Saturday, June 29, 2013

TEXAS-PANHANDLE

GARZA COUNTY (includes Post)
Post
Hotels
Hotel Garza – 302 East Main Street; 806-495-3962; hotelgarza.com; lovely; 1915 western feel; fine bed and breakfast; country-style hot breakfast served each morning.



GRAY COUNTY (includes McLean)
McLean
Sights & Sites
Devil’s Rope & Route 66 Museum – 100 Kingsley Street; 806-779-2225; barbwiremuseum.com; ●Phillips 66 station – 219 Gray Street (2 blocks west of Main Street); roadsideamerica.com/story/26409; Texas’ 1st Phillips 66 station, built in 1929.
World War II Prisoner of War Camp Site – Exit 146 off I-40 (2 miles east of McLean, go north along County Road 5280 (county line road) for 1 mile for Texas Historical Commission Marker); theroute-66.com/mclean.html; camp on grounds of current municipal airport; some building remains can be seen from marker sign at roadside; POW camp at McLean formally known as Permanent Alien Internment Camp; construction began in September 1942 & 1st German prisoners arrived in July 1943; camp had almost 30 buildings that accommodated civilian & military personnel, as well as 3 compounds for POWs; other buildings included bachelor officers & nurses quarters, hospital, barber shop, theater, laundry, Post Exchange & fire department; 1st prisoners were captured in North Africa & fought in General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps; camp housed over 3K prisoners by October 1944; after war ended, camp closed in July 1945.



HEMPHILL COUNTY (includes Canadian)
Canadian
Restaurants
Cattle Exchange – Main Street (at 2nd Street, in Moody Building); 806-323-6755; cookya.com; try steak and fries, with bread pudding for dessert.
Sights & Sites
Canadian River – North River Road, US 83 to Highway 70 (near Canadian); 22 miles driving (1 hour minimum) along river’s north bank; often no water for floating; Arkansas River’s largest tributary; rises in Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south Las Animas County, CO, near Raton Pass and boundary line with Colfax County, NM; flows south and southeast, separating Llano Estacado from north High Plains; roughly 760 miles long, of which about 190 miles is in TX; dammed to form Conchas and Ute reservoirs in northeast NM before entering TX at about Oldham County’s west boundary’s midpoint; crosses Panhandle, flowing east and northeast through Oldham, Potter, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, and Hemphill Counties; most of river’s course across Panhandle passes through gorge 500-800' below plateau; particularly in its lower reaches in OK, riverbed contains great amounts quicksand; this and deep gorge make river difficult to bridge; after crossing state line back into OK, Canadian River flows generally southeast to its mouth on Arkansas River, 20 miles east of Canadian in Haskell County, OK; Texas portion noted for archeological sites where extensive Pueblo Indian culture remains found; dammed to form Lake Meredith 40 miles northeast of Amarillo (near Sanford, Hutchinson County).
Citadelle Art Foundation – 520 East Nelson Avenue; 806-323-8899; thecitadelle.org; wide range from private collection; make sure to listen to audiotour.



LAMB COUNTY (includes Littlefield)
Littlefield
Restaurants
Nopalito’s Restaurante – 1012 West Waylon Jennings Boulevard; 806-385-6263; only option around and actually pretty good.



LUBBOCK (includes Lubbock & Slaton)
Lubbock
Bars & Nightclubs
Crafthouse Gastropub – 3131 34th Street; 806-687-1466; crafthousepub.com; casual, modern bar serving microbrews & handcrafted cocktails.
West Table – 1204 Broadway; 806-993-9378; thewesttable.com; like California wine bar-restaurant; best place in town.
Restaurants
Abuelo’s Taqueria – 4410 19th Street; 806-368-7833; abuelostaqueria.com; longtime Lubbock chain has started new concept: fusion taqueria; upscale, certainly by Lubbock (or Texas taqueria) standards try Classic Carnitas tacos.
Cagle Steaks – 118 Inler Avenue; 806-795-3879; caglesteaks.com; adobe restaurant with outbuildings and general store; ranching murals on walls inside.
Crafthouse Gastropub – 3131 34th Street; 806-687-1466; crafthousepub.com; casual, modern restaurant serving New American fare; great hamburgers (try Texas Burger).
Christaki’s Burgers – 1111 34th Street; 806-744-6833; facebook.com/Christakis-Burgers-170962996278378; burgers.
Funky Door Wine & Bistro – 6015 82nd Street; 806-687-0505; thefunkydoorwineroom.com; wine bar that serves food, notable for fondue.
Jim Dandy Drive-In – 2601 Clovis Road; 806-762-4012; burgers & frozen, chocolate-covered banana for dessert.
Manna Bread & Wine – 2610 Salem Avenue (on Cactus Alley); 806-791-5600; mannabreadandwine.com; about as upscale as Lubbock gets; try Wild West Grilled Meatloaf (beef, buffalo & elk) topped with Jim Beam barbecue sauce.
Orlando’s – 2402 Avenue Q; 806-747-5998; orlandos.com; Italian but good hamburgers.
Pete’s Drive-In – 4156 34th Street; 806-792-2806; petesdrivein.com; hamburgers.
Pete’s Drive-In – 529 34th Street; 806-762-8995; petesdrivein.com; hamburgers.
Stella’s – 4646 50th Street; 806-785-9299; stellaslubbock.com; deli that originated in New York City.
West Table – 1204 Broadway; 806-993-9378; thewesttable.com; like California wine bar-restaurant; best place in town.

Slaton
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Slaton Bakery – 109 South 9th Street; 806-828-3253; theslatonbakery.com; 94 years and going strong; try their vanilla wafers.



OLDHAM COUNTY (includes Adrian & Vega)
Adrian
Restaurants
Midpoint Cafe – 305 West Historic Route 66; 806-538-6379; route66midpointcafe.com; periodically closed so check website; notable for pies.
Shopping
Midpoint Cafe – 305 West Historic Route 66; 806-538-6379; route66midpointcafe.com; periodically closed so check website; notable for pies.

Vega
Sights & Sites
Milburn-Price Culture Museum – 1005 Coke Street; 806-340-5510; route66news.com/tag/milburn-price-culture-museum; usual array of artifacts & memorabilia from bygone days in west Texas.



POTTER & RANDALL COUNTIES (includes Amarillo & Canyon)
Amarillo
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Palace Coffee Shop – 817 South Polk Street (at Paramount Theater); 806-476-0111; palacecoffee.co; nationally regarded craft coffee.
806 Coffee & Lounge – 2812 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-322-1806; the806.com; Cafe/lounge serving coffee, vegetarian fare, plus beer, wine & cocktails, with live entertainment.
Bars & Nightclubs
806 Coffee & Lounge – 2812 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-322-1806; the806.com; Cafe/lounge serving coffee, vegetarian fare, plus beer, wine & cocktails, with live entertainment.
Ohms Café & Bar – 619 South Tyler Street; 806-373-3233; ohmscafe.com; downtown “hot spot”; continental; nice bar.
Public House – 3333 South Coulter Street; 806-398-7777; publichouseamarillo.com; craft cocktails.
Hotels
Courtyard Amarillo Downtown – 724 South Polk Street; 806-553-4500; marriott.com/hotels/travel/amadt-courtyard-amarillo-downtown; occupies 1927 Fisk Building, Gothic Revival beauty among tallest buildings downtown.
Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast – 100 Brentwood Road; 806-622-2382; starlightcanyon.com; upscale rock house just 15 minutes north of Palo Duro Canyon; Aspen room has oversize wood-burning fireplace and window overlooking property’s 5 acres.
Restaurants
Big Texan Steak Ranch – 7701 Interstate 40 East; 806-372-6000; bigtexan.com; terrifically larger-than-life restaurant; blue and yellow exterior (fronted by giant bull, advertising notorious 72-ounce steak).
806 Coffee & Lounge – 2812 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-322-1806; the806.com; Cafe/lounge serving coffee, vegetarian fare, plus beer, wine & cocktails, with live entertainment.
El Tejavan – 3420 IH-40 West; 806-354-2444; eltejavan.com; Guadalajara-based menu; try pork adobada (with fried egg on top).
Golden Light Café – 2906 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-374-9237; goldenlightcafe.com; historic café on old Route 66; little changed over 66 years; limited seating.
Ohms Café & Bar – 619 South Tyler Street; 806-373-3233; ohmscafe.com; downtown “hot spot”; continental; nice bar.
Public House – 3333 South Coulter Street; 806-398-7777; publichouseamarillo.com; American; steaks.
Tyler’s Barbeque – 2014 Paramount Boulevard; 806-331-2271; tylersbarbeque.com; famous for pork ribs, in particular.
Shopping
Alley Katz Antique Emporium – 2807 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-342-5432; alleykatzantiquesamarillo.com.
NAT Antiques & Collectibles Antique Furniture Store – 2705 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-367-8908; thenatroute66.com.
6th Street Antique Mall – 2715 Southwest 6th Avenue; 806-374-0459; 6thstreetantiquemall.com.
Sights & Sites
Cadillac Ranch – 12601 West Interstate 40; 806-374-8474; roadsideamerica.com/story/2220; 10 Cadillacs nose first into a Texas wheat field.
Jack Sizemore’s Traveland RV Museum – 4341 Canyon Drive; 806-358-4891; ; rvmuseum.net; RV repair shop & museum; America’s oldest extant Airstream.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park – 11450 Texas Highway, Park Road 5 (Canyon); 806-488-2227; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon; 2nd largest canyon in US.
Prairie Dog Town – MacKenzie Park Road (4th Street & US Highway 27); 806-775-2673 or 806-775-2687 (Lubbock Parks & Recreation); mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/parks-recreation/prairie-dog-town.

Canyon
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Palace Coffee Shop – 420 15th Street; 806-476-0111; palacecoffee.co; original location in 1905 building; nationally regarded craft coffee.
Rock ’n Roll Soda Shop – 404 15th Street; 806-655-3381; try key lime milk shake.
Hotels
Doves Rest Cabins – 10500 Lighthouse Trail; 972-880-3600; dovesrestcabins.com; stronghold of Fortress Cabin takes name for view centerpiece of Fortress Cliffs along Palo Duro Canyon State Park east rim, protected 6 miles of cliffs overlooking Grand Canyon of Texas; cabin is located only few minutes from main (only) entrance to Palo Duro Canyon state park; modern but rustic 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabin; immaculate & fully furnished; features wood burning fireplace, covered patio facing east with porch swings & BBQ; fully equipped kitchen; clean linens & towels along with extra blankets; 70" tv in living area; Doves Rest Cabins manages 4 private residences at Palo Duro Canyon (other HomeAway/VRBO listings : #723444 for SKYHOUSE, #739931 for CHAIRLIFT & #801442 for COMANCHE; 16-miles from Canyon.
Restaurants
Palo Duro Trading Post – 11450 State Highway Park Road 5; 806-488-2821; palodurotradingpost.us; burgers; grill closes at 5.
Services
Old West Stables – 11450 State Highway Park Road 5; 806-488-2180; oldweststables.com; horses.
Shopping
Down Home – 1517 4th Avenue; 806-655-8783; amazing collection of spurs.
Palo Duro Trading Post – 11450 State Highway Park Road 5; 806-488-2821; palodurotradingpost.us.
Sights & Sites
Palo Duro Canyon State Park – 11450 State Highway Park Road 5; 806-488-2227; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon; Caprock Escarpment canyon system portion; 2nd largest canyon in USA (120 mi long, average width of 6.2 mi, with width of 32 20 mi at places, 820-997' deep; palo duro is Spanish for “hard wood”); formed by Red River’s Prairie Dog Town Fork, which initially winds along West Texas’ Llano Estacado’s level surface, then suddenly and dramatically runs off Caprock Escarpment; major signature feature is Lighthouse Peak, with multi-use, 6-mile round-trip loop trail dedicated thereto; Georgia O’Keeffe lived in Amarillo and Canyon early in 20th Century CE; Palo Duro Canyon Interpretive Center built by Civilian Conservation Corps.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum – 2503 4th Avenue; 806-651-2244; panhandleplains.org; largest historical museum in Texas; extensive native American artifacts.



WHEELER COUNTY (includes Shamrock)
Shamrock
Shopping
U-Drop Inn & Tower Café – 1242 North Main Street; 806-256-2501; shamrockedc.org/u-drop-inn; also known as Tower Station; built in 1936 in Shamrock, Texas along Route 66 highway; inspired by image of nail stuck in soil, building designed by J.C. Berry; now place where can buy snacks & souvenirs.

Monday, June 17, 2013

MAINE-MID-COAST

(includes Bar Harbor, Belfast, Boothbay, Bremen, Brunswick, Camden, Damariscotta, Harpswell Peninsula, Rockland, Rockport, Warren & Wiscasset)

CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Brunswick (includes Topsham)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Frontier Café + Cinema + Gallery – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-5222; explorefrontier.com; for Matt’s Coffee.
Gelato Fiasco – 74 Maine Street; 207-607-4262; gelatofiasco.com; try Maine wild blueberry crisp.
Bars & Nightclubs
Frontier Café + Cinema + Gallery – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-5222; explorefrontier.com; beer and wine.
Sea Dog Brewing Co. – 1 Main Street (Topsham); 207-725-0162; seadogbrewing.com; former pulp mill where wheat ales accented by apricots and blueberries pair nicely with view over Androscoggin River.
Hotels
Inn at Brunswick Station – 4 Noble Street; 207-837-6565; innatbrunswickstation.com.
Restaurants
Cameron’s Lobster House – 18 Bath Road; 207-725-2886; facebook.com/CameronsLobsterHouse; unimpressive in appearance but solid, reliable lobster rolls.
Frontier Café + Cinema + Gallery – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-5222; explorefrontier.com.
Great Impasta – 42 Maine Street; 207-729-5858; thegreatimpasta.com; Italian.
Tao Yuan – 22 Pleasant Street; 207-725-9002; tao-yuan.me; Asian fusion.
Shopping
Coleman Burke – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-3761; colemanburke.com; contemporary art gallery.
Frontier Café + Cinema + Gallery – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-5222; explorefrontier.com; contemporary art.
Sights & Sites
Fort Andross Mill – 14 Maine Street; 207-729-7970; waterfrontmaine.com; former industrial structure now filled with art studios and shops.
Frontier Café + Cinema + Gallery – 14 Maine Street (at Fort Andross Mill); 207-725-5222; explorefrontier.com; arthouse movies.

Cape Elizabeth
Hotels
Inn by Sea – 40 Bowery Beach Road; 207-799-3134 or 800-888-4287; innbythesea.com; luxury resort.
Restaurants
Lobster Shack – 225 Two Lights Road; 207-799-1677; lobstershacktwolights.com; lobster rolls on beach.
Sea Glass – 40 Bowery Beach Road (at Inn by Sea); 207-799-3134; innbythesea.com; try apple crostata for dessert.

Freeport (includes South Freeport)
Restaurants
Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co. – 36 Main Street (South Freeport); 207-865-3535; harraseeketlunchandlobster.com; open seasonally; prepares take-out for picnics, etc.

Harpswell Peninsula (includes Georgetown)
Restaurants
Dolphin Marina – 515 Basin Point Road; 207-833-6000; dolphinmarinaandrestaurant.com; lobster rolls.
Five Islands Lobster Co. – 1447 Five Islands Road (Georgetown); 207-371-2990; fiveislandslobster.com; insiders arrive with tablecloths and wine-buckets.
Sights & Sites
Reid State Park – 375 Seguinland Road (Georgetown); 207-371-2303; stateparks.com/reid.html; pine-filled preserve with picnic area that has views over rocky beach and among area’s few sandy beaches.

Yarmouth
Restaurants
Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster – 1269 US Route 1; 207-846-3436 (take-out) or 207-846-5871 (pound); dayscrabmeatandlobster.com; lobster rolls.
Shopping
Day’s Crabmeat & Lobster – 1269 US Route 1; 207-846-3436 (take-out) or 207-846-5871 (pound); dayscrabmeatandlobster.com.



HANCOCK COUNTY
Bar Harbor (includes Bass Harbor, Bernard, Islesford, Northeast Harbor & Trenton)
Bars & Nightclubs
Carmen Verandah Club & Restaurant – 119 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-2766; carmenverandah.com.
Geddy’s – 19 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-5077; geddys.com; fun, funky pub filled with old photographs and local signage.
Thirsty Whale – 40 Cottage Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9335; thirstywhaletavern.com.
Hotels
Asticou Inn – 15 Peabody Drive (Northeast Harbor); 207-276-3344; asticou.com; flowered wallpaper, chintz-covered chairs, ruffled curtains; swimming pool; 48 rooms and cottages.
Bar Harbor Inn & Spa – 7 Newport Drive (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3351 or 800-248-3351; barharborinn.com.
Inns at Ullikana – 16 Field (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9552; ullikana.com; cheerful B&B near water.
Restaurants
Café This Way – 14½ Mount Desert Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-4483; cafethisway.com; on tiny back street; for best breakfasts in town.
Carmen Verandah Club & Restaurant – 119 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-2766; carmenverandah.com.
Downeast Deli – 65 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-1001; downeastdeli.com; breakfast or lunch; eat in or take-out.
Galyn’s Restaurant – 17 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9706; galynsbarharbor.com; in building dating to 1890; classic seafood and steak meals.
Havana – 318 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-2822; havanamaine.com; try paella with lobster, mussels, clams, and chorizo.
Islesford Dock Restaurant – Islesford Dock (Islesford, Little Cranberry Island); 207-244-7494; islesforddock.com; try Maine lobster fritter with grits.
Jordan Pond House – Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain entrance, off Route 233); 207-276-3316 (reservations); thejordanpondhouse.com; views across Jordan’s Pond to Bubble Mountains; note that Cadillac Mountain is where sun 1st rises in America for much of year.
Long Grain – 31 Elm Street (Camden); 207-236-9001; longgraincamden.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-post.html; Thai.
Primo – 2 South Main Street (Rockland); 207-596-0770; primorestaurant.com; supplied by own farm; arrive hour early to tour farm prior to meal.
Reading Room – 7 Newport Drive (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3351; barharborinn.com/dining.html; dine in rotunda that overlooks harbor; try lobster pie or broiled Maine haddock.
Thirsty Whale – 40 Cottage Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9335; thirstywhaletavern.com; burgers, lobster rolls, etc.
Thurston’s – 1 Thurston Road (Bernard, also called Steamboat Wharf Road); 207-244-7600; thurstanslobster.com; in half-canvas, half-plastic tent overlooking working harbor; you choose your lobster and they cook it; try lobster stew.
Services
Acadia Bike – 48 Cottage Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9605; acadiabike.com; if you want to bike in Acadia but the steep, 2.5 mile drive in is too much, can take on Island Explorer Shuttle (below).
Atlantic Climbing School – 67 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-2521; acadiaclimbing.com; offers half-day courses for beginners in Camden Hills State Park, where climb rewarded by Megunticook Lake and Penobscot Bay views.
Bar Harbor Bike Shop – 141 Cottage Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3886; barharborbike.com; bicycle rentals; also, can take free Island Explorer Bicycle Express (explorearcadia.com) to Eagle Lake, most popular bike route in area.
Island Explorer Shuttle – 19 Firefly Lane (Bar Harbor); 207-667-5796 (reservations) or 207-288-4573; exploreacadia.com; daily service from 9:15 a.m. at Village Green to Eagle Lake Carriage Road entrance to Acadia National Park.
Margaret Todd – Cherryfield (Bar Harbor); 207-288-4585; downeast windjammer.com; 2-hour cruises on 4-masted windjammer, through Frenchman Bay and Porcupine Islands; if you want wine, bring your own.
Shopping
Cool as Moose – 118 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3904; coolasamoose.com; clothing, memorabilia.
Downeast Deli – 65 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-1001; downeastdeli.com; breakfast or lunch; eat in or take-out.
Romantic Room – 130 Main Street (Northeast Harbor); 207-276-4005; theromanticroom.com; Lilly Pulitzer-type women’s wear.
Sherman’s Book & Stationery Store – 56 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3161; shermans.com; books.
Window Panes – 166 Main Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-9550; windowpanesMDI.com; coasters made from local granite.
Sights & Sites
Abbe Museum – 26 Mount Desert Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3519; abbemuseum.org; native American museum; another location is in Acadia National Park (Abbe at Sieur de Monts).
Acadia Byway – State Route 3 (starts just south of Trenton, where cross bridge onto Mount Desert Island); although 40 miles, 4 hour trip; famous for foliage in fall but beautiful all year.
Acadia National Park – 109 Cottage Street (Bar Harbor); 207-288-3338; nps.gov/acad/; includes much of Mount Desert Island; numerous entrances; drive around 27-mile Park Loop Road and head to Cadillac Mountain’s top (eastern seaboard’s highest point, highest mountain north of Rio de Janeiro); 45 miles of biking paths; take map; eat at Jordan Pond House; great for cycling (rent in Bar Harbor); most level route is Eagle Lake path-trail; Waterfall bridge is good weather-permitting; also, Witch Hole Pond lop goes past beaver lodges & Amphitheater Trail has longest stone bridge in park; Jordan Pond Trail takes cyclists along crystal-clear lake; 11-mile Around Mountain loop is most difficult but ocean views make up for steep inclines.
Asticou Azalea Garden – Asticou Way (Northeast Harbor, off Route 3, at Peabody and Sound Drive); 207-276-3727; gardenpreserve.org; mix of azaleas, blueberries, hemlocks, Japanese maples, Korean firs, pines; includes small Japanese karesansui garden composed in Maine granite stones.
Islesford Historical Museum – Little Cranberry Island (Islesford); 207-244-9224; acadianationalpark.com/bar_harbor_maine_attractions; shipping museum.
Little Cranberry Island – Islesford; ferry from Northeast Harbor; cranberryisles.com/ferries.html.
Mount Desert Oceanarium – 1351 State Route 3 (Bar Harbor); 207-288-5005; theoceanarium.com.
Thuya Garden – Thuya Drive (Northeast Harbor); 207-276-5130; gardenpreserve.org; named after Henry Curtis’ house; now horticultural library.

Ellsworth (includes Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville & Surry)
Bars & Nightclubs
Marlintini’s Grill – 83 Mines Road (Blue Hill); 207-374-2500; little ways outside of town; roadhouse.
Hotels
Barncastle Hotel – 125 South Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2330; barn-castle.com; affordable, classic, and convenient.
Blue Hill Inn – 40 Union Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2844; bluehillinn.com; Federal-style home with contemporary addition.
The Surry Inn – Route 172 (Surry); 207-667-5091; surryin.com; former farmhouse from 1834; 8 rooms.
Restaurants
Arborvine – 35 Main Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2119; arborvine.com; among area’s fancier spots; excellent food; comfortable.
Barncastle Restaurant – 125 South Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2330; barn-castle.com; “village scene.”
Blue Hill Inn Restaurant – 40 Union Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2844; bluehillinn.com; favored by E.B. White.
Buck’s Harbor Market Restaurant – 6 Cornfield Hill Road (Brooksville); 207-326-8683; talented chef with deep community roots.
Fish Net – 162 Main Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-5240; American and seafood.
Marlintini’s Grill – 83 Mines Road (Blue Hill); 207-374-2500; little ways outside of town; roadhouse.
Surry Inn – Route 172 (Surry); 207-667-5091; surryin.com; former farmhouse from 1834; among area’s best restaurants.
Services
Activity Shop – 61 Ellsworth Road (Blue Hill); 207-374-3600; theactivityshop.com; rentals (bikes, canoes, and kayaks).
Buck’s Harbor Marine – 684 Coastal Road (South Brooksville, Route 176); 207-326-8839; bucksharbor.com; for chartering boats, with or without captain.
Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club – East Blue Hill Road (Blue Hill) 207-374-5581; kollegewidgwokyc.com; offers sailing school and may have leads on renting boats or arranging tours.
Rocky Coast Outfitters – 5 Grindleville Road (Blue Hill); 207-374-8866; rockcoastoutfitters.com; rents bikes, canoes, and kayaks, etc.
Shopping
Big Chicken Barn Books & Antiques – 1768 Bucksport Road; 207-667-7308; bigchickenbarn.com.
Blue Hill Coop – 4 Ellsworth Road (Blue Hill); 207-374-2165; bluehill.coop; gourmet organic foods and produce.
Blue Hill Books – 26 Pleasant Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-5632; bluehillbooks.com; little ways outside of town; roadhouse.
Brooklin Boat Yard – Center Harbor Road (Brooklin); 207-359-2236; brooklinboatyard.com.
Merrill & Hinckley – 11 Union Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2821; best area grocery and supply store.
Sights & Sites
Kneisel Hall – 137 Pleasant Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2203; kneisel.org; annual chamber music festival held here every summer.
Marine Environmental Research Institute – 55 Main Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-2135; meriresearch.org; check to see what activities being offered.
New Surry Theatre – 18 Union Street (Blue Hill); 207-374-5556; newsurrytheatre.org.
Woodenboat School – 41 Wooden Boat Lane (Brooklin); 207-359-4651; thewoodenboatschool.com; offers craft courses and worth visit just to see establishment.

Mount Desert
Restaurants
Abel’s Lobster Pound – 13 Abels Lane; (off Route 198, south of Route 233 junction); 207-276-5827; lively, family-owned restaurant in spruce grove on “fjord”; eat on picnic tables illuminated by tiki torches, overlooking yacht basin or in knotty pine dining room; worth special trip.

Winter Harbor
Hotels
Main Stay Inn & Cottages – 66 Sargent Street; 207-963-2601; awa-web.com/stayinn; old boathouse, circa 1880, modestly renovated to include small bedroom and kitchen with sink that doubles for bathroom use; kitchen appliances bit shaky; nice deck perched on pilings right on water, with interesting harbor and town views; funky, rustic charm.



KNOX COUNTY
Camden (includes Lincolnville & Tenants Harbor)
Bars & Nightclubs
Waterfront – 40 Bayview Street (Camden); 207-236-3747; waterfrontcamden.com; patio overlooks ship-filled harbor; great cocktails.
Hotels
Blue Harbor House – 67 Elm Street (Camden); 207-236-3196; blueharborhouse.com; few minutes walk from harbor.
Camden Harbour Inn – 83 Bayview Street (Camden); 207-236-4200 or 800-236-4266; camdenharbourinn.com; white-clapboard, 19th Century affair.
Restaurants
Cod End – 12 Commercial Street (Tenants Harbor); 207-372-6782; codend.com; with waterfront deck and locally caught seafoord; area’s best lobster; quintessential Maine experience.
Fresh Restaurant – 1 Bay View Street (Camden); 207-236-7005; freshcamden.com; lobster.
Graffam Bros. Harborside Restaurant – 16 Bayview Landing (Camden); 207-706-4999; lobsterstogo.com; lobster BLT is must order item.
Long Grain – 31 Elm Street (Camden); 207-236-9001; non-dumbed-down Thai food; worth special trip; 30 seats, spare in decor; even dessert is exceptional here.
Natalie’s – 83 Bayview Street (Camden, at Camden Harbour Inn); 207-236-7008; nataliesrestaurant.com.
Services
Appledore II – Bay View Street (Camden); 207-236-8353; appledore2.com; windjammer cruise that offers generous Bloody Marys; this is must-do experience.
Maine Sport Outfitters – Bay View Landing (Camden); 207-236-7120 or 800-722-0826; mainesport.com; 2-hour kayak instruction and then bay paddle (porpoises, seals, etc.).
Surprise – Public Landing (Camden); 207-236-4687; camdenmainesailing.com; 2-hour sailing trips on 94 year-old schooner.
Shopping
Smiling Cow – 41 Maine Street (Camden); 207-236-3351; smilingcow.com; best area souvenirs; in business since 1940.
Ten High Gallery – 10 High Street (Camden); 207-236-2770; tenhighstreet.com; decorative and fine art venue.
Sights & Sites
Camden Hills State Park – 280 Belfast Road (Camden); 207-236-3109 or 207-236-0849 (off season); maine.gov; check out entry for Atlantic Climbing School (Bar Harbor), which offers half-day courses here; climb rewarded by Megunticook Lake and Penobscot Bay views; make sure to see Mount Battie (climb to top rewarded with tremendous vista from stone tower).

North Haven
Hotels
Nebo Lodge – 11 Mullins Lane; 207-867-2007; nebolodge.com; beautifully renovated inn and restaurant.
Restaurants
Nebo Lodge – 11 Mullins Lane; 207-867-2007; nebolodge.com; beautifully renovated inn and restaurant.



Port Clyde
Sights & Sites
Marshall Point Lighthouse – Marshall Point Road; 207-372-6450; marshallpoint.org.

Rockland & Rockport
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Maine Street Meats – 461 Commercial Street (inside State of Maine Cheese Building); 207-236-6328; deli with great breads, too; try “afternoon bread” loaf, crusty sourdough ready at 1:30 p.m.
Bars & Nightclubs
Shepherd’s Pie – 18 Central Street (Rockport); 207-236-8500; shepherdspierockport.com; artisanal drinks and snacks in former, wood-walled general store.
Restaurants
Graffam Brothers’ Lobsters to Go – 211 Union Street (Rockport); 207-236-8391; lobsterstogo.com.
Primo – 2 South Main Street (Rockland); 207-596-0770; primorestaurant.com; set in century-old farmhouse on hill just south of town; backyard organic garden supplies restaurant, as do chicken coops, greenhouses, and pig pens.
Services
On Water in Maine – 243 Commercial Street (Rockport); 207-236-7710 or 800-930-2561; onthewaterinmaine.com; boat and property rentals; consider options such as Shooting Star Cottage (75' from shore in Friendship) for only $1.6K per week in July.
Shopping
Asymmetrick Arts – 405 Main Street (Rockland); 207-594-2020; asymmetrickarts.com; focuses on emerging Maine artists.
Carver Hill Gallery – 338 Main Street (Rockland); 207-594-7745; carverhillgallery.com; focuses on emerging Maine artists.
Timothy Whelan Photographic Books & Prints – 25 Main Street (Rockport); 207-236-4795; tillmancrane.com; best photography bookstore in America, by some accounts.
Sights & Sites
Beech Hill Walk – in Rockport; super-scenic and easy walk; wild blueberries in season.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art – 162 Russell Avenue (Rockland); 207-236-2875; cmcanow.org; in former horse stables.
Farnsworth Art Museum – 16 Museum Street (Rockland); 207-596-6457; farnsworthmuseum.org; home to among nation’s most extensive Wyeth family collections.
Rockland Breakwater – Samoset Road end (Rockland); rocklandharborlights.org; 4.3K' narrow granite pier; extends nearly 1 mile into harbor.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse – Rockland Breakwater end (Rockland); lighthouse.cc/rocklandbreakwater.

Thomaston
Restaurants

Keag Store – 4 Elm Street (South Thomaston); 207-596-6810; best area lobster roll; served in general store with limited seating; reasonably priced.
Slipway – 24 Town Landing Road (on St. George River); 207-354-4155; maine-slipway.com; serves crab rolls, as well as lobster rolls; crab rolls are better.
Shopping
Maine State Prison Showroom – 358 Main Street; 207-354-9237; maine.gov/corrections/industries/page7.html; woodworked products by inmates.

Warren
Shopping
Beth’s Farm Market – 1986 Western Road; 207-273-3695; bethsfarmmarket.com; weekend farmer’s market.



LINCOLN COUNTY
Boothbay Harbor (includes Round Pond)
Hotels
Newagen Seaside Inn – 60 Newagen Colony Road; 207-633-5242 or 800-654-5242; newagenseasideinn.com; bright, comfortable rooms with ocean views.
Oceanfront Cottage – 251 Shore Road (Boothbay); 207-633-5471; bbrentalprop.com; sleeps 7-8 in 4 bedrooms; spectacular location.
Spruce Point Inn Resort & Inn – 88 Grandview Avenue; 207-633-4152 or 800-553-0289; sprucepointinn.com.
Restaurants
Anchor Inn Restaurant – Route 33 (Round Pond); 207-529-5584; anchorinnrestaurant.com; seafood; not fancy.
Ebb Tide Restaurant – 43 Commercial Street; 207-633-5692; facebook.com/pages/Ebb-Tide-Restaurant/121135524566888; snug, 74-seat restaurant; all 3 meals; run by same family for 38 years; try lobster melt (grilled Swiss cheese sandwich on thick bread).
Sights & Sites
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens – 200 Barters Island Road (Boothbay); 207-633-4333; MaineGardens.org.
Rachel Carson Coastal Greenway – stretches 20 miles along Sheepscot; 207-633-4814 (Boothbay Region Land Trust); bbrlt.org/pdf/RCarson_CoastalGreenway.pdf; natural area constellation that relates to Rachel Carson’s works.

Bremen
Sights & Sites
Hog Island Audubon Camp & Todd Wildlife Sanctuary – 11 Audubon Road (6 miles southeast of Damariscotta on Muscongus Bay); 607-257-7308, ext. 2; hogisland.audubon.org; Audubon Sanctuary includes 30-acre mainland parcel as well as 330-acre Hog Island, located quarter-mile offshore & home to Audubon Camp in Maine; visitors on foot welcome on both island & mainland property any time dawn-dusk, 7 days weekly, year-round; no dogs, bikes or off-road vehicles; no public ferries to Hog Island; mainland portion features 2nd-growth spruce & fir with mixed oak & large white pines; habitat for thrushes, nuthatches & several species warblers (Blackburnian, yellow-rumped & black-throated green); cavity trees are habitat for woodpeckers, raccoons & flying squirrels; other mammals include red fox, deer & various rodents; small pond routinely visited by common eider, black guillemot, osprey & double crested cormorant; tidal habitats teem with crabs, mussels, sea stars & periwinkles among rockweed; Hockomock Point Trail (1 mile) easy, 1-hour interpretive walk through meadows, woods & along granite ledges, stone walls & shore; Pinetree Trail easy 25-minute interpretive walk; Meadow Trail is gentle & picturesque, revealing superb stands of milkweed that attract monarch butterflies; Hog Island Trail (3 miles) traces perimeter of Hog Island; all programs on Hog Island & mainland sanctuary care now administered by Seabird Restoration Program (Project Puffin, National Audubon Society).

Bristol (includes Monhegan Island, New Harbor, Pemaquid, Port Clyde, St. George & South Bristol)
Hotels
Bradley Inn – 3063 Bristol Road (New Harbor; 207-677-2105; bradleyinn.com; built just before 20th Century at Pemaquid Peninsula tip; 12 rooms in Main Inn & 4 in Carriage House; all include private bath and telephone, views and optional fireplaces; includes breakfast and afternoon tea.
Pemaquid Lighthouse Keeper’s House – off Route 130 (Bristol); 207-563-6500; mainecoastcottages.com/cottageSnapShot.aspx?propNum=105&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1; lovely property on Pemaquid Point cliffs; charming 2nd floor apartment in what many consider most dramatic setting in Maine; all new furnishings; single bedroom furnished with 2 twins convertible into king, with double sleep sofa in living area; deep front porch with most breathtaking views.
Restaurants
Contented Sole – 162 Pemaquid Trail (New Harbor, on Colonial Pemaquid Drive); 207-677-3000; thecontentedsole.com; casual restaurant featuring oyster bar, waterfront deck dining & full bar.
Coveside Marina & Restaurant – 105 Coveside Road (South Bristol, on Christmas Cove); 207-644-8282; covesiderestaurant.com; excellent cocktails and seafood overlooking yacht marina.
Services
Hardy Boat Cruises – 132 State Route 32 (New Harbor); 207-677-2026 or 800-278-3346; hardyboat.com; cruises to see lighthouses, puffins, and seals; day trips to Monhegan Island.
Monhegan Boat Line – 880 Port Clyde Road (St. George); 207-372-8848; monheganboat.com; transports from Muscongus Bay to Monhegan Island; embark in Port Clyde; steam past Marshall Point lighthouse; on return trip, pass close to Seal Rock.
Sights & Sites
Carpenter’s Boat Shop – 440 Old County Road (Pemaquid); 207-677-2614; carpentersboatshop.org; hands to work/heart to God environment where people overcome life obstacles through learning to handcraft wooden boats; wooden art objects, and boats, for sale.
Rachel Carson Salt Pond Reserve – Route 32 (New Harbor, Pemaquid Peninsula); 207-633-4814 (Boothbay Region Land Trust); bbrlt.org; on Muscongus Bay’s shores.
Pemaquid Lighthouse Park – off Route 130 (Bristol); 207-677-2492; lighthouse.cc/pemaquid or pemaquidpoint.org/wc.php; historic U.S. lighthouse; commissioned in 1827 by John Quincy Adams and built that year; due to poor workmanship, replaced in 1835; received Fresnel prism in 1856 (1 of only 6 Fresnel lenses still in service in Maine); keeper’s house (available for weekly rental) built in 1857; automated in 1934.

Damariscotta (includes Edgecomb & Newcastle)
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Crissy’s – 212 Main Street; 207-563-6400; cbandcb.com; restaurant with coffee bar & magnificent baked goods.
Maine Coast Book Shop & Cafe – 158 Main Street; 207-563-3207; mainecoastbookshop.com; good for coffee & ice cream.
Bars & Nightclubs Hotels
Oxbow Beer – 274 Jones Woods Road (Newcastle); 207-315-5962; oxbowbeer.com; saison and bottle-conditioned brews.
Cod Cove Inn – 22 Cross Road (Edgecomb); 207-882-9586; codcoveinn.com; 30-room, 2-story, New England-style building with commanding views over Sheepscott River & Wiscasset.
Day Block Apartments – 17 Elm Street; 207-563-5334; centrally located, beautifully renovated apartments available by week or month; excellent location.
Flying Cloud Bed & Breakfast – 45 River Road (Newcastle); 207-563-2484; theflyingcloud.com; overlooks river; 5 rooms with private baths.
Newcastle Inn – 60 River Road (Newcastle); 207-563-5685; newcastleinn.com; 14 rooms; slightly spiffier than Flying Cloud.
Restaurants
Crissy’s – 212 Main Street; 207-563-6400; cbandcb.com; restaurant with coffee bar & magnificent baked goods; breakfast, brunch & lunch.
Damariscotta River Grill – 155 Main Street (Damariscotta); 207-563-2992; damariscottarivergrill.com; great oysters.
Glidden Point Oyster Sea Farm – 707 River Road (Edgecomb);
207-633-3599; oysterfarm.com; sells its catches on-site.
King Eider’s Pub – 2 Elm Street (Damariscotta); 207-563-6008; kingeiderspub.com; oysters and traditional pub fare; fresh-picked, native crabs.
Newcastle Publick House – 52 Main Street (Newcastle); 207-563-3434; newcastlepublickhouse.com; British-style pub.
Schooner Landing – 40 Main Street (Damariscotta); 207-563-7447; schoonerlandingmarine.com; serves Maine classics, like lobster stew and fried clam rolls.
Shopping
Maine Coast Book Shop & Cafe – 158 Main Street; 207-563-3207; mainecoastbookshop.com.
Weatherbird – 132 Main Street; 207-563-8993; weatherbird.net; great sandwiches, in particular; gourmet food shop with wide selection cheeses, etc.
Sights & Sites
Frances Perkins Center – 170 Main Street; 207-563-3374; francesperkinscenter.org; Frances Perkins was 1st female cabinet member in U.S. history; this tiny building, once her offices, now houses center dedicated to her works as Secretary of Labor.

Wiscasset
Bakeries, Coffee, Ice Cream, Juice & Tea
Treats – 80 Main Street; 207-882-6192; treatsofmaine.com; crumpets, pies, etc.
Restaurants
Le Garage – 15 Water Street; 207-882-5409; legaragerestaurant.com; located on bank running down to Sheepscot River; try to be seated on verandah; frowsy, old summer lodge atmosphere; typical Maine meals.
Red’s Eats – 41 Water Street (at US Highway 1); 207-882-6128; take-out lobster rolls; among state’s most well-known and written-about restaurants; Allan “Red” Gagnon has operated since 1938 (originally in Boothbay - moved to present location in 1954); open mid-April to mid-October; in addition to signature lobster rolls, chicken sandwiches, french fries, hamburgers & hot dogs; no inside seating; long lines common, with 1-hour wait-times.
Shopping
Elliott Healy Books & Antiques – 53 Middle Street; 207-882-5446; very good old bookstore.
Rock Paper Scissors – 78 Main Street; 207-882-9930; facebook.com/pages/Rock-Paper-Scissors/150934384930119; boutique.


SAGADAHOC COUNTY
Phippsburg
Beaches
Popham Beach State Park – 10 Perkins Farm Lane; 207-389-1335; visitmaine.com/organization/2718/popham_beach_state_park; Maine’s best beach.



WALDO COUNTY (includes Freedom)
Belfast (includes Freedom)
Bars & Nightclubs
Marshall Wharf Brewery – 2 Pinchy Lane (at Three Tides) 207-338-1707; 3tides.com; nautical-themed bar with bocce court and bay-view fire pit; primarily for beer and wine.
Hotels
Belfast Bay Inn – 72 Main Street; 207-338-5600; belfastbayinn.com; airy garden courtyard and 8 large suites with comfortable, working fireplaces.
Restaurants
Chase’s Daily – 96 Main Street; 207-338-0555; farmstand-restaurant revelation, e.g., pizza and Vietnamese sandwiches.
Gothic – 108 Main Street; 207-338-4684; thegothicrestaurant.com; chef-driven restaurant.
Lost Kitchen – Mill Street (Freedom); 207-382-3333; facebook.com/pages/The-Lost-Kitchen/119270838136645; sustainable French in old mill building.
Three Tides – 2 Pinchy Lane; 207-338-1707; 3tides.com; detour-worthy oyster tavern.
Shopping
Chase’s Daily – 96 Main Street; 207-338-0555; art gallery and grocery store for locally sourced products.