Smithsonian Magazine writes:

Bath is known as the “City of Ships,” a center of nautical history that was once a major supplier of 19th century sailing vessels. These days it’s the home of naval shipbuilders, Bath Iron Works, as well as Maine’s First Ship, a local nonprofit currently reconstructing the Virginia, a 51-foot-long replica of the first English ship built in the Americas (in 1607), for use as a floating classroom. Originally planning to launch this year, the more-than-a-decade-long project has been delayed due to Covid, and is rescheduled for spring 2022. Bath is also where you’ll find the Maine Maritime Museum, a 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River that features boat building demos, exhibits like the newly renovated “Snow Squall: An American Clipper,” and even the restored Percy & Small Shipyard, America’s only surviving wooden shipyard site. The museum offers lighthouse and nature cruises, including one for “mini mariners” 12-and-under, throughout the summer.

But while shipbuilding remains a prominent part of Bath’s lure, the small town has plenty more to offer, such as a downtown historic district filled with architectural treasures, from Queen Anne-style manors to Federal and Greek-Revival civic buildings. Now in its 50th year, Sagadahoc Preservation, Inc., is dedicated to preserving and maintaining this structural heritage. To celebrate their Golden Jubilee, the organization is hosting a walking tour of the city’s hidden gardens, June 19.

This year also marks two decades since Main Street Bath came onto the scene, breathing new life (and bringing economic security) into the downtown commercial district. This includes the annual summer concert series, a series of outdoor performances ranging from jazz ensembles to Fleetwood Mac tribute bands that Main Street Bath puts together in collaboration with the town’s Chocolate Church Arts Center, named for its chocolatey brown exterior.

Today you’ll also find spots like the Bath Brewing Company, where house-brewed IPAs and Irish Reds come served alongside plates of bacon-topped cheese fries and short rib sliders. Other dining options include Bruno’s, with its wood-fired specialty pizzas, and local stalwart J.R. Maxwell & Company, known for its beer-batter-fried seafood and weekend prime rib special. If it’s Whoopie pies and pecan sticky buns you’re after, you can’t go wrong at Bath’s landmark Mae’s Cafe and Bakery, which also serves breakfast all day.

For nature lovers, Bath is home to Kennebec Estuary and its five-mile-long, multi-use Whiskeag Trail. Both bald eagles and amphibians enjoy the mixed woods and freshwater marshes of Thorne Head Preserve, while nearby Reid State Park is known for its sandy beaches, coastal dunes and island views.

Read Entire Article from Smithsonian Magazine by clicking here.

Activities: Walking, sightseeing, dining, shopping, hiking, beaches
Family-friendly, great for a day trip or overnight
Region: Maine’s MidCoast & Islands

Historically one of Maine’s largest cities and a major supplier of America’s 19th-century sailing vessels, this charming town skirting the Kennebec River is known as the “City of Ships.” Today, Bath's maritime influence is still present throughout the quaint town of redbrick sidewalks, local shops and restaurants housed in architecturally classic American-style buildings. Sail into Bath, and you’ll find plenty to do—in town and beyond.

Start your visit by exploring downtown Bath’s eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and museums along tree-lined avenues. Satisfy your inner child with a visit to Island Treasure Toys for puzzles, games and craft kits, and then enjoy a treat at Bath’s Sweete Shoppe, a cheerfully robin-egg-blue candy shop offering sweet delights and gifts. For book lovers, Mockingbird Bookshop offers timeless classics, new releases and local favorites, as well as steaming cups of tea to-go, while Open Door Bookstore specializes in rare and out-of-print books. Refresh your space at Maine Street Design Co Shop with a selection of local home décor products and a professional design team ready to assist you. Home cooks and kitchen gadget lovers know that Now You’re Cooking is a must when it comes to cookware shopping. They also carry a wonderful wine selection. Halcyon Yarn is a utopia for knitters, crocheters and other fiber artists with their wide selection of signature yarns. The year-round Farmers’ Market is the perfect spot to find what’s in season, plus local crafts. And for the ultimate Maine (shopping) adventure, don’t forget a stop at Reny’s for just about anything from snacks to shoes.

When your shopping bags are sufficiently filled, head to Kennebec Tavern for lunch along the riverfront and choose from a generous selection of seafood, sandwiches and pasta. Mae’s Café and Bakery is a local favorite serving breakfast and lunch all day. Wood-fired pizza is the specialty at Burano’s and Solo Pane Pasticceria on Centre Street serves fresh breads and beguiling pastries.

Afterwards, a good walk may be exactly what is called for, and there’s no better place to do so than at Linwood E. Temple Waterfront Park overlooking the sprawling Kennebec River. Dog-friendly and with plenty of decks and benches, you can relax while enjoying some beautiful views. Library Park is another perfect spot for relaxing or a picnic. The William Zorach Spirit of the Sea fountain takes center stage in the park.

Part of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, Thorne Head Preserve is a scenic and easily accessible gem offering wonderful hiking and biking opportunities.

Just a seven-minute drive away, the Maine Maritime Museum will bring you back into Bath’s ship-building heyday with vibrant interactive exhibits on its 20-acre waterfront campus featuring indoor galleries, the only surviving wooden shipyard in the country, a working boat shop, a restored historic schooner and more.

Bath’s proximity to scenic Georgetown and Reid State Park (about 17-minute and 25-minute drives, respectively) make it an ideal place to spend more time so consider an overnight stay for a couple of days. The Kennebec Inn, Pryor House B&B, or Benjamin F. Packard House Bed and Breakfast are all charmingly comfortable options that will leave you refreshed and ready to take on your day. The Hampton Inn is perfectly situated on the riverfront and close to downtown Bath.

Head south to Georgetown to discover the Josephine Newman Audubon Sanctuary, 119 acres of trails winding through salt marsh, meadow, forest and coastline. Reid State Park will stun and dazzle with its impossibly long, wide sand beaches and rocky headlands overlooking sweeping seascapes, lighthouses and islands. Even in the winter, the park is a serene and beautiful escape—perfect for a refreshing beach walk. If you enjoy your stay in Bath, consider visiting nearby Brunswick for an extra day.

Mileage:
From Ellsworth: 100 miles
From Bangor: 114 miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 28 miles
From Portland: 34 miles

To read the full article from visitmaine.com click here.