Posts Categorized: Attractions

Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory

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.

Maine Lighthouses Bass Harbor

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!

The Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME

The Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME

If you have a student at the Maine Maritime Academy or are looking forward to visiting the T/S State of Maine during your visit to Castine, you’re in luck. Both the school and the Town Dock are just minutes – on foot! – from our Castine bed and breakfast, Pentagöet Inn and Wine Bar. The Maine Maritime Academy is a small school in Castine, ME. It was established in 1941 to train merchant marines for World War II. Today, it offers 18 degree programs in engineering, management, science, and transportation Though the Academy’s undergraduate enrollment is less than 1,000 students, its return on investment is one the highest in the country, similar to that of Stanford and MIT. The school’s job placement rate is more than 90 percent within 90 days of graduation. Visiting the Maine Maritime Academy The Maine Maritime Academy is located at 1 Pleasant Street, in Castine, ME, just a few blocks from Pentagöet Inn. This convenient location makes our Castine inn the perfect accommodation for anyone visiting the school. In fact, many of our guests throughout the year are alumni or friends and family of current academy students. The Academy’s lovely, 35-acre campus sits on a hill overlooking Castine Harbor and Penobscot Bay. Castine’s collection of fine, downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants surround the campus. The Maine Maritime Academy hosts a variety of special events throughout the year and the campus can be fun to visit. One of the school’s biggest attractions, however, has to be the Training Ship State of Maine, often found at the Town Dock. T/S State of Maine At nearly 500′ long and 16,000 tons, the T/S State of Maine is quite literally the school’s biggest attraction. The ship is used to train students in a variety of maritime sciences and disciplines via multi-week cruises and other programs. T/S State of Maine was originally commissioned as the USNS Tanner, a Navy oceanographic research vessel. It was converted to a training vessel and renamed for the academy, who took ownership in 1997. The current T/S State of Maine is the fourth ship to bear that name. Its sister ship, the TS Golden Bear, serves as a training ship for the California Maritime Academy. Tours of the T/S State of Maine, when available, are very much worth your time. Even just seeing it from the dock can be a worthwhile experience. In fact, crowds of well-wishers often line the dock when the ship returns from or disembarks on one of its training cruises. The school even streams the event. Each fall, first-year students jump into the harbor from the stern of the ship. This traditional “jump” into life as a mariner, which began in 1960, has many purposes. It’s a rite of passage, a confidence booster, a bonding experience, and a preparatory requirement for safety at sea. It’s also a lot of fun to watch! Learn more about the Maine Maritime Academy at mainemaritime.edu. You can also visit the academy on Facebook.