Bath, Phippsburg, Georgetown, Woolwich

Bath is located on a beautiful broad stretch of the Kennebec River, where deep waters helped create and sustain a centuriesold shipbuilding tradition.

Bath remains strong in its maritime roots as home to the world-class shipbuilding company, Bath Iron Works, and the nationally acclaimed Maine Maritime Museum, where you’ll learn about shipbuilding, the sea trade, lobstering and the rigors of a seafaring life. The city is brimming with shops, restaurants and even a Chocolate Church.

Stretching down on a peninsula from Bath is the town of Phippsburg where you’ll find Popham Beach State Park. In addition to strolling the beach, visitors enjoy swimming, wading, fishing, walking, and surfing. There’s even an island that you can walk to at low tide.

Traveling north from Bath, you’ll arrive at the town of Woolwich where the Woolwich Historical Society provides information about early settlers’ lives, historical artifacts, and presentations on how Native Americans helped develop this area in Maine. Following the gentle curves of Route 127 you’ll come to two island communities. One is Arrowsic, with four lighthouses, hiking trails up 66 hilly peaks and acres of scenic woodland and river banks. The other island is Georgetown, bounded by the Kennebec and Sasanoa Rivers and Sheepscot Bay giving you 82 miles of shoreline to enjoy.

Local Favorite: A renovated church, painted the color of milk chocolate, soon became known as the Chocolate Church Arts Center, a venue that hosts year round concerts and events. It looks yummy.

Hidden Gem: If you like to hike there is the Morse Mountain Road trail. According to alltrails.com, “Morse Mountain to Seawall Beach is a 3.8-mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Phippsburg, Maine, that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. It’s an easy hike with a great view from the mountain and a great walk along the beach. There are private properties along this trail, so be careful to stay on path.”