Sailboats, seafood and the arts scene shape life in Boothbay Harbor
About 60 miles northeast of Portland, Boothbay Harbor is a coastal community in Lincoln County. The harbor leads into the Gulf of Maine, and waterfront homes offer scenic views of sailboats heading into the sunset. Here in Midcoast Maine, fishing is a prominent industry, particularly for lobster, and seafood restaurants offer fresh catches. But the economy is driven by tourism, and summer is the busy season. Boothbay Harbor is also known for its visual and performing arts, with galleries and performance venues attracting top talent. Boothbay Harbor attracts a combination of vacationers, renters and year-round inhabitants. Of its roughly 3,000 residents, about 45% of the population is over the age of 65, significantly above the national average.
Boothbay Harbor blends nautical traditions with creative attractions
There’s always something going on in Boothbay Harbor, whether it’s a First Friday Art Tour, a boat race or a fishing competition off the coast. One of the community’s longest running traditions is Windjammer Days: for over 60 years, sailboats, schooners and a variety of vessels have glided into Boothbay Harbor to mark the beginning of summer. The Maine State Aquarium has exhibits on sea creatures like lobsters, starfish and stingrays. Since 1894, award-winning performers have showcased their talents—from folk music to Broadway tunes—at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor.
Boothbay Harbor’s historic homes and modern coastal builds
Homes may have views of the woods or the water, or sit side-by-side on compact, grassy lots. Residences were built between the late 1800s and mid-2020s across a variety of styles, like Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and Victorian. Common architectural features include front gabled roofs and shutters. Prices typically range from about $380,000 to $675,000. However, fixer-uppers start at about $190,000, while spacious homes with harbor views can cost up to $1.5 million. “If you’re right on the water, property values are significantly higher,” says Randall “Randy” Miller, a real estate associate at Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, who sells in Boothbay Harbor. Condos may fall between $280,000 and $740,000, depending on size.
Wooden decks and front porches allow owners to enjoy the coastal breezes from the comfort of their homes. But sometimes, bad windstorms blow through the area. “We had back-to-back storms of the century,” Miller says, referencing storms in January of 2024 that damaged roads and private properties. “There was a lot of devastation from the storms last year, so insurance goes up.”
Fishing, boating and hiking around Boothbay Harbor
Local fishing boats, kayakers and stately sailboats share the waters of the active harbor. Working and recreational fishermen find that striped bass and lobsters are plentiful in the surrounding waters. Barrett’s Park overlooks the waterfront; shallow pools along the rocky shore offer spots to dip in the cool water or watch the boats sail past. Further inland, hikers and dog walkers can explore the trails at Penny Lake Preserve and Lobster Cove Meadow. These paths wind through woodlands and wetlands, past wild berries and mushrooms.
Coastal flavor and local shops in Boothbay Harbor
A plethora of seafood restaurants, cafés, gift shops and art galleries are clustered downtown near the Town Wharf. On the other side of the harbor and a bit removed from the primary commercial area, Boothbay Lobster Wharf is a popular, laid-back spot serving freshly caught lobsters. This restaurant doubles as a working wharf where guests can choose which lobsters they want to eat. This restaurant, like some others in the community, closes in the winter. Shoppers can purchase more local seafood at the farmers’ market held seasonally at Boothbay Common on Thursday mornings. Pinkham’s Gourmet Market sells specialty food items, and a wider grocery selection is available at Hannaford.
Boothbay Harbor students attend schools rated B on Niche
Students are zoned for the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Central School District, rated B-minus on Niche. Elementary and middle schoolers may attend Boothbay Region Elementary and teens may attend Boothbay Region High; both schools are rated B. The elementary school incorporates place-based learning in addition to the traditional classroom setting, allowing kids to learn about marine science and local industries directly from Maine’s islands.
Getting around Boothbay Harbor
Although roads gently slope and not all have sidewalks, Boothbay Harbor is somewhat bikeable and walkable, especially down by the wharf. A free trolley loops the area daily from June to October, picking up passengers from restaurants, hotels and other designated stops. State Route 27 runs through the community, leading north to U.S. Route 1, which connects to other major regional highways. MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital is about 15 miles north and Portland International Jetport is about 60 miles southwest.
