Camden Maine Guide

Camden is the self described Jewel of the Maine Coast. Located mid coast Maine, Camden is a treasure for ocean lovers, shoppers and those on a culinary quest as well. The harbor of Camden is the gateway to Penobscot Bay – a sailor’s dream. In fact Camden Harbor is home to numerous schooner and tall ships. Camden is a great place to board a charter boat for a day or a weekend sailing trip. Camden hosts the annual Parade of the Tallships and Maine Windjammer Days, among other festivals like Harbor Arts, and the Camden Jazz Festival.

Camden is rich with history, with plentiful museums, an architecturally stunning library and the Camden Opera House. You might just enjoy the simplicity of walking Camden’s charming brick sidewalks, poking around for Maine crafts at the shops and dining at the many seafood restaurants that line Camden’s waterfront and downtown. Or pick up a lobster roll and enjoy a picnic down near the docks or the lawn of Public Park in front of the Camden Library.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a kayak tour of Camden harbor, biking around Camden’s pretty side streets or hiking at Camden Snow Bowl and Camden Hills State Park. There is even rock climbing in the Camden Hills with a Maine Guide. Take a boat trip from Camden Harbor aboard one of the historic schooners, Olad, Lazy Jack or Appledore, and see the seals, lighthouses and Penobscot Bay islands. You can visit the outlying islands like Vinalhaven and Isle Au Haut, home to author and swordfish captain Linda Greenlaw. Greenlaw wrote “The Hungry Ocean” – her version of the Perfect Strom, “All Fisherman are Liars”, “The Lobster Chronicles”, and “Seaworthy” to name a few.

There is so much to do in Camden from boating to boutique shopping and art gallery viewing, so you should plan to stay a few days at one of the charming Camden Bed and Breakfasts, inns, waterfront resorts or Camden hotels.

In winter, Camden is picturesque with plenty of excitement. Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy Camden Snow Bowl, also home to the North American Toboggan Championships. Ice skating and cross-country skiing are wonderful winter pastimes, to work up an appetite for dining at Camden’s best restaurants – most of which serve seafood and delicious chowder year round.

Lincolnville is Camden's neighboring town to the north on the Coast with several great lodging establishments as well. And many love visiting the equally quant villages of Rockport and Rockland just to the south of Camden.

CAMDEN - LINCOLNVILLE FEATURED HOTEL AND LODGING LISTINGS:

The Inns at Blackberry Common - Camden Inn
In Camden, Maine, you'll find the Inns at Blackberry Common - The Blackberry Inn and the Elms Inn, just one-quarter mile from the center of Camden, the village known as the "Jewel of the Maine Coast," with it's picturesque harbor, diverse small shops and acclaimed restaurants. Follow the sidewalk and stroll downtown while your car takes a break...we have plenty of off-street parking. Email: Innkeeper@InnsatBlackberryCommon.com

Norumbega Inn - Camden Maine Bed and Breakfast Inn
Elegant, Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn. This historic architectural landmark sits atop a rise overlooking the spectacular Penobscot Bay. Norumbega's unique Victorian characteristics have attained it as the most photographed structure on the coast of Maine. Built in 1886, a castle of stone and wood nestled into a four-acre slope of Mt. Battie; Norumbega offers 10 deluxe rooms and 2 incredible suites. With its rich wood paneling, coffered ceilings, inlaid wood floors, stained glass windows, carved Gothic fireplaces, balconies and turret rooms Norumbega expresses the ultimate in historic accommodations. A short walk to Camden harbor with its colorful windjammers and yachts, distinctive shops, restaurants and galleries. Email: stay@norumbegainn.com

Mount Battie Motel - Lincolnville near Camden
Enjoy Motel privacy with Inn hospitality, water views, wooded grounds, beautiful gardens free wireless internet and more. Immaculate rooms, carefully decorated and furnished for your comfort and offered at affordable rates. Rooms with decks and one king, one queen, two doubles or two queens with pullout. Plus a two bedroom, two bath suite. On-site Gazebo. Enjoy wide variety of nearby restaurants, Camden's windjammer cruises, sea kayaking, great shopping, swimming in a clear fresh-water lake, and nearby sandy salt-water beach. The Mount Battie Motel exclusively uses environmentally safe cleaning products. Email: stay@mountbattie.com

The High Tide Inn - Camden
Accommodations for every discriminating taste. The Inn has five rooms, three with beautiful ocean views. The eight-unit Oceanfront Motel sits on a bluff overlooking the beach. It would be impossible to be closer to the water. The Duplex offers two secluded motel units side by side with private decks. Six private housekeeping cottages. Most rooms have water views; all rooms have private baths. Three individual units are perfect for a couple seeking privacy or a family wanting kitchen facilities. The Oceanview has nine units and is situated on a knoll overlooking the lawn sweeping down to the ocean. E-mail: info@hightideinn.com

Blue Harbor House Inn - Camden Bed and Breakfast
A charming antique Inn conveniently located just a few blocks from scenic Camden Harbor, delightful shops and fabulous â€œfresh catchâ€ restaurants. Elegant yet casual atmosphere. Here you can expect pampering during your stay; from delicious food to comfortable, relaxing accommodations. Each of the eleven well-appointed guestrooms and suites are tastefully decorated and include a private en-suite bath. Some rooms have a private entrance, cozy gas fireplace and luxurious whirlpool tub. Guests are treated to a complimentary two-course gourmet breakfast each morning of their stay. A traditional English tea with cakes is served each afternoon. Evening appetizers and cocktails are available upon request. Email: info@blueharborhouse.com

The Spouter Inn - A Bed and Breakfast - Lincolnville Beach
Seven exquisite rooms, all tastefully decorated and some with canopy beds and fireplaces. The Inn features commanding views of Penobscot Bay and has been recognized as a Yankee Magazine Top Choice and a Boston Globe Selection. Breakfast is a special time at the Inn. With over 30 years of experience, old family recipes and a passion to cook, we make breakfast special. All of our food is homemade and made to order, using the freshest ingredients including organic herbs and vegetables from our garden! Stay with us and share a piece of the Maine Coast that you will cherish forever! Email: info@spouterinn.com

The Hawthorn Inn - Camden
An elegant, Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion situated on 1.2 acres of lawn and gardens just north of Camden and steps from the Harbor. The Carriage House boasts four spacious, romantic and sumptuous rooms, all with super-sized, two-person Jacuzzi tubs, views, private decks, TV/DVDs. Some with fireplaces. The Main House offers spacious library, living room and dining room. From the dining room is a door to two-tiered deck and dining terrace with abundant plants and patio garden. Breakfast is served on the terrace in good weather during spring, summer and fall. On the National Register of Historical Places. The terrace is a beautiful venue for weddings, commitment ceremonies, family reunions and corporate retreats. Email: info@camdenhawthorn.com

Beloin's on the Maine Coast - Camden
Set atop a ledge, overlooking island-studded Penobscot Bay, with stunning views from oceanfront cottages in Camden. Find yourself a private nook on the rocks, listen to the waves, watch the sailboats and lobster boats and forget your cares! We offer a variety of sleeping arrangements including 21 shorefront cottages and motel units. All rooms have color cable TV, private baths, in-room phones, electric heat and daily housekeeping service. Most have mini-kitchens and all feature large picture windows or sliding screen patio doors. Select pets welcome in motel (call ahead). Picnic tables and a charcoal grills. Private sandy beach. Email: info@beloins.com

Captain Swift Inn - Camden
If you enjoy the history of yesteryear, or are a history or architecture buff, you'll appreciate the authenticity of the fully restored Federal period Captain Swift Inn Bed and Breakfast with five fireplaces, wide pine floors and the grace of a bygone era. Guestrooms are spacious, comfortable and suitable for families, business travel, to girlfriend getaway or a romantic retreat. A delicious complimentary full breakfast starts your day before setting out to explore the quaint seaside town of Camden and Maine’s midcoast. This landmark Inn was home to Captain Frank Swift, captain of the first Maine passenger schooners. Email innkeeper@swiftinn.com

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