The old town of Boothbay was incorporated in 1764 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2014. It has four villages: Boothbay Center, East Boothbay, Ocean Point, and Trevett; as well as three islands in the Sheepscot River connected by bridges to the mainland: Barters, Hodgdon and Sawyer, each with year-round populations as well as scores of summer residents.

Boothbay offers many attractions, including an 18-hole golf course, railway museum, playhouse, over 30 miles of hiking trails on over 1,700 acres of land trust preserves, and New England's largest botanical garden with beautiful gardens, trails and sculpture on over 250 acres. A wide variety of accommodations overlooks the ocean, lakes and ponds, or are nestled in the woods. East Boothbay maintains its long history of shipbuilding, with small shipyards that once turned out large sailing vessels now building power and sail pleasure craft, as well as commercial fishing and tug boats.

Uniquely positioned between Linekin Bay and the Damariscotta River, East Boothbay boasts tidal water known as Mill Pond where logs once floated to Hodgdon's grist mill.

Ocean Point, a summer colony of long standing with attractive cottages, offers a shore drive on route 96 with an unsurpassed view of the Atlantic and the rocky islands. Of the many islands is Damariscove where Pilgrims came to trade with the Indians; and Fisherman's Island which has been a restful retreat for Protestant ministers for many summers. In the distance, on a clear day, Monhegan Island is plainly visible.