – This awesome little sandwich shop is the perfect place for lunch. Be bold and order the duck confit panini or corned beef tongue reuben and grab some crispy french fries, fried in duck fat, for the table.
43 Middle Street | 207-774-8080 | duckfat.com

Eventide Oyster Co. – Eventide was featured on Bon Appétit’s shortlist of the 50 best new restaurants in America in 2013, and it’s still not a meal to be missed. With more than 20 oyster varieties on the raw bar, expect a wait on the weekends – or grab five friends and make a reservation.
86 Middle Street | 207-774-8538 | eventideoysterco.com

Drink

Portland Hunt & Alpine Club – Andrew Volk’s craft cocktail bar not only keeps the spirits flowing until 1am daily, food is served until close to satisfy late-night munchies. Try the Chilton County (bourbon, lemon, peach butter, egg white) or Late Night at OOB (rum, other things, shame) if you have a sense of humor.
75 Market Street | 207-747-4754 | huntandalpineclub.com

Boothbay Harbor

Stay

Cottage Connection – Forget about the hotels in Boothbay Harbor, you want to rent a cottage. Not only will you be able to cook for yourself (if you’re into that) and settle into ultimate relaxation, the character of these homes cannot be matched by even the most endearing bed and breakfast. Whether you want a place on the water or in town, Cottage Connection has the largest selection of rentals in the region.
675 Wiscasset Road | 800-823-9501 | cottageconnection.com

Eat

Boat House Bistro – This triple-decker restaurant has one of the best harbor views in town. Get to the roof and sip on a negroni while you wait for favorites like lemongrass cured salmon, the catch of the day sandwich or lobster every which way you can imagine.
12 By-Way, Boothbay Harbor | 207-633-0400 | theboathousebistro.com

Lobsterman’s Wharf – This East Boothbay eatery has a huge patio and massive dining room with great scenery both indoors and out. Have a drink at the big bar before tucking into steamer clams and the kind of Maine lobster dinner that will make every other lobster dinner seem inferior by comparison.
224 Ocean Point Road, East Boothbay | 207-633-3443 | lobstermanswharf.com

Atlantic Edge Lobster – If you rent a cottage, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the fresh fish markets in the area. We love Atlantic Edge Lobster because the staff is friendly and knowledgable, the location is convenient and the seafood is spectacular. Get your live lobsters here if you’re brave enough to give them a hot bath.
71 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor | 207-633-2300 | Facebook

Downeast Ice Cream Factory – When you’re ready for something sweet, visit this little mom and pop ice cream shop that has everything you’re looking for and more. Pile homemade blueberry cheesecake or Elvis Pretzel (salted caramel ice cream with chocolate covered pretzels and caramel swirl) into a waffle cone, or make a trip to the candy-laden sundae bar for a real treat.
1 By-Way, Boothbay Harbor | 207-633-3016 | Facebook

Drink

Mine Oyster – If you’re in the mood for live entertainment, Mine Oyster brings in some pretty awesome bands from near and far. Grab a drink and a table or boogie down on the dance floor. The vibe in here is truly awesome with people of all ages imbibing and have a great time. Check out the scene at the club downstairs from the balcony.
16 Wharf Street, Pier 1, Boothbay Harbor | 207-633-6616 | mineoyster.net

Knot Gray’s Wharf – And speaking of the club, this is the closest it gets to one in Boothbay Harbor. You probably won’t feel the need to drop it with all that relaxing you’re doing, but this is where the local 20-somethings hang after the restaurants and kayak rental spots close. Start at Mine Oyster (above) and gauge the music and crowd from the upstairs patio. You’ll know when to head downstairs.
16B Wharf Street, Boothbay Harbor | 207-633-5629 | knotgrayswharf.com

Shop

Sherman’s Maine Books & Stationery – With essentials like blueberry jam, lobster cookie cutters, nautical coasters and the like, you have to be a tourist for five minutes and check out the souvenir bounty at this bookstore / gift shop hybrid. It’s perfect for grabbing some postcards or keeping your lady busy while you sneak off for a beer down the street.
5 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor | (207) 633-7262 | shermans.com

Anderson Studio – Rent a cottage like we told you, and you just may find a few ceramic pieces from Anderson Studio on the mantle. Since the 1950s, they have been creating USA-made wildlife sculptures for coastal Maine residents and visitors alike to remind them of their surroundings with lively creatures, bowls and vases.
5 Anderson Road, East Boothbay | 207-350-3057 | andersenstudio.com

Visit

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse – One of the most frequently visited attractions on the Maine coast, this beautiful white lighthouse receives about 100,000 visitors each year. Climb to the top, check out the old lantern and gaze out to sea. Walk through the Fishermen’s Museum next door for an eerie history of shipwrecks.
Pemaquid Point Road, New Harbor | 207-677-2494 | lighthouse.cc

Amanda Gabriele is a food and travel writer at The Manual and the former senior editor at Supercall. She can’t live without… Read Full Bio

These 2026 island getaways are surging in popularity right now

Sandals St. Lucia Grande

Expedia just released its latest set of data: The 2026 Island Hot List, a trending list that compiles the emerging islands travelers are searching for before they become the next big thing. According to the newExpedia data, interest in these rising island destinations is up 55% on average year-over-year, while social media mentions have climbed 20% as travelers look for new experiences, better value, and fewer crowds. If you ask me, this is pretty surprising to hear it’s up 55%, especially when I thought islands were already one of the most popular year-round travel destinations.

Ranked #1 on Expedia’s 2026 Island Hot List is St. Lucia, an island I first fell in love with back in 2023 when I went on my honeymoon there. Once you visit here, it’s pretty easy to see why it’s ranked the best for romantic escapes. This destination has been a popular spot for anniversary and honeymoon trips for a long time now — and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down. As travelers move beyond crowded Caribbean hotspots, many are willing to take the extra trek to destinations like St. Lucia for it’s dramatic scenery, romantic resort options like Sugar Beach, and soft adventure focus.

Six Senses Rome is a peaceful retreat in a beautifully chaotic city

the lobby at Six Senses Rome

Rome is one of the most visited cities in Europe, and by all accounts, it gets crowded. But considering that it’s one of the world’s most important epicenters for history, culture, food and architecture, we can forgive the crowds. After all, complaining about tourism when you’re a tourist is not the way. But booking yourself a peaceful respite to start and end each day most certainly is.

I chose Six Senses Rome as my home base during a recent four-day trip to the city. The property opened in 2023 in the restored 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini. The historic building sets the tone before you even check in, with restored 600-year-old columns in the main entrance, pale travertine floors, a light-dappled lobby overflowing with greenery, and a massive marble staircase that’s almost comically regal. And its neighbor is the gorgeous San Marcello al Corso Church—so you can start your sightseeing by literally going next door.

5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way

Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.