Guidebook for Rockland-Based Fun
Food Scene
This is a must-visit breakfast (and lunch!) spot just blocks from our house. Baked goods are made in-house (bakery right down the block) and the service is fantastic. Don't miss it!
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Home Kitchen Cafe
650 Main StThis is a must-visit breakfast (and lunch!) spot just blocks from our house. Baked goods are made in-house (bakery right down the block) and the service is fantastic. Don't miss it!
One of the best views in Rockland from the outdoor area at this family-friendly seafood restaurant.
Hill's Seafood Co
266 Main StOne of the best views in Rockland from the outdoor area at this family-friendly seafood restaurant.
Get dinner or just oysters and small plates at this charming spot on Main Street. Sit in the window for people-watching at the counter!
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North Beacon Oyster
421 Main StGet dinner or just oysters and small plates at this charming spot on Main Street. Sit in the window for people-watching at the counter!
Rock Harbor Pub and Brewery
416 Main StA relaxed spot to have a beer.
This is a popular local watering hole for watching events on TV and charity fundraisers, etc. However, it's also a really great family restaurant with helpful servers and a very kid-friendly atmosphere and menu. We go often! The old train station is a fun location for a meal with the kids.
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Trackside Station
4 Union StThis is a popular local watering hole for watching events on TV and charity fundraisers, etc. However, it's also a really great family restaurant with helpful servers and a very kid-friendly atmosphere and menu. We go often! The old train station is a fun location for a meal with the kids.
No time to go out of town to hit a lobster shack? Never fear - we have some of the best lobster in Rockland right up the road from us. Covered porch in case it's raining. Order at the window.
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Claws
743 Main StNo time to go out of town to hit a lobster shack? Never fear - we have some of the best lobster in Rockland right up the road from us. Covered porch in case it's raining. Order at the window.
I say "food scene" because this is one of the most iconic farm markets in the midcoast. They have gorgeous plants and produce as well as tasty local breads, cheeses, and even lobsters! Go see what's good and don't forget to try their famous strawberry shortcake.
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Beth's Farm Market
1986 Western RdI say "food scene" because this is one of the most iconic farm markets in the midcoast. They have gorgeous plants and produce as well as tasty local breads, cheeses, and even lobsters! Go see what's good and don't forget to try their famous strawberry shortcake.
This amazing, long-standing purveyor of house-made sauerkraut, pickles, and European deli items also has a restaurant. It's not a secret for locals, but it's strangely not well-known to visitors. Bundle it with a trip to Beth's Farm Market and snag yourself a charcuterie feast!
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Morse's Sauerkraut
3856 Washington RdThis amazing, long-standing purveyor of house-made sauerkraut, pickles, and European deli items also has a restaurant. It's not a secret for locals, but it's strangely not well-known to visitors. Bundle it with a trip to Beth's Farm Market and snag yourself a charcuterie feast!
Wasses is legendary in the midcoast for being one of the best hot dogs around! You may have to wait in line awhile, but it's worth it. 100% take away (no indoor seating)
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Wasses Hot Dogs
2 N Main StWasses is legendary in the midcoast for being one of the best hot dogs around! You may have to wait in line awhile, but it's worth it. 100% take away (no indoor seating)
Drinks & Nightlife
In Good Company also serves wonderful food, but its greatest feature is that it's a cozy wine bar with excellent appetizers, etc. Perfect for date night or meeting a small group of friends.
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In Good Company
415 Main StIn Good Company also serves wonderful food, but its greatest feature is that it's a cozy wine bar with excellent appetizers, etc. Perfect for date night or meeting a small group of friends.
Ada's is also a wonderful pasta and pizza-focused restaurant, but our favorite area is the bar. You can get a full menu of cocktails and they have excellent beers. Hopping almost all the time! Go just for drinks or stay for dinner.
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Ada's Kitchen
449 Main StAda's is also a wonderful pasta and pizza-focused restaurant, but our favorite area is the bar. You can get a full menu of cocktails and they have excellent beers. Hopping almost all the time! Go just for drinks or stay for dinner.
Sightseeing
There is no more iconic Rockland activity than walking part or all of the Breakwater with your family. Be aware that toddlers may not be able to handle the cracks in the stones - it should be fine for all other ages.
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Rockland Breakwater Light
There is no more iconic Rockland activity than walking part or all of the Breakwater with your family. Be aware that toddlers may not be able to handle the cracks in the stones - it should be fine for all other ages.
IF you watched Forrest Gump, you' ve seen this gem of a lighthouse. Take a leisurely drive down, check it out, and then go to McLoon's or Miller's Lobster for a bite!
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Marshall Point Lighthouse Museum
Marshall Point RoadIF you watched Forrest Gump, you' ve seen this gem of a lighthouse. Take a leisurely drive down, check it out, and then go to McLoon's or Miller's Lobster for a bite!
I need to upload a better photo here, but this charming little lighthouse has a fantastic view and, by the way, is supposedly haunted. A great stop when also seeing the Transportation Museum or when hitting up Marshall Point Light in an afternoon.
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Owls Headin majakka
186 Lighthouse RoadI need to upload a better photo here, but this charming little lighthouse has a fantastic view and, by the way, is supposedly haunted. A great stop when also seeing the Transportation Museum or when hitting up Marshall Point Light in an afternoon.
Arts & Culture
You can't come to Rockland without seeing this gem of a museum! Read up on the Wyeth family first for maximum enjoyment of its treasures. There is an activity room for kids.
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Farnsworth Art Museum
16 Museum StYou can't come to Rockland without seeing this gem of a museum! Read up on the Wyeth family first for maximum enjoyment of its treasures. There is an activity room for kids.
Rockland's newest museum, this compact stunner is a great trip for the entire family.
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Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA)
21 Winter StRockland's newest museum, this compact stunner is a great trip for the entire family.
Operated in the warmer seasons by the Farnsworth, this is the homestead of the Olson family, made famous by Wyeth through his many paintings, most notably "Christina's World." The tour guides are excellent and a wealth of info. May be a little lecture-centric for younger kids, but is fascinating to anyone old enough to absorb the stories. For extra benefit, read the creative nonfiction "A Piece of the World" by Christina Baker Kline first. Combo tickets available at the Farnsworth for cheaper same-day visits.
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Olson House
384 Hathorne Point RdOperated in the warmer seasons by the Farnsworth, this is the homestead of the Olson family, made famous by Wyeth through his many paintings, most notably "Christina's World." The tour guides are excellent and a wealth of info. May be a little lecture-centric for younger kids, but is fascinating to anyone old enough to absorb the stories. For extra benefit, read the creative nonfiction "A Piece of the World" by Christina Baker Kline first. Combo tickets available at the Farnsworth for cheaper same-day visits.
Even if you're not a huge antique car fan, there's plenty to enjoy here. This is truly the coolest transportation museum I've ever seen - large and with varied and thoughtful displays. Perfect rainy day activity and great for kids!
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Owls Head Transportation Museum
117 Museum StEven if you're not a huge antique car fan, there's plenty to enjoy here. This is truly the coolest transportation museum I've ever seen - large and with varied and thoughtful displays. Perfect rainy day activity and great for kids!
Shopping
You haven't read wrong - this amazing storefront in Thomaston features the gorgeous crafts (wood and textile) of the Maine State Prison inmates. The proceeds from the store go back to their jobs program. You will not find lovelier wood crafts, toys, and more! Seriously - go.
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Maine State Prison Store
358 Main StYou haven't read wrong - this amazing storefront in Thomaston features the gorgeous crafts (wood and textile) of the Maine State Prison inmates. The proceeds from the store go back to their jobs program. You will not find lovelier wood crafts, toys, and more! Seriously - go.
Parks & Nature
Rising just above the iconic town of Camden, you can drive up to the top of Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park and see a view that is poster-worthy. Have a picnic and call it a day or go hiking on one of the many trails of varying difficulty in this park. On the way home, stop in Camden for some relaxation, shopping, and dining!
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Mount Battie
Rising just above the iconic town of Camden, you can drive up to the top of Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park and see a view that is poster-worthy. Have a picnic and call it a day or go hiking on one of the many trails of varying difficulty in this park. On the way home, stop in Camden for some relaxation, shopping, and dining!
The Beech Hill side of this preserve has a wide path up that is is extremely accessible for families and provides a fantastic vista at the top. A great short walk for a day when you may have just an hour or two. The other side is a very woodsy trail full of poison ivy (wish I'd known THAT before we started). Totally different routes up to the same beautiful view at the top (yes, there is a porta-potty there). Highly recommend the first side for a great family activity very close to home. I would avoid the Woods Loop trail on the second side, as a parent.
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Beech Hill Reserve
316 Beech Hill RdThe Beech Hill side of this preserve has a wide path up that is is extremely accessible for families and provides a fantastic vista at the top. A great short walk for a day when you may have just an hour or two. The other side is a very woodsy trail full of poison ivy (wish I'd known THAT before we started). Totally different routes up to the same beautiful view at the top (yes, there is a porta-potty there). Highly recommend the first side for a great family activity very close to home. I would avoid the Woods Loop trail on the second side, as a parent.
Lobster Shacks
Try all the lobster rolls you can!
McLoon's is an undisputed local favorite lobster shack with a view straight out of a coastal dream. It can get a little breezy in their nook of the harbor, so take a sweatshirt if you get cold easily!
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McLoons Lobster Shack
315 Island RdMcLoon's is an undisputed local favorite lobster shack with a view straight out of a coastal dream. It can get a little breezy in their nook of the harbor, so take a sweatshirt if you get cold easily!
This extremely popular in-town lobster shack is just a ten minute walk from our house! Enjoy your lobster in the covered seating area overlooking the harbor or get takeout to bring back to our yard.
33 paikallista suosittelee
Claws
743 Main StThis extremely popular in-town lobster shack is just a ten minute walk from our house! Enjoy your lobster in the covered seating area overlooking the harbor or get takeout to bring back to our yard.