Newcastle Inn is the perfect launching pad for all of your Midcoast Maine adventures. The inn is in close proximity to a variety of excursions and activities that will make your getaway especially memorable. Enjoy the spectacular natural landscape with outdoor activities. Check out festivals, shopping, and other attractions in Damariscotta and the surrounding area. To learn more about fun activities and things to do in Midcoast Maine, be sure to visit our blog.
Things To Do in Newcastle
Things to Do
Mark your calendars for these Midcoast Maine events when you book your stay at Newcastle Inn.
Read More...June
Windjammer Days
Visit nearby Boothbay Harbor for their annual nautical gala, Windjammer Days. This weeklong event offers highlights such as the Paradise of Sail, plus a pancake breakfast, outdoor concerts, and fireworks over the harbor. It’s a great way to kick off summer in Maine!
When: Late June
Where: Boothbay Harbor
August
Maine Lobster Festival
A Midcoast tradition since 1947, the Maine Lobster Festival is one of the largest Maine events, offering five days of fun and feasting on juicy lobster.
When: First weekend in August
Where: Rockland Harbor Park
September
Pemaquid Oyster Festival
The Pemaquid Oyster Festival celebrates the region’s oyster season by serving up tasty Pemaquid oysters any way you like them, raw, baked, or in a stew.
Date: Always the last Sunday in September
Time: noon – dusk
Where: Damariscotta at Schooner Landing Restaurant
October
Pumpkinfest & Regatta
Pumpkinfest draws in visitors from all over to celebrate the beauty of fall and all things pumpkin. Held every Columbus Day weekend, this festival includes a list of fun activities such as the pumpkin paddle boat relay, pumpkin polo, and the highly-anticipated giant pumpkin weigh-off.
Date: Always over Columbus Day weekend
Where: downtown Damariscotta and surrounding community
December
Harbor Lights Festival
Celebrate the spirit of the season at the Harbor Lights Festival. Greet Mr. & Mrs. Clause as they arrive by boat, sing Christmas carols, and watch the lighted boat parade for cheerful holiday merriment.
Date: first weekend in December
Where: Boothbay Harbor
Gardens Aglow
The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens “light up” at night.
Date: weekends starting mid-November – December 31
Where: Boothbay
March
Maine Maple Sunday
Join Maine’s Maple Syrup Producers for the annual Maine Maple Sunday. Sugarhouses offer free maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure maple syrup is made.
Date: Always the 4th Sunday of March
Where: various Maine sugarhouses
Antiquing Activities
Antiquing in Maine is a popular activity amongst visitors. A plethora of the best antique shops can be found in Midcoast Maine, near Newcastle Inn.
Read More...Some suggested stops include:
Damarine Antiques – As part of one of the oldest homes in town, the Benjamin Day House, this antique shop is open year-round and offers visitors an eclectic variety of antiques you won’t find anywhere else.
Indian Trails Antiques – Discover hidden treasures in an 1800s red barn that has been in the owner’s family for years.
Wiscasset Antiques Mall – This antique market brings together over 100 dealers in a 16,000 sq. ft. showroom. Choose from their large selection of period and custom furniture, silver, pottery, and so much more!
Milling Around Antiques & Gifts – Transforming pieces of mill history into fun and unique treasures.
Visit the Maine Antiques Trail website for a complete list of all the antique shops in Maine.
Museums
Discover Maine’s rich history with a visit to one of several museums in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.
Read More...Maine Maritime Museum – Located in nearby Bath, ME is the Maine Maritime Museum. Uncover the history of Maine’s maritime heritage, culture, and the significant roles Maine has played in maritime activities across the world.
Owls Head Transportation Museum – Inside an old aircraft hangar, visitors can learn about pre-1940 aircraft, ground vehicles, engines, and related technologies important to the evolution of transportation.
Farnsworth Art Museum – Just outside of Newcastle, ME, in Rockland, is the Farnsworth Art Museum. With over 15,000 works in the collection, the museum offers one of the best representations of American art.
Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum – A museum dedicated to the restoration and celebration of the narrow-gauge railroad that operated from 1894 to 1933, connecting Wiscasset to Albion and Winslow in the North.
Lincoln County Historical Association – An association dedicated to the preservation and restoration of three key historic buildings in Lincoln County; the Pownalborough Court House, the Old Jail in Wiscasset, and Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta. Each museum offers visitors a chance to see costumes, tools, photographs, maps, and more that tell the history of the area.
Kayaking
Kayaking in Maine is the perfect way to experience Maine’s diverse coastline; from rocky cliffs to intercoastal waterways and marshy inlets, there is ample opportunity to explore Maine’s beautiful coast. Just minutes from Newcastle Inn, you can choose to spend a leisurely day kayaking one of Midcoast Maine’s lakes and rivers. Or test your skills in more challenging waters with whitewater kayaking. Either way, kayaking in Maine has something for everyone!
Read More...Two very popular areas to kayak near Newcastle, ME are in the Muscongus Bay and the Damariscotta River. The varied ecosystem of the Damariscotta River can be seen through the various vegetation along the river’s bank, numerous bird species, and underwater marine life. Part of what makes Muscongus Bay appealing to kayakers is the bay’s mostly smooth waters and its wildlife-abundant estuaries.
In-town kayak rentals can be found at Midcoast Kayak or Maine Kayak. Both offer everything from hourly kayak rentals to multi-day trip rentals.
Spring Awakening
As our gardens pop with colorful blooms, our guests begin to pop out of their suites and rooms to explore Newcastle and the surrounding area in the spring! Spring is a wonderful and refreshing time to visit Maine, especially with these activities and attractions. Discover all of Maine’s springtime activities during your stay!
Read More...Combine hiking with learning through the DRA Bird Hikes in May! On these guided early morning hikes, you will learn about the migratory birds of Maine and see them up close with provided binoculars.
Visit Oxbow Brewery’s Newcastle tasting room or take a brewery tour on Saturday or Sunday. The brewery also has mountain biking trails in the woods surrounding its property that riders can enjoy for free Wednesday – Sunday from noon to 7 p.m., though we’d recommend biking before sampling!
In mid-April, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens opens its doors for its regular season. The gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets are only $16 per adult. In April, early spring bulbs and spring ephemerals are in bloom. In May, the gardens come to life with European ginger, foam flower, daffodils, magnolia, rhododendron, and azalea!
In late May, hit the water for some fun eco-tours with Hardy Boat Cruises! The puffin watch and seal watch trips are popular and fun for all ages. See these animals in their natural habitat and enjoy the gorgeous views of Maine during your trip.
If you want to take your on-the-water fun to the next level, rent a kayak from Midcoast Kayak! If you prefer to leave the trip planning to someone else, Midcoast Kayak has a variety of tours to help you explore Muscongus Bay with a little more guidance. Whether you choose the intro tour to get acclimated, the sunset tour, or even the full moon tour, you won’t believe how fast the time can fly when you’re paddling and having fun.
Another favorite spring activity is to enjoy the sun deck, taking in the beautiful views at Newcastle Inn.
