Peter and Meg's Local & Maine Vacation Guide
For additional information go to MaineGuide.com or the Belfast Chamber of Commerce (207) 338-5900.
Where to Stay: Belfast Area
Alden Inn Bed & Breakfast
Classic architecture, quiet and relaxing, farm-to-table breakfast, reasonable rates. Near town (207) 338-2151
Belfast Breeze Inn
Newly renovated with jazz bar, “breakfast-in-bed” option and cooking classes. Just south of town on Rt. 1, (207) 505-5231
The Jeweled Turret Inn Bed & Breakfast
Elegant Victorian rooms, private baths, delightful breakfast, a favorite for years. 16 Pearl Street, (207) 338-2304
Belfast Bay Inn
Popular with HV families. 4-diamond boutique select in-town hotel, near shops, galleries, eateries and harbor pier. Breakfast included. (207) 338-5600
Colonial Gables Efficiency Cottages
Studios, 1 and 2 bedrooms, clean and inexpensive, on a beach by the ocean. North of town and recommended by parents (207) 338-4000
Belfast Harbor Inn
Popular motel with HVC families, six acres on ocean, moorings. Pool, cable, restaurant. Route 1 north of town (800) 545-8576, (207) 338-2740
Fireside Inn (formerly Comfort Inn)
Game room, indoor pool, cable. Route 1 north of town (207) 338-2090, (800) 228-5150
Where to Stay: Camden Area
Youngtown Inn B & B
"Casual elegance with genuine French country charm." Lovely atmosphere and fine dining. Off the beaten path on Route 52, inland from Camden. (207) 763-4290
Birchwood Sustainable Lodging
Roadside eco-inn and farmette. Clean, green and a gorgeous bay view. Owned and operated by HVC Alums! (207) 236-4204
The Inn at Ocean's Edge
Luxurious lodging on 22 waterfront acres, vanishing edge heated pool, elegant dining, and small hotel amenities. Route 1 five miles north of town. (207) 236- 0945
Bay Leaf Cottages & Bistro
Located between Camden and Belfast overlooking the Penobscot Bay. Bay Leaf designer cottages and theme motel rooms offer all the charm of a B&B without the cost.(207) 706-7929 or 1-888-902-7929.
Hawthorne Inn B & B
Recommended, classy range of accommodations, short walk to town, afternoon tea. Route 1 north of town. (207) 236- 8842
Norumbega B & B
Top-of-the-line accommodations, ocean views, owner was an instructor at Culinary Inst. and committed to fresh cuisine. Route 1 north of town. (207) 236-4646
Places to Visit: Towns
Belfast: Cozy Maine coastal town; antique stores and galleries; restaurants, gift shops, waterfront, parks, etc. Not as "touristy" as Camden. 17 miles from camp.
Camden: Picturesque harbor town, popular with tourists; art galleries, some high-end shops, sail cruises. 30 miles from camp.
Rockport: Lovely old fishing village. Home of Andre the Seal, the Vesper Gardens at the Children's Chapel, and belted Galloway cows. 35 miles from camp.
Bar Harbor: Busy tourist town near Acadia National Park. Stay at The Ivy Manor or explore smaller towns (Southwest or Bass Harbor, etc) nearby. 2 hours from camp.
Freeport: Home of the L.L. Bean and 100 outlets. Shopping for the most committed, 1.5 hours from camp.
Liberty Village: Home of renowned Liberty Tool, the famous octagonal post office, the Davistown Museum, and the Liberty Graphics T-Shirt Outlet, a staff favorite. It's not Freeport, but it's only 12 minutes away!
Sophisticated Destinations
Hungry? Then go to Portland, Maine, recently named America's foodiest small city. Among our favorites: Fore Street, Duckfat and Hot Suppa, all in the Old Port along with coffee spots, museums bookstores, etc.
Drive to France? Not exactly, but Quebec City can feel that way. A 5-hour drive transports you to the old city (the oldest European settlement in North America) with cobbled streets, bistros and shops. Visit Montmorency Falls and St Anne's Cathedral nearby.
The Great Outdoors
The Kassens kayaking at Acadia Nat'l Park post-camp.
Lake St. George State Park: Public beach, nice lake. 7 miles from camp.
Moose Point State Park: Nice oceanfront picnic area with a short coastal hike. Just North of Belfast on Route 1.
Camden Hills State Park/ Mount Battie: Hiking, classic Maine rocky coastline, gorgeous views of the bay, campsites. 30 miles from camp, just north of Camden.
Pemaquid Point: Beautiful rocky point with picturesque light-house. State beach and snack-bar nearby. 1+ hour from camp.
Reid State Park: 1.5 miles of white sand beach and rocky coast. 1.5 hours from camp near Bath.
Acadia National Park: Hiking, biking and much more where "the mountains meet the sea." 2 hours from camp.
Kennebec River White Water Rafting: Try it at least once in your life! Our chem-free camper trips are guided wonderfully and professionally by Adventure Bound. 2 hours northwest at The Forks.
Places to Eat: Nearby
John's Ice Cream- Homemade and delicious. Fresh fruit ingredients, amazing quadruple chocolate and lemon ice. 12 minutes away on Route 3 West in Liberty.
Lori's Diner- Great diner, homemade and tasty. 12 minutes away next to John's Ice Cream on Route 3 West, in Liberty.
Lost Kitchen- Renowned fresh seasonal cuisine from Maine's Chef of the Year. Make rez's by postcard! 10 min. away in "downtown" Freedom. (207) 382-3333
Places to Eat: Belfast
Young's Lobster Pound- Bring your own appetizers and beverages, watch the sun set from the dock at the bay. Basic, the Kassens' outdoor favorite. North of Belfast on Route 1. (207) 338-1160
Bay Wraps- Owned by a former camp parent, a happy, tasty spot for a fresh, multi-cultural lunch to-go. (207) 338-9757
Harborwalk Restaurant- Crab cakes, chowders and more. Eat indoors or out near the water. (207) 338-0488
Chase's Daily- Fresh vegetarian breakfast, lunches with local produce, a staff favorite. Great baked goods to go. (207) 338-0555 >> May be closed this summer!
Alexia's Pizza- In downtown Belfast at the traffic light. (207) 338-9676
Nautilus Seafood and Grill- Traditional American cuisine, lobster and seafood. Public landing. (207) 218-4218
Darby's- Popular, varied menu for families, low-key atmosphere. (207) 338-2339
You are so lucky to have Belfast in your life year-round. - HVC Parent
Peter photographed this loon in our lake one morning.
Places to Eat: Camden & Nearby
Youngtown Inn- "Casual elegance with genuine French country charm." Lovely atmosphere and fine dining. Off the beaten path on Route 52, inland from Camden, in Lincolnville center. (207) 763-4290
Long Grain- Asian street food done simply and elegantly with fresh ingredients. Peter and Meg's favorite indoor spot. (207) 236-9001 Washington Street, Camden. Call ahead.
Suzuki Sushi- World-class sushi including fascinating and fresh local catches. 20 minutes south of Camden in Rockland. (207) 596-7447
Primo- Chef Melissa Kelly's treasure. Just south of Rockland. (207) 596-0770 (Call ahead).
Farm Stays
Many Hands Farm- Quiet charming cabin and optional organic breakfast on a nearby permaculture farm. Learn about local sustainability from camp parents. Thorndike, 20 min away.
Raven's Crossing- A rustic spa retreat with 2 private cottages, a sauna, hot tub, resident massage therapist, and miles of hiking trails. Appleton, 25 min from HVC, 207-845-2304.
Tops'l Farm- Unique farm "glamping" retreat. Riverside yurt, guest cottage, A-frame cabins, canvas safari tents and services such as coffee delivery, s'mores kits, in-house chef and more. Waldoboro, 45 min away.
Belfast and Harbor Photos: Courtesy Belfast Chamber of Commerce