January is the time for renewal and setting goals, which often include a focus on future travel plans. It also happens to be the month to get the best deals on flights and hotel bookings. If you’d like to get the jump on planning a visit to coastal Maine for the 2020 Maine Lobster Festival, we’ve got all the insider tips for a fantastic summer trip for the whole family.
Where to Stay
The most important piece of the plan is locking down lodging. The options are many, depending on the size of your party. For families and couples, hotels in and around Rockland range from budget to boutique. The three Historic Inns of Rockland are also popular bed & breakfast choices —all within walking distance to town. These combine luxury with personal service from the owners, who exemplify small-town hospitality, guiding you toward the local hotspots and fun things happening during your stay.
For larger groups in need of multiple bathrooms, bedrooms and common areas, Airbnb and VRBO house listings in Maine consistently come with excellent ratings. And finally, for those who wish for more rustic settings, nearby Camden Hills State Park offers individual camping sites and RV sites. Maine Campground Owners Association provides an online campground directory as a viable way to stay within budget.
Beyond that, the nearby towns of Camden, Rockport, Thomaston, Owls Head, Tenants Harbor, and Port Clyde all offer more places to stay in each seaside community, lovely and quiet in its own way. The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce will help you fine-tune your research.
What to Do
Besides the jampacked five days (July 29 to Aug. 2) of the Maine Lobster Festival, there are little hidden gems tucked in and around Rockland. Considered an arts capital of the Midcoast, Rockland boasts top-notch museums and more than 30 unique galleries. For outdoor lovers, daysailers and guided sea kayak tours can take you out to enjoy the ocean; there are 14 lighthouses in the area to explore, and 25 miles of hiking trails nearby. In town, the shops, bookstores, breweries, cafes and restaurants are one-of-a-kind and unlike anything you’ve ever seen. And for the kids, there is even a small working family chocolate factory and antique toy museum nearby.
What to Pack
Even though August historically has the lowest amount of precipitation, Maine weather isn’t always predictable. Festival goers may experience chilly temperatures one day and seasonal hot temperatures the next. Given that you’ll be on the coast, where cooler air masses provide nature’s air conditioning, you’ll want to think about layers – long shirts, light rain jackets, long pants and even socks and sturdy shoes. On the flip side, also bring your summer clothes and an average SPF of 30 for the hotter days.
If you plan on walking the Rockland Breakwater, bring some sturdy shoes or hiking boots – no flip flops or sandals. And be aware that Maine’s beaches are rocky, not sandy, so appropriate water shoes will keep you comfortable. Lastly, be aware that ticks are still a major problem in the Northeast, so if you plan to do some hiking, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and gaiters around your boots, and carry tick repellent spray and a tick removal tool, which you can purchase at any drugstore or pet store in Maine.
See more travel tips to the Maine Lobster Festival on our blog.
