We love sending our guests away from the well-traveled Route 1 corridor and shooting them down Route 32 for some back-road coastal exploration of the Pemaquid peninsula. One could spend an entire day driving down one side and up the other, so the only question is which side to start on. Or take a path even less traveled and cut through the middle. There’s no doubt that a gorgeous country lane, hiking trail, or farm stand awaits. Happy adventuring!

Start or end your journey with a cold beer and delicious wood-fired pizza at Odd Alewives Farm Brewery in Waldoboro. The lovely setting makes this rural brewery a must-stop. La Verna Preserve is pure magic. If we were to conjure up an easy hike capturing the best of the Maine coast it would most certainly be La Verna in Bristol. Fern-swathed trails lead to dramatic views of the rocky coast. Parking is super limited, so hiking early or having a solid backup plan is critical.

Granite Hall Store in Round Pond has penny candy and gifts galore, but the main attraction is the cutest darned ice cream window for 100 miles. Be sure to grab a coffee across the way at Round Pond Coffee to help fuel the rest of your journey.

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There are few better places in Maine than Pemaquid Beach Park in Bristol, which has a new beach pavilion, snack shack with delicious offerings, and sandy beach glittering with mica. However, be warned: you must be on your A-game when it comes to guarding your snacks from the gulls!

When swinging ’round the bend up to Damariscotta, be sure to stop at the town’s new stores, Wildings, a plant boutique, and The Kingfisher and the Queen, which sells vintage and new house goods, children’s items, and gifts. Don’t leave without having some oysters at Shuck Station, just over the Main Street bridge in Newcastle, or at Glidden Point Oyster Farms in neighboring Nobleboro.

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