How many of you read the headline of this article and had ten different towns come to mind? We wouldn’t be surprised because Maine’s small towns are some of the best in New England. Mainers have long known that we have some special places, but travel website, Matador, recently agreed. The travel website recently named this town to their 2017 list of the world’s best towns to visit! Read on for why!
Belfast is lovingly nicknamed “Moonbat Kingdon” due to its progressive residents.
smilla4 / Flickr
It has a palpable “hippy” vibe with art and various messages to others throughout.
Sarah S / Flickr
It’s located at the mouth of the Passagassawakeag River where it flows into Penobscot Bay.
JR P / Flickr Along with its waterfront location and funky vibe, the town has plenty to do! We’ve given you a few ideas here, but take a visit and find your own fun things to do. There certainly are plenty of options!
For starters try these:
Stroll along the Belfast Harbor Walk.
lithuanian8416 / TripAdvisor Take a stroll from one end of the town to the other using this clearly marked and generally flat trail. Walking along the water is beautiful and you’ll be led through the working waterfront. After the official trail ends, another continues inland. The trail begins and ends on the east end of The Footbridge across the Passagassawakeag River.
Flip the pages at Left Bank Books.
Lindsday M / TripAdvisor Give your Kindle a rest and buy yourself a real book. Like people used in the old days! Left Bank Books gets high reviews for having items in stock that the big guys don’t tend to have. Visit them at: 09 Church Street, Belfast / 207-338-9009
Take in the curiosities at Perry’s Nut House.
James H / TripAdvisor There’s not much we can say about Perry’s that will truly do it justice. One part museum of relics and oddities and one part gift shop, this mainstay is worth a stop if you’re driving through the area. Visit them at: 45 Searsport Avenue in Belfast on the south side of Route 1 / 207-338-1630
Ride (or walk!) the Passy Rail Trail.
Etienne P / TripAdvisor Beginning in town, you can hike or bike for several miles on this trail which follows the former railway line along the Passagassawakeag River. Many people choose to bike, but it’s also wonderful for running or walking.
Get out on the high seas with Henry Rusk Sail Company.
management / TripAdvisor If you love sailing wooden boats, this is the boat trip for you. Reviews say that the boat is superb and the captain is both knowledgeable and friendly. Visit them at: Thompson’s Wharf in Belfast / 207-505-6451
Stock up on local food at the Belfast Farmers’ Market.
Belfast Farmers’ Market / Facebook One of the best selections of organic fruits and veggies you’ll find can be found in Belfast. Established in 1980, it operates as a non-profit membership organization that oversees the establishment of market guidelines, sets quality standards, promotes the market, and encourages growth of the regional food supply. You’ll find seasonal foods in both the summer (Fridays, from May through October 9am-1pm) and winter (Fridays, November through March 9am-1pm). They accept credit and debit cards as well as EBT/SNAP payments. Visit them at: 256 High Street, Belfast.
Spot the elephant atop the Colonial Theater in town.
Doug Kerr / Flickr If you visited Perry’s Nut House when you were younger, you might notice that today it’s missing its elephant resident. He’s not there anymore because he’s actually on the roof of the Colonial Theater now. He was sold in 1997 and subsequent attempts to buy him back to return him to his former home at Perry’s Nut House have failed. So, you’ll have to visit him here. On this roof. For now. Visit him at 63 High Street, Belfast / 207-338-5087
Or, skip all of that completely and simply sit and enjoy the Belfast view and laid back vibes!
marissandrew / Flickr
If you’re making the trip to Belfast, be sure to check out Perry’s Nut House along the way. It’s one of Maine’s best known (and bizarre!) attractions!
smilla4 / Flickr
Sarah S / Flickr
JR P / Flickr
Along with its waterfront location and funky vibe, the town has plenty to do! We’ve given you a few ideas here, but take a visit and find your own fun things to do. There certainly are plenty of options!
For starters try these:
lithuanian8416 / TripAdvisor
Take a stroll from one end of the town to the other using this clearly marked and generally flat trail. Walking along the water is beautiful and you’ll be led through the working waterfront. After the official trail ends, another continues inland. The trail begins and ends on the east end of The Footbridge across the Passagassawakeag River.
Lindsday M / TripAdvisor
Give your Kindle a rest and buy yourself a real book. Like people used in the old days! Left Bank Books gets high reviews for having items in stock that the big guys don’t tend to have. Visit them at: 09 Church Street, Belfast / 207-338-9009
James H / TripAdvisor
There’s not much we can say about Perry’s that will truly do it justice. One part museum of relics and oddities and one part gift shop, this mainstay is worth a stop if you’re driving through the area. Visit them at: 45 Searsport Avenue in Belfast on the south side of Route 1 / 207-338-1630
Etienne P / TripAdvisor
Beginning in town, you can hike or bike for several miles on this trail which follows the former railway line along the Passagassawakeag River. Many people choose to bike, but it’s also wonderful for running or walking.
management / TripAdvisor
If you love sailing wooden boats, this is the boat trip for you. Reviews say that the boat is superb and the captain is both knowledgeable and friendly. Visit them at: Thompson’s Wharf in Belfast / 207-505-6451
Belfast Farmers’ Market / Facebook
One of the best selections of organic fruits and veggies you’ll find can be found in Belfast. Established in 1980, it operates as a non-profit membership organization that oversees the establishment of market guidelines, sets quality standards, promotes the market, and encourages growth of the regional food supply. You’ll find seasonal foods in both the summer (Fridays, from May through October 9am-1pm) and winter (Fridays, November through March 9am-1pm). They accept credit and debit cards as well as EBT/SNAP payments. Visit them at: 256 High Street, Belfast.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
If you visited Perry’s Nut House when you were younger, you might notice that today it’s missing its elephant resident. He’s not there anymore because he’s actually on the roof of the Colonial Theater now. He was sold in 1997 and subsequent attempts to buy him back to return him to his former home at Perry’s Nut House have failed. So, you’ll have to visit him here. On this roof. For now. Visit him at 63 High Street, Belfast / 207-338-5087
marissandrew / Flickr
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