Maine's Coastal Route 1

While California has Highway 1 along the Pacific coast, Maine has Route 1 along the Atlantic which provides a scenic road trip through port towns, rocky beaches and quaint farms.

I began my trip as far North as Stockton Springs, a community situated on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Stockton Springs is mostly residential with private homes in the acres of woods. Its the kind of place where people tend to their garden, spend afternoons reading in a gazebo and bake homemade berry pies. My gracious hosts offered for my boyfriend and I to stay in the one-room cottage at the edge of the cliff. The country style cottage was cozy with a fireplace and adirondack chairs. Vintage guides to Maine on the coffee table added to the charm. We could literally stand on the porch and throw a rock into the ocean. A full moon made it a bright evening on the water and barking seals kept us company.



After a night on the water, we began the drive down Route 1. The road meandered through hilly farms and coastline as we passed food stands that read "Watermelon: $4" and "Pop's Crabcakes." Belfast was the first stop: a port town full of sailboats and ships on the water. The foot bridge dedicated to the veterans of WWI is a landmark to visit.



Next stop, Camden, a thriving town on the water where many choose to retire. Perfectly landscaped and full of seafood restaurants, coffee shops, used bookstores and boutiques, Camden is a must-see destination. We chose Cappie's Chowder House for lunch where it is a sin not to try the famous clam chowder. The restaurant showcases plenty of nautical memorobilia and the Seagull's Nest bar upstairs is a fun spot for a drink. Be sure to find the footbridge garden maintained by local green thumbs which crosses a canal for a girly photo op. Scenic nooks are in no shortage as Camden also has several man-made waterfalls alongside restaurant patios.



Just past the main street of Camden is the Children's Chapel (pictured above), a colorful garden and pavillion near the ocean. The chapel is an informal spiritual ground dedicated to young people and is popular for small weddings. The grounds are also ideal for a picnic.



Continuing South on Route 1 we passed Rockland and stopped in Boothbay Harbor. Boothbay is more touristy than Camden with salt water taffy, fudge and ice cream vendors. The town revolves around the main dock from which whale watching and reggae boat tours depart. Sherman's seems to have the better Maine souvenirs specializing in stationary and selling the literature of Maine-based authors like E.B. White. Kids will also enjoy the Boothbay Aquarium, a small facility with touch tanks full of creepy crawlers.

While in Boothbay, be sure to drive the extra 5 miles to Ocean Point where beautiful vacation homes and lobster traps are in abundance. Ocean Point is what many people think of when they think of Maine's coast: rocky beaches and waterways full of boats. Route 1 features towns where life is slower, perhaps the way things used to be.