Spring Starts Early in The MidCoast!

Hey there, spring lovers! If you’re searching for an early spring getaway, look no further than MidCoast Maine this March. With the sun warming up and later sunsets, it’s a time for celebration in Maine. There’s no better way to welcome spring than strolling along a harbor trail or lounging on an outdoor deck. A carefree agenda is all you need!

 

 

Great Places to Stay—The Best Deals

Hotels, inns, and cottage rentals offer fantastic off-season deals at this time of year. This also means more attention and easier 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. Plus there are special perks: no bugs, no crowds, and no traffic jams.

 

 

Maine Maple Sunday

March 22-23

Mark your calendar for March 22-23 this year, when nearly 100 participating sugarhouses open their doors to the public. You’ll see how maple syrup is produced and, at most sugarhouses, you’ll have the chance to enjoy samples of freshly made maple syrup and other treats. There are four grades of syrup: Golden, Amber, Dark, and Very Dark. The lightest colors are perfect for pancakes, while the darkest are ideal for maple-flavored candies or any recipe that calls for molasses.

 

 

Uncrowded Lighthouse Visits

Many of the 24 MidCoast lighthouses, along with their nearby museums and parking areas, are open during this time of year. Five easily accessible lighthouses by car include Marshall Point Lighthouse in St. George, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (pictured above), Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in Bristol, Fort Point Lighthouse in Stockton Springs, and Owls Head Light in Rockland. You can plan your route here!

 

 

Amazing Dining Without the Lines

This is a wonderful time of year to savor Maine dining at its finest. Sunny decks at waterfront restaurants offer fresh oysters, mussels, and steaming whole lobsters or lobster rolls on a toasted, slightly sweet bun. For exceptional dining, look no further than some of the Mid-Coast’s award-winning, nationally recognized eateries. Check out Nina June in Rockport, the fusion-Asian Long Grain in Camden, and one of the New York Times’ 2024 best restaurants in the U.S., the Alna Store in the small town of Alna.

 

 

Museums, Galleries, and Crafts

If the weather turns blustery, a brighter scene awaits in our renowned galleries and museums. Maine has inspired generations of artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Winslow Homer, Louise Nevelson, and Edward Hopper. Their work has encouraged newer contemporary artists to explore the light and drama found in Maine’s mountains and coastlines. The town of Rockland lies at the center of it all. Within a block of each other are the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, the nationally acclaimed Farnsworth Art Museum (shown above), and a dozen more galleries just steps away.

 

 

Wildlife and Wild Flower Watching

The only thing standing between you and outdoor watching is a good pair of boots. Beginning in mid-March, migratory birds, hibernating animals, and early spring flowers make their vibrant debuts. Walking along nearly any ocean beach will reveal terns, herons, sea ducks, and, occasionally, magnificent snowy owls. In the coastal mountains near Camden and Rockport, thousands of migratory hawks, some traveling from as far away as South America, will begin arriving soon and building nests. Few sights are as thrilling as large, broad-wing hawks circling high in the sky.

 

Learn more about some of the MidCoast’s popular and accessible lighthouses. For more MidCoast trip ideas, browse our Travel Stories, and check out tips and resources to start planning your MidCoast adventure now.