Blog - Pentagöet Inn

Discover Barred Island Preserve

Fans of the nature, Maine’s gorgeous coastline, and a good hike will enjoy a visit to Barred Island Preserve, a quiet island sanctuary accessible only at low tide. Barred Island Preserve is a quiet, 28 acre, natural sanctuary located on the west side of Deer Isle, ME. It was once owned by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822 – 1903), famed landscape architect responsible for the creation of New York’s Central Park, among many other places. He was also one of the founding fathers of the national park system. Carolyn Olmstead, Olmstead’s grand-niece, donated the island to The Nature Conservancy in 1969. It is is currently managed by the Island Heritage Trust, a nonprofit land trust founded in 1987 by residents wanting to protect the land. The Preserve is a popular destination for nature lovers. Nature trails, well known for their beauty and wildlife, wind through a dark, moss blanketed forest to the beach. Hiking Barred Island Preserve The Preserve offers 1.5 miles of nature trails, rated easy to moderate, leading through a shaded, hilly, moss covered forest of spruce, fir, birch, and maple. In fact, this shadowy coastal forest has one of the thickest, most beautiful blankets of green moss around. Interpretive signs along the trail describe some of the unusual growths that you’ll see. The number and variety of birds found in the preserve will delight birders. Swainson’s thrushes, golden-crowned kinglets, red-breasted nuthatches, blackburnian warblers, blue-headed vireos, black-throated green warblers, and more. The main trail leads to a beach, while a side trail, the Shore Loop trail, leads to two memorial benches on a boulder called Prayer Rock. If you arrive at the beach at low tide, you can cross the sandbar to explore Barred Island. Just make sure you know when the tide is going to come back in because, once it does, that sandbar will be under 5 feet of water! Barred Island, is a tiny, scrubby, undeveloped wild island with no trail to follow. Most just enjoy the views of Penobscot Bay and Goose Cove from the granite slabs that make up its shoreline. Exercise caution if you decide to follow suit. The rocks can be slippery near the waterline. Getting There The Barred Island Preserve parking area is just under an hour’s drive from our Maine coast inn on Goose Cove Road in Deer Isle. Take the ME-166 from the inn to ME-166A S. Then turn right onto ME-199 N and follow it as it becomes first ME-175 S, then ME-15 S. Stay on Route 15 as you cross from Little Deer Isle onto Deer Isle, heading south for 4.1 miles until you can take a right on Main Street. Follow Main Street for a half mile, then turn left at the fork onto Sunset Road. Stay on Sunset Road for 2.7 miles, then turn right onto Goose Cove Road. Follow Goose Cove Road, keeping left at the intersections, for around 0.8 of a mile. The Barred Island Preserve parking area and trailhead will be on your left. If the lot is full, Island Heritage Trust requests that you visit another preserve or try another time. There is no alternate parking for the preserve along the road or anywhere else. This rule limits the number of people at the preserve, helping to maintain it as the special place it is. The preserve is open to the public for day use only. Maps of the preserve are available at the trailhead kiosk and the Island Heritage Trust office, located at 420 Sunset Road in Deer Isle. Learn more at the Island Heritage Trust. You can also view a preserve brochure with information and a map. Spend a few hours out soaking up the beauty of the unique, coastal Maine landscape, then it’s just a short drive back to your room at back to Pentagöet Inn & Wine Bar. Rejuvenate with some complimentary afternoon refreshments and don’t forget the inn is also home to a Wine Bar and Pub. How’s that for comfort and convenience?

Castine House and Garden Tour 2022

Have you ever caught a peep of a fantastic house or garden and wished you could see more? Well, during Castine House and Garden Tour 2022, you can! This popular and rare event will open the door to 9 beautiful homes and 6 lush gardens in the seaside village of Castine, ME. 10am to 4pm, July 22, 2022. Seaside Castine is one of Maine’s oldest and loveliest communities. The town dates back to the 1600’s and is home to a great variety of historic architecture. Visitors to Castine will note the collection of stately homes on our shady, elm-lined streets. Federal and Georgian style homes next to Greek Revival and Victorian “cottages”, many of which built in or before 1820. Of course, much of the time these lovely homes and gardens are private. Closed to the prying glances of curious passerby. Once every five years or so, however, the Castine House and Garden Tour throws back the veil and some of the town’s gems are revealed for all who care to see. These popular house and garden tours have been held since 1924 or earlier. They provide a unique and revealing glimpse into an almost island-like seaside village where time sometimes seems to stand still. Castine House and Garden Tour 2022 This year’s event provides the opportunity to tour 9 private homes and 6 gardens overlooking Castine Bay, thanks to the generosity of the homeowners. Ticket holders will receive a map of the houses and gardens on the tour. Signs around town will direct you to parking for the event, within easy walking distance of many tour stops. Attendees can choose to either walk or take the shuttle from stop to stop. There is no set order for the tour, so you can start at any house, or garden you wish. Be sure check in with the attendant before entering the house or garden, however. A special Castine House and Garden Tour Luncheon is also on the schedule, with seatings at 11:30am and 1pm by advance ticket purchase. Castine House and Garden Tour 2022 is scheduled from 10am to 4pm on July 22nd and will be held rain or shine. Those who appreciate historic architecture and similar fine and rare things will enjoy a stay at Pentagöet Inn & Wine Bar. Pentagöet Inn was built in 1894 and is Castine’s oldest, original summer hotel. In fact, our garden has been part of the tour before! Visit www.castinehistoricalsociety.org for tickets and more information. You can also follow this event on Facebook.

Explore Witherle Woods Preserve

Those looking to stretch their legs while soaking up some of that fantastic Maine coast scenery will enjoy exploring the forested trails of Witherle Woods Preserve. The historic, coastline forest features 193 acres of trails, expansive bay views, historic sites, and all less than 5 minutes from our Castine bed and breakfast, Pentagöet Inn. The Maine coast is a wonderland of fun things to do and see. Islands, lighthouses, historic seaside villages, shopping, dining, outdoor adventure, and all that gorgeous scenery! So much so, in fact, that you don’t have to go very far to find it. Witherle Woods Preserve is a great example of this: 193 acres of wooded hiking trails and stunning views, just 3 minutes from downtown Castine, ME. Witherle Woods Preserve was created in 1985 when the Hatch family donated 97-acres to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Other land donations have added to the acreage over the years, with the most recent expanding the preserve to 193 acres in 2020. A Little History Witherle Woods ecological and historic import made it an obvious choice for protection. In colonial times, the French used the site for a fort, mission, and trading post, with land for grazing, as well as recreation. Witherle Woods also witnessed some military action over the years. Archaeological research has located the remains of fortifications from both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 in the preserve. Blockhouse Point, for example, is both a popular scenic overlook and a historic military site. By the 1870s, much of the land making up the preserve was owned by George Witherle. Witherle added carriage roads, trails, and picnic areas, then opened the property to the public as Witherle Park. Today, you’ll find a forest alive with wildlife and crisscrossed by a trail network leading to scenic views of Penobscot Bay. Hiking and Skiing Witherle Woods Preserve Witherle Woods Preserve offers 3.7 miles of hiking trails, most of which are wide and easy to walk. Better yet, once the snow flies, the trails are groomed for cross-country skiing. Fun! To reach the preserve from Pentagöet Inn, take a left on Main Street and head northwest to Battle Avenue. Take a left on Battle Avenue and follow it for a half a mile. The turn off for the Witherle Woods parking lot will be on your right, just past the town reservoirs. Inside the preserve you’ll find a wealth of natural and historic attractions. Today, Blockhouse Point is just a popular scenic overlook on Penobscot Bay. During the War of 1812, however, this strategic location was the site of a British fort. You’ll also find the earthwork remains of Fort George here, built and successfully defended by British forces during the Revolutionary War. Other historic highlights include the Forward Battery from the Revolutionary War, a Lookout point, and two, semi-circular batteries built by British during the War of 1812. Natural attractions include the views, the lush forest, and lots of wildlife. A bird survey completed here in 2009 found 48 species. Those sighted included “edge” species like white-throated sparrow, northern parula, black-throated green warbler and winter wren. You may also spot osprey, eagles, and seals in the preserve. Some 195 plant species fill the forests and open areas. Red and white spruce, white pine, balsam fir, and stands of hardwood. A few of the trails even lead down to the water’s edge. The climb is a bit steep but the views and experience are worth it. Learn More Witherle Woods Preserve is open all year-round. Maps of the preserve’s trails are available online and onsite at the trailhead. Learn more at the Maine Coast Heritage Trust website. Spend an hour or two exploring the natural and historic wonders of Witherle Woods, then it’s just a 3 minute drive back to your room at Pentagöet Inn. Rejuvenate with some complimentary afternoon refreshments made fresh daily by our pastry chef or swing by our Wine Bar & Pub for a relaxing drink. Fantastic!

Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory

Those looking for an eye-opening experience during their Maine getaway should consider a trip to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory. Not only is it the tallest public bridge observatory in the world, it’s also directly adjacent to Fort Knox, Maine’s largest historic fort! The Penobscot Narrows Bridge connects Verona Island to the mainland, over the Penobscot River, about a half an hour northwest of our Castine bed and breakfast. The 2,120 feet (646 m) long, cable-stayed bridge opened in 2006, replacing the 1931 Waldo–Hancock Bridge. All of that just makes the Penobscot Narrows sound like your average bridge, which it most definitely is not! For one thing, the bridge’s architecture is beautiful to observe and also quite unique. It’s one of only three bridges in the US using a cradle system for its cable stays. Further, the Penobscot Narrows Bridge is also home to an observatory and not just any observatory, either. It’s the tallest public bridge observatory in the world, in fact. Taller than the Statue of Liberty! The Penobscot Narrows Observatory The architecture of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge includes two massive towers, festooned with stay cables, rising high above the bridge deck. The Penobscot Narrows Observatory is perched atop the west tower at a height of 420 feet, or 42 stories; the tallest occupied structure in Maine. Visitors reach the observatory via an elevator located at the base of the tower. Once atop the spire, you’ll enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the river, the bridge, Penobscot Bay, Fort Knox, and the surrounding countryside. A truly stunning experience that words alone cannot do justice to. The observatory is detailed in granite and iron, replicating the look and feel of nearby Fort Knox. Interpretive panels provide a rich background, telling the fascinating history of the site. The Penobscot Narrows Observatory is open seasonally, from May 1st through October 30th every year, just like nearby Fort Knox. The Original Fort Knox The name “Fort Knox” may conjure up images of gold bars and Kentucky in your mind but we’re talking about an older Fort Knox. The original Fort Knox, in fact, built in 1844, some 74 years before the one you were probably first thinking of. Fort Knox is Maine’s largest historic fort and one of the best-preserved historic forts on New England’s coast. It was built to protect against British naval incursions but, as you probably already guessed from the date, never saw any action. Fort Knox is located on the west bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine. Visitors to the fort will discover more than 144 acres of history and scenic views to explore. The granite fortification, with its intact cannons and guns, is well preserved and impressive, with many unique architectural details. Enjoy a self-guided or docent led tour and learn about life for the soldiers stationed here. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center to view exhibits detailing the fort’s history through photos and other artifacts. Fort Knox also hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including concerts and living history events. Getting to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is an easy and scenic, just under a half-hour drive from our Maine bed and breakfast, Pentagöet Inn & Wine Bar. Simply take Main Street from the Inn to ME-166 and head north. Stay on ME-166 for around 15 miles, until you reach US-1 S. Take a left on US-1 S and stay on it until you reach the bridge. Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory are open from May 1st through October 30th. Park grounds are open from 9am to sunset, all year long. Visit the Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory website for more information. You can also find the trio on Facebook.

Wings, Waves and Woods 2022 on Deer Isle

Nature and bird lovers alike will not want to miss the upcoming Wings, Waves and Woods Festival on Deer Isle. The popular, annual bird migration festival includes bird walks, nature tours, boat cruises, workshops, talks, and more. May 20th to the 22nd, 2022. Maine is fantastic for bird watchers. We’re New England’s largest, yet least populated state, with a long, rocky coastline and more forest than any other in the union. These features provide an abundance of excellent bird habitat and a wide variety of birds to come and see. Wings, Waves and Woods, held on Deer Isle the 3rd weekend of every May, offers a variety of opportunities to learn about and see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. Deer Isle is both an island and a town in Maine. The island is located south east of The Pentagöet Inn in Penobscot Bay. The town is located on the island, just north of Stonington, ME. In fact, to avoid confusion, many people say “Deer Isle-Stonington” to refer to the town and just “Deer Isle” when referring to the island. Wings, Waves and Woods 2022 This year’s festival includes 22 birding-related events over 3 days (4, if you count the webinar on the 19th) in and around Deer Isle-Stonington. Two of the most anticipated attractions are the Thoroughfare Lighthouse Cruise and Pelagics and Puffins Cruise. The Thoroughfare Lighthouse Cruise takes you out for a tour of the Stonington archipelago. You’ll visit the lively habitats of Barred Island, Eagle Island Light, the seal ledges, and the Mark Island Light. The Pelagics and Puffins Cruise, on the other hand, heads out to the remote Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, a nesting site for thousands of birds. Here you’ll see Atlantic puffins, common terns, great cormorants, razorbills, and others. You may also see whales, seals, dolphins, and other wildlife. Amazing! Another popular offering are the Bird’s Eye View Flights (May 21) offered by Penobscot Island Air. These 20 minute flights will take you anywhere you want to go for only $40 a head. Incredible island and bay views with lots of opportunities for spotting wildlife. Other highlights include Timberdoodles and Night Flights (May 20), the Rabbit Hill Tulip Show (May 21), and the West Side Bird Walk (May 22). This year’s Birder’s Dinner Keynote Speaker is Laura Suomi-Lecker, Education & Outreach Coordinator at Avian Haven Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center. The catered, sit down dinner will be held at St Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church on May 21st. Wings, Waves and Woods Festival 2022 Schedule May 19 Friends from the Field Webinar (ticketed event) – 4pm to 5pm May 20 History Walk – 11am to 1pm Found Object Sculpture – 2pm to 3pm Happy Hour Welcome – 3pm to 5pm Planting for Birds – 5pm to 6pm Timberdoodles and Night Flights – 7:30pm to 8:30pm May 21 Pressey Village Bird Walk – 7am to 9am Scott’s Landing Preserve Bird Walk – 7:30am to 9am Bird’s Eye View Flights – 9am to 4pm (pending) Becoming A More Observant Naturalist – 9:30am to 10:30 am Bird Photography Walk – 9:30am to 11am Activities at Chase Emerson Memorial Library – 10am to 12pm Rabbit Hill Tulip Show – 10am to 2pm Shore Habitat Walk – 11:30am to 1pm Thoroughfare Lighthouse Cruise (ticketed event) – 12pm to 2pm Story Time at the IAH Boat Company Dock – 2pm to 3pm Birder’s Dinner and Keynote Speaker (ticketed event) – 5pm to 8pm May 22 West Side Bird Walk – 7am to 9am Beginning Birder’s Walk – 9:30am to 10:30am Pelagics and Puffins Cruise (ticketed event) – 10am to 2:30pm Wild Medicinal Plants of Deer Isle – 11am to 12pm Birds and Other Deer Isle Wildlife – 11am to 12pm While most festival events are free, a $5 donation for any that you attend would help to support next year’s event. The Friends from the Field Webinar (May 19), the Birder’s Dinner, and the two boat cruises (May 22 & 22) are ticketed/reservation required events. Visit the festival website for more information. Getting To Deer Isle Deer Isle is a located some 45 minutes south of our Castine bed and breakfast, The Pentagöet Inn. Though an island, it is connected to the mainland by bridge at the end of the Blue Hill Peninsula in Penobscot Bay. Getting there is easy. Simply take 166 out of Castine, heading north to 199. Stay on 199 as it changes to 175 S, then to 176 N, and eventually 15 S. Continue on Route 15 and you’ll end up on Deer Isle. Spend your day sighting wildlife and exploring the natural beauty of Downeast Maine, then head back to the comforts of your room at Pentagöet Inn & Wine Bar. The makings of a perfect vacation!

Discover Holbrook Island Sanctuary

Those looking for a hike or just a nice day out in nature will enjoy visiting nearby Holbrook Island Sanctuary. This gorgeous, protected area offers abundant hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities just across the harbor from downtown Castine, ME. Maine’s Blue Hill Peninsula, upon which Castine rests, is home to a wide variety of hiking and nature opportunities. So many that Pentagöet Inn offers a Hiking Adventures Package with guides and personal reviews of all major area trails. One of the closest and most popular natural areas near Castine is Holbrook Island Sanctuary. Though the word “island” is in the name, Holbrook Island Sanctuary is actually on the mainland with nearby Holbrook Island some four miles offshore and accessible only by boat. The 1,345 acre park borders Penobscot Bay. In fact, you can see it just across the bay from our inn! Visiting Holbrook Island Sanctuary Getting to Holbrook Island Sanctuary from Pentagöet Inn is a snap. The park is located at 172 Indian Bar Road, in Brooksville, ME, around 30 minutes from our Maine Coast bed and breakfast. The drive is a real treat, taking you past many a farm, overlook, and other attractions as you circumnavigate Northern Bay and cross the Bagaduce River to your destination in Brooksville, ME. Holbrook Island Sanctuary protects a variety of ecosystems. There are beaches, marshes, meadows, forest land, ponds, rocky coast, and more. Many of the preserve’s steep cliffs are actually the remnants of ancient volcanoes. A network of hiking trails provides more than 7 miles of easy to moderate hiking throughout the preserve. In winter, the sanctuary is open for snowshoeing and x-country skiing. The area is beautiful all year ’round but really shines in autumn when the leaves put on their fantastic color show. In fact, the sanctuary is alive with diverse plants, including a rainbow of wildflowers that bloom from early spring through late fall. Wildlife enthusiasts will have fun watching for evidence of the preserve’s animal inhabitants. Muskrats, beaver, otters, porcupine, deer, fox, bobcat, coyote, can all be found here. Birders come to spot bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, bay ducks, and others. Park amenities include parking, bathrooms, picnic tables, and a launch for canoes and kayaks. Holbrook Island Sanctuary is free and open, 9am to sunset, all year round. Visit the sanctuary website for more information. Park trails are also well detailed on Maine Trail Finder. Spend the day out soaking up Maine’s natural beauty, then head back to Pentagöet Inn. We have complimentary afternoon refreshments, like homemade cookies or tarts, waiting for you and don’t forget we’re also a Wine Bar and Pub. Now that’s a vacation!

The Wilson Museum and John Perkins House

Step back in time with a visit to Castine’s unique Wilson Museum. The museum’s quirky and fascinating collection includes prehistoric artifacts from around the globe, plus the historic John Perkins House, a working Blacksmith Shop, Hearse House, and more. All just a short walk or drive away from our Castine bed and breakfast, Pentagöet Inn. The Wilson Museum is a small and relatively unknown gem of a museum located on the waterfront, just down the road from us, here in Castine. Exhibits in the museum are based around the collections of John Howard Wilson (1871-1936). Wilson was an archaeologist and collector who traveled the globe in search of fossils and other global artifacts. Wilson opened his museum in Castine in 1921, on land donated by his mother. Three other buildings were added to the property in the late 1960s. These include The John Perkins House, a Blacksmith Shop and a Hearse House. Though the museum is only open seasonally and with a limited schedule, it is very much worth your time. Those with an interest in local or world history, in particular, will find much to enjoy. Discover the Wilson Museum Inside the museum you’ll find a splendid display of artifacts gathered from all around the world and Castine, too. The main gallery displays pieces from Europe, Africa, North and South America, and Oceania. These include rocks, minerals, shells, fossils, and tools and other artifacts from the early Paleolithic era onward. Both the evolution of life across the planet and man’s growing ability to fashion tools are beautifully documented. You’ll see 270 million-year-old trilobites, early firearms, Peruvian pottery, ship models, ancient writing tablets, detailed dioramas, and much more. Perusing the exhibits will take you on a magical journey across continents, cultures, and through time. Truly fascinating. The 1763 John Perkins House, located next door, is Castine’s oldest home and part of the museum campus. The home was occupied by the British during both America’s Revolution and the War of 1812. Docent guided tours of the house take you back to colonial Castine and include cooking demonstrations. You can also visit the working Blacksmith Shop, fashioned to represent an 1860’s era smithy, and watch metal working demonstrations. The nearby Hearse House displays antique wooden hearses. Don’t miss the Pump House display for a look at Castine’s firefighting history. You can even push the button for the alarm bell. Fun! Visiting the Museum The Wilson Museum is located at 120 Perkins Street in Castine, ME. As mentioned above, this is just down the road from Pentagöet Inn. Our Maine Coast bed and breakfast is on the corner of Main Street and Perkins, just a little over a half a mile up the street from the museum. It is an easy and pleasant ten minute, water front walk or an even easier drive. The museum is open from May 27th through September 30th, 10am to 5pm weekdays, 2pm to 5pm weekends. The John Perkins House, Blacksmith, and Hearse House are open July through August, Wednesdays and Sundays, 2pm to 5pm. Visit the museum website for more information. You can also find the museum on Facebook.

Visit Nearby Maine Lighthouses

The Maine coastline bristles with beautiful and historic lighthouses, both active and retired. Pentagöet Inn, our Castine bed and breakfast, is surrounded by a quite a few them, making us the perfect home base for visiting, touring, and photographing Maine lighthouses. Maine is famous for its picturesque and iconic lighthouses. In fact, visiting them is easily one of the top ten activities for visitors to our state. And who can blame the lighthouse enthusiast? There’s just something magical about these towering sentinels by the sea. Visually striking coastal structures perched high above the waves, their piercing lights guiding mariners safely to harbor. Lighthouse enthusiasts staying at Pentagöet Inn will be thrilled to learn that there’s a historic Maine lighthouse within walking distance of our Castine inn, and many others nearby. In fact, with so many lighthouses in the area, it’s very easy to plan a quick trip or a even a full day trip to see one or more of them. The list below sorts the area’s lighthouses into two categories: those within an hour or less of our Castine B&B, and those further off. Nearby Maine Lighthouses Dyce Head Lighthouse – Castine The 1829 Dyce Head Light, sometimes referred to as “Dice Head” is located just a little over a mile from Pentagöet Inn. An easy and pleasant stroll along the Castine waterfront. Though the lighthouse is closed to the public, the grounds are open during the day. Learn more. Pumpkin Island Lighthouse – Little Deer Isle The 1854 Pumpkin Island Lighthouse is located on tiny and private Pumpkin Island, just west of Little Deer Isle, ME. While the island and its light are not open to the public, both can be seen from the end of Eggemoggin Road. More information. Fort Point Lighthouse – Stockton Springs The 1857 Fort Point Lighthouse is located in Fort Point State Park, in Stockton Springs, ME. It is an active light operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and not open to the public. 180 Lighthouse Rd, Stockton Springs, ME 04981 Read more. Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse – Brooklin Neither the picturesque, 1857 Blue Hill Bay Lighthouse or Green Island, which it calls home, are open to the public. Instead, enthusiasts must content themselves with views from the sparkling waters of Blue Hill Bay. More details. Farther Afield Curtis Island Lighthouse – Camden The 1896 Curtis Island Lighthouse is located on Curtis Island in Camden Harbor. Though Curtis Island is a public park, the lighthouse is not open to the public. The best views of this light are from the waters of Camden Harbor. Learn more. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse – Tremont The 1858 Bass Harbor Head Light is easily one of the most photographed lighthouses on this list. This picturesque light guards the entrance to Blue Hill Bay, on Mount Desert Island, in similarly gorgeous Acadia National Park. A recommended day trip from the Pentagoet Inn. Further info. Indian Island Lighthouse – Rockport The 1875 Indian Island Lighthouse is located in Rockport Harbor. It is privately owned and closed to the public. Visit Rockport Marine Park or get out on the water for the best views. Read more. Winter Harbor Lighthouse – Winter Harbor The 1856 Winter Harbor Lighthouse, another privately owned light, is located on Mark Island. Though closed to the public, the lighthouse can be seen from various points on the Schoodic Peninsula, which is also well worth a visit. More information. Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse – Rockland The 1902 Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is a very unique light, located at the end of a long, stone breakwater off Jameson Point, in Rockland Harbor. The grounds are open all year, from sunrise to sunset, with tours available in summer. Read more. Owls Head Lighthouse – Owls Head The 1825 Owls Head Lighthouse is an active light closed to the public in Owls Head Light State Park. Visitors to the park enjoy views of both the historic light and the surrounding islands. Learn more. Maine Lighthouse Museum and Annual Lighthouse Events Lighthouse fans will also enjoy a visit to Maine Lighthouse Museum. The museum is located at 1 Park Drive on Rockland’s historic waterfront, about ten minutes from the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The museum is home to a variety of exhibits detailing lighthouse and maritime history through photographs, stories, and artifacts. One of the museum’s biggest attractions is their stunning collection of Fresnel lenses, used to focus a lighthouse’s light. It’s the largest collection of such lenses in the country and, when I say “big” attraction, I mean it. Some of these lenses are 12 feet tall and nearly 6 feet wide! Those serious about Maine lighthouses may also want to time their visit to coincide with a related event. Maine Open Lighthouse Day, for example, held every September, offers a rare opportunity to visit and tour over two dozen historic Maine lighthouses, many of which are usually closed to the public. This year’s event is scheduled for September 10th, 2022. Another lighthouse related event is the annual Mid-Coast Maine Lighthouse Challenge. This popular, 2-day event is typically held near the end of June and offers a chance to visit and climb 7 historic lighthouses. These include Dyce Head, Fort Point, Grindle Point, Rockland Breakwater, Owls Head, Marshall Point, and the Pemaquid Point lights. Spend the day out seeing Maine’s glorious lighthouses and scenery, then head back to Pentagöet Inn for afternoon treats or a rejuvenating drink at our Wine Bar and Pub. Perfect!

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