Top 5 Places to Go This Summer Near Bath, ME
Summer and warm weather are on their way, and if you live here in Bath, or you’re going to visit, you may wonder what to do when the season rolls around.
We’re proud of our seafaring history in Bath. So, it should come as no surprise that most of the listings here are related. This summer, you can learn a lot about local history when you get out into the sunshine.
Maine Maritime Museum
On the banks of the Kennebec River you’ll find the Maine Maritime Museum. Explore their 20-acre waterfront campus, which is the last wooden shipyard in the U.S. This museum opened in 1964.
You’ll learn a lot of local history here. The museum also features exhibit galleries with historic artifacts, an extensive library including ship plans and over 40,000 photographs, 19th-century buildings, a Victorian house, a lighthouse and a full-sized sculpture of one of the old ships, the Wyoming.
Centuries ago the shipyard was built here because that made timber accessible west along the Kennebec river, and the Atlantic ocean accessible to the east. At the time, the world’s largest commercial schooners were built and launched here.
Seguin Island Light Station
Another fun lighthouse to visit is at Seguin Island Light Station. You’ll find it atop Seguin Island just off the coast of Maine, south of the Kennebec River. The current lighthouse was built in 1857 and automated in 1985.
To get to this 64-acre island, take a ferry from Popham Beach in Phippsburg. The museum includes historic photographs and information about the lighthouse and Seguin island, dating back centuries. With a guide, you can even ascend the lighthouse.
Maine’s First Ship
Maine’s First Ship is another excellent place to learn about Bath’s maritime history. The Virginia was the first ship built in Maine way back in 1607. The ship you’ll find at the site is a reconstruction of that vessel from 400 years ago. At this museum, you can learn how the shipbuilders of centuries past built the original.
This is a free exhibit and a nice place to visit on a summer day. The museum also has occasional events. For June 4, 2022, there will be a celebration of the launch of the first ship and a multitude of activities.
Get a preview on the website with a virtual tour, art of the Virginia, and videos showing past events.
Maine Custom Boat Tours
Slap on some sunscreen and sign up for a tour of the Kennebec River, or one of the other rivers or shorelines in Midcoast Maine with Maine Custom Boat Tours. Their new Kennebec tour includes views of antique homes from centuries past, shipbuilding sites, views of Sturgeon Island, bridge sites, and more.
As mentioned though, their scenic boat cruises go along many Maine rivers and more. You can take a private tour of lighthouses, see the wildlife and foliage of the landscapes, and simply have a wonderful day out in a comfortable tri-hull pontoon boat.
Bath Farmers Market
Enjoy a healthy and delicious summer by getting your produce and more at the Bath Farmers Market. The outdoor market is open Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon from May through October at 61 Commercial St. That’s in Waterfront Park along the Kennebec River.
This is a great way to get your groceries for the week from local farmers and other vendors. Every week there are musicians performing for your entertainment. And yes, the vendors accept SNAP benefits. If you get them regularly or you’ve received them because of COVID-era policies, you’ll be able to use them to purchase food.If you’re thinking of moving to Bath then we hope you think of us for your self storage needs, we can help make your move easier by giving you a place to store your off-season clothes, boating gear, or business inventory.
