10 Best Things to Do in Rockland Maine
Rockland is a beautiful coastal town in Midcoast Maine on Penobscot Bay that should be on every New England bucket list! Although it is one of the best summer destinations in Maine, the beautiful town offers many things to do year-round and is the perfect spot for a getaway every season.
You can enjoy shopping in its downtown, sailing on a cruise, visiting lighthouses, and relaxing by the ocean. This guide has everything you need to know about visiting Rockland, including the best things to do in Rockland, Maine!
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Best Time to Visit Rockland Maine
Summer is one of the best times to visit Rockland because the activities are endless! I love visiting Rockland in the summer because you can enjoy hiking on nearby trails, swimming at beautiful beaches, visiting lighthouses, and enjoying delicious food while sitting outside. Summer is the most popular time to visit Rockland, so I recommend starting your day early to see the must-see attractions first to avoid most crowds.
Fall is a beautiful time to visit Rockland because of the beautiful fall foliage. Even though many people visit Rockland to enjoy the ocean, the area has vibrant foliage! You can also enjoy hiking through beautiful foliage on nearby trails. Fall is another one of the most popular times to visit Rockland, so I recommend starting your day early to avoid most crowds.
Winter is an underrated time to visit Rockland if you do not mind the cold weather. Although some restaurants and attractions close in the winter, there are still many things to do! The lighthouses in the winter are stunning, surrounded by snow, and most will have fewer crowds. You can also enjoy skiing at the nearby Camden Snow Bowl!
Spring in Rockland has beautiful weather and wildflowers as everything begins to bloom. Spring has fewer crowds, and you can enjoy the must-see attractions with fewer people. If you want to hike, I highly recommend reading recent trail reviews and packing layers and extra traction. The snow can linger on the trails, so it is crucial to have the appropriate gear!
Best Places to Stay in Rockland Maine
Although Rockland is a small town, it has everything you need for a getaway! There are restaurants, grocery stores, and accommodations.
Best Hotels in Rockland Maine:
What to Pack for a Trip to Rockland Maine
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
The Best Things to Do in Rockland Maine
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is one of the best things to do in Rockland, especially for those who love lighthouses. The beautiful lighthouse was built in the early 1900s, and you need to hike to reach it.
If you are up for a fun hike, you can travel on the 2-mile round trip trail along the breakwater to get an up-close and personal view of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The hike along the breakwater is fun but very crowded. I recommend hiking to the lighthouse early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid most crowds! The area is also a great place to see wildlife, including seals.
Make sure to keep an eye out while you are hiking to the lighthouse! No matter how you decide to enjoy Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, you will quickly realize why it is one of the best things to do in Rockland.
Farnsworth Art Museum
For those who love museums, I recommend visiting the Farnsworth Art Museum. The 20,000-square-foot art museum has over 15,000 works of art. And the best part? The museum is open year-round, so you can enjoy walking through beautiful art no matter what time of year you visit. The Farnsworth Art Museum is one of the best museums in the area and one of the best things to do in Rockland for the entire family!
Vinalhaven
Did you know Rockland is home to ferry services that bring you to various islands along Maine’s coast? If you are looking for a fun day trip, I highly recommend visiting a nearby island, like Vinalhaven. The ferry to Vinalhaven is a little over an hour long, and you have the option of bringing your car if you need it.
Once you arrive on the island, you can enjoy swimming in Quarry Ponds, hiking in Huber Preserve or the Basin Preserve, visiting its three lighthouses, and enjoying delicious food. If you want to extend your trip, there are a few accommodations you can stay in on Vinalhaven. No matter how you decide to explore Vinalhaven, you will fall in love with the island!
New Haven
Vinalhaven isn’t the only island you can take a ferry to from Rockland! New Haven is Vinalhaven’s neighbor, and although it is a smaller island, it does not lack things to do. The ferry to New Haven is also over an hour long, and you have the option to bring your car. There are a few restaurants, hiking trails, and swimming areas to enjoy. New Haven is usually less crowded than Vinalhaven, making it a great alternative.
Owls Head State Park
If you want to visit another lighthouse, you should visit Owls Head State Park! The beautiful state park is home to Owls Head Lighthouse, which sits on top of a cliff, offering expansive views of Rockland Harbor. The hike to the lighthouse follows an easy 0.5-mile round trip trail and is perfect for the entire family.
Once you arrive at the lighthouse, you can walk to the top of the stairs to get an up-close and personal view of it and enjoy the views of the harbor. You will quickly realize why Owls Head State Park is one of the best things to do in Rockland!
Rockland Harbor Trail
If you want to explore everything Rockland offers, I recommend walking the Rockland Harbor Trail! The 3.5-mile one-way trail travels through Rockland along its shore and its parks.
And the best part? It is accessible for everyone since the trail follows along pavement and boardwalks! It is a great place to watch ships come in and out of the harbor and enjoy uniquely exploring the town. The Rockland Harbor Trail is the perfect thing to do in Rockland for the entire family!
Sightseeing Cruises
One of the best ways to experience Rockland is sailing at sea. But don’t worry! You don’t have to rent a boat yourself to do it. Many sightseeing cruises travel through Penobscot Bay and give you a tour of the area.
A Morning in Maine has one of the best 2-hour cruises that bring you through the harbor, travel to lighthouses, and provide an opportunity to see wildlife, including birds and seals. The tour is one of the best things to do in Rockland and is a unique way to experience everything the beautiful coastal town offers.
Puffin Tour
Did you know Maine is home to puffins? Harbor Boat Cruises is based in New Harbor, an easy drive from Rockland, and brings you to Eastern Egg Rock, the home of many puffins. The 1.5-hour cruise is a fantastic way to learn about Maine’s puffins and observe from a safe distance.
The cruise also passes by Camden, Monhegan Island, and Franklin Island Lighthouse. Going on a puffin tour is one of the best things to do in Rockland for the entire family!
Beech Hill Preserve
Beech Hill Preserve is a stunning 295-acre preserve in the neighboring town of Rockport and has a beautiful and easy trail. Beech Hill is a 1.8-mile round trip loop that gradually ascends to the summit over a beautiful path that is less rocky than others in the area. The top offers stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and ocean and will quickly become one of your favorite things to do in Rockland.
Birch Point Beach State Park
Birch Point Beach State Park is another beautiful state park near Rockland that offers some of the best swimming in the area! You can enjoy spending a summer day on its sandy beach, swimming, and picnicking with the entire family. Even if you don’t want to swim, Birch Point Beach State Park is a great place to relax by the ocean.
If you plan to visit Rockland, this guide is the perfect place to start! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Rockland, Maine.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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