The April Forecast – Warm Days, Cozy Nights, and The Best Deals!

Pack your shorts, sunscreen, and yes, a warm jacket too. It’s time for Spring Break in the MidCoast. April brings out everything good about Maine. Mountain snowfields are melting and wildflowers are blooming along the coast. Villages and inns are opening up and can’t-miss places are yours to enjoy without summertime crowds. The clocks have been turned ahead and the sunsets are extra bright. Daytime temperatures can reach the high 60’s, but it’s not unusual for a few evenings to dip below freezing. Here are a few special things we love about April in the MidCoast.

 

 

Great Places to Stay – The Best Deals

As more people discover the uncrowded pleasures of Maine during this time of the year, hotels, inns and cottage rental are offering terrific, off-season deals. That also means extra attention and easy reservations compared to the busy summer months.

Throughout the towns and harbors along the MidCoast, you’ll find accommodations that range from rustic cottages to true luxury hotels (such as 250 Main in Rockland, shown above). If only the outdoor stars at night will do for sleeping, all of Maine’s state parks are open too.

 

 

Amazing Dining Without the Waiting Lines

This is the best time of the year to experience Maine dining at its best. Sunny decks on waterfront restaurants are serving fresh oysters, mussels, and of course steaming whole lobsters or lobster rolls on a toasted, barely sweet roll. For exceptional dining, look no further than some of the Mid-Coast’s award-winning, nationally-recognized  restaurants. Checkout out famed, Primo in Rockland, the fusion-Asian, Long Grain in Camden (above left photo), and 18 Central (above right photo) for amazing oysters, cocktails, and bistro faire in Rockport – just to name a few!

 

 

The State Parks Are Open

One third of all of Maine’s state parks can be found in the MidCoast region. You can hike, enjoy wildlife, walk along beaches, and do so much more in these beautiful ocean and lakefront areas. The spring thaw brings vivid colors to the woods and meadows and the sounds of migratory birds arriving from thousands of miles away. Maine’s state parks are open for camping, but you’ll want to check weather conditions before going. The eleven state parks in the MidCoast are Camden Hills, Popham Beach, Reid (shown above), Fort Point, Birch Point, Lake St. George, Swan Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Moose Point, Owls Head, and Warren Island State Park off the coast of Lincolnville.

 

 

Museums, Galleries and Crafts

If the weather becomes blustery, a sunnier scene can be found in the galleries and museums throughout the MidCoast. Maine has attracted generations of artists, photographers and crafters. Artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Winslow Homer, Louise Nevelson, and Edward Hopper have inspired new contemporary artists to explore the light and drama in Maine’s mountains and seacoasts. And the town of Rockland is at the center of it all. Within a block of each other are the exciting Center for Maine Contemporary Art (The Fabricators by Chris Doyle exhibition, shown above, is at CMCA), the nationally-recognized Farnsworth Art Museum, and a dozen more galleries just steps away.

 

 

The Beers of April

With winter in the rearview mirror, the MidCoast craft brewers are releasing lighter and more refreshing beers. Look for lagers and saisons to replace those porters and coffee stouts got you through the short days of December. Nearly every brewery has their doors open to visit and to sample fresh beers. Many have family-friendly tap rooms and outdoor decks that offer classic pub menus with locally-sourced foods. You can plan a route through the MidCoast with the Maine Brewer’s Guild at https://mainebrewersguild.org/visit-breweries/plan-your-route/.

 

 

Fishing Season is Open!

Now that rivers and streams are flowing freely, hungry brook trout are on the prowl. Whether you’re a beginner or have fished since you were a kid, this is the best time of the year for fresh water fishing. Your first step is to get a Maine Fishing License that you can easily buy online. You’ll find fishing tackle in sporting goods stores in most every town. And to get the most out of fishing in the MidCoast, connect with a Maine guide who you can show you the most promising ponds and streams.