Maine Wedding Towns – Where to go, what to do in Boothbay
by Weddings Down East

In this series of guides to popular Maine wedding towns, we’ll give you the local view, everything from playing tourist to chilling beachside. After all, people don’t just throw weddings in Maine to get married, they come for the built-in vacation. And you’re not just here for the destination wedding, you’re here because you’re destined to have some fun—so come on. Check out what Boothbay has to offer.

Boothbay Harbor

This out-of-the-way fishing harbor isn’t as quiet as it may seem at first, once you get to know the rowdy, er, lively locals. But it’s a pretty affordable town with more lobster shacks and wharf restaurants than you can shake a stick at, not to mention a competitive amount of water activity.

Coffee, Stat

Blue Moon Cafe
54 Commercial Street
Boothbay
207-633-2349
This place gets high marks for creative, fresh breakfast and noteable reviews for their oat-cinnamon french toast. This teeny place on the water is ever-popular so finding a seat may be tough.

Moosehead Coffee Beans
1 Howard Street
Boothbay
207-633-9976
Warning: keep the moose out of the kitchen while brewing. This family-owned business roasts and grinds 100% Arabica coffee

Good Food

Lobstah, etc.

Boothbay Region Lobstermen's Cooperative
97 Atlantic Avenue,
Boothbay Harbor, ME
207-633-4900
One of the highlights of Maine is getting to watch the lobstermen bring in their catch as you have dinner on the wharf or in the enclosed dining room. You can also do takeout with steamed lobsters and clams all year long from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kaler's Crab & Lobster House
48 Commercial Street
Boothbay Harbor
207-633-5839 (At this family-owned restuarant, Mary Kaler will greet you at the door, son, Sam will be cooking in the kitchen and Dan Kaler will offer to take you out on the Hunky Dory to haul lobster traps after your meal. This is a great oceanside restaurant for large groups and families. Try the fried lobster if you dare.

Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf
New Harbor, Maine
207-677-2200
If you want a local brew as cold as the Atlantic along with fresh seafood, make a little trek over to New Harbor to Shaw’s Fish and Lobster and sample a fresh draught of Pemaquid Ale from the Sheepscot Brewing Company (local brewer). Shaw’s is casual dining but straight-up fresh seafood. Even the locals dine frequently, and afternoons at the open-air bar is the social mainstay of local fisherman and friends.

Outdoors

Balmy Days Cruises
62 Commercial Street,
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538,
Pier 8,
207-633-2284
Two motor boats Balmy Days II and Novelty can take you where you want to go: on a lighthouse tour, to Monhegan Island, on sailing or scenic harbor trips, and two hour fishing excursions. Great for big wedding parties.

Cap'n Fish's Whale Watch
Pier1, PO Box 660
Boothbay Harbor
207-633-3244
800-636-3244, Cap'n Fish's WhaleWatch has been around doing this longer than anyone else and uses the latest whale-tracking equipment available so you can experience the whales, sea birds and marine wild life that the Boothbay Region has to offer. Note: Bar Harbor has one of the leading ports for whale watching with 98% sightings during the 2004 season.

Cruise the Hardy III
Rt. 32, Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf
New Harbor
1.800.2.puffin
Thanks to the conscious efforts of the many involved in reestablishing the north Atlantic puffin population you can board the Hardy III in New Harbor at Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Warf, for the Puffin Watches, Seal Watches, Lighthouse Cruises, or the Fall Coastal Cruise—warm cider included. Hardy Boat Cruises also offers ferry service to Monhegan Island. Reservations are accepted and recommended.

Tidal Transit Ocean Kayak & Bike Company
18 Granary Way
Boothbay Harbor
Granary Way Building
207-633-7140 Do you want to bike or kayak? Doesn’t matter because here, you can do both. All tours are led by an experienced guide. First-timers can choose a tandem kayak, which is more stable. Along the way you’re sure to see ospreys, seals and Great Blue Herons. No experience is necessary.

Rainy Day Play

Boothbay Railway Village
586 Wiscasset Road
Boothbay Harbor, ME
207-633-4727
When’s the last time you were on a steam train? Exactly, which is why it will be fun to take a trip back in time with a ride on this antique steam powered train on this ten acre link back to the turn of the 20th century.

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Barter’s Island Road
Boothbay
207.633.4333
Botanical gardens are an idyllic escape for a reason, natural beauty—what we all desire. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, in Boothbay, is the largest botanical garden in New England. With their dedicated preservation of mother nature, their continuance of all things beautiful, and your fabulous picnic basket you will have a glimpse of enlightenment.

Maine Resources Aquarium
West Boothbay Harbor
207-633-9452
Say it’s raining or you’d like to keep the kids entertained, head on over to the Maine Resources Aquarium. Entice them with sharks—even better a shark touch tank. A vast collection of sportfish on exhibit will interest the mature anglers as well.

Ladies

Spa at Spruce Point
Boothbay
207.633.4152
You made it to Maine but the planning and traveling has devastated your general well being, we recommend treatment. Not just any treatment, but the Spa at Spruce Point which offers a secluded retreat for rejuvenation.

Metro

Gleason Fine Art
Boothbay
207.633.6849
The local community of artists along the coast of Maine is vast. To cut through the coming tides of more than enough lighthouse paintings, visit Gleason Fine Art. The gallery exhibits emerging artists as well as many important established artists. The knowledgeable owners will tutor on Maine artists past and present.

Nightlife

This is a plain town with plain folks, more “real Maine” than most of its touristy cousin ports. So Nightlife is pretty much about folks winding down after a long day of fishing. Like most port towns, best to keep your opinions to yourself and blend in best as possible if you’re going out to the bars. Otherwise, stay back at your Inns and enjoy the fire.

Townsend Coffee House & Wine Bar
53 Townsend Avenue
Boothbay
207-633-0809
This is a great place for art, good coffee and good sippin’ wine—along with live music and free wifi for checking email.

Gifts

Sherman's Book & Stationery Store
5 Commercial Street
Boothbay Harbor
207-633-7262
This combination bookstore and gift shop offers a full bookstore on the second floor and many gifts, souvenirs, and more on the first floor.

Slick's Boutique
27 Townsend Avenue
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
207-633-7426
Unique ladies' boutique carrying an eclectic mix of clothing, accessories, and footwear.