If you’re coming to Maine this summer, or want to enjoy a staycation, we’ve got five Midcoast attractions you’ll want to include in your itinerary. Let’s start in Rockland, the Lobster Capital of the world, and go from there!

The Maine Lobster Festival

Rockland, Maine

July 30-Aug. 3, 2025

Visitors consistently tell the organizers of The Maine Lobster Festival why they love this five-day community extravaganza. Obviously, the star of the show is the 20,000 pounds of locally-caught Maine lobster. The Festival serves it in a variety of ways — steamed in the shell, picked lobster rolls, in a hearty lobster mac and cheese, and more.

But more than that, it’s the vibe; the ocean waterfront location, the warm hospitality of Mainers, the small-town community, and the way locals and tourists come together to have fun. Throw in the crowd favorites: the lobster crate races, live music and entertainment, family-friendly activities, Stein and Vines tasting events, the seafood cooking contests, and now you can see why people have been coming to this Festival for more than 75 years.

What’s even better? Free admission! Get more information about the Maine Lobster Festival.

The Rockland Breakwater

Camden & Rockland, Maine

Year-round

Just a short distance from the Maine Lobster Festival is the Rockland Breakwater, a granite block barrier jutting into the ocean 7/8 of a mile to protect against the waves and storms. This is one of the most unique walks in the world — easy for all ages — culminating at a lighthouse built in 1902.

This historical and popular landmark allows you to be surrounded by the water, giving you a chance to observe working and leisure boats, as well as sea life. It’s a beautiful spot to enjoy and photograph sunrises and sunsets.  Get details about The Rockland Breakwater.

Sail on a Windjammer

Camden & Rockland, Maine

Summer & Fall

Right in the Rockland harbor, or about a 15-minute drive up the road to the Camden harbor, the Midcoast Windjammer fleet is a majestic sight each summer and fall. The combined fleet typically includes 8-10 vessels in Rockland and 10-12 vessels in Camden. Most of the windjammers are traditional wooden sailing vessels, many over 100 years old.

They offer a variety of trips, including day sails, sunset cruises and multi-day excursions where guests can enjoy the coastal scenery and wildlife sightings, secret anchorages, secluded fishing villages and hands-on sailing experiences — truly an exhilarating way to spend a half-day or a few days. Browse Windjammer trips.

Sea Kayaking or Paddle Boarding

Midcoast, Maine

Summer & Fall

Locals and visitors have a stunning playground for paddle sports each summer. It’s the most immersive way to see Maine’s beautiful lakes and breezy harbors up close.  Maine Sport Outfitters in Camden (with a satellite location in Rockland) offers sea kayak and lake kayak guided tours (some with gourmet lunch included) with paddles and PFD included.

Ducktrap Kayak in Lincolnville just north of Camden also offers single and tandem kayaks and paddle board rentals for kids and adults. They also deliver to Port Clyde, Cushing, St. George, Owls Head, Rockland, Rockport, Camden, Lincolnville, Bayside, Northport, Belfast, Megunticook Lake and more.

Breakwater Kayak Co. offers licensed Maine Guide kayaking trips and tours for individuals, families and groups of all ages and skill levels. And Port Clyde Paddle offers paddle board and kayak rentals out on the ocean as well as well as guided trips in Port Clyde and Tenants Harbor, where they frequently encounter pods of porpoises.

Discover the best kayaking/paddleboarding spots near Camden.

Puffin Cruise

Boothbay, Maine

Spring & Summer

It’s a scenic hour-long drive from Rockland to the peninsula of Boothbay. While there, enjoy the bustling harbor town and then take a Cap’n Fish’s Cruises wildlife cruise in tandem with the National Audubon Project Puffin for their popular Puffin tours to Eastern Egg Rock. 

Puffins are native black and white seabirds with colorful beaks, similar to penguins. They nest on several islands along the coast, including Eastern Egg Rock, Matinicus Rock and Seal Island. The 2.5-hour cruise departs from Boothbay Harbor. Along the way, you’ll see islands, coastline, three lighthouses, seals, blue heron, and even the occasional whale on the way to find the elusive and beautiful colony of Puffins.  Learn more about the Puffin Scenic Cruise.

Each of these activities speaks to the stunning landscape Maine has to offer. Come join us this summer starting with the Maine Lobster Festival July 30-Aug. 3, and enjoy these other activities while you’re here!