Winter Weekend Itinerary: MidCoast Maine
Winter in Maine is magical. Winter in MidCoast Maine is *extra* special, because you can walk on the beach, alpine ski, and enjoy fine dining all in the same day. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. But the only way to find out is to start planning, and I’ve got you covered! Let’s discover what MidCoast Maine has to offer.
Lodging
Whatever your getaway love language is, you can find it in Midcoast Maine. They have boutique hotels like 250 Main, gorgeous waterfront Air B & B’s, charming Inns, sweet cottages, luxurious resorts, and so much more.
It’s become tradition for us to stay at the iconic Samoset Resort. This nautical-themed resort is encompassed by panoramic views of Penobscot Bay. Although Summer is peak season, there is just as much to do in the Winter! Walk or cross-country ski the golf course, pamper yourself at the spa, cuddle up to one of the fireplaces with a warm drink and a good book, jump in the pool, let off steam in the sauna, pump iron in the gym, let loose in the game room, or take a leisurely walk out to the breakwater lighthouse. They also have a restaurant on-site that offers three meals a day (which includes a kick-ass breakfast buffet).
Friday
Before checking in, stop for a scrumptious lunch at Clan MacLaren in downtown Rockland. We split the highland moon sandwich and each ordered our own soup to accompany it. My caramelized onion and potato soup was to die for and Nate’s clam chowder was equally as dreamy.
Walk off lunch with a quick stroll around downtown Rockland. Our favorite stops were the Landing Gallery, Arctic Tern Books, and the Loyal Biscuit Co pet store, where workers were engrossed in discussion over the origins of the phrase “hello, governor”. We were no help in the discussion, but we did buy a toy for our pup!
Next, unpack and settle into accommodations. Our room at the Samoset just so happened to have a view of the gorgeous Breakwater lighthouse, but I’m definitely not bragging. Then, layer up, and take a stroll nearby. We walked around the golf course and then jumped in our hot tub to warm up and watch the sunset (I know this sounds super boujee and I don’t care, because it was freakin’ awesome).
Before dinner, grab a round of drinks! We sat in the Enoteca Lounge, which is a gorgeous combination of rustic wood, deep leather chairs, and cozy fireplaces located on the ground floor of the Samoset. Other notable drink spots in Rockland are Myrtle Street Tavern and Eclipse of the Pearl.
There are several off-season dinner options in Rockland. Rustica Cucina Italiana, Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, Archer’s on the Pier, and North Beacon Oyster are just a few that come to mind. We had to walk a whopping 20 steps to get to our dinner reservation at La Bella Vita. The menu was full of italian cuisine, ranging from hand rolled polpette to garganelli bolognaise. I ordered a glass of white wine alongside the chicken saltimbocca and my husband ordered a red wine to accompany his Sicilian ocean stew. Both were fantastic.
Saturday
Pick up donuts from Ruckus Donuts and bring them along for a Winter hike up either Maiden’s Cliff or Mount Battie. After taking in the views, warm up with some coffee and breakfast sandwiches from the Rockland Cafe. If hiking isn’t your thing, Owl’s Head State Park would also make for a picturesque breakfast spot.
After breakfast, drive to Birch Point State Park and spend a couple hours exploring the beautiful sandy beach and the rocky coastline. Or take time to explore a few of the local lighthouses (Owls Head, Rockland Breakwater, and Marshall Point Lighthouse). If the weather is poor, then try your luck at good ol’ fashioned candlepin bowling at Oakland Park Bowling Lanes. Be sure to bring cash or your debit card, as they don’t accept cards.
Before dinner, enjoy a stroll around the quaint town of Camden while it’s not overrun with tourists. Check out the local shops, play a round of pool at Cuzzy’s, a local bar with a unique hanging-out-in-my-friends-basement vibe that makes you want to stay for hours.
Camden has a cornacopia of dinner options. In the mood for Asian food? Try Long Grain on Washington Street. Itching for seafood? Try The Waterfront Restaurant. Craving Italian? Try 40 paper. We opted for atmosphere and dined at Franny’s Bistro. The crab cake appetizer was the star of the show. Our mains, steak frites and arctic char, were equally yummy.
Sunday
Nothing says Sunday breakfast like the Home Kitchen Cafe. We accidentally arrived 30 minutes before they opened, which was actually a blessing in disguise because cars started pulling into the parking lot one after another shortly after we did. We quickly realized this was a show-up-early-to-get-a-seat kind of place, so we got out of our car and joined the rambunctious line of locals waiting to get their hands on a warm breakfast. Sure enough, there were at least 50 people waiting in line by the time the doors opened, and it was a crazy free-for-all to score a seat. Oddly enough, it was absolutely worth every minute of waiting outside in the 30-degree weather. Service was quick, the menu had everything you could want and more, and the food was delicious.
After stuffing our bellies full of eggs benedict, we made our way to the Camden Snow Bowl to do some alpine skiing. The mountain had gotten a few inches of fresh snow, so we knew conditions were going to be mint.
For those of you that have never skied at Camden Snow Bowl, let me paint you a picture. The lodge is a super cute A-frame with bathrooms and lockers downstairs and tables and a tiny cafeteria upstairs. The mountain is owned and operated by the town of Camden Parks and Recreation Department, which gives it that small town ski mountain feel that can’t be beat. It has plenty of trails to keep you busy for hours of skiing—AND rentals available for the whole family!
If cross-country skiing is more your style, Ragged Mountain Preserve has miles of ski trails, as does Camden Hills State Park! If you need rentals, Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport has your back!
Additional Activities
Bad weather? Catch a movie at Flagship Cinemas in Thomaston.
Try your luck at ice skating at the MidCoast Recreation Center for $7.00/per person. Rentals are $5.00/per person.
Happy exploring, friends!
MyMaine
