Daytripping in Bath, ME

2008-05-14

Drive time
41 mins./34 miles

Take I-295 N toward Falmouth. Use Exit 28 toward Coastal Route/Brunswick/Bath. Stay straight until a slight left onto Mill Street/U.S. 1/Blue Star Memorial Hwy. Stay on this road until making a slight right onto Leeman Hwy. E. Turn left onto Middle Street and then left onto Leeman Hwy. W.

Touring tips

• If you like to get on the water in Bath, check out Long Reach Lighthouse Cruises. You’ll can see wildlife including eagles and seals, learn about Bath’s history, visit islands and see many of Maine’s famous and impressive lighthouses (888-538-6786).

• Want to stay in the area for a few warm, beachy summer days? Check out Hidden Mountain Cottages in Phippsburg, located near Popham Beach. These two-bedroom cottages are perfect for families with a fun and funky gift shop on site (389-‘7).

Less than an hour from Portland, Bath has a little bit of everything to offer. In the town where some of the country’s most famous battle ships have been made, you can get both country and some city atmosphere blended together.

For the country touch, take the kids to Romney Ridge Farm (located 3.5 miles north of Bath in Woolwich), where they can see several kinds of sheep, angora goats and angora rabbits. The coats of these animals are spun into delicate fleeces and yarns in natural and dyed colors. A bit further up the road is Colonial Thyme Alpacas in Georgetown, where alpaca and angora goat fiber is the focus. Call Colonial at 371-9136 to visit their animals.

If you’re hoping for farm fresh food, check out the Bath Farmers’ Market at Waterfront Park on Saturdays from 8:30 am-noon through October.

For a bit of the city touch, check out Main Street, for local businesses and artisans. Shop, dine or just admire in an area where big box stores are nowhere to be found.

Some of the fine local eateries include: Solo Bistro (128 Front St.), which serves innovative dinners and has an excellent wine list; MaryEllenZ Caffe (15 Vine St.), which offers Mediterranean style cuisine, including tapas from 11:30 am-9:30 pm; Mae’s Cafe and Bakery (160 Centre St.), famous for its weekend brunch and Pecan Sticky Buns; and Robinhood Free Meetinghouse (located 6 miles from Bath in Georgetown), where well-known Chef Michael Gagn� works his magic and creates his famous 72-layer Cream Cheese Biscuits. Robinhood is hosting a wine tasting event on June 6 at 6 pm for $75 per person (www.robinhood-meetinghouse.com).

If you’re looking for entertainment in Bath, look no further than the Chocolate Church, host to theater productions, national and local recording acts and visual arts shows. On June 7, Chocolate Church is the site for LatinFest at 7 pm, with local musicians Dos Canosos y Otros and Boston’s Enclave performing. Tickets are $26 at the door. On June 21, the Second City Theater Company will perform “One Nation Under Blog” at 7 pm. Tickets are $25-$33. Go to www.chocolatechurcharts.org.

Another famous spot is Maine Maritime Museum (www.mainemaritimemuseum.org), where you can wander through 400 years of shipbuilding. Admission is $10 for adults.

And if you simply want to stroll through town, pick up a walking tour map at the chamber of commerce and learn about Bath’s history.

If you plan to wait until July to head to Bath, hit the town for the four-day 4th of July Bath Heritage Days extravaganza. There will be carnival rides, live entertainment, fireworks and the Kennebec River Boat Parade on the 4th, a strongman competition, fireman’s muster and chili/chowder fest on the 5th and the Front Street Shuffle antique car show on the 6th.

— Karen Beaudoin