Day On, Day Off: Samoset Resort & Mid-Coast Maine
When it comes to things to do in Rockport, Maine, we have the perfect ways to spend two days – the first occupied with the offerings at Samoset Resort; the second, a full day in town.
Day On at Samoset Resort
A Morning Round of Golf
© Michele Creelman, @michelerb
Hit the links with an early tee time at the impeccably maintained Samoset Golf Course. Seven of the 18 holes are directly on the ocean, while seven more feature beautiful views of the bay. Whether it’s just you and a partner or the whole family, we think you’ll enjoy it – Golf Digest named the Samoset Golf Course one of their “Top 10 Destinations for Family Golf Trips” in 2016, and while it can be moderately challenging, it’s playable for golfers of all skill levels.
Games, Games, Games
Are you (or a member of the family) not a golfer? No problem. The Ultimate Backyard is a guest favorite at the resort. Anchored by a zero-entry pool, this outdoor activity center is home to tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, volleyball, badminton, and croquet courts. If you’re more of a lawn game guy or gal, take a turn at corn hole, or try your hand in the nine-hole disc golf course. If you have any climbers (read: kids) in the family, they’ll want to spend some time monkeying around on the playground.
They Call It the Perfect Massage for a Reason
Treat yourself to the (aptly named) Signature Perfect Massage at Samoset Resort’s spa – you are on vacation, after all. After a consultation, where you’ll speak with a therapist about your needs (sore muscles, knots, poor circulation), you’ll savor every one of the 80 minutes that you’re being pampered with a massage perfectly tailored to you, based on your body’s unique needs.
A Taste of Italy
When you think of coastal Maine, it may not conjure images of the Italian countryside, but that’s what you get when you step into La Bella Vita. Richly furnished with wood finishes, romantic lighting, a wood-fired brick oven, and Italy-inspired artwork on the walls, this restaurant pulls out all the stops to deliver an authentic Italian dining experience. When it comes to the menu, it’s a classic can’t-go-wrong situation, but if you need a push in one direction, try the Chicken Piccata, with lemon, capers, white wine, romano, and fresh herbs over spaghetti.
Finish It off with a Nightcap
It’s been a busy day, and you may be ready to call it a night – but before returning to your suite, stop and enjoy a nightcap to put the day to rest. Continuing the Italian theme from dinner, Enoteca Lounge has the friendly, neighborhood feel of an urban Italian wine bar and is the ideal relaxed setting to reflect on your day and plan for the next with your travel companions. Sit inside by the fireplace in the living room area amid the authentic Italian decor or on the terrace outside by the fire pit.
Day Off in Mid-Coast Maine
Breakfast at Home
It’s not home, but it’s close. Home Kitchen Cafe, on Main Street in Rockland, Maine, is a favorite of locals and a Yelp darling to boot. The warmly decorated, folksy cafe has a menu packed with hearty and fresh dishes – all the favorites you’d expect at a place like this (and all made in-house) – but we recommend the Huevos Rancheros: two poached eggs with spicy ranchero sauce topped with pepperjack cheese over black beans, with homemade salsa, cilantro, sour cream, and avocado, on a handmade corn tortilla. An added bonus: There’s outdoor seating set up on the rooftop patio for an alfresco breakfast with views of Main Street.
Take a Scenic Drive to a Rustic Farm Winery
© Emily Qualey
Maine’s coastal route of US 1 may be one of the most scenic stretches of road in the country. So take the drive from Rockland to Camden nice and slow to soak in those rugged ocean views. But, although it may be hard to turn away, once you hit the heart of Camden, you’re going to hop off Route 1 and turn inland through farm country and to the sprawling property of Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville. Here, indulge in an $8 tasting of their small-batch Maine-made wines – crafted from grapes sourced from the on-site vineyard as well as premier vineyards across the country – in the dining room of their large 200-year-old barn, on the decks, or in the vineyard.
Stroll Through Camden
Heading back south, you’d be remiss to not spend some time strolling through this gem of a Mid-Coast Maine town. In fact, it might be one of the prettiest in the state for the way the picture-perfect harbor is framed against the mountains of Camden Hills State Park, and the downtown stately brick buildings double as art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. A few of our favorite stops all within easy walking distance of one another on Main Street: The Smiling Cow, a seasonal giftshop that has been a landmark business since 1940; Glendarragh Farm Lavendar Store, featuring soaps, sachets, and lotions all made from the fresh lavender grown at their nearby farm in Appleton; and Swan’s Island Company, renowned for their award-winning handwoven blankets and hand-dyed yarns all made in an 1800s farmhouse in nearby Northport, Maine.
Eat at an Icon
Having occupied the same space in the ever-evolving downtown dining scene of Rockland for the last 10 years, In Good Company has become an icon among the Midcoast’s best restaurants. Managed by a Rockland native and grad of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, the restaurant – set in an old bank building with an ornate plaster ceiling – specializes in the town’s most expansive wine list and a dynamic, ever-changing menu (expect a new lineup each week) featuring small and large plates, often with a Mediterranean flair, but with Maine seafood and beef.
Where to Stay Samoset Resort
