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
Point Lookout Resort Cabins
Modern luxury cabins, 1-3 bedrooms, and access to hiking, tennis, fitness center, dining, etc. In Northport, 10 min. South of Belfast. (207) 789-2000
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
Mount Battie Motel
Aprox. 3.5 miles from Camden located on Route 1. Offering motel privacy with B&B hospitality, free WIFI. (207) 236-3870
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!
Places to Visit: 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.
51 Main- High quality, locally-grown breakfast, lunch and drink (from Lake St George Brewery) in Liberty Village.
Lost Kitchen- Renowned fresh seasonal cuisine from Maine's Chef of the Year. Make rez's at 12.01 AM on April 1st (seriously.) 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
Neighborhood- HV Winter Crew's new favorite, inexpensive world cuisine, locally sourced, lunch & dinner, great bar. (207) 505-0425
Harborwalk Restaurant- Crab cakes, chowders and more. Eat indoors or out near the water. (207) 338-0488
Chase's Daily- Fresh vegetarian breakfast, lunches (an dinner some night) with local produce, a staff favorite. Great baked goods to go. (207) 338-0555
Meanwhile in Belfast- Upscale brick-oven pizza made by a certified Neapolitan Master Pizza Chef. Hip atmosphere, nice beer and wine list, off Main Street part way to the bay, (207) 218-1288
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
Here and There in Maine
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, bookstores, etc.
Go 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.