Day Trip: Wiscasset to Thomaston, Maine

See a Dramatic Lighthouse, a Quaint Fishing Village and More

The village of Wiscasset, which describes itself as the "prettiest village in Maine," is on Route 1 about 10 minutes north of Bath. If you arrive in Wiscasset hungry, stop at Sarah's Cafe right on Route 1, just before the bridge (if you're heading north). The food is fresh, filling, varied and inexpensive, and there are great views of the Sheepscot River. If you're NOT hungry, work up an appetite by checking out some of the local antique shops and art galleries and THEN eat at Sarah's. Right across the street from Sarah's is Red's Eats, a small food stand that draws crowds every summer. Their lobster roll is said to be one of the best in Maine.

Leaving Wiscasset, take U.S. Route 1 North (East) over the bridge. If you have time for a short detour, turn right onto Eddy Road immediately after the bridge and follow for one-half mile, then take the next right onto Fort Road to Fort Edgecomb. The site has a large picnic area with beautiful views of the Sheepscot River, harbor seals and nesting osprey. The fort is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Continuing on Route 1, Sheepscot River Pottery, on the left just after the bridge leaving Wiscasset, is well worth a visit, especially if you're looking for Maine gifts to take back home. Don't miss the opportunity to go out the back door and relax in a lawn chair while enjoying yet more views of the beautiful and serene Sheepscot River.

Back out on Route 1, head to Newcastle and take Route 130 South, a country road that will take you through Bristol, New Harbor and all the way to Pemaquid Point, where you'll want to stop at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park for a look at the Pemaquid Lighthouse and a dramatic, quintessential view of the rockbound coast of Maine. Kids and adults alike will want to scramble over the massive, furrowed granite ledges that protect the lighthouse from the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a great place for a picnic lunch. The park is open late May through mid-October.

Backtrack up Route 130 North into New Harbor, and take Route 32 North, following it almost all the way to Route 1, into the town of Waldoboro, where you'll turn right on Main Street and then take Route 220 South to Friendship, a quaint fishing village on Muscongus Bay. Enjoy watching the Maine windjammers you'll see sailing in Friendship Harbor and the lobstermen pulling their lobster traps.

Leave Friendship via Route 97 North (and East) through Cushing and into Thomaston. If you're a Wyeth fan, you'll want to stop in Cushing to visit the Olson House, made famous by Andrew Wyeth in his painting: Christina's World.

When you reach Thomaston, turn right onto Route 1 North. You'll come to the Maine State Prison Showroom, where you can purchase a wide variety of handcrafted items, from furniture to ship models, created by inmates. Route 1 through the town of Thomaston is lined with stately old colonial homes and sea captains' houses from a bygone era.

If you're staying overnight somewhere in the Midcoast region of Maine, you can continue your sightseeing by staying on Route 1 North to Rockland and Camden, worthwhile destinations in their own right. When you're ready to return, Route 1 South will take you all the way back to Wiscasset, Bath and beyond.