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• Camden & Camden Harbor

Camden and Camden Harbor - a unique harbor village nestled at the foot of Camden Hills on Penobscot Bay

While there are many things to do in Rockland during your stay, you should certainly plan a day trip to visit and explore Camden, Maine. Just eight miles away and right up the road from Rockland, Camden is known as the “Jewel of the Maine Coast.” When you envision a small New England seaside village, you are picturing Camden even if you don’t know it. Camden is a small town right on the sea with a bustling harbor and community, especially in the summer months.

Camden today is an eclectic mix of modern-day stores and restaurants but still holds onto the 19th century architecture look and feel that makes it unique. Many people love to visit Camden for the day and explore the downtown area, putting shopping as a top priority. This area is filled with local shops, high-end boutiques, and specialty stores like the Planet, the Emporium, Margo Moore, the Admiral's Buttons, House of Logan, the Ducktrap Bay Trading Company and many others. Each store brings something new to the local marketplace, offering guests and locals an assortment of gifts, accessories, and/or specialty crafts. There is no need to drive your car to each of these locations; the beauty of this town is almost everything can be explored on foot at your own leisurely pace. Beyond its shopping options, Camden boasts a wealth of galleries and restaurants with plenty of New England dishes to enjoy in your visit.

Camden Harbor - a paradise for boating enthusiasts

In addition to Rockland Harbor, Camden Harbor is also incredibly well known in the Maine boating community. Camden also sits on Penobscot Bay, often referred to as one of the best cruising bays in the world. In your first initial glance of Camden Harbor, you will be amazed at the volume and diversity of vessels docked right near the waterfront. Ships, yachts, and Windjammers are all common sights here.

Of course, you don’t want to spend your time at the docks. The best way to experience this portion of Midcoast Maine is to get on the water. You can spend the day sailing around Camden Harbor or take a short sightseeing cruise to explore the Camden lighthouse, Curtis Island Light, other small lighthouses, and uninhabited islands scattered throughout the area that have some of the best (and most rarely seen) Maine wildlife in their natural habitat. If you are looking for a bit more adventure on the water, consider a two-hour kayak trip. The trip begins in the harbor boathouse (nestled against massive yachts) and soon you are paddling against the waves near Curtis Island with close up views of its 1836 historic lighthouse. This is one of the best ways to experience the water and this community first-hand. Camden also has several Windjammers and schooners for harbor trips or excursions on the bay, and even offer guests the ability to book a multi-day cruise of Penobscot Bay and the surrounding islands.

Other points of interest include Elegant Mansions and Historic Inns

Camden was considered one of the most exclusive travel destinations in New England in the late 1800s. This exclusivity and intrigue has not changed over time, and some of the wealthiest and most affluent people in our country continue to flock to Camden in hopes of making this location home. With a unique mix of permanent and summer homes, Camden boasts a wealth of beautiful mansions and estates dotted along the coastline of this small seaside community. Many of these wealthy families have chosen to give back to the town of Camden and have given the community a beautiful public library and a spectacular amphitheater. These families also contributed to the financial stability of various popular attractions in the town including the Village Green, the Camden Opera House, the Camden Yacht Club, and Harbor Park. The Village Green, the Camden Amphitheater, and Camden Harbor Park are historic landscaped spaces that have been fully restored for locals and visitors to enjoy for many years to come.

While Camden offers a wealth of activities for visitors to enjoy, the most popular destination is Camden Hills State Park. Just a few miles away from the downtown Camden area, Camden Hills State Park offers visitors extensive hiking and walking trail options, and an 800-foot summit that provides absolutely stunning views of Camden Harbor and Penobscot Bay. Most people will agree that the view atop of Mount Battie is like nothing else they have experienced. Impossible to explain on paper, it is something that every person needs to see firsthand. This view is most loved by locals and guests alike in the summer months, and in the fall when the landscape is bursting with the rich hues of red, orange, and yellow.

Camden also has a large art and cultural focus. Throughout the Camden community, there are local craft shops, craft fairs, independent art galleries, opera halls, and nationally recognized museums. Carlos Salzedo established the local Summer Harp Colony, the Amphitheatre features Shakespeare plays, and the Camden and Rockport Opera Houses frequently offer the Bay Chamber Concerts. Camden has also been home to notable people like Pulitzer Prize winner Edna St. Vincent Millay, featured in movies like the 1957 film Peyton Place that was filmed in Camden. Even though it is a small town, Camden is still on the radar of top Hollywood executives for movie location filming.

In addition to Rockland, Camden is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Maine. With its beautiful and wealthy architecture, stunning hiking opportunities, and spectacular water views, it is certainly worth exploring during your Midcoast Maine vacation.