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19+ Amazing Things to do in Rockland Maine!

Ready to experience all the beauty, majesty, and next-level delicious lobster that the mid-coast of Maine has to offer? If so then you’ll love this epic guide to 15 amazing things to do in Rockland Maine. 

Trust me, I’ve been visiting Maine for well over twenty years and just can’t seem to get enough of this great state’s gorgeous lighthouses and the ethereal, rugged beauty of the wild Atlantic coast!

I also may or may not have a serious addiction to blueberry pancakes and cobbler, but alas, that’s a story for another post. 

Anyway, back to things you actually care about, like my most recent visit to Rockland, Maine. It’s a cute little town along the mid-coast of Maine that was first settled in 1767 and that currently has around 7,000 permanent settlers!

So, if you’re looking to explore a cute little coastal town in Maine that is filled with New England charm and that isn’t totally overrun with shopping outlets and hordes of tourists, then this is the place to be – especially during the off-season. 

Therefore, let’s swam dive into this bad boy of a post as I reveal all of the best things to do in Rockland Maine. You’ll also get a ton of insider tips on what to do, where to go, and how to experience Rockland like a local!

Who knows, I might even throw in a hidden gem or two since well, I for one love me a good hidden gem – and Rockland has a boatload of them (get the lame pun because it’s known for fishing? Right, swiftly moving on). 

Dear wonderful, beautiful, and oh-so-amazing reader (Yup, I lay it on thick for my dozens of fans). Since I am incapable of making it rain money, there’s a high probability (like 99.999%) that this post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

🏖️ Looking for something cool to do in Rockland Maine? Go on a Maine Windjammer Cruise. It will be an experience that you never forget! ⛵

1. Stay at The Craignar Inn 

Room at the Craignar Inn near Rockland

⭐️ Rating: 9.4/10 (26 Reviews) Price: $163 per night 📍Location: 5 Third Street, Spruce Head, ME Details: Read more on booking.com now!

So, if you want to enjoy some of the best things to do in Rockland Maine then you’re OBVIOUSLY going to need a fabulous place to stay. 

And there really is no place better than the Craignair Inn by the Sea – an enchanting place that features all the comforts of a luxurious, 5-star hotel but with the warmth and charm that you’d expect from a stay with family. 

Only, real talk? It’s way better than staying family. I mean, not only are the owners,’ Laura and Greg, beyond welcoming and ready to give you all the possible info you could ever need to plan a perfect Maine getaway in the Rockland area, but this amazing place sits at the end of a long dead-end road. 

Therefore, you can enjoy a bit of peace and solitude while you marvel at a gorgeous sunrise above the Atlantic Ocean from your awesome, ocean-view room.

Or, you could be extra energetic and go for an early morning walk on one of the many nature trails that snake through the nearby Clark Island Preserve (seriously, this beautiful preserve is so close it shares a parking lot with the inn). 

However, because of the inn’s ideal location, you’re still only about a 15-minute drive from Rockland and a 30-minute drive from Camden – affording you the opportunity to quickly and easily do all of the awesome things to do in Rockland Maine featured here. 

Plus, check in is a breeze (just make sure to let them know if you need to check in at a time outside 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm) and the rooms here are well-appointed with comfortable beds, extra soft linens, luxurious complimentary toiletries from Roam, modern bright bathrooms with beautiful stainless steel fixtures (and exceptionally hot showers), and more. 

Seriously, I could gush about these fantastic rooms all day since the beautiful hardwood floors, quaint wooden furniture, bright accent walls, and modern wall decor create a cozy but well-designed space that you’ll never want to leave.

They’re also well-priced (rooms here start at $125 per night) so you won’t have to break the bank to have an exceptional stay in Maine. 

You’ll also get a free map of the area on your in-room desk, can enjoy a complimentary bag of chocolates from Bixby local chocolate makers (they’re Needhams and are made of coconut and potato that has been dipped in dark chocolate), will love the super fast WIFI, and can marvel at sweeping ocean views from the downstairs dining room. 

Because did I mention? Breakfast is also included with your stay here! Yup, it’s made to order daily, between 8:00 am and 9:00 am,

It’s served hot and fresh from the kitchen since you get your choice of blueberry pancakes,  oatmeal, a bagel and jam, eggs, or a morning tofu bowl or burrito. 

Add in a giant cup of delicious coffee and an additional 25% off if you upgrade to their decadent brunch menu (any time after 9:00 am on weekends) and you have the stuff that gastronomic dreams are made of.

“A gem. A quiet and peaceful location with a fabulous restaurant. A view of the harbor with lawn chairs inviting a morning cup of coffee or evening beverage. Very clean and efficient establishment w/meals that exceeded our expectations.

The causeway to Clark’s Island and several small sandy patches of beach was within a two minute walk. Loved it here, just need to book more than one night!”

Rebecca (read more reviews now!)

What, not a morning person? Then that’s okay because the Craignar Inn by the Sea also owns and operates The Causeway Restaurant, which is open for dinner (and brunch on the weekends) downstairs.

And trust me, this place is poppin’ on the weekends so definitely make a reservation. This way, you can enjoy a delicious, modern take on Maine classics like crab cakes, oysters Rockefeller, lobster bisque, and baked mac and cheese, just to name a few. 

I personally opted for the vegan crab cake starter and the vegan lobster roll as an entree. And you know what? It was delicious!

Not only were the dishes well-presented, but the food was light and bright and featured a wealth of vibrant clean flavors fthat made me want to lick my plate clean.

I didn’t though, but I really wanted to.  

You can also tell that the kitchen uses nothing but the freshest of local ingredients to expertly prepare all of their dishes – a difference that you can really taste in the produce and baked goods that they use. 

That’s why, if you’re looking for a warm, welcoming, and supremely comfortable place to stay near Rockland, Maine that fuses modern comfort with inviting decor that pays tribute to the area’s historic past, then look no further than the Craignar Inn by the Sea!

The service is fantastic, the food is divine, the rooms are exceptionally comfortable, and their location by the water cannot be beat, making this the ideal place to stay during your next visit to the Rockland area.

2. Enjoy a Latte at Rock City Coffee

latte

If you read my blog even a little bit then you know that I have a not-so-low-key obsession with coffee. 

Therefore, you know that anywhere ya girl goes she’s gonna be scoping out all the best coffee joints in the area. And Rock City Coffee is one of those places. 

Not only was the decor fun and infinitely cooler than I’ll ever be (like everything else in this town), but the coffee was flipping delicious (they even had non-dairy milk for me).

FYI, they also had a ton of drool-worthy baked goods and sandwiches to choose from. Sadly though, I didn’t partake in any of the foodie goodness because I wasn’t hungry. But it all looked awesome. 

The staff here are also super friendly and only too happy to help you with the menu or get you anything you need. It also didn’t hurt that the guy behind the counter (we’ll call him Z) was super cute and really nice. So yeah, that fact alone probably makes me a bit bias but whatever. I mean, can you blame me?

Also, FYI, I definitely saw locals in there so you know it’s legit. 

And if you can’t get here for any reason, then you can always pop across the road to Atlantic Baking Co instead. They have a ton of fresh-baked bread and pastries for you to choose from, as well as a selection of made-to-order sammies that are super delish. 

I got their vegan sandwich and have no regrets since it was this delicious chickpea concoction on fresh bread with lettuce and tomato that I could NOT stop eating.

Sorry, I was going to explicitly state what was in it but sadly, I took a photo of the ingredients for the wrong sandwich. Womp, womp, womp. 

3. Say Hi to the Puffins at the Project Puffin Visitor Center

Visit Maine for even five minutes and you’ll quickly realize that this great state is bananas about three different species of indigenous wildlife – moose, lobster, and, you guessed it, puffins! Okay, and maybe even a harbor seal or two. 

That’s why, when creating this list of the best things to do in Rockland, Maine, I just had to include the Project Puffin Visitor Center!

Not only is it right in downtown Rockland, but it was first opened in 2006 and was designed to educate intrepid visitors about the awesome beauty of these cute little creatures (they always crack me up when they look like they’re low-key flying under the water).

However, in spite of the total awesomeness of puffins, they were nearly driven to extinction in their native nesting areas in Maine. 

Thankfully though, Project Puffin stepped in and changed all that and now educates visitors about all the different things they’ve done to try and reintroduce this species into their natural habitat. 

Now, sadly, you won’t be able to see any actual puffins here during your visit, But, you can watch them in real-time using the facility’s state-of-the-art camera system. 

You can also learn more about the project, the challenges they had to overcome, chat with friendly and knowledgeable staff, and can even stop by the small gift shop for an epic puffin-inspired souvenir. 

4. Check out the Farnsworth Art Museum

Art at the Farnsworth Art Museum

Real talk? When I planned my trip to Rockland, I wasn’t exactly expecting to find world-class museums that were brimming over with amazing art. 

But you know what? I was pleasantly surprised by the Farnsworth Art Museum. Now, is it the same caliber museum as the MET? No, not even close. 

However, it’s a nice regional museum that showcases a wealth of paintings and sculptures (15,000 to be precise, although not all of them are on display at once) that span a solid 200 years in American art history. 

So, expect to find contemporary art here, as well as more historical pieces that date all the way back to the ye olde 1800s.

Also, not surprisingly, the emphasis here is on pieces done by artists from Maine, with highlights from greats like the Wyeth family (Andrew, NC, and Jamie), Edward Hopper, Louise Nevelson, Rockwell Kent, and Robert Indiana.

Add in a cute little library, several special exhibits (they had one on women in book cover artistry while I was there), and a fabulous museum shop, and you have a place you could easily wile away a few hours in the center of town. 

5. Take a Walk Out to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

Umm, is it really a trip to Maine if you don’t see at least one super cute lighthouse? 

And just in case you were wondering, the correct answer to that question is an emphatic “no”. So yeah, OBVIOUSLY the Breakwater Lighthouse NEEDED to be on this list of the best things to do in Rockland Maine. 

Because this thin slice of heaven (aka the lighthouse) was first built in 1902 and sits all the way at the end of a massive breakwater (hence the name of the lighthouse) – a behemoth structure that took twenty years to build and that is made out of more than 700,000 tons of granite!

So, if you wanna see this super cool lighthouse for yourself, a structure that is still in use today, then here are a few things you should know before you go!

  • There is ample parking, although you’re not allowed to park here before dawn or after dusk
  • The breakwater is 7/8 of a mile long so you WILL have to walk almost a mile just to get to the lighthouse. And then yeah, you’ll have to walk back. There are also no restrooms are garbage cans out there, so be prepared. 
  • The surface of the breakwater is uneven and can get covered in seawater. So, be careful where you step! I saw one guy running along the breakwater in bare feet and I have exactly no idea how he did it. He was also 70 so I felt really bad about myself after. LOL.
  • Do NOT go out there when it’s raining or when it’s dark. Yeah, maybe I’m just an anal-retentive New Yorker but seriously, the surface is NOT that even and I definitely would have fallen if I didn’t watch what I was doing. 
  • It’s free to visit and feel free to take the stairs to the viewing platform for lovely views of the water.
  • The lighthouse itself also opens in the summer but wasn’t open when I visited. So, if you time your visit right, you could go inside too. 
  • This place is also not a secret, so expect to find tons of locals here. 
  • You also may want to time your visit for early in the morning or late in the afternoon (especially in the summer) since there is no shade out there and you could fry like bacon (sizzle, sizzle). 

6. Have a Drink (or 10) at Fog Bar & Cafe 

Picnic Table and Wall Art outside of Fog Bar

I honestly thought NYC had the market cornered on hipster chic bars that ooze funk-erific charm from every piece of enchanting decor. 

And then I visited Fog Bar & Cafe in Rockland, Maine. It’s a truly fun and quirky place to hang out and grab a drink in the center of town. 

It’s also right next door to Cafe Miranda (so you can stop in for some chowdah after) and has these awesome picnic tables just outside that you can sit at and admire the vibrant street murals while sipping on a berry martini. 

And yes, you should get at least one berry martini while you’re here. You could also try some of their local craft brews or fill up on their decadent, mushroom truffle mac n’ cheese. 

No matter what though, at least one night should be spent in this awesome local watering hole. 

7. Visit the Center for Maine Contemporary Art

Maine Contemporary Art Museum

Yeah, this is another one of those art museums that totally surprised me in Rockland, Maine. And I mean that in the best possible way. 

Sure it’s small and yes, you could probably go through it in about an hour (tickets are only $5 though). But it’s still a pretty neat place to explore – at least if you have any interest in contemporary art. 

It’s also a museum that is housed inside this unique, glass-enclosed modern building that was designed by Toshiko Mori – the perfect backdrop from which to showcase works done by artists, both established and up and coming, that are somehow connected with the state of Maine.

So, in addition to a wealth of continually rotating exhibitions (as well as lectures and lessons), you’ll be able to find works from Alex Katz and Jonathan Borofsky prominently displayed in one of the three different galleries here. 

Plus, I mean, it’s right in the center of town and sits across the street from a stellar municipal lot where you can park all day (street parking is only 2 hours). So yeah, you really have nothing to lose and lots of nuggets of arty awesomeness to gain. 

8. Bring ALL the Seafood Home with You From Jess’s Market

Want to bring the taste of Maine home with you? That was a dumb question! Of course, you do since the seafood in Maine is next-level awesome. 

That’s why, if you love seafood even a little bit, then you should add a stop at Jess’s Market to your list of top things to do in Rockland, Maine. 

Not only do they stock a wide selection of the freshest seafood imaginable (it’s so good that a lot of local restaurants order from them), but they will actually ship it directly to your home for you, using that modern technological marvel known as dry ice.

They also have super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable staff members who will help you decide what to buy and tell you exactly how to cook it once you get home. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy some of your most decadent Maine meals from the comfort of your very own kitchen.

I’m also gonna throw some brownie points their way since they have a stellar selection of wine and beer too. Yup, snaps for Jess’s Market (anyone else get the lame Legally Blonder reference?). 

Pro Tip: Want to buy some cool local souvenirs from Maine that are very much NON- perishable? Then head over to Archipelago and take a gander at some of the locally made crafts and products here. Trust me, it’s not your run-of-the-mill gift shop with cheesy AF shot glasses and t-shirts that say “I love Maine”. Nope.

Instead, everything here is truly one of a kind and changes seasonally since these products reflect what life is really like in Maine. So, if you’re imagining handmade soaps, authentic lobster claw keychains, exquisite jewelry, delicious local chcolates, and fresh body care products, then you’d be 100% correct. Because this is THE place to shop in Rockland.

9. Chow Down on Some Chowdah at Cafe Miranda

Quirky pink flamingos outside of cafe Miranda

I hope you brought some elastic-waist pants with you because many of the fun things to do in Rockland, Maine entail eating, eating, and, oh yeah, more eating.

And Cafe Miranda is no exception to that rule since this fun, laid back, and quirky local eatery has an expansive menu (and by expansive I mean they have everything except the kitchen sink) that is filled with new-age American foods that even the pickiest of eaters are sure to love. 

They also have a few rogue pink flamingos outside as well as some well-placed twinkle lights, fire pits, and patio chairs – making this a fun and delicious place to eat. 

Now, sure, you can order anything from burgers to hot dogs to salads to sammies, but my personal faves were the chowdah (it is fresh, creamy, delicious, and filled with large chunks of seafood and fresh herbs) and the hummus goes to Italy sandwich. 

It’s basically this delicious, hummus, olive oil, lemon, parsley, and tomato sandwich that comes on fresh focaccia and that is served with a side of salad and fries. 

Word of warning though. Their portions are BIG with a capital “B”. So yeah, you may want to order something to share and then end your meal right with some decadent blueberry cobbler. 

After all, you are in Maine and the warm blueberry cobbler here, with a well-place dollop of vanilla ice cream on top, is the stuff that foodie dreams are made of. #justsayin’

No, really! You name it and this place has it

Pro Tip: Other great places you might want to try in the area include Arthur’s on the Pier (a great place for fresh seafood and stellar views), Rustica (for divine homemade Italian food since the pasta, bread, and sausages are all made in-house), and Home Kitchen Cafe for delicious home-cooked meals for breakfast and lunch (they even do cakes too).

10. Stop by the Olson House

Okay, so I have a couple of disclaimers to make before I add this to our list of the best things to do in Rockland, Maine. 

Disclaimer number one – this place isn’t TECHNICALLY in Rockland. Yeah, it’s actually about a half-hour drive (14 miles) outside of the city proper. 

Disclaimer number two – I didn’t actually get to visit while I was in Rockland since it was closed. I know! But I really wanted to since this kind of historic stuff is totally up my nerdy alley. 

It’s also this very same vintage, gray farmhouse that made a special guest appearance in one of artist Andrew Wyeth’s most famous works (Yeah, I had no idea what painting this was either but apparently it’s the snazzy backdrop to Christina’s World).

Now, fast forward a hundred years, and the house is currently part of the aforementioned Farnsworth Art Museum. So, yeah, you know it’s good.

That’s why, if history is your thing, you’ll want to step inside this small museum and peruse through the exhibits here to learn more about Wyeth’s less-than-ordinary life. 

PSST…I’ve also heard that the tour guides here are extremely enthusiastic and will give you tons of cool info on the building, the Olson family that owned it. and the life of the famous painter, Andrew Wyeth.

11. Take a Walk Along the Rockland Harbor Trail

View from the Harbor Walk Trail in Rockland

Now, did I manage to walk the entire length of this scenic AF trail? Actually, I probably think I did since it’s not super long and sits right in the center of town. 

So, if you want to enjoy the coastal beauty of Rockland, then I’d start at Harbor Park, take in some of the cool sculptures here, and then follow the trail along the water since it’s pretty dang picturesque. 

Eventually, you’ll hit a nice little boardwalk that will take you past some benches where you can have a picnic lunch overlooking the water while admiring some of the cool local sculptures here.  

Continue down the trail and you’ll hit Archer’s on the Pier Restaurant and South End Beach. Honestly, it’s not the best beach I’ve ever been to. So yeah, I definitely wouldn’t go swimming or sunbathe here (it’s also cold AF so yeah, no thanks). 

But, it’s still a nice spot where you can explore the tide pools and watch the waves as they roll in. 

I also think there are plans to transform this path into a 5-mile long trek from Rockland Breakwater to Snow Marine Park, but I don’t think that has happened quite yet. 

12. Hop on a Local Ferry!

The island of Vinalhaven off the coast of Rockland. One of the fun things to do in Rockland Maine.

You’re in luck! Because easily one of the best things to do in Rockland Maine is to hop on a local ferry and take it to one of the many outlying islands that sit off the coast of Maine. 

Because what you may not know is that Rockland is actually home to the Maine State Ferry Terminal. So, you can always head to the center of town and board a ferry here since it’s a quick and easy way to explore parts of Maine that remain hidden to most visitors. 

It’s also nice since a lot of local commuters take the ferry daily to mainland Maine (gotta love a good pun). Therefore, you can chat them up during the trip and learn all about what being a lobsterman (or woman) is really like since that’s what a lot of commuters here do for a living. 

All you need to decide is which island you want to go to since the ferry services Matinicus, North Haven, and Vinalhaven. Personally, I’d go to either North Haven or Vinalhaven since both ferries depart daily from Rockland (see the website for departure times), with the journey taking about an hour and fifteen minutes one-way. 

Fares also vary based on where you’re going, your age, whether you’re bringing a vehicle, and the time of year. But, just to give you an idea of how much it will cost, off-peak fares start at $12.50 per person ($17.50 during peak season) for adults on foot. 

Pro Tip: If you do a day trip to one of the off-shore islands (I went to Vinalhaven and loved it), you can leave your car at the municipal lot (it’s free) instead of the designated ferry lot which costs $12 per day. Once you’re there, be sure to rent a bike since the island is HUGE and it’ll be difficult to walk everywhere you want to go.  

13. Go, Museum Hopping!

Art museum in Rockland Maine

Okay, so I know I’ve already mentioned a bunch of museums here, but there are still a ton more to see too. And to be honest, I didn’t visit some of them since, well, they just didn’t seem all that interesting to me. 

I mean, I dunno about you but the Sail Power and Steam Museum doesn’t sound all that riveting to me. But who knows, I may be totally lame with a capital “L”. 

So, here is a shortlist of a few other museums in the area that you might want to add to your list of things to do in Rockland, Maine. 

  • Sail Power and Steam Museum – Umm, yeah, If you want to learn more about boats and engines then I guess this is the place for you. LOL. I dunno. This place still sounds kind of boring to me. But what do I know? I’m definitely not an engineer. 
  • The Maine Lighthouse Museum – This museum sits right in the center of town and, not surprisingly, contains exhibits all about the history of lighthouses in Maine. So, between first-hand accounts and life-saving relics from the past, you’ll discover what life was really like for lighthouse keepers at this unique place. 
  • The Owls Head Transportation Museum – This place is pretty neat and is brimming over with cool antique automobiles and other vintage forms of transportation that are just waiting to be explored. It’s also just outside Rockland and makes for a great side trip if you want to visit the Owl Head Lighthouse. 
  • Fawcett’s Antique Toy Museum – Located right off route 1, in between Bath and Camden, this is a fun place filled with antique toys in nearby Waldoboro, Maine. It’s not huge but it’s a great place to go if you want to show your kids and grandkids what life was REALLY like back in the day. 

14. Visit Owl Head Lighthouse

Owl Head Lighthouse is one of the best thing to do in Rockland Maine.

Okay, I know everyone gushes about Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse being one of the many fun things to do in Rockland Maine. But, I honestly think the Owl Head lighthouse deserves a little love too. 

Not only is it a mere 12-minute drive from Rockland but it sits inside the lovely Owl Head State Park – a quiet place that is filled with gorgeous beaches and hiking trails that are just waiting to be explored. 

Just do yourself a solid and go slow on the dirt road that takes you into the park since it’s filled with giant ruts that could definitely tear a chunk out of your car if you drive too quickly. 

Once you arrive though, park in any vacant space you find and climb up the 53 steps to this cute AF lighthouse, which is now owned by the Coast Guard. 

However, the present tower was originally built in 1852, currently stands at thirty feet tall, and automatically shines a light 100 feet above sea level to help guide ships in the night. 

And if you visit any time between Memorial Day and Columbus Day, you can actually go inside the tower of the lighthouse as part of a guided tour. To go up the 7 rung ladder into the lantern room though, you will have to be at least 42″ tall #FYI. 

Afterward, hit up the lighthouse interpretive center to learn all about the structure’s unique history before visiting the gift shop next door for some swagerific lighthouse gear. 

Pro Tip: On your way back to Rockland, stop by the park on your left and take some quintessential New England fishing village photos since I think this area is way more photogenic than the harbor in Rockland. 

15. Enjoy the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland!

lobster

As you probably already know, lobster is a BIG deal in Maine. And Rockland, well, they love their lobster too.

So much so that the people of Rockland actually get together every year and dedicate the entire first week of August to celebrating their undying love and devotion to everyone’s favorite sea creature…the lobster.

And guess what? You should totally get in on all the lobster-erific fun and attend Rockland’s annual Lobster Festival for yourself!

Because during the week-long extravaganza you’ll enjoy carnival rides, delicious lobster dinners, lobster-themed parades, live entertainment, and so much more!

Plus, all of the proceeds from this amazing event actually get donated back to various Midcoast Maine communities that are in need – an awesome cause that I think we can all get behind. 

Pro Tip: If you hate lobster (insert gasps of shock and awe here) or just can’t make it to Rockland during the first week of August, then no worries because Rockland has a bunch of other festivals that you can attend too.

So, feel free to attend either the Summer Solstice Festival (there’s a kid-friendly festival during the day and then a wild and crazy adult-minded festival in the evening) or the North Atlantic Blues Festival for two days in July  if you’re a fan of awesome music

16. Take a Day Trip to the Historic Village of Camden

Views of Camden from Mount Battie.

When you’ve had your fill of Rockland, drive just 15-minutes north on route 1 to the charming town of Camden. It’s a picture-perfect New England fishing village that is surrounded by the ever-iconic, Camden Hills Start Park. 

So, after climbing (or driving) to the top of Mount Battie and savoring the impressive views of Camden below, head into town and admire the stunning waterfall at the heart of the town’s harborfront area.

Next, visit the town’s many art galleries, upscale restaurants, and charming backstreets before doing a self-guided walking tour of the area’s major historic buildings (using a map that you can get from the local chamber of commerce).

Finally, end your day here with a delicious meal right on the water at Marriner’s Restaurant (the blueberry pancakes and lobster roll are perfect) before taking in a show at the historic Camden Opera House. 

Yup, per usual, there is just so much to do and so little time when you have all of these amazing things to do in Rockland, Maine. 

17. Go on a Maine Windjammer Cruise

A Maine windjammer with red sails.

⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (95 Reviews) Price: $59.95 per person Duration: 2 hours 📍Meeting Point: Next to Camden Town Landing Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

If you only do one thing on this list of the BEST things to do in Rockland Maine then let this be it. 

Because not only is a windjammer cruise easily one of the most romantic getaways in Maine, but it’s a fantastic way to marvel at the majestic waters of Penobscot Bay from aboard a historic schooner (aka sailing vessel).

Yup, just think of a windjammer cruise as a living, breathing museum where you get to spend the night (or a few) on a sailboat as the winds take you where they may.

Because luckily for you, the final destination of every cruise varies based on the weather and the month of departure.

And added bonus? There are about twelve different ships for you to choose from since they are all part of the official Maine Windjammer fleet and routinely head out on 3, 5, and 7-day cruises from either Rockland or Camden harbor.

You’ll also love that the style of your cruise can vary based on your own personal preferences.

Therefore, you can opt for a more luxurious ship if you want a romantic weekend getaway or a more budget-friendly boat if you’re traveling with a whole herd of children.

Heck, some windjammers even run specialized cruises that center around specific local foods and beverages, creating the ultimate personalized vacay for your foray into the mid-coastal region of Maine.

Also, just as an FYI, most cruises really only carry between 15 and 25 passengers max. Accordingly, you can enjoy a more intimate experience that helps build a sense of community between passengers and crew.

Add in a distinct lack of cellphone reception and some well-appointed, cozy rooms and you easily have one of the best things to do in Rockland Maine.

But, if you don’t feel like spending the entire weekend out on the water, then you could always try a 2-hour Windjammer day cruise from Camden instead!

Tickets start at just $42.95 per person and allow you to sail past Penobscot Bay’s famous lighthouses, marvel at local wildlife, and admire charming lobster boats – and all from the decks of a gorgeous, 19th-century schooner called the Appledore II.

18. The Strand Theater

The Strand Theater is one of the iconic spots in the city and is well worth putting on your list of things to do in Rockland Maine due to its historical significance alone. Way back in 1923, a fire ravaged through the downtown area. It destroyed a lot of the area. The Strand Theater was one of the few places that survived and is still standing.

Today it is an active hub that attracts both locals and visitors to the area. It hosts musicals, budget movies and indie films. It also has a number of events and concerts from time to time. There is plenty of great seating too! Most of the locals rave about the popcorn here so make sure you catch some when you head for an event or a movie.

The old style charm of the theater is another great attraction and it makes such a cool backdrop for photographs!

19. Indulge In A Spa

Why not get the kinks out for your body? I mean you’ve probably spent a lot of time wandering around Rockland Maine by now and are probably exhausted! Take a break and pamper yourself a bit at RHEAL Day Spa. This place is in a league of its own!

It has got a nice laid back atmosphere where you can kick back, slip into some comfy robes and slippers to enjoy the spa. Try the Himalayan salt massage. Not only do you get a nice massage, you get to relax on a heated table. If that isn’t a great end to the day, I don’t know what it is.

No matter what you choose to do, you can be certain that you come back feeling pampered and relaxed.

Things to do in Rockland Maine FAQ

Is Rockland Maine Worth Visiting?

Rockland Maine is definitely one of the best places to visit and I would definitely not be writing about it if it wasn’t. Located right in the heart of the Mid coast of Maine, it has access to the famous natural coast. Plus… You really can’t go wrong with the fresh seafood that is available all year round. 

Did I mention that they even have a lobster festival that is held every year?

What Is Rockland Maine Famous For?

Rockland Maine is famous for lobsters! Yup. The lobster fishing industry is very active here. You get all sorts of different kinds of fresh seafood here. But food isn’t the only thing that makes the area popular. 

The coast makes it popular among people who love the sun and sand. It is a great place to take a break and it gets pretty crowded during summer when the weather is warm and enjoyable.

Does Rockland Have A Beach?

South End Beach is located near Archer’s on the Pier. It is a gorgeous stretch of coast where you can head to for some epic views of Rockland. You can take a dip in the water when the weather is great and even let the kids collect shells when the tide is out. 

One of the best things to do in Rockland Maine is to have a picnic here. There are some tables that you can use for your food and plenty of space to relax and have a good time.

🏖️ Looking for something cool to do in Rockland Maine? Go on a Maine Windjammer Cruise. It will be an experience that you never forget! ⛵

Additional Maine Travel Resources You’ll Love!

Well kids infinitely cooler than me, that just about concludes this epic guide to 17+ best things to do in Rockland Maine!

Tell me, did your favie fave activities make the list? If not then let me know in the comments below because I’ll have to check them out asap!

And if you found this post even a little bit helpful, then pin this now so that you can read it again later!