Midcoast

To the Maine visitor who prefers boating, there is no better region to explore than the Midcoast.

The shoreline along this area —from Brunswick and Harpswell to Belfast and Blue Hill — is dramatic, and reflective of Maine’s rich maritime history. Unlike the sandy seashores of Southern Maine, this region features a rougher, rockier coastline more in keeping with Hollywood’s picture of the Pine Tree State.

Comprised of thousands of peninsulas, inlets, coves, harbors and islands, Midcoast is a magnet for shipping, sailing and boat building. Excursion boats of all shapes and sizes, from windjammers to working lobster boats, offer passengers, and often their pets, close encounters with whales, seals, seabirds and lighthouses. Here you will find quaint fishing villages to explore, historic sites, museums — the Maine Maritime Museum is especially engrossing — and of course plenty of lovely shops, restaurants and wineries to investigate. And although early settlers to the Midcoast area focused primarily on building Maine’s fishing and boatbuilding industries, they also built dozens of majestic sea captains’ mansions, many of which are open for touring or have been converted in lovely B&Bs. Throughout the Midcoast region, summer means strawberry, blueberry, and lobster festivals and there are farmers markets cropping up in almost every town. Camden and Rockland are the sites of two of the larger of these. Here’s a little more in depth look at a couple of very pet-friendly towns in the midcoast.

MIDCOAST

There are miles of hiking trails just waiting to be discovered that offer everything from relaxed strolls to challenging hikes in BOOTHBAY HARBOR. Spend a peaceful afternoon amid stunning gardens or at a tranquil park, or exploring the seaside village and all its charm. With a long history of fishing, ice cutting, shipbuilding, and lumber as local industries in the 18th and 19th century, Boothbay Harbor is the largest boating harbor north of Boston and is sometimes called the boating capital of New England. Take a tour of one of the lighthouses in the area or sign up for an excursion on one of the sightseeing tours. Particular favorites are the dolphin and whale watching excursions or the puffin cruises that seek out the unusual looking birds. A day (or more) touring Monhegan Island, where artists have gathered for years, will prove memorable.

At the Maine Botanical Gardens dogs are allowed in the parking areas at the gardens and on an adjacent dog trail. The Boothbay Region Land Trust provides year-round, public access to 26 nature preserves and over 35 miles of petfriendly hiking trails. Properties include woodlands, wetlands, salt marshes, islands, seabird and wading bird habitat, feeding areas for migratory birds and butterflies, historical and archaeological sites, and working waterfront.

PET ROOMS AVAILABLE

Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub in Season

www.BoothbayLodging.com 1.800.660.5094 200 Townsend Ave. Rt 27 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Just a stone’s throw from ROCKLAND & CAMDEN are plenty of dogfriendly places to hike in neighboring communities such as Thomaston, Hope and Lincolnville. Many local hotels and even a few restaurants allow dogs. There are doggie day cares where you can leave your pet for the day if you plan on visiting the local museums, like The Farnsworth or the Owls Head Transportation Museum, and attractions.

You can also hike at nearby Camden Hills State Park where an array of trails rewards you with spectacular panoramas of the area. During the summer, pick wild blueberries and snack your way to the top of the trail. In the glorious fall, pick apples at a nearby orchard. Rent bikes and leaf peep on two wheels in the brisk fall air, or take the bikes by ferry to an island and pedal the perimeter. Then, if Fido gets dirty while you’re off playing tourist, you can always bring him to the local self-serve dog wash.