Family Fun in Maine
Camden Maine is an great family vacation destination. Families that travel together form strong bonds and always have interesting dialogue to share with one another over the dinner table year round. Camden Maine is great in that it is a soft adventure destination. The activities can be as extreme as you like. The kids real small? go to the library or play on the swings. Got teenagers? Go sailing, do the harder, longer hikes, go kayaking out to an island. Got adult kids? Go out to the restaurants and relax.
No matter what age you are, I think you will enjoy this list of family friendly ideas. First check out this neat video the local kids made.
Playgrounds open to the public:
– The Montessori School, on the corner of Elm and Union Street in Camden.
– Laite Beach on BayView Street in Camden Maine. There are a couple of swings, picnic tables, beautiful views, and at low tide there is a small sand beach. During the summer the town puts out a dock that you can swim out to.
– The Camden-Rockport Middle School located on Knowlton Street in Camden Maine. The school has a playground and open fields for kite flying or field games. There is very little shade here so be prepared to be in the sun.
– The Rockport Elementary School located on Rt. 90 on the right 1/2 mile from the intersection of Rt 90 in Rockport.
– Walker Park. Walker Park is my favorite place. There is a small playground with a jungle gym and swings, but most of the children enjoy running up the little hill and rolling down. The park has fantastic views of Rockport Harbor. At low tide the kids enjoy wading in the tidal pools. There is only 1 picnic table and 1 grill. I usually bring a blanket and relax. Walker Park is to the left of Sea Street in Rockport. Coming from Maine, Take the left after Rayr wine store.
Libraries:
– Camden Public Library – The Camden Public Library has a fantastic children’s section on the ground floor. After looking at books and enjoying the indoor games at the library, go across the street to Harbor Park and let the little ones run up and down the hill, look for ducks or just explore the harbor at low tide.
– Rockport Library – Located on Russell Avenue in Rockport Maine. The library is small but very comfortable and quiet. The library is near the Rockport Harbor. Enjoy the library for awhile, go to Salt Water farm for lunch and then meander down to Rockport Harbor to see the Andre the Seal statue.
Beaches:
Laite Beach – off Bayview Street in Camden – No lifeguards
Barrett Cove – on Lake Megunticook off Rt. 52 in Camden – No lifeguards
Lincolnville Beach – Rt1. in Lincolnville, North of Camden. No lifeguards. Beware that there really only is a beach during low tide.
Birch Point State Park – in Owls Head, Rockland off Birch Point State Park Road, sandy beach – no lifeguards. Again this is a bigger beach at low tide. A lot of people go to this beach. It is a very pretty spot. There are picnic tables and a fun little peninsula that you can explore during low tide.
Boating and Sailing.
There are a wide variety of daysailers including the Windjammer fleet. You can purchase tickets for the daysailers on the public landing in downtown Camden. The boats go out for 2 hour tours and leave go out about 5 times a day.
Fishing
Fishing on the ocean does not require a license. Fishing on the rivers, lakes and ponds does require a license. Licenses can be purchased at the Camden town office. Call 236-3353 for more information.
Hiking
– Hike up Mt. Battie in the Camden Hills State Park off Rt. 1 north of downtown Camden. At the top enjoy panoramic views of Penobscot Bat and the surrounding islands. There are no picnic tables on Mt. Battie.
For a full list of Camden hiking trails, please click here.
Indoor recreational facilities:
The YMCA – Located on Union Street in Rockport. The YMCA has work out equipment, 2 pools, indoor walking track, rock wall, indoor and outdoor playgrounds. Great indoor rain back up plan.
Midcoast Recreation Center: This indoor facility has an indoor ice skating facility during the winter and year round indoor tennis courts.
Camden Snow Bowl: The Camden Snow Bowl is fun year round. It is located on Hosmer Pond Road in Camden. There are tennis courts, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, tubing and tobogganing.
Candlepin bowling at Oakland Park Lanes on Rt. 1 in Rockport. I love this place. It is like walking back in time. Kids love this place also because the bowling balls are smaller than regular bowling balls. The price is right and it is fun, fun, fun!
Golfers Crossing Miniature Golf Course on Rt. 1 in Rockport. This cute little course is on Rt. 1 in Rockport not far from the downtown of Camden Maine.
Farms:
Aldermere Farm – go and see the Oreo cookie cows. The farm is not open to the public year round, but you can see the cows grazing from the street. Sometimes they are right on the road. Located on Russell Avenue in Rockport.
Beth’s Farm – The farm stand is fun. In the fall Beth’s does a fantastic corn maze. There is a hay ride and lots of good apples to enjoy! Beth’s Farm Market
1986 Western Road , Warren ME 04864
Museums:
The Owls Head Transportation Museum
Maine Lighthouse Museum
Penobscot Marine Museum
Maine Discovery Museum
Fort Knox
Cool Bridge
The Narrows Bridge Observation Tower over the Penobscot River in Prospect gives panoramic views of the area. Open from May – October.
Fun Family Travel Package: When you stay at the Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast in Camden Maine, which has a wonderful family suite: The Crows Nest, add on the Boat to Table Package. Families can go out with a seasoned lobsterman and catch their dinner for that night. Bring your catch back to the Camden Windward House and let the innkeepers cook up the lobsters!