You’re coming to the Maine Lobster Festival in August! Wonderful! We look forward to meeting you, and we know you’ll have a great time. But now the question is: where will you stay?
Midcoast Maine has just about every type of lodging you could ask for. Where to stay depends on your personality, trip agenda and preferences. Here are some great options.
The Outdoors Type
A slice of heaven for you is the Maine Lobster Festival by day and a campfire by night. August is one of the best months for camping in Maine, whether you’re in an RV, a tent, or a cabin. Four private campgrounds not far from Rockland offer fantastic views of the rugged Maine coast and lakes: Megunticook By The Sea Campground; Lobster Buoy Campsites; Sennebec Lake Campground; and Saltwater Farm Campground. All of these are family friendly and harken back to simpler times. You can sit under the stars and enjoy the quiet and sounds of nature after a great day at the Festival. Find details for these and other Midcoast campgrounds here.
The Seamless Tripper
If the idea of driving to Maine in summer traffic doesn’t appeal to you, here’s a perfect solution. Take the Rally Bus from Boston, Manchester, New Hampshire, or Portland to Rockland, and hop off at one of the downtown hotels with just an overnight bag in your hand. There are numerous downtown Rockland B&Bs and hotels within walking distance of the Festival, including The Rockland Harbor Hotel and the Historic Inns of Rockland, a collaboration of three gracious B&Bs in historic buildings. Some hotels, like the 250 Main Hotel and Trade Winds Motor Inn, offer direct views of the festival from a balcony or window. Who needs a car when you have everything you need downtown?
The Explorer
Perhaps, you’re the opposite: you love the open road and want to see more of the Midcoast while you’re here for the Maine Lobster Festival. Beyond the lodging options in Rockland, the nearby towns of Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, Owls Head, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde each have their own personality. And with each B&B, inn and hotel or motel, you’re sure to receive the ultimate in small town hospitality. From the budget friendly Schooner Bay Motor Inn in Rockport and the Country Inn in Camden to the pet friendly choice of Ripples Inn at the Harbor in Rockland or the luxurious seaside views of The Samoset Resort, after a day of adventure, each choice is a welcome retreat. Here’s a list of lodging options in Rockland and the rest of the Penobscot Bay region.
For Bigger Groups
A great option for a larger group of family or friends who want to attend the Maine Lobster Festival together is a vacation home rental, such as those offered by SummerMaine Classic Vacation Rentals, On The Water In Maine, Inc., and Camden Accommodations. With multiple bedrooms and bathrooms and fully appointed kitchens, a vacation home may provide a more affordable lodging option for large groups, but the real attraction of a vacation home is that it’s – a home. After an evening of festivities at the Lobster Festival, there’s nothing like going back to your own place to relax.
Here are some more lodging options and recommendations from the Maine Lobster Festival.