Location: Harpswell
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What to do and see in Harpswell, United States: The Best Places and Tips
Harpswell is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The population was 4,740 at the 2010 census. Harpswell is composed of land contiguous with the rest of Cumberland County, called Harpswell Neck, as well as three large islands connected by bridges: Sebascodegan Island (locally known as Great Island), Orr's Island, and Bailey Island and over 200 smaller islands. Harpswell is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Harpswell
1. Maine Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 532 reviews
Maine Maritime Museum is located on a beautiful 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River in historic Bath, Maine. Indoors, visitors enjoy air-conditioned galleries with exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages. Outdoors, visitors can join a guided tour or stroll through the historic Percy & Small shipyard and see how many of the world's largest wooden sailing ships were built, learn about lobstering in the Maine, enjoy lunch under the towering sculpture of the schooner Wyoming (the largest wooden sailing vessel built in North America), watch wooden boats being built in the Boatshop, or play on a pirate ship. May through October, visitors can get an up-close view of the area's lighthouses and spectacular scenery on daily cruises, learn the story of Bath Iron Works from shipyard insiders, and tour the Victorian-era home of the Donnell shipbuilding family. Open year round.
Reviewed By Maurene_K - Dover, New Hampshire
The Maine Maritime Museum was about a 10-minute drive from the Days Inn in Brunswick where I stayed.
On my Saturday morning visit, the museum had several visitors but was not crowded.
This museum had grown considerably since my last visit in the early 2000’s. Even the cruise boat used in the boating seasons is bigger. The quality of the exhibits was excellent.
I watched the two videos first. Both were tied into two main parts of the museum. The first was “Percy & Small Shipyard” which told the story of the huge six-masted schooners built there. The second was “Keeper” which related to the “Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience” exhibit. I thought that both were very well done.
Then, I went through all the indoor exhibits. The outdoor exhibits and buildings were closed due to weather conditions.
A Maritime History of Maine
This permanent exhibit was the center of the museum. It summarized Maine’s maritime history with respect to all aspects of life along Maine’s coast ~ from wooden and steel shipbuilding, trade, and war to commercial and recreational fishing as well as travel. Maine’s maritime history spans 400 years.
A Shipyard in Maine: Percy & Small and the Great Schooners
This permanent outdoor exhibit was closed due to winter weather conditions, but a lot could be seen from inside the museum and from the parking lot. The video refreshed my memory on that exhibit.
The Percy & Small Shipyard is the only intact shipyard in the country which built large wooden sailing vessels with four, five, and six masts. Giant six-masted schooners were built here. Its largest ship, the Wyoming, is represented in frame form on the grounds. It was the largest wooden vessel built in the United States. The exhibit covers the period from 1894 to 1920.
Distant Lands of Palm and Spice: Maine Ships and Mariners in Deepwater Commerce
This permanent exhibit showed Bath’s participation in trade to and from distant lands as well as Bath’s influence on domestic and international commerce in the 19th and early 20th centuries. I particularly liked this exhibit for the many models and oil paintings of commercial ships from that era.
Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience
This new permanent exhibit is what brought me to revisit the museum. The exhibit had been viewed and favorably reviewed by two members of the American Lighthouse Foundation ~ historian Jeremy D’Entremont and Director Bob Trapani. Quotes from their reviews were posted on the museum’s website on the page for the exhibit.
Here, the museum duplicated the tower and lantern room of the Cape Elizabeth Two Lights lighthouse. It was a great experience to see the original second-order Fresnel lens from the east tower at Two Lights. Also, through projected video, I experienced the panoramic views of the Gulf of Maine as seen from the lantern room.
This was a unique exhibit. I thought that it alone was worth the price of admission.
Pull Together: Maritime Maine in the 1914-1918 Great War
This current exhibit chronicled the shipbuilding in the City of Bath that contributed to the national effort during WW I. There were several sections in the exhibit. The museum was fortunate enough to have a painting of the USS Allen (DD-65), one of the US Navy ships built in Bath. It was a Sampson class destroyer.
Shipshape: Decoration and Advertising in the Merchant Fleet
This current exhibit illustrated the importance of a commercial merchant ship’s appearance was to differentiate one shipping company’s ships from another’s by using flags, distinctive carvings, and paint color combinations.
The gift shop had a wide variety of merchandise from magnets with six-masted ships to clothing and collectibles.
I spent almost 3 hours here.
I rate Maritime Maine Museum at 5.0. I highly recommend a visit.
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2. Bowdoin College
Overall Ratings
5 based on 103 reviews
This small, elite college is located in Brunswick.
Reviewed By RocMom4 - Rochester, New York
Beautiful campus to walk around! There is an art gallery and various events open to the public. Check their schedule online before your visit. A map can also be found online.
3. Popham Beach State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 321 reviews
State park and beach area that is located on a peninsula near Bath, Maine.
Reviewed By StepMorris1 - Randolph, Vermont
This beach took us by surprise. It is spectacular! The views, the sand, the variety, the facility ... all were unbelievable and way beyond our expectation. Treat yourself with a visit.
4. Cliff Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Jessica N
My husband and I hiked the Cliff Trail a few days ago just before the rain set in. We are early in the season, so no bugs! It was a delightful hike through the woods, with lots of tree roots on the trail, and the cliffs were impressive. We parked behind the town hall building, hiked the loop (it was a bit tricky finding the trail after the cliff, but it is there!), and came out at the transfer station. There is a connecting trail through the woods from the station back to the town hall, so you don't have to walk on the road. Something we did not think about is the tide, so when we went it happened to be low tide. There was no water, only mud in Long Reach. It was still beautiful, but I would have liked to see the cliffs overlooking the water.
5. Reid State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
This state park has two miles of hiking trails and a beautiful beach.
Reviewed By BobHLeverett - Leverett, MA
The land for Reid Park was donated (some 800 acres) in the 1940's by Walter Reid. Reid was a successful business man and investor. His remarkable donation of the land to the state of Maine resulted in a state park with two separate sections, complete with bathhouses. The two sections each has a nice sandy beach, one one mile long and the other about one half mile long. The water is cold, but the sand is nice (not common in Maine with its rocky coastline). In late August in fine weather the beaches were nearly devoid of people. The shore slopes in various ways and signs warn that one must be cautious in the water - there can be rip tides and undertow. There are picnic tables in many places, some in the sun, some in the shade; most have nice views. There are several nice walking trails. The park has an entrance fee.
6. Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 354 reviews
Maine state park that offers a scenic walk along Casco Bay.
Reviewed By Janet D
We visited on a cool, sunny fall day when conditions were perfect for walking and enjoying the water views. It was too late in the season to see any ospreys, but the island nesting site was visible from the shore. We encountered a number of other visitors, some of whom were jogging, others walking a dog, and some who were there hoping for great pictures. It's a beautiful area.
7. Seaspray Kayaking
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By pvnipper - Kansas City
We stay in Georgetown on Gotts Cove and order our kayaks every year from Seaspray.They have excellent service and deliver them right to our dock . They also rent life jackets. We like the recreational model which has been fine for kakyaking around Five Islands. They also have the sea model for a bit more.They are very busy so I would suggest ordering early. The staff is a wealth of information if you need assistance. .
8. Androscoggin Swinging Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By terrifurniss - Dunnellon, Florida
there is free parking, but it can be a hassle. must be patient. if you are looking for a fantastic view, this is not the place. if you are in to something historical, then i suggest you see this. originally built in 1892 and later restored, it does swing when people walk on it. not scary though. small beach to walk & explore.
9. Doubling Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By crloganphila - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
As reviews state, interesting ride to location. Followed directions in map app and thankful had read reviews so prepared for the private property signage and parking location. Very scenic private location. Very peaceful. Great view of shipyard. Quick walk from where you park on uneven ground. The wood walkway to lighthouse seemed in sturdy shape. We had place to ourselves during visit.
10. Sail Cotinga
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
We offer a range of sailing trips aboard our beautiful 46ft ocean going yacht "Cotinga". Maine has some of the most beautiful coastline found anywhere in the world and it's an awesome experience to see it from the ocean. Trips start from the dock at Sebasco Harbor Resort and last 2 - 6 hours.Visit our website for more info and call 1-800-389-1161 for reservations.
Reviewed By Gregg A - Sterling Heights, Michigan
Sunset cruise was great. The captains are very friendly and make you feel welcome. The cruise itself is very intimate and relaxing. Add to that it's very affordable and you can bring your own drinks!
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