The Sleekest Bars in Camden, Maine

Indulging in a region’s many delicacies, including its fare and libations, is an integral aspect of a New England getaway. In MidCoast Maine, a particularly picturesque slice of the Northeast, lucky travelers are surrounded by fresh seafood, farm-to-table creations, craft ales, and regionally-inspired cocktails. The sleekest bars in Camden, Maine, including Camden Harbour Inn’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, sublimely embrace creativity, sophistication, and exemplary New England-style techniques.

The Best Bars in Camden, Maine

While 2020 hasn’t been an overly kind year to local restaurants, taverns, and taprooms, the most beloved bars in Camden, Maine, remain as enticing as ever. Travelers will always need a quiet, elegant place to enjoy a glass of fine wine, a colorful cocktail, or a craft beer. Thankfully, these three staples are eagerly open for business as the Northeast readies itself for autumn.

Natalie’s Restaurant

Camden Harbour Inn’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Natalie’s, is a multi-functional space that features lavish decor, head-turning Penobscot Bay views, and world-class mixologists. Natalie’s bar opens at 5 p.m., accompanied by the dinner rush, and closes at midnight. The bar’s mixologists craft an array of seasonal cocktails that are equally delicious and aesthetically pleasing. On occasion, Natalie’s offers cocktail-making courses. Of course, this dimly-lit, scarlet-clad bar also boasts the city’s largest wine menu (24 pages in length), featuring a multitude of varietals from across the globe. Top-shelf scotch, rum, and cognac are also readily available.

The Jack

Admittedly, The Jack is an idyllic after-dark, date-night hangout. Patrons can munch on Americanized grub, sip on classic Maine ales, and play bocce (or admire the shimmering stars high above). As one of the most laid-back bars in Camden, Maine, The Jack welcomes droves of locals and tourists alike. Keep an eye on its social media channels to learn more about hours, private seating, free games, and drink specials. The Jack’s staff continues to adjust their business practices, oftentimes for the better. Cornhole is now available, as is a sizable outdoor seating area. While The Jack mostly caters toward beer aficionados, their mixologists do craft some unique (and fruity) cocktails.

40 Paper Bistro & Bar

40 Paper boasts a small but lively bar known for its mules, red wines, and regional ales. Despite operating in such a cramped space, 40 Paper’s mixology team is swift, skilled, and charismatic. The house cocktail list features everything from espresso-infused vodka to Bulleit rye and locally-distilled gin. Many of the core ingredients, including bitters, fruit, and liqueurs, are locally sourced. It’s easy to appreciate 40 Paper’s extensively-detailed wine menu, which includes notes about every label.

Luxury Hotels in Camden, Maine

Enjoying an innovative cocktail or fine wine at one of the best bars in Camden, Maine, is the perfect way to cap a full day of classic outdoor pursuits, including a schooner cruise, state park hike, and winery tour. Camden Harbour Inn remains one of the top-rated romantic getaways in New England, mainly because of its culinary delights, sophisticated luxuries, and spa services. As a proud member of the Relais & Châteaux association, this luxurious Camden hotel remains a beacon of excellence during all four seasons. To book a well-deserved romantic escape to MidCoast Maine, please dial 800-236-4266 (or check availability online).

The Best Boat Tours in Camden, Maine

Yet another radiant summer in MidCoast Maine is nearing its final chapter. While this summer has certainly had its fair share of twists and turns, the landscape in and around Camden, Maine, has never been more celestial. There’s still ample time to experience the coastline’s ideal temperatures, mouthwatering culinary delights, and enthralling terrain. Camden Harbour Inn, a Relais & Châteaux Top Destination, remains a lavish, romantic haven for couples in need of a well-deserved escape from the city. One of the main attractions in the area is the vast, deep-blue Atlantic. Thus, many guests often ask our worldly concierge team about the most desirable boat tours in Camden, Maine.

4 Distinctive Boat Tours in Camden, Maine

The majority of boat tours in Camden, Maine, require a trip aboard a towering, snow-white schooner. However, it’s vitally important to shine a light on the region’s many distinctive offerings, such as lobster hauls, lighthouse cruises, and trips to nearby Monhegan Island. There’s a little slice of heaven around every corner of Penobscot Bay and its 200-plus islands. It’s worth noting that Camden Harbour Inn’s concierge can swiftly arrange a reservation aboard all four of these boat tours in Camden, Maine, including private or customized charters.

Camden Harbor Cruises

The well-traveled team at Camden Harbor Cruises offers a little bit of everything, including eco-tours, lobstering, lighthouse voyages, cocktail hours, and private cruises. Learn to haul in fresh Maine lobster, snap photos of jovial seals, drift past Owls Head Lighthouse, and gaze at jaw-dropping seaside mansions. The Lively Lady runs from mid-May through mid-October.

Schooner Surprise or Schooner Olad

Camden Harbour Inn is proud to partner with two spectacular local schooners, Surprise and Olad, a couple of the finest windjammer cruises in Maine. There’s nothing more relaxing than gliding through Penobscot Bay’s wavy, azure water with the soothing sounds of the fluttering sail and chipper seabirds as your mid-day soundtrack. Both cruises focus on lighthouses, marine life, islands, and rocky shorelines. Full moon and sunset sails are quite popular during peak seasons, so please book well in advance.

Downeast Boat Company

For those who wish to become fully immersed in lobster hauling, Downeast Boat Company’s Summer Wind is the vessel of choice. In just 105 minutes, tourists can learn how to haul traps, measure lobsters, and, eventually, ensure the catch is ready for market. Lobster harvesting is a way of life here in MidCoast Maine, and the perfect place to learn the trade is aboard the Summer Wind.

Monhegan Boat Line

A short trek to Port Clyde should be on the itinerary this summer, as the ferry ride to and from Monhegan Island is a must. The island has been an artist colony for over 150 years. It’s easy to see why famous realist painters, landscape printmakers, illustrators, and visual artists find so much inspiration on this 1,000-acre respite. Hike through the island’s core, enjoy a picnic, and try birding near the shoreline.

Romantic Getaways in New England

Combine a couple of hours on one of the best boat tours in Camden, Maine, with a trip to the farmers market, a state park hike, and a stop a local winery. Upon return to Camden Harbour Inn, soak in a BainUltra air bath and relax in a private sauna before readying for a culinary voyage across the seven seas at Natalie’s, the on-site AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, where locally-sourced ingredients meet world-class culinary expertise. As one of the best hotels in Maine, the inn frequently lures New England honeymooners, yachters, and culinary savants. To book a long-awaited escape to MidCoast Maine, please dial 800-236-4266 (or check availability online).

Mid-day Adventures: Hiking in Camden, Maine

Camden Harbour Inn, MidCoast Maine’s supreme Relais & Châteaux destination, remains open thanks to the team’s coherence to the CDC’s highest standards of cleanliness. As millions of New Englanders rediscover the allure of outdoor recreation, Maine’s dramatic coastline becomes all the more enticing. During summer’s radiance, couples flock to the region to sail the sea, hook striped bass, and observe the coast’s many lighthouses. However, hiking in Camden, Maine, is an idyllic way to greet a warm summer afternoon during a long-awaited romantic getaway.

State Park Exploration: Hiking in Camden, Maine

Camden Hills State Park’s boundary lies just 0.9 miles from Camden Harbour Inn’s vibrant, floral front lawn. Thus, when guests aren’t basking in sophistication, admiring the heartwarming harbor views, or dining on gourmet cuisine at the inn’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, it’s quite common to see them scurry over to the 5,700-acre state park. To enhance the Camden Harbour guest experience, the concierge team has compiled four of its favorite trails that encapsulate what makes hiking in Camden, Maine, so incredibly enthralling.

Mount Battie

The 1.1-mile trek to Mount Battie’s jaw-dropping, panoramic peak ranks among the prettiest hikes on Maine’s coast, which says a lot. While the journey presents 590 feet of elevation gain, most travelers embark on the expedition without hesitation, mainly because the views are too spectacular to pass up. Make sure to pack a pair of binoculars, as Camden Harbour Inn is visible from the peak. Extend the hike with a steep climb up the Tablelands Trail. It requires another 800 feet of gain, so please come prepared with a backpack filled with necessary essentials.

Maiden Cliff

Before surging ahead to breathtaking Maiden Cliff, it’s worth noting that geocaching (a growing American trend), birding, and forest bathing are three unique ways to enhance the Camden Hills experience. Whereas Mount Battie peers toward the deep blue, Maiden Cliff stands at the precipice of pristine Megunticook Lake. It requires a smidge of physical exertion en route to the peak, but it remains the top-rated trail in the area.

Bald Mountain

When travelers chatter about hiking in Camden, Maine, they typically steer the conversation to Mount Battie or Maiden Cliff. Bald Mountain, however, is a less-frequented option with similarly beautiful lookouts, yawning valley vistas, and a slew of metamorphic rock formations. Sunset strolls to and from Bald Mountain is a swell way to commemorate a glorious day along Maine’s coast.

Luxury Hotels in Camden, Maine

To obtain a treasure trove of potential mid-day excursions, please don’t hesitate to browse through the website’s travel guide. The innkeepers are happy to help, as they’re well-versed in the very best things to do in Camden, Maine, regardless of the season. After each full day of exploration and relaxation, retreat to a Grand Suite for an unforgettable evening of luxury. Savor a bottle of fine wine on the private terrace, inside a BainUltra therapeutic bath, or beside a dazzling fireplace.

Please read the latest COVID-19 updates before or after booking a long-overdue MidCoast Maine escape. Ready to reserve? Visit CamdenHarbourInn.com.

Private MidCoast Maine Schooner Cruises

There’s no denying the allure of Maine’s coastal lifestyle: The gourmet seafood, the worldly sophistication, the natural beauty, and the swaying sea amalgamate to produce a genuinely indelible experience. And perhaps the shining example of Maine’s lavish coastal lifestyle is Camden Harbour Inn, a posh, historical Relais & Châteaux Top Destination. For decades, Camden Harbour Inn has been setting a new bar for coastal urbanity, starting with Natalie’s, its AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. When guests aren’t basking in a grand suite or savoring culinary delights, they’re likely photographing arresting lighthouses, strolling through a local vineyard, or enjoying a deep-tissue massage. However, the region is also known for its many classic MidCoast Maine schooner cruises. In fact, Camden Harbour Inn rests a few strides from the local Yacht Club.

Maine Schooner Cruises, a Camden Speciality

The heart of Camden, Maine, rests at the mouth of the Megunticook River, where it spills into a skinny Penobscot Bay cove. It’s quite common to observe nearly two dozen yachts sailing within a mile of this bustling, picturesque downtown district. The most popular mid-day activity along MidCoast Maine is to explore the Atlantic Ocean, whether that’s through a deep-sea fishing excursion or a whale-watching tour. However, nothing eclipses a private, leisurely voyage aboard one of the two top-reviewed MidCoast Maine schooner cruises: Schooner Suprise and Schooner Olad.

The Surprise and the Olad

Camden Harbour Inn’s concierge team can effortlessly piece together a trip aboard one of the area’s most-popular MidCoast schooner cruises, regardless of length and scope. Both the Surprise and the Olad provide private charters throughout the sailing season from Memorial Day through mid-October, even amid peak weekends. It’s best to book these voyages several months in advance, if not the summer prior. Each schooner cruise helms past world-famous lighthouses, uninhabited islands, craggy shorelines, jaw-dropping estates, and a plethora of buzzing lobster vessels. It’s also quite common to spot soaring bald eagles, happy seals, and, at times, feeding whales during an aquatic adventure. The world-renowned concierge team can arrange private dining services onboard, including an entree, wine, spirits, and hors d’oeuvres. Finding an idyllic schooner in Camden, Maine, has never been easier thanks to this worldly team. Their motto is “Your Dreams, Our Pleasure.”

Romantic Getaways in New England

Even amid all of this uncertainty, Camden Harbour Inn remains a beacon of light for couples in need of an extended break from the city. This late-1800s estate is a popular haven for couples, boardrooms, and, yes, MidCoast Maine honeymooners. To learn more about the best MidCoast Maine schooner cruises, private dining at Natalie’s, and chauffeured limousine services, please dial 1-800-236-4266. And don’t forget that romance is always in season here in seaside Camden, Maine.

Deep-Sea Fishing in Maine: Camden’s Finest Guides

MidCoast Maine, particularly the picturesque harbor town of Camden, is celebrated for its mouthwatering coastal cuisine, awe-inspiring lighthouses, and classic New England sophistication. However, not to be outdone, the coastline’s vast wilderness and the seemingly endless Atlantic remain a massive draw for outdoor enthusiasts and sailors alike. And one of the most requested mid-day activities here at lavish, historic Camden Harbour Inn is an afternoon of deep-sea fishing in Maine.

A Mid-Day Escape in Camden: Deep-Sea Fishing in Maine

While guests typically spend their days basking in the inn’s Relais & Châteaux ambiance, dining on fresh seafood, and relaxing in a five-star grand suite, it not uncommon for a couple to seek out the services of Camden Harbour’s world-class concierge staff. This worldly team has strong relationships with the area’s premier MidCoast Maine ocean fishing guides. Most fishing expeditions in this region navigate through the coastline’s many scenic bays. Deep-sea fishing in Maine is always a bit of a challenge for novices—don’t be afraid to request the services of SuperFly Fishing Charters or Verona Island Charter Services. Otherwise, there’s no cap to potential oceanic adventure within sight of the Camden Yacht Club. For those who plan to traverse the sea without a guide, the water near Belfast and Rockland is teeming with striped bass, mackerel, smelt, and bluefish.

Heading Inland

But, of course, anglers don’t have to motor a mile or two out to sea to wrangle a monster coastal fish. Many local guides, such as Mike Kinney, Maine Outdoors, and Ten Mile Guide Service, focus on MidCoast’s diverse array of freshwater honey holes. While deep-sea fishing in Maine remains an otherworldly experience for experienced anglers, a lot of beginners would prefer wade through the waters in the backcountry. These quiet excursions take place on the Saint George River, Seven Tree Pond, Megunticook Lake, and a wide variety of secret spaces. In these waters, anglers typically bait bass, pike, and stripers. Each MidCoast Maine fishing guide has an extensive list of potential hot spots—but their secrets are safe with us.

Luxury Lodging in Camden, Maine

As one of the premier romantic getaways in New England, Camden Harbour Inn continues to enhance the guest experience for those with a penchant for sophistication, gourmet cuisine, and charming yet luxurious accommodations. Camden Harbour also remains one of the only hotels in Maine to boast a Relais and Chateaux membership and a AAA Four Diamond restaurant (Natalie’s Restaurant). Guests can not only enjoy award-winning fine dining and unobstructed Penobscot Bay views, but the inn is within close proximity of rejuvenating spas, bustling wineries, eclectic shopping, and picturesque lighthouses. To book a long-awaited, well-deserved escape to beautiful Camden Harbour Inn, please call 1-800-236-4266 (or check availability online).