Like a Local: Boothbay for the Day
My favorite places in Maine are always the ones that not that many people know about, yet. If you looking for an easy, relaxing, no-fuss, itinerary for a day trip - this post might be for you.
First Stop: Ovens Mouth Preserves, located on one of many Boothbay Region Land Trust locations. We opted for the Eastside trail, which clocks in at just over one mile. I have learned that a one-mile loop for little ones who get the wiggles in a hiking backpack is the perfect distance. Though the loop may seem short, the scenery is BIG. If you hit the tide just right, you will observe what appears to be an endless wave in the Mouth. I had never seen anything like it!
There are plenty of places to sit down for a snack or take in the salt air. The water here seems to take on mesmerizing color, which I love.
Second Stop: Community Park Playground
The girls had spotted the playground when we were trying to find the trailhead parking lot, and we promised we would stop there after the hike. There wasn’t much foot traffic when we arrived, and we had the place almost entirely to ourselves, which was nice. This also gave my husband and me the chance to plan out our next steps - we decided on swimming!
“This park is a Maine dream come true.”
Barrett Park, Boothbay Harbor
Third Stop: Barrett Park - Boothbay Harbor
This park is a Maine dream come true - cool breezes, relatively warm calm cove waters, and breathtaking views of the bay. The swimming here is delightful, and when the tide is high, the rocks in the middle of the cove make for fun exploring and jumping for little ones. There are picnic tables and shady trees for picnicking. I didn’t want to leave, but my stomach was looking for something more sustainable than the granola bars I had packed.
Fourth Stop: Boothbay Craft Brewery
When exploring, we often seek out local breweries with plenty of outdoor seating and kid-friendly food options, so when we drive past Boothbay Craft Brewery on our way down the peninsula, we logged it in the back of our minds as a possible pit stop. The grownups enjoyed a cold beer, and the whole family chowed down on a Wood-Fired Pizza and a basket of Tavern Seasoned Fries. The girls were in heaven and so were we.
It felt so good to be in the world together, and we're just getting started!
