Rockland, Thomaston & St. George Peninsula

Rockland has something for everyone. The town was recently selected as one of the "Best 100 Adventure Towns" by National Geographic, the #2 coolest small town by Budget Travel and named in 2010 as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. From hipsters to history lovers, Rockland will surely delight you.

Rockland's historic Main Street is lined with antique shops, gift stores and art galleries, and the city has more than 25 restaurants. And for lobster lovers, this may be your Mecca: every August, Rockland honors its roots as a fishing community with the ever-popular Maine Lobster Festival, where over 20,000 pounds of lobster are cooked and served each year.

The Farnsworth Art Museum and its nationally recognized collection of American art is located in Rockland. Familiar names such as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz Hugh Lane, and Maurice Prendergast are represented in the museum’s permanent exhibit and the Farnsworth has the nation's second-largest collection of works by premier 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson. Its Wyeth Center exclusively features the works of Andrew, N.C., and Jamie Wyeth. 

Rockland also serves as a departure point for ferries to Maine islands including Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Matinicus.

South of Rockland is the small town of Thomaston. Thomaston is home to the General Henry Knox Museum, Montpelier, and the Maine State Prison Showroom, located on Route 1. The showroom is a popular gift shop that sells hand-crafted wood products made by Maine's inmates.

Follow Route 131 along the St. George peninsula and discover traditional coastal New England villages including St. George, Tenants Harbor, Owls Head and Port Clyde. The peninsula stretches out into Penobscot Bay providing stunning sea views, long-favored by artists over the centuries. Be sure to stop by the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The museum's impressive collection includes horse-drawn carriages that are over 150 years old, biplanes, automobiles from 1885 to 1980, motorcycles and more. The Owls Head Light is one of Maine's most popular lighthouses. Built in 1825, the Owls Head Light grounds offer expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean and the lighthouse is still a U.S. Coast Guard navigation aid.

In Port Clyde, at the tip of the St. George peninsula is the Marshall Point Lighthouse & Museum. The museum is housed in the circa 1895 light-keeper's quarters. Visitors are treated to views of Monhegan Island and the Monhegan Boat Line departs from Port Clyde if a closer look of this summer haven for artists is in order.