Belfast Guidebook
Food scene
It’s the best coffee shop in town, right down the street from the house. Open every day but check the hours when you’re walking in town. Their homemade scones are delicious!
7 locals recommend
Downshift Coffee
39 Main StIt’s the best coffee shop in town, right down the street from the house. Open every day but check the hours when you’re walking in town. Their homemade scones are delicious!
This is a 5-min walk from the house. It has an amazing variety of local produce, in addition to all items that a normal small grocery store would have.
74 locals recommend
Belfast Co-op
123 High StThis is a 5-min walk from the house. It has an amazing variety of local produce, in addition to all items that a normal small grocery store would have.
They make wood fire pizza and they offer FREE delivery on Wednesdays. It’s a great local place to support.
6 locals recommend
The Stone Brick Oven Kitchen
681 Atlantic HwyThey make wood fire pizza and they offer FREE delivery on Wednesdays. It’s a great local place to support.
This ice cream is heavenly! The flavors change daily and they always have two vegan options. It’s good even on a rainy day!
12 locals recommend
Wild Cow Creamery
31b Front StThis ice cream is heavenly! The flavors change daily and they always have two vegan options. It’s good even on a rainy day!
Fresh veggies and flowers in a small farm stand inside the store, plus a breakfast and lunch menu.
70 locals recommend
Chase's Daily
96 Main StFresh veggies and flowers in a small farm stand inside the store, plus a breakfast and lunch menu.
Young's Lobster Pound
2 Fairview StThis is the place for the best lobster roll. 🦞
Must Be Nice Lobster
The closest lobster roll from the house. Well, it might be tied with Rollies 😀
Brews with a view! This local brewery often has live music and other fun local events. Plus great beer!
27 locals recommend
Marshall Wharf Brewing Company
36 Marshall WharfBrews with a view! This local brewery often has live music and other fun local events. Plus great beer!
Outdoor activities
The rail trail starts as the base of bridge street. Walk down the road, head past the potato building, and you’re on a gravel path that runs 2.4 miles up the river. At the head of the path is the trailhead for the Hill to Sea trail, a 47 mile wooded trail that runs to Unity. It’s well marked and beautiful.
18 locals recommend
Passy Rail Trail
13 Oak Hill RoadThe rail trail starts as the base of bridge street. Walk down the road, head past the potato building, and you’re on a gravel path that runs 2.4 miles up the river. At the head of the path is the trailhead for the Hill to Sea trail, a 47 mile wooded trail that runs to Unity. It’s well marked and beautiful.
Isle Au Haut is part of Acadia National Park. It’s less trafficked than MDI, and is accessed by a daily ferry from Stonington. I recommend it as it’s fun to take a ferry to great hiking.
26 locals recommend
Isle au Haut
Isle Au Haut is part of Acadia National Park. It’s less trafficked than MDI, and is accessed by a daily ferry from Stonington. I recommend it as it’s fun to take a ferry to great hiking.
This is a small state park with great views of Penobscot Bay, a picnic area, and nice hiking trails. It’s a 10 min drive from the house and easily billable if you don’t mind a little road traffic (there is a bike lane along route 1).
51 locals recommend
Moose Point State Park
310 W Main StThis is a small state park with great views of Penobscot Bay, a picnic area, and nice hiking trails. It’s a 10 min drive from the house and easily billable if you don’t mind a little road traffic (there is a bike lane along route 1).
Probably the best hiking near Belfast. The trails lead to epic views of the bay and there are trails for all levels n
163 locals recommend
Camden Hills State Park
280 Belfast RdProbably the best hiking near Belfast. The trails lead to epic views of the bay and there are trails for all levels n
Bike, walk, or drive to the trailhead. Just minutes from downtown you are in deep woods on the well-maintained trail that leads all the way to Unity.
11 locals recommend
Hills to Sea Trail - Belfast Trail Head
Oak Hill RoadBike, walk, or drive to the trailhead. Just minutes from downtown you are in deep woods on the well-maintained trail that leads all the way to Unity.
This is a nice nature preserve 9 miles from Belfast. It’s bikeable on Rte 1, or a 15 min drive. Go for a walk on the many trails, bring a kayak to the protected waters, and stop in Searsport for lunch on your way back.
20 locals recommend
Sears Island
This is a nice nature preserve 9 miles from Belfast. It’s bikeable on Rte 1, or a 15 min drive. Go for a walk on the many trails, bring a kayak to the protected waters, and stop in Searsport for lunch on your way back.
Little River Trail
7 Perkins RoadA nice walking trail in Belfast with river views.
This non-profit organization is dedicated to getting people out on the water. Check their website for information about joining a rowing outing or taking a sailing lesson that leave from the docks by the Belfast boathouse.
7 locals recommend
The Boat Shed - Come Boating!
1 Main StThis non-profit organization is dedicated to getting people out on the water. Check their website for information about joining a rowing outing or taking a sailing lesson that leave from the docks by the Belfast boathouse.
I already recommended the coffee shop but it’s also a bike shop! They have bike rentals and a good Belfast biking map available.
6 locals recommend
CG Bikes
39 Main StI already recommended the coffee shop but it’s also a bike shop! They have bike rentals and a good Belfast biking map available.
This is a beautiful beach park along the Penobscot River. There are nice walking trails and you get a view of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.
Sandy Point Beach
This is a beautiful beach park along the Penobscot River. There are nice walking trails and you get a view of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.
The Camden Snow Bowl
20 Barnestown RdThis has mountain biking and hiking trails for all abilities
Sightseeing
Bayside community is full of gingerbread homes nestled around the Northport Yacht club. This is a fun place to bike or drive through. Shore road has beautiful views of Penobscot Bay.
Northport Golf Club
581 Bluff RdBayside community is full of gingerbread homes nestled around the Northport Yacht club. This is a fun place to bike or drive through. Shore road has beautiful views of Penobscot Bay.
This is the schooner tour option available from Belfast, so you can load the boat from a dock you can see from the porch!
Visit their website for more info.
https://schoonercharm.com/
The Schooner Charm
This is the schooner tour option available from Belfast, so you can load the boat from a dock you can see from the porch!
Visit their website for more info.
https://schoonercharm.com/
Lincolnville beach is a popular place for families to enjoy the water of Penobscot Bay.
42 locals recommend
Lincolnville Beach
2402 US-1Lincolnville beach is a popular place for families to enjoy the water of Penobscot Bay.
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Small-town life
Belfast is a one stoplight town that packs a lot of charm in a small city. Everything downtown is walkable—coffee, farmer’s market, bike shop, yoga in the park. Most businesses, including the three bookstores and movie theatre, are open year-round, but they might have shorter hours. Plan your dinners out around which restaurants are open on certain days.
Don't miss
Don’t miss Farmers Markets
There are two wonderful Farmers Markets in town. The one on Friday runs 9-1 and is outside. It’s one block from the house. Walk down Bridge St. (towards the bridge), turn left at the stop sign and you will run into the market at the top of the hill. There is a woman who sells apples only and they are amazing. Highly recommend! The Saturday market is a few blocks away and runs year round. It’s located behind the Co-op.
Don't miss
Belfast City Park
Belfast City Park has basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts. It’s a 10 min walk from the house and has a beautiful bay view. The pickleball players are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Drop in any time and play for free. All courts are first come first serve.
Don't miss
Getting on the water
There are several ways to get on the water in Belfast. I recommend stopping by the town dock (across from Nautilus restaurant) for more information. There’s the Back and Forth tour boat, fishing tours, and several groups offering rowing or kayak tours.
Don't miss
Yoga in the Park
Belfast has several yoga studios within walking distance of Bridge St. One of my favorites, Ananda Yoga, also offers outdoor yoga classes during the summer in Steamboat Landing Park. Be sure to check their website for schedule info.