A Penobscot Bay Summer Getaway

Hannah Truman
Aug 14, 2021
3 min read

Updated: Oct 20

Relax, Explore, and Enjoy the Best of Penobscot Bay This Summer

We recently explored some of the Mid-Coast Maine towns surrounding Penobscot Bay including Belfast, Stockton Springs, and Brooksville. Check out our below itinerary for a fully packed weekend of activities and sightseeing!

Penobscot Bay Itinerary Locations:

Belfast - Rail trail, harbor walk, and restaurants
Stockton Springs - Fort Point Lighthouse
Penobscot Bay - Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory & Fort Knox
Brooksville - Lookout Rock Preserve and our cottage

Belfast

Rail Trail and Harbor Walk

The Belfast rail trail is a 2.3-mile point-to-point trail located in Belfast, Maine that follows the Passagassawakeag river. It was built on the former rail bed of the Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad. Pictured below is the City Point (13 Oak Hill Rd parking lot) entrance featuring vintage trains.

We biked the trail, but I think this would be better suited for walking since it was too short of a bike trail! Once you reach the end of the rail trail, head south from the footbridge and continue on to the Harbor Walk to explore the waterfront and downtown shops.

Restaurants

After your scenic walk/bike ride, Belfast has many restaurants and cafes to grab lunch at. Here are some of the delicious bites we had:

A cranberry orange bagel with cinnamon walnut cream cheese from Bob's Ugly Bagels Food Truck on the Harbor Walk.
The "Farmhouse BLT" with a fried egg and Chicken Ceasar Wrap from the Harborwalk Restaurant
A shrimp caesar salad from the Dockside Family Restaurant
A cone of handcrafted ice cream from Wild Cow Creamery

Stockton Springs

Fort Point Lighthouse

While Fort Point Lighthouse is a private residence and not open for tours, it is still a beautiful spot to explore. The surrounding park features remnants of Fort Pownall, a unique fog bell tower, and a small beach with picnic tables and grills nearby.

Because the lighthouse is a bit off the beaten path, the area stays peaceful and uncrowded, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic and soak up the sun on a relaxing day.

Penobscot Bay

Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory & Fort Knox

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory is a must-visit in the Penobscot Bay area. A quick elevator ride takes you 420 feet above the Penobscot River, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Maine coast, surrounding islands, and the Fort Knox Historic Site.

The fort itself is worth exploring too, with its impressive granite walls and fascinating history dating back to the 19th century. Whether you’re a history buff, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a unique viewpoint, this spot has something for everyone.

Brooksville

Lookout Rock Preserve

The nearly half-mile out and back trail winds through rocky forests to the summit’s open ledges. The easy climb is extremely rewarding, almost too rewarding given the short length of the trail which takes only about 15 minutes to get to the top.

Don't forget to pack your camera to capture the expansive scenes of Eggemoggin Reach, Pumpkin Island Light, and Deer Isle/Stonington Bridge.

Our Cottage

We stayed in a charming rental cottage in Harborside, Brooksville. Some of my favorite things about the property were the beautiful ocean view that overlooks the large island of Islesboro and the multiple flower and vegetable gardens that were available to pick and enjoy. We were able to harvest onions, green peppers, tomatoes, green beans, broccoli, and summer squash.

We also had a great time enjoying the sunsets and toasting marshmallows at the fireplace that literally sits on the cliffside. The property was very tranquil and relaxing and was definitely a great Maine experience.