The 8 Best Sights & Landmarks in Boothbay Harbor Region, Mid Coast Maine

Featuring maritime paintings and landscape scenes by award-winning artist Brad Betts. Betts has been an artist for over 20 years and is a Signature Member of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA). His paintings have appeared in solo and group shows throughout New England, including the Mystic Seaport Gallery's acclaimed "International Marine Art Exhibition" for the past 7 years. In 2006, he received the "Maritime Gallery Yachting Award" at this exhibition and in 2008, was recognized as one of "Four Distinguished Artists" at the Mystic Seaport Gallery. In 2011, Brad's maritime painting "Cup Challenge" was selected by internationally renowned author Ferenc Mate for the cover of "Sea of Lost Dreams", the second book in the Dugger / Nello series. Brad is currently working on a book cover for Mate's first book in the series, "Ghost Sea". His inspiration to paint all things nautical is an outgrowth of his youth, which he spent around the Gulf coast waters, deep sea fishing and sailing. Today, his paintings reflect his life-long appreciation of the sea. His work is filled with movement: schooners under full sail battle through wind-driven seas; and Friendship sloops glide through the calm waters of Maine's inlets. The classic Betts oil is a summer day in Maine-blue skies, billowing sails, and shimmering seas. In 2007, Brad and his wife Danielle made the decision to move to East Boothbay Maine, the beautiful seaside village famous for boat building. Living in an area with a rich maritime history and active working harbor offers Brad the opportunity to connect daily with classic scenes that most inspire him. Brad has achieved his mastery of maritime painting through a blend of both technical discipline in the studio and a focused effort to retain his natural, inspired style. He seeks this through outdoor painting, "When you paint outside, the light and conditions change constantly. This forces you to simplify your decisions and rely completely on practiced techniques and natural instincts. In these moments, you connect most with yourself as an artist and the energy that comes from within."

The Opera House was built in 1894 and is on the National Historic Registry. Each year nearly 100 live performances come to the old stage and include Grammy winners, international touring musicians and more. Expect to see a schedule filled with jazz, folk, classical, bluegrass, Celtic, country, and regionally-inspired music. The stage is also periodically home to theatre, comedy, magic and more. Open year 'round including December's Gingerbread Spectacular! Updated performance schedule on the website. Handicapped accessible. Bar open on the night's of performances.

At the entrance to Boothbay Harbor, and fully visible from the public landing at the tip of Southport Island, is the 1896 Cuckold Lighthouse.

January 2021: Our FARM is OPEN by appointment from January to April for ALPACA TREKS and Tours! We have a few treks posted online for booking January - March 2021. Please see our website for details. We require social distancing and masks.Our FARM: We are a small, family run alpaca farm located on picturesque Southport Island, off Boothbay Harbor, an hour + from Portland. We offer unique alpaca treks in a magical Maine island setting. All farm visits, private tours and treks are booked online on our website. Any questions please feel free to call or email. Our farm gift shop is open - please call if you would like to schedule an appointment. All our alpaca yarns are mill spun in Maine from our animals raised here. We also carry luxurious alpaca products hand crafted by artisans in Lima, Peru. We sell Altera Alpaca socks made in the states from U.S. Alpacas. Our own handmade soap and body butters are available as well. We have no public restrooms available. Call us with any questions!