Camden Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Nestled along the picturesque coast of Maine, the town of Camden is a charming destination that captures the essence of New England. Known for its stunning natural beauty, historic charm, and vibrant arts scene, Camden offers something for every traveler.

One of the town's most iconic landmarks is Camden Harbor, a bustling waterfront area where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Stroll along the scenic boardwalk lined with quaint shops, bustling cafes, and seafood restaurants, and watch as sailboats gracefully glide across the water. For a closer look at the harbor, hop on a scenic boat tour or rent a kayak and explore the rugged coastline at your own pace.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of outdoor activities in Camden. Just a short drive away, Camden Hills State Park offers miles of hiking trails that wind through lush forests and lead to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the surrounding mountains and islands. The park is also home to Mount Battie, where visitors can hike or drive to the summit and enjoy sweeping vistas of the town and harbor below.

History buffs will find plenty to explore in Camden as well. The town's rich maritime heritage is showcased at the Maine Maritime Museum, where exhibits delve into the region's seafaring past. Take a step back in time by visiting the Camden Public Library, a beautiful Victorian building that houses an extensive collection of books and rare manuscripts.

Art lovers will appreciate Camden's vibrant arts scene, which is evident in its numerous galleries and studios. Explore the works of local artists, from paintings to sculptures, or attend one of the town's many art festivals and events.

After a day of exploration, indulge in the town's culinary delights. Camden is renowned for its fresh seafood, and visitors can savor the flavors of the sea at waterfront restaurants that serve up delicious lobster rolls, clam chowder, and other regional specialties.

Alternative names: Population: 3.6 thous.Area: 26.65 mi²Elevation: 13 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°12'35"N, 69°3'53"W

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MaineUnited States

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Camden Top Attractions

Camden Attractions - What to See and Explore

Camden offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Curtis Island Light, Lewis R. French, Surprise, Camden Great Fire Historic District. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Lighthouse • Vernacular architecture
Curtis Island Light
Curtis Island Light, originally Negro Island Light, is a lighthouse marking the approach to the harbor of Camden, Maine. It is located on Curtis Island, which shelters the harbor from ocean storms.
Nature and wildlife tours • Ship • Historical and heritage tours
Lewis R. French
Lewis R. French is a gaff-rigged topsail schooner sailing out of Camden, Maine as a "Maine windjammer" offering weeklong cruises to tourists.
Boat tours • Ship • Eco tours
Surprise
Surprise is a two-masted former racing schooner berthed in Camden, Maine. Built in 1917-18 in Rockport, Massachusetts, she is one of a small number of surviving schooners designed by noted naval architect Thomas F. McManus.

Historical place • Neighbourhood
Camden Great Fire Historic District
The Camden Great Fire Historic District encompasses a significant portion of the central business district of the town of Camden, Maine, United States.
Opera • Concerts and shows • Concert hall
Camden Opera House Block
The Camden Opera House Block is a historic multifunction building at 29 Elm Street in the center of Camden, Maine, United States. Built in 1893 after the town's great 1892 fire, it is one of its most prominent buildings. It houses town offices, a social meeting hall, and a 500-seat theater.
Library
Camden Public Library
The Camden Public Library is the public library serving Camden, Maine, United States. It is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ship
Grace Bailey
Grace Bailey, also known for many years as Mattie, is a two-masted schooner whose home port is Camden Harbor, Camden, Maine. Built in 1882 in Patchogue, New York, she is one of four surviving two-masted wooden-hulled schooners, once the most common vessel in the American coasting trade.
Park • Shingle style architecture
High Street Historic District
The High Street Historic District encompasses a well-preserved 19th-century residential area of Camden, Maine. Extending along High Street, the district has maintained its character since the 1920s, despite encroaching commercialization of nearby areas, and retains a cross-section of architecture of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
44°12'40"N • 69°3'46"W
American Boathouse
The American Boathouse is a historic boathouse on Atlantic Avenue in Camden, Maine. Built in 1904, it is one of the nation's oldest recreational boathouses.
Park • Greek Revival architecture
Chestnut Street Historic District
The Chestnut Street Historic District encompasses a predominantly residential part of Camden, Maine, United States, which represents a cross-section of the town's architectural history, and of its transition from a shipping center to a summer resort community.
Ship
Mercantile
Mercantile is a two-masted schooner berthed in Camden Harbor, Camden, Maine. Built in the 1914-16 on Little Deer Isle, Maine, she is one of a small number of such vessels still afloat from a time when they were one of the most common cargo vessels of the coasting trade.
44°12'31"N • 69°3'53"W
Chestnut Street Baptist Church - Camden
Sacred and religious sites • Church
44°12'3"N • 69°4'58"W
Merryspring Nature Center
Hiking trail • Garden • Park
Museum • History museum
Conway House
The Conway House is an historic house and museum in Rockport and Camden, Maine. Probably built in the 1770s, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Knox County. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
44°12'31"N • 69°3'53"W
US Post Office-Camden Main
The U.S. Post Office-Camden Main is the main post office of Camden, Maine. It is located at 28 Chestnut Street, in a Beaux Arts building designed by Oscar Wenderoth and completed in 1913. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 for its architecture.
44°13'0"N • 69°3'25"W
Norumbega Carriage House
The Norumbega Carriage House is a historic house on High Street in Camden, Maine. Built in 1886 as the carriage house for the adjacent Norumbega Castle of Joseph B. Stearns, it is now a private residence. It was designed by Norumbega's architect, Arthur B.
44°13'4"N • 69°3'26"W
Norumbega Castle
Norumbega Castle is a historic house at 63 High Street in Camden, Maine. Built in 1886-87 for duplex telegraph inventor Joseph Barker Stearns, it is one of Mid Coast Maine's most elaborate 19th-century summer houses, exhibiting a sophisticated Queen Anne style in stone and wood. It now houses the Norumbega Inn, a bed and breakfast inn.
Sailing • Yacht club • Shingle style architecture
Camden Yacht Club
The Camden Yacht Club is a yacht club serving the boating community of Penobscot Bay located at 68 Bay View Street in Camden, Maine, United States. Founded in 1906, it offers a variety of programs seasonally, as well as mooring facilities to its members and the general public.

Day trips

Camden – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Camden, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Fort Knox (Bucksport), Cadillac Mountain (Acadia National Park), Pemaquid Point Light (Bristol).

28 milesNE
Historical place, Museum, Military museum
Fort Knox, Bucksport
Fort Knox, not to be confused with the famed gold depository in Kentucky, is a historic gem nestled in the town of Prospect, Maine. This state park offers visitors a glimpse into America's past through well-preserved military architecture and scenic surroundings.
43 milesE
Sweeping summit with panoramic views
Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain, the crowning jewel of Acadia National Park in Maine, stands as a beacon for explorers and nature enthusiasts alike. The mountain, which is the highest point on the United States' East Coast, reaches an impressive elevation of 1,530 feet above sea...
34 milesSW
Lighthouse, Vernacular architecture
Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol
Perched on the rocky coastline of Bristol, Maine, the Pemaquid Point Light stands as a testament to New England's maritime heritage. This iconic lighthouse, with its classic white-brick facade and black lantern room, has been guiding sailors since its establishment in...
27 milesNE
Observation decks and towers, Bridge
Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory, Bucksport
The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a 2,120 feet long cable-stayed bridge that carries US 1/SR 3 over the Penobscot River. It connects Verona Island to Prospect, in the U.S. state of Maine. It opened in December, 2006, replacing the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, built in 1931.
36 milesE
19th-century cliffside lighthouse
Bass Harbor Head Light, Acadia National Park
Bass Harbor Head Light is a lighthouse located within Acadia National Park in the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.