Winter in Maine is magical. Winter in MidCoast Maine is *extra* special, because you can walk on the beach, alpine ski, and enjoy fine dining all in the same day. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. But the only way to find out is to start planning, and I’ve got you covered! Let’s discover what MidCoast Maine has to offer.

Lodging

Whatever your getaway love language is, you can find it in Midcoast Maine. They have boutique hotels like 250 Main, gorgeous waterfront Air B & B’s, charming Inns, sweet cottages, luxurious resorts, and so much more.

It’s become tradition for us to stay at the iconic Samoset Resort. This nautical-themed resort is encompassed by panoramic views of Penobscot Bay. Although Summer is peak season, there is just as much to do in the Winter! Walk or cross-country ski the golf course, pamper yourself at the spa, cuddle up to one of the fireplaces with a warm drink and a good book, jump in the pool, let off steam in the sauna, pump iron in the gym, let loose in the game room, or take a leisurely walk out to the breakwater lighthouse. They also have a restaurant on-site that offers three meals a day (including a kick-ass breakfast buffet).

Friday

Before checking in, stop for a scrumptious lunch at Clan MacLaren in downtown Rockland. We split the highland moon sandwich and each ordered our own soup to accompany it. My caramelized onion and potato soup was to die for and Nate’s clam chowder was equally as dreamy.

Walk off lunch with a quick stroll around downtown Rockland. Our favorite stops were the Landing Gallery, Arctic Tern Books, and the Loyal Biscuit Co pet store, where workers were engrossed in discussion over the origins of the phrase “hello, governor”. We were no help in the discussion, but we did buy a toy for our pup!

After a downtown stroll, it’s time to unpack and settle into accommodations. Our room at the Samoset just so happened to have a balcony with a hot tub overlooking the water, so we spent some time relaxing in the hot tub before getting ready for dinner.

Before dinner, grab a round of drinks! We chose the Enoteca Lounge for drinks, because it is conveniently located right next to the restaurant we had dinner reservations at. The lounge is a gorgeous combination of rustic wood, deep leather chairs, and cozy fireplaces located on the ground floor of the Samoset. Other notable drink spots in Rockland are Myrtle Street Tavern and In Good Company.

There are several off-season dinner options in Rockland. Rustica Cucina Italiana, Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, Archer’s on the Pier, and North Beacon Oyster are just a few that come to mind. We had to walk a whopping 20 steps to get to our dinner reservation at La Bella Vita, located at the Samoset Resort. The menu was full of italian cuisine, ranging from hand rolled polpette to garganelli bolognaise. I ordered a glass of white wine alongside the chicken saltimbocca and my husband ordered a red wine to accompany his Sicilian ocean stew. Both were fantastic.

Saturday

Pick up donuts from Ruckus Donuts and breakfast sandwiches from the Rockland Cafe. Either eat them in the car or pack them to enjoy at the summit of Maiden’s Cliff or Mount Battie. If hiking isn’t your thing, Owl’s Head State Park would also make for a picturesque breakfast spot.

After breakfast, drive to Birch Point State Park and spend a couple hours exploring the beautiful sandy beach and the rocky coastline. Be sure to also take some time to explore a few of the local lighthouses (Owls Head, Rockland Breakwater, or Marshall Point Lighthouse). If the weather is poor, spend the afternoon trying your luck at candlepin bowling at Oakland Park Bowling Lanes. Be sure to bring cash or your debit card, as they don’t accept cards.

Before dinner, enjoy a stroll around the quaint town of Camden while it’s not overrun with tourists. Check out the local shops, play a round of pool at Cuzzy’s, a local bar with a unique hanging-out-in-my-friends-basement vibe that makes you want to stay for hours.

Camden has a cornacopia of dinner options. In the mood for Asian food? Try Long Grain on Washington Street. Itching for seafood? Try Salt Wharf. Craving Italian? Try 40 paper. We opted for atmosphere and dined at Franny’s Bistro. The crab cake appetizer was the star of the show. Our mains, steak frites and arctic char, were equally yummy.

Sunday

Nothing says Sunday breakfast like the Home Kitchen Cafe. We accidentally arrived 30 minutes before they opened, which was actually a blessing in disguise because cars started pulling into the parking lot one after another shortly after we did. We quickly realized this was a show-up-early-and-wait-in-line kind of place, so we got out of our car and joined the rambunctious line of locals waiting to get a table. Sure enough, there were at least 50 people waiting in line by the time the doors opened, and it was a crazy free-for-all to score a seat. Oddly enough, it was absolutely worth every minute of waiting outside in the 30-degree weather. Service was quick, the menu had everything you could want and more, and the food was delicious.

After stuffing our bellies full of Irish eggs benedict, we made our way to the Camden Snow Bowl to do some alpine skiing. The mountain had gotten a few inches of fresh snow, so we knew conditions were going to be mint.

For those of you that have never skied at Camden Snow Bowl, let me set the scene. The lodge is a super cute A-frame with bathrooms and lockers downstairs and tables and a tiny cafe upstairs. The mountain is owned and operated by the town of Camden Parks and Recreation Department, which gives it that small town ski mountain feel that can’t be beat. It has plenty of trails to keep you busy for hours of skiing and ski rentals for the whole family.

If cross-country skiing is more your style, Ragged Mountain Preserve has miles of ski trails, as does Camden Hills State Park! If you need rentals, Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport has your back!

Additional Activities

Bad weather? Catch a movie at Flagship Cinemas in Thomaston.

Try your luck at ice skating at the MidCoast Recreation Center for $7.00/per person. Rentals are $5.00/per person.

Happy exploring!

MyMaine