Reid State Park on the Atlantic Ocean is bounded on the east by Sheepscot Bay and on the west by the Little River, and it offers both crashing surf and a calm lagoon. The wide sandy beach is enclosed on each end by dramatic rocky outcroppings.
The 766-acre park actually consists of three beaches: Mile Beach, Half Mile Beach and a smaller beach near the entrance to the park. Mile Beach and Half Mile Beach both protect salt marshes, and the massive sea roses (rosa rugosa) that grow along the water's edge attract a variety of song birds.
There are nature trails throughout the park, two beach houses, snack bars (in season), picnic tables, outdoor grills and a covered pavilion. The park is open all year from 9 a.m. to dusk.
Grey Havens Inn
A short distance down Sequinland Road on the way to Reid State Park, you'll pass the 1904 Grey Havens Inn, the last shingle-style inn on Maine's coast (open from May through October) and a popular Maine wedding venue. The inn has an amazing view from atop a hill overlooking miles of rocky coastline, islands, lighthouses, a harbor, bay and the open ocean.
The Inn has deepwater anchorage, a dock and rowboats that you can use to row to an island wildlife sanctuary just offshore from the inn. Inside, the main room is dominated by a huge stone fireplace and the original 12-foot picture window made in 1904. The guest rooms are simply decorated. Some are on the small side.
The Mooring Bed and Breakfast
Just down the road from the Grey Havens is The Mooring B&B, the remodeled former home of Walter Reid, who donated the land for Reid State Park. The inn offers five unique rooms, all with private baths, air conditioning and beautiful ocean views.
Five Islands Lobster Company
If you want to see a working harbor that epitomizes coastal Maine, follow Route 127 south until it ends at the tiny village of Five Islands. Here you can eat lunch or dinner on the wharf at the Love Nest or the Five Islands Lobster Compnay while watching fishermen and lobstermen unloading their catches, or rent a boat and explore the harbor, which is dotted with granite-edged islands and sleek sail boats mixed among the working fishing boats.
Coveside Bed and Breakfast Inn
Coveside B&B is tucked into a secluded rocky cove across from a working lobster wharf near Five Islands. The seven guest rooms are simply but beautifully decorated in a style reminiscent of the seaside cottages of the early 20th century.
To reach the inn, go approximately one mile on Route 127 past the turn for Reid State Park, and turn left onto Old Schoolhouse Road at the white church. After passing the Sheepscott Bay Boat Company on your left, turn left onto North End Road, and watch for the Coveside sign about 100 yards on your right.
Cottage Rentals
Georgetown has a number of cottage rentals available during the summer months. For example, tucked away in Mussel Cove in the Five Islands area of Georgetown, is a cozy three-bedroom, one-bath waterfront cottage with a dock and float for boaters and kayakers and great views for tide watchers. Call 760-652-9566 or visit Mussel Cove Vacation Rental. Other cottage rentals are available on the Back River at Back River Bend Cottages and in Five Islands.
Deena's Lobsters
At nearby Deena's Lobsters, you can enjoy another quintessential Maine eating experience. Ask the locals how to get to this small working wharf where you can eat lobster and other fresh seafood outside in a simple, beautiful waterfront setting (don't let the unpaved road approaching Deena's discourage you).
Seguin Island Lighthouse
At the mouth of the Kennebec River lies Seguin Island, a barren hunk of rock that is home to Seguin Island Lighthouse, built in 1857. Georgetown is the nearest town to the lighthouse, but it can be seen (with binoculars) from Popham Beach in Phippsburg or, better yet, on one of the cruises offered by boating companies in Boothbay Harbor and Bath.
In addition to the tower itself, the island has a keeper's house, a boathouse and a tramway that was used to transport supplies to the keeper's house perched on the top of the island.
If you stick to Route 1 while exploring Maine's coast, you'll miss some of the most spectacular scenery, finest restaurants and most authentic fishing villages in the state. Georgetown, just 45 minutes from Portland, offers all of this and more.
