The popular Maine Home & Design magazine recently featured the idyllic waterfront towns of Camden and Rockport and all the fabulous things they have to offer: beautiful harbors, excellent restaurants and plenty of year-round activities. Read more to find out why these towns are worth a visit, or a lifetime, in “Portrait of Place, Camden & Rockport”.
Looking for Things to do in the Camden and Rockport area?
Arts & Culture
Authors, painters, poets and musicians have called this region home for generations as the atmosphere appeals to the creative mind and the natural beauty serves as their muse. The opulent Camden Opera House has a full schedule of musicians, ballet and comedy. Bay Chamber Concerts in Rockport offers a diverse selection of performers; and 15 minutes south, the town of Rockland has been dubbed the ‘art capital of Maine’ with the highlight being the Wyeth-centric Farnsworth Art Museum.
Myriad high-quality art galleries exhibit work of all genres with an emphasis on local artists, such as Ralston Gallery in Rockport featuring Peter Ralston’s Maine photographs and Wyeth prints. Page Gallery opened last summer in Camden and exhibits several themed group shows a year.
Food
Camden and Rockport offer a variety of casual and upscale dining experiences that will satisfy every palate and craving. Chefs are attracted to the region because of the excellent fresh and local ingredients and amazing cold-water seafood, bringing a sophistication to the restaurant scene that was not present 15 years ago. The New York Times’ glowing review of Long Grain in Camden keeps this restaurant packed year-round with those seeking its comforting Thai-style street food. Rhumb Line, open seasonally in Camden, has a very special setting looking back across the harbor to the village of Camden and the hills soaring above it. 18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill in Rockport offers excellent off-season specials (think half-price raw bar) and next door is Nina June where chef Sara Jenkins serves up Maine + Mediterranean-style food in a gorgeous space overlooking Rockport Harbor.
Shopping
Camden’s Main Street is dotted with everything from elegant clothing stores to t-shirt and gift shops. Glendarragh Lavender offers a variety of products made from lavender grown in Appleton, Maine. Jo Ellen Designs features beautiful displays of everything from cookbooks to glassware, men’s gifts and children’s goods. Camden’s Sea Bags store is fully stocked with all shapes and sizes of the iconic bag made from recycled sails. The Owl and Turtle Bookshop Cafe is not only an excellent bookshop and café, but hosts popular local authors (Tess Gerritsen, Chris Van Dusen) for book signings and events.
Adventure
The Camden Hills State Park covers 5,500± acres of land with intersecting scenic hiking trails for every age and ability. Popular hikes such as Maiden’s Cliff and Mt. Battie offer breathtaking views of the hills and lakes, Penobscot Bay and the islands. Charter one of the many local Schooners for a tour of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. One of our favorites is the Schooner Surprise.
The Camden Snow Bowl and Ragged Mountain Preserve also offer year-round activities. During the winter, the family-friendly mountain has three lifts, a popular learn-to-ski program, and access trails for snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. Hosmer Pond at the base of the mountain is frequently dotted with ice fishing houses and the National Toboggan Championships in February draw a huge crowd!
Maine Sport Outfitters will prepare you for any adventure with an extensive collection of apparel and gear for purchase and rent (kayaks, stand up paddle boards, ice skates, skis, bikes, etc). Download this handy map for quick reference, Camden Outdoors Map.
Exceptional Properties Available Near Camden & Rockport
Oak Hall, Northport
Surrounded by majestic oaks, this iconic Georgian-style house is nestled between the popular waterfront towns of Camden and Belfast in the charming Victorian village of Bayside and features views of Penobscot Bay and perfectly-preserved period details.
Penobscot Lane, Owls Head
This waterfront Deck House with its signature deck-style ceiling, exposed post-and-beam structure and excellent views, is reminiscent of the Frank Lloyd Wright style of architecture and contains Craftsman style details with luxurious materials.
Prospect Cottage, Cushing
Situated in a spectacular, private setting, this beautifully constructed waterfront home includes an attractive barn and steps lead to the gentle rocky shore for swimming and kayaking; and a waterfront fire pit, picnic table for lobster dinners, hot tub and outdoor shower complete the setup for perfect Maine outdoor living.
For more information on these properties in and around Camden and Rockport, please contact Joe Sortwell, jsortwell@landvest.com or Terry Sortwell, tsortwell@landvest.com in our Camden office, 207-236-3543.
Header image: View of Rockport Harbor from The Community House.
