Founded in 1703, Bath built a reputation as “The City of Ships” in the mid-18th century as a major contributor to the shipbuilding industry. While the city still honors its rich nautical history today, maintained by the Bath Historical Society and Patten Free Library, it is much more than that. “I think of Bath as the gateway to the Mid Coast region, which is spectacularly beautiful and filled with a lot of interesting people,” says Elizabeth Manning, assistant director of the library and 5-year resident. Bath residents can explore the Kennebec River and the hiking trails that run through the city or visit one of the local restaurants in the area. Students attend the Regional School Unit 1, which receives a B-minus from Niche.
Aerial view of downtown Bath, Maine
Downtown Bath has many boutique shops to browse.
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Indoor and outdoor fun for Bath residents
Bath has several trails where people can explore some of Maine’s natural features. “The Thorne Head Preserve is a beautiful hike,” Manning says. “You can look out on Merrymeeting Bay, where the rivers come together. It’s beautiful in every season.” Locals can also explore the Butler Head Preserve, which features about 1 mile of trails or go boating and fishing on the Kennebec River, where the dock at Waterfront Park is open from May to mid-November. People can also visit Patten Free Library, which serves Bath and the surrounding towns. Besides offering a quiet workspace and a full calendar of programs such as Read to a Dog, library cardholders can receive free and reduced passes to nearby museums and parks. One of these options is the Maine Maritime Museum, which displays the history of the state’s waterway. The museum’s campus includes the Percy & Small Shipyard, the last intact site in the country that built wooden sailing vessels. The Bath Golf Club is an 18-hole course that opened in 1932 and sits in the northwest part of the community.
The Josephine Newman Sanctuary is a 119-acre nature preserve located south of Bath, Maine.
Thorne Head Preserve is a peaceful respite in Bath.
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Lunch spots and bookstores in Bath
Locals can get a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants in Bath. “I love Winnegance,” Manning says. “It’s a wonderful local, charming little lunch spot.” The restaurant features a rotating menu, so regulars can find a new dish to try. Another eatery is J.R. Maxwell & Co., which serves American favorites. People can end their night with a sweet treat from The Fountain Ice Cream & Deli or a drink from Bath Brewing Company. Residents can get groceries from Shaw’s and do the rest of their shopping at one of the boutiques and stores in the area. There are four bookstores in the city. Because of that and the popularity of the public library, Manning says, “Bath is a very bookish town, and as a librarian, that thrills me.” Lowe’s and Walmart are about 5 miles away, while Target is approximately a 10-mile drive.
Friends enjoy the day at Winnegance Restaurant in bath.
Shaw's is the premier supermarket in Bath.
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Community comes together for Bath Heritage Days
Bath Heritage Days is an annual celebration that starts with a parade on the Fourth of July. “It brings out everybody on the street,” Manning says. “If you’re not in the parade, you’re on the streets cheering.” The rest of the festival programming includes an art market, car show and book sale. The city also hosts a year-round farmers market on Saturday mornings, with the Winter Market held at the Bath Freight Shed from November to mid-April and an outdoor market at Waterfront Park from mid-April to October. “I go every Saturday,” Manning says. “It’s another point of connection. You see the same farmers and the same vendors every week.”
Locals buy their plants to launch off the gardening season at the Bath Garden Club plant sale.
The large Waterfront Park is located along the historic district of Bath.
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Homes that date back to the Nineteenth Century
Homes surrounded by trees sit toward the front of green lawns that stretch to the road, decorated with bushes and colorful gardens. Many of the properties in Bath date back to the 1800s. “We have a history room, and our archives have a lot of house histories, old deed records, things like that,” Manning says. “Oftentimes, when people move or want to learn more about their house history, that’s where they’ll start. You can unearth a lot of really interesting stories.” Colonials and New Englanders, a regional style with simple exteriors and pitched gable roofs, are some of the oldest styles. Some ranch styles and bilevels from the mid-20th century and new construction are scattered throughout the city. Prices typically range from $250,000 to $625,000.
There are a variety of homes in Bath.
This historic red brick Colonial home is nestled in Bath.
This lovely home can be found in Bath.
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U.S. Route 1 connects Bath to Portland
Bath is a largely car-dependent city. U.S. Route 1 gives residents easy access to the rest of the Mid Coast and leads about 35 miles to Portland while having minimal impact on the quiet atmosphere. Most people will fly out of Portland International Jetport, and the nearest emergency room is at Mid Coast Hospital, about 5 miles away.
Downtown Portland is about 35 miles away from Bath.
Aerial photo of route 1 which runs through downtown Bath, Maine.
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Students attend Regional School Unit 01 schools
As part of the Regional School Unit 01, students can start at Fisher-Mitchell School, which boasts a student-teacher ratio of nine to one. Next, children can go to Bath Middle School, where they can join clubs such as the student council and yearbook before attending Morse High School. All three schools earn a B-minus from Niche.
Morse High School serves Bath, Maine.
Bath Middle School serves the West Bath neighborhood.
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