Castine is the most historically significant and least visited of Maine’s major coastal towns — a small peninsula community on Penobscot Bay that has been fought over by French, Dutch, British, and American forces more times than any other place in North America. The tree-lined streets of Federal and Colonial homes, the working waterfront, the Maine Maritime Academy, and the views across Penobscot Bay combine to make Castine one of the finest small towns in Maine.
The History of Castine
Castine’s strategic position at the mouth of the Penobscot River made it one of the most contested pieces of real estate in colonial North America. The French established a trading post here in 1613. The Dutch seized it briefly. The English took it. Baron Jean-Vincent d’Abbadie de Saint-Castin married into the local Wabanaki community and governed the settlement for decades, giving the town his name. The British held Castine during the American Revolution — an American naval expedition to retake it in 1779 (the Penobscot Expedition) ended in one of the worst American naval defeats of the Revolution. The British occupied Castine again during the War of 1812, building Fort George. Walking the streets with this history in mind transforms the experience entirely.
Walk the Historic District
Castine’s historic district is one of the finest in New England — over 100 historically significant structures documented by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Main Street runs from the waterfront through the center of town, lined with elm trees and Federal-style homes. The Wilson Museum at the upper end is a small but excellent natural history and anthropology museum. The Castine Historical Society operates the Abbott School on Town Common with rotating exhibitions on the town’s extraordinary history.
Fort George
Fort George is the best-preserved British fortification from the War of 1812 in the United States. The grass-covered earthwork ramparts enclosing a large parade ground are intact and accessible year-round. A Maine State Historic Site — free admission. Standing on the ramparts looking across Penobscot Bay gives a clear sense of why this position was so strategically valuable.
Maine Maritime Academy
The Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) is a public university focused on marine engineering and transportation. The Academy’s training ship, the State of Maine, is berthed at the Castine waterfront when not on training voyages. Several hundred cadets in residence give Castine a year-round vitality unusual for a town of its size.
The Harbor and Waterfront
Castine Harbor is one of the most beautiful working harbors in Penobscot Bay — a deep, protected anchorage holding lobster boats, pleasure craft, and MMA training vessels. The Castine Town Wharf is a good place to watch harbor activity. Sea kayaking the protected waters of Castine Harbor and surrounding coves is one of the finer coastal paddles in midcoast Maine.
Dining in Castine
Dennett’s Wharf — The most famous Castine restaurant, a waterfront tavern on the town wharf with outdoor seating overlooking the harbor. Excellent seafood and one of the finest restaurant views in midcoast Maine. The Castine Inn dining room serves dinner during summer with a menu focused on local Maine ingredients. The Manor Inn is reliable for breakfast and dinner.
Getting to Castine
Castine is about 16 miles south of Bucksport via Routes 175 and 166 — about 30 minutes from Bucksport and 1.5 hours from Portland. The town is at the end of a peninsula road with no through traffic, which is a significant part of its character.
Where to Stay
The Castine Inn is the most celebrated property — a beautifully maintained Victorian inn in the center of town. The Manor Inn is a larger Victorian property with formal gardens and harbor views. Browse our Castine lodging guide for the full list.
Plan Your Trip
Ready to visit Castine? Browse Castine lodging and start planning. For more midcoast Maine, see our Camden vs Bar Harbor comparison, our guide to Things to Do in Rockland Maine, and our Things to Do in Boothbay Harbor Maine guide.
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