Port Clyde, Maine

Serene and tranquil - are the first words that come to mind as I think of a weekend stay I had in the tiny fishing village of Port Clyde, Maine.

Between Thomaston and Rockland - jutting into the Atlantic Ocean from midcoast Maine - is the St. George Peninsula and at its tip is this small community that can quickly capture your heart with its character and charm.

It captured mine the moment I arrived...

Our innkeeper explained that keys to our room had been misplaced years ago, but reassured us that we would not be bothered by uninvited quests. 

That is when I knew this place must be special and one look around Port Clyde, Maine and I understood why.

You may also be interested in:
Monhegan Boat Line, Monhegan Island Hotels, Monhegan Island Light, Monhegan Island Maine

Port Clyde, Maine Attractions

Fast paced, high intensity entertainment - not in Port Clyde, Maine.

Although summer brings an influx in tourists, Port Clyde is a place where stepping back in time comes naturally. As you stand at the edge of its working harbor and gaze around the centuries old village, it is hard not to feel that you are actually part of its past and not in the present.

To help you truly capture the heritage of this magical spot on Maine's coast there are numerous things to do in Port Clyde.

As one of Port Clyde's main tourist attractions...

The Monhegan Boat Line, with Laura B and Elizabeth Ann, departs daily from the Port Clyde harbor, ferrying passengers for a nearly 10 mile cruise through Muscongus Bay to Monhegan Island, Maine. And seasonally, the Monhegan Boat Line offers Puffin and Nature Cruises, Lighthouse Cruises and Sunset Cruises.

To enjoy the northern Atlantic waters from another perspective...

Port Clyde Kayaks provides tours along the nearby coast and the many islands scattered throughout Muscongus Bay. Dedicated guides, along with the local porpoises and seals, work hard to ensure that the paddling experience is a vacation highlight for their Port Clyde visitors.

Along the way, and visible at the easterly tip of St. George Peninsula...

...is the Marshall Point Lighthouse. Within walking distance from Port Clyde's harbor and accessible by car the lighthouse grounds are also home to Marshall Point Light Museum and Gift Shop, housed in the former keepers residence and on the National Register of Historic Places.

On the way to or from the lighthouse...

...you can catch a bit of Maine's sea life on display, at the Herring Gut Learning Center, a non-profit marine education facility.

You may also find a Port Clyde art gallery or an artist's studio with its doors open. For centuries local artists have beautifully portrayed the shipbuilding and fishing heritage of this seaside community and love sharing their work with others.

When you've seen all of Port Clyde...

...and you have caught up on your rest and relaxation, you are in a great location from which to venture out for a day trip to Owls Head, Rockland, Rockport or Camden, Maine.

Wherever your travels lead you, the Port Clyde General Store at the head of the wharf is the perfect stop for a homemade sweet or other staples or sundries you may need along the way.

What happened to the Port Clyde Canning Co. and Port Clyde sardines? Well, the canning companies are long gone, but I've read that it is still possible to purchase sardine tins with the Port Clyde, Maine label.

Port Clyde Rentals, Hotels and B&B's

Whether you stay in a Port Clyde Hotel, a Port Clyde B&B, or a cozy cottage, you are likely to find your accommodations to be distinctively, authentic Maine lodging.

In the village of Port Clyde and overlooking the harbor are...

...the Seaside Inn Bed and Breakfast, built in the 1850's as a sea captains home and the Ocean House Hotel, built in the 1830's as a rooming house for local mariners.

Off the beaten path are many other Port Clyde vacation rental options, many of which are cottages, such as the Rose Cottage offered by the Ocean House Hotel, or homes formerly used as private residences. Among them you will find overnight and weekly lodging that is affordable to budget conscious travelers and comfortably accommodating for couples, groups or families.

Since most Port Clyde lodging properties do NOT have a large number of rooms you should plan your stay in advance. If you don't have any luck finding a room in Port Clyde you may want to try nearby Tenants Harbor and Clark Island.

Port Clyde Restaurants

If you are a seafood lover, perhaps the best thing about dining in Port Clyde - or almost any other Maine seacoast restaurant -is that you are likely to be eating only shrimp, fish, scallops, clams and lobster that have been delivered fresh from the docks.

And what if you don't care for seafood? You will be fine.

Most restaurants have a nice variety of both seafood and non-seafood items on their menu.

What happened to the highly rated Dip Net Restaurant in Port Clyde, Maine? According to their website, dipnetrestaurant.com, their lease was not renewed and they are in the process of relocating. Until then...

The Harpoon Restaurant on Drift Inn Road - "Where the locals eat" - offers a great selection of broiled, baked, sauteed, poached and fried seafood, along with several beef and chicken dishes.

And, just a few miles north, in Tenants Harbor, are several other choices...

Enjoy fine dining with a harbor view from the East Wind Inn dining room, or stop by The Chandlery, on their wharf, for a casual waterside meal at one of the picnic tables.

The Cod End Cookhouse with inside dining, dockside dining and take-out also serves a large selection of fresh, locally caught seafood.

Traveling further north to Spruce Head, and perhaps worth a visit...

...is the Craignair Inn and Restaurant, Fodor's Choice for 2005 and 2008. According to the Craignair website, the Fodor's Maine Coast Guide Book says that "...The creative cuisine in the dining room is stupendous."

For a true lobster in the rough experience in Spruce Head's harbor...

....Miller's Lobster Co. not only offers great seafood, but fantastic ocean views - on three sides they are surrounded by water!

Need a fix for your sweet tooth?

Because the folks in Port Clyde, Maine know that a summer vacation is not complete without it - Village Ice Cream scoops treats daily from their location by the docks.

Would you like to recommend a restaurant or a place to stay in Port Clyde, ME? Let me know and I'll be happy to include it here!