Most travelers to the Pemaquid Peninsula get straight to the point to see one of the most famous lighthouses [1] on the Maine [2] coast. It’s worth taking your time driving down to the lighthouse, however. At the head of the peninsula, the little town of Damariscotta is a picturesque fishing village with a brick downtown full of galleries and gift shops. South of town, the area is full of old farmhouses that have been converted to bed-and-breakfasts and antiques shops.
You never know what you are going to find at Round Top Center for the Arts (3 Round Top Lane, Damariscotta, 207/563-1507, www.roundtoparts.org [3]), which might be staging community theater, a piano concerto, or banjo music on any given night. An art gallery and studio classes round out its offerings.
In downtown the Firehouse Gallery (1 Bristol Rd., 207/563-7299, Damariscotta, www.thefirehousegallery.com [4], 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tue.–Sat. May–Sept.) features contemporary art and sculpture that goes far beyond coastal scenes and lighthouses.
The eclectic Weatherbird (72 Courtyard St., Damariscotta, 207/563-8993, 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Mon.–Sat. year-round) is packed to the beak with gourmet foodstuffs, wine, jewelry, and women’s clothing.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/maine/midcoast/southern-midcoast/pemaquid-region/pemaquid-point-light
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/maine
[3] http://www.roundtoparts.org
[4] http://www.thefirehousegallery.com