Just a scenic 18-minute drive from Grey Havens Inn, you’ll find the seafaring city of Bath, Maine. Home to one of the top maritime museums, excellent shopping, a fabulous performance center, and more, Bath is a must-visit on your next New England vacation. Along with strolling the streets of downtown Bath, Maine, here are the top things to do in the area.
Downtown Bath, Maine, is just one of many terrific places worth a visit in the area. For the most extensive list of things to do on the Maine Coast, access our free Destination Guide. We’ve included recommendations on the top restaurants, outdoor activities, beaches, sightseeing, and more. The ultimate coastal New England vacation awaits!
5 Best Things to Do in the Downtown Bath, Maine Area
Go Shopping
Downtown Bath, Maine, shopping is some of the best in New England. You’ll find a variety of stores ranging from upscale boutiques and jewelry shops to local specialty stores and antique shops. Check thebusiness directory for a complete list of stores in Downtown Bath, Maine. Here are a few of our favorite shops:
- Lisa Marie’s Made in Maine – the place to get Maine-made crafts, jewelry, clothes, and more
- Renys Department Store – A Maine Adventure! Bath’s outpost of this local department store chain features, clothes, home goods, food, and fun. The store is a classic, and Renys’ recently completed a rehab of the space
- Now You’re Cooking – a cook’s destination for more than 20 years – wide range of cookware and tableware, foodstuffs, and books
- Bath Natural Market – get your organic local foodstuffs here.
- Halcyon Yarn – Yarn, fiber, and equipment for knitting, weaving, crochet, felting, rug making and more.
- OMG Shop! – Bath Printing’s adorable little paper goods shop
- Markings Gallery – local MidCoast artists gallery featuring cool original pieces
- Maine Street Design – homewares and hardware from this spiffy, coastal Maine vive store
Savor Delicious Cuisine
After strolling the downtown streets and browsing a few shops, head to one of the best Bath, Maine, restaurants for delicious, local cuisine. With more than 25 restaurants to choose from, there’s something for everyone in Bath. A couple of spots favored by locals include:
- Cafe Creme, a favorite destination for coffees and pastries
- Southgate Restaurant a sweet little family style spot for breakfast and lunch
- Solo Pane – Italian breads, pastries, and coffees
- Kennebec Meat Company – fresh local provisions: local meats, cheeses, and lunch specials
- >Bryne’s Irish Pub, a cozy spot for breakfast and lunch
- The Cabin, a classic Maine pizzeria – don’t miss the shrimp scampi pie
- Mae’s Cafe and Bakery – excellent breakfast and lunch, great bennies
- The Fountain will surely have something to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!
- The Long Reach Kitchen is located out at the Bath Golf Club and features lovely American cuisine – outdoor seating in season!
- Oysthers Raw Bar & Bubbly is the place to go for local oysters and bubbly (other than our restaurant, BLUE!). It’s a great place to stop in for a quick nibble while touring the town.
- Linden + Front is a new in 2024 offering elevated American cuisine in a beautiful space.
Attend a Show or Event
One of Maine’s most well-preserved cities, Bath is steeped in rich culture. One of the best ways to experience the history and community of Bath is through art and entertainment. The Chocolate Church Arts Center has been mid-coast Maine’s regional performing and visual arts center for more than 30 years. This cultural non-profit organization offers year-round entertainment in the form of live music, gallery exhibitions, theatre shows, and more. View the calendar to see upcoming shows and performances!
Main Street Bath, a program focused on the betterment of Bath, also organizes a number of fabulous seasonal events throughout the year. From the Summer Concert Series to An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Bath, there’s always the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Explore a Top Museum and Tour the Town
Ranked amongst the top maritime museums, the Maine Maritime Museum is located just outside of downtown Bath and offers an abundance of ways to explore the region’s maritime culture and past. See fascinating artifacts, interactive exhibits, a historic shipyard with original 19th-century buildings, and New England’s largest sculpture – a replica of 6-masted(!) schooner Wyoming, the largest known wooden sailing vessel ever built – more than 450 feet long!
Head to the shore of the Kennebec in downtown Bath and visit Maine’s First Ship, the 1607-styled ship Virginia, a 51 foot reconstruction of the first English ocean-going ship built in the Americas. Learn the history from docents and volunteers who built the ship, explore exhibits, or participate in a special event or workshop in the historic Bath Freight Shed, the vessel’s home port during the summer.
Embark Maine Tours offers guided walking tours of Bath’s Historic Districts. The Downtown tour covers 400+ years of Maine and American history, explaining why and how Bath became such a behemoth of shipping and shipbuildng in the 19th century (and still is today!). The Neighborhood tour offers a peek into the mansions and domestic lives of Washington Street’s sea captains and shipbuilders and their families, as well as a primer on historic architecture. Book directly online or contact Meg for a custom tour time/date.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Located on the Kennebec River, Bath, also known as the City of Ships, is an ideal spot for boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities. Set out from one of Bath’s two first-class boat launches and enjoy a day on the water. If activities on land are more your speed, the Bath area offers a number of wonderful hiking and biking trails where you can enjoy great views and see local wildlife. You’ll also be just a short drive from some of the country’s best beaches.
Where to Stay
If you’re planning a getaway to the Maine Coast, there’s no better place to stay than Grey Havens Inn. Our charming seaside bed and breakfast in Georgetown is perched high on a bluff, offering panoramic views of the ocean. You’ll be just minutes away from the best attractions in the area including fabulous restaurants, Reid State Park, and Downtown Bath, Maine, but you’ll likely find it hard to leave our inviting B&B! You can’t go wrong with any of our guest rooms at Grey Havens Inn, so check the availability of all our accommodations now and book your stay today. We look forward to hosting you!
