Southport MaineATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Southport, Maine.
1. Squirrel Island
HISTORIC ISLAND ESCAPE
Squirrel Island is a highly-rated attraction in Southport, Maine that offers visitors a unique island experience. Visitors can explore the charming island community with its historic cottages and scenic coastal views. The island provides a peaceful retreat with opportunities for walking, photography, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Maine coast.
2. Cuckold Lighthouse
HISTORIC MARITIME BEACON
Cuckold Lighthouse is an 1896 lighthouse located at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor, fully visible from the public landing at the tip of Southport Island. The lighthouse represents an important part of the area's maritime history and serves as a picturesque landmark for photographers. Visitors can admire this historic structure while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding waters.
3. Hendricks Hill Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Hendricks Hill Museum is a highly-rated history museum in Southport that preserves and showcases the local heritage. The museum features artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that tell the story of Southport and its residents through the years. Visitors can gain insight into the area's maritime traditions, industry, and community life through its thoughtfully curated collections.
4. Southport Memorial Library
BOOKS AND BUTTERFLIES
Southport Memorial Library serves as both a community resource and a notable attraction in town. The library houses an impressive butterfly collection that draws visitors interested in natural history and entomology. Beyond its literary offerings, the library acts as a cultural hub for the community with events and educational programming.
5. Southport Maine Historical Society
LOCAL HERITAGE CENTER
Southport Maine Historical Society preserves and celebrates the rich history of this coastal community. The society maintains historical records, photographs, and artifacts that document the evolution of Southport over generations. Visitors can learn about the area's maritime traditions, early settlers, and development through exhibits and educational programs.
6. Boothbay Harbor
CHARMING COASTAL VILLAGE
Boothbay Harbor is a picturesque coastal town located near Southport that draws visitors with its quintessential Maine charm. The harbor features a working waterfront with fishing boats, sailing vessels, and opportunities for boat tours and whale watching excursions. Visitors can enjoy shopping in unique boutiques, dining at waterfront restaurants, and experiencing the authentic coastal Maine atmosphere.
7. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
SPECTACULAR GARDEN OASIS
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is a world-class garden attraction located near Southport in Boothbay. The gardens feature 295 acres of magnificent plantings, water features, and art installations that showcase both native and exotic plant species. Visitors can wander through themed gardens, explore woodland trails, and enjoy seasonal displays like the Gardens Aglow winter light experience.
8. Burnt Island Lighthouse
LIVING HISTORY SITE
Burnt Island Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse established in 1821 located near Southport. The restored lighthouse and keeper's dwelling now function as a living history museum where costumed interpreters demonstrate the life of lighthouse keepers from the 1950s. Visitors can reach the island via boat tours from Boothbay Harbor and explore both the buildings and the scenic five-acre island.
9. Maine State Aquarium
LOCAL MARINE LIFE
Maine State Aquarium showcases the diverse marine life found in the Gulf of Maine waters near Southport. The aquarium features touch tanks where visitors can interact with various sea creatures including starfish, sea urchins, and small sharks. Educational exhibits highlight the region's fishing industry, marine research, and conservation efforts to protect Maine's valuable ocean resources.
10. Robinson's Wharf
FRESH SEAFOOD DESTINATION
Robinson's Wharf is a popular dining establishment located on Southport Island that offers fresh seafood in an authentic working waterfront setting. Diners can enjoy Maine lobster, clams, and other locally-caught seafood while watching fishing boats come and go from the harbor. The restaurant's deck provides panoramic views of the water, making it an ideal spot to experience Maine's coastal dining tradition.
11. Linekin Bay Resort
WATERFRONT RESORT EXPERIENCE
Linekin Bay Resort is a waterfront destination near Southport that combines lodging with recreational activities in a classic Maine setting. The resort offers sailing programs, kayaking, swimming, and other water activities against the backdrop of Linekin Bay. Visitors can enjoy dining with ocean views while experiencing the traditional Maine lodge atmosphere that has attracted guests for generations.
12. Ocean Point
SCENIC COASTAL DRIVE
Ocean Point is a scenic coastal area near Southport known for its spectacular ocean views and rocky shoreline. Visitors can drive or walk along Ocean Point Road, which hugs the coastline and offers views of nearby islands, lighthouses, and the open Atlantic. The area is particularly popular at sunset when the sky creates a colorful backdrop against the ocean horizon.
13. Boothbay Railway Village
VINTAGE TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
Boothbay Railway Village is a living history museum showcasing transportation and daily life in rural Maine from the mid-19th through the mid-20th centuries. Visitors can ride on an authentic narrow-gauge steam train and explore more than 30 historic structures filled with artifacts from Maine's past. The village hosts special events throughout the season including antique car shows, craft demonstrations, and holiday celebrations.
14. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
ICONIC MAINE LIGHTHOUSE
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is an iconic Maine landmark located within day-trip distance of Southport that has been featured on the Maine state quarter. The 1835 lighthouse stands on dramatic rock formations that visitors can explore while enjoying views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the shore. The site includes a fishermen's museum, art gallery, and the keeper's house where visitors can learn about maritime history.
15. Popham Beach State Park
SANDY BEACH PARADISE
Popham Beach State Park offers one of Maine's most beautiful stretches of sandy beach within driving distance of Southport. The beach features dramatic tidal changes, allowing visitors to walk to Fox Island during low tide and observe diverse coastal ecosystems. The park provides opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, and bird watching in a spectacular natural setting.