2 Days in Camden, Maine: Travel Guide
Camden, Maine is exactly what I imagine the quintessential coastal New England town to be. From the beautiful mountains and bay filled with sailboats, lighthouses, and dozens of islands to the quaint town with incredible food, adorable storefronts, homey inns, and tons of fun things to do, Camden Maine is truly something out of a movie (seriously, multiple movies were filmed here!). Just a little over an hour and a half from Portland, visiting Camden was so easy and the perfect addition to our Maine couples trip. If you’re wondering if Camden, Maine is worth visiting, you’ll be convinced after reading this Camden, Maine visitor’s guide!
In this Camden Maine travel guide, you’ll learn everything I did in a two-day visit to Camden, Maine, including where to eat and drink, what to see, where to stay, and more:
Getting Around & When to Visit Camden, Maine
Best Places to Stay in Camden, Maine
Best Restaurants in Camden, Maine
Where to Drink, including the best bars in Camden, Maine
What to Do in Camden, Maine, including what to do as a couple in Camden, Maine
Let’s dive into our Camden Maine travel guide and everything you need to know for planning a Camden, Maine vacation!
Getting Around & Best Time to Visit Camden, Maine
Getting Around Camden, Maine - If you’re traveling to Camden Maine from another part of Maine or from the airport in Portland, it’s easiest to get a car and drive, which is only about an hour and 45 minutes. Within the town, Camden Maine is walkable, but you’ll definitely want a car for your visit as many of the activities aren’t within walking distance and you’ll likely want to check out the nearby towns, like Rockland. Plus, it didn’t seem like there were many Ubers in the area!
Best Time to Visit Camden, Maine - The best time to visit Maine is definitely the fall or summer. I visited during the summer, which I loved. The weather was perfect: sunny, pleasant, and 70s (max 80s). I’d love to go back in the fall because Camden has amazing fall foliage. Maine’s winters are of course very cold and long, so visitors then are mainly there for winter sports.
Where to Stay in Camden, Maine
We stayed at the Captain Swift Inn, which I couldn’t recommend more and think may be the best bed and breakfast in Camden Maine! It was so beautiful, clean, and pleasant and was truly one of the most hospitable experiences I’ve had traveling. From the historic home with beautifully decorated rooms to the complimentary 4-course breakfast and the many thoughtful amenities, every detail was perfectly curated for a very pleasant stay. It’s conveniently located and only about an 8-minute walk into town. The rooms are very nice and many have a sitting area so we enjoyed relaxing in our room too. The Captain Swift was perfect for me and my boyfriend, so I’d definitely say it’s one of the best places to stay in Camden, Maine as a couple!
There were also many inns next door and a few hotels in town that are great places to stay in Camden, Maine. Here are some of the best hotels in Camden as well as some of the best Camden, Maine bed and breakfasts:
Where to Eat in Camden, Maine
Camden has great food and ambience for incredible meals on your Camden ME vacation. Read on to learn the best restaurants in Camden Maine!
Dinner in Camden, Maine - 
Ports of Italy - only a few-minute drive out of town, this was definitely worth visiting when in Camden ME! We had incredible pasta, bread, and drinks (get the Espresso Martini!) and loved the view of the river and forest. There is cute porch seating overlooking the water, but it seemed like the noise from the nearby road would be disruptive
Franny’s Bistro - a cozy American and seafood restaurant
Primo - Mediterranean farm-to-table restaurant in nearby Rockland
Long Grain - a very popular Thai restaurant that has made it onto some “best of Maine” lists, so I think it’s safe to say Long Grain has some of the best food in Camden, Maine!
18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill - Seafood and raw bar in Rockland with a porch and great view. We unfortunately didn’t have a great experience from difficulty booking a reservation (only accept via phone but voicemail box was full), no greeting at the door for 10 minutes, and a long wait for our entrée late into dinner while we were cold and battling bugs outside. The food and oysters were great, but from conversations with others, it doesn’t seem like some of these downfalls were a one-time thing
Breakfast / Lunch in Camden, Maine -Peter Ott’s on the Water - outdoor seating right on the docks
The Waterfront (pictured on right) - casual outdoor dining overlooking the harbor
Buttermilk Kitchen at Marriner's - perfect for brunch
Quick bites, coffee, or desserts in Camden, Maine - Owl & Turtle Bookshop Cafe (pictured below) - loved this quaint coffee bar inside the bookshop!
Zoot Coffee
Camden Cone (pictured below) - yummy ice cream in an adorable, brightly-colored shop
River Ducks Ice Cream
Camden Deli
Where to Drink in Camden, Maine
There are so many fun bars in Camden Maine! From cocktails to craft beer, there’s something for everyone
Fresh and Co - this is also a restaurant with a great menu, but we just stopped in for a drink. The adorable bar setup and décor makes it one of the best cocktail bars in Camden, Maine
16 Bay View - Camden’s best rooftop bar with views of the bay. We didn’t get a chance to stop here so I can’t vouch for the view, but note that it’s only a few-story building
Sea Dog Brewing Company - stop at Sea Dog for a beer flight at the bar to try their many craft beers or a meal on the porch
Blue Barren Distillery - this is on the opposite side of the harbor, and we enjoyed walking around the water and through the park to get here
Cellardoor Winery - we unfortunately didn’t get to visit here, but it’d be a perfect day activity!
*pictured in order
Things to Do in Camden, Maine
Camden is so beautiful, you will definitely want to be outside exploring!
Sailboat Tour in Camden’s Penobscot Bay. We took a 2-hour day sail on the Schooner Surprise and absolutely loved it! This excursion is definitely a must-do in Camden, ME. Experiencing the bay from the water was beautiful and chatting with the local staff about the area’s nature and sailing made it even more fun. You’re also welcome to bring on snacks and alcohol. Sailing is definitely one of the most romantic things to do in Camden, Maine!
Check out the Curtis Island Overlook for a breathtaking view of one of the Camden, Maine lighthouses that felt straight out of a movie! It’s very close to town and a convenient, quick stop. I’d recommend driving and parking in the one-spot pull-off. Look for the small sign that says “Curtis Island Overlook” -- there’s a small wooden sign on the tree and a slightly more noticeable sign on the ground, but they’re very easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled and use these tips to find the Curtis Island Overlook!
Visit Camden Hills State Park to see the incredible view from the top of Mt. Battie of the bay, dozens of islands, and maybe even some mountains at Acadia National Park! You can drive straight to the top, or if you have more time, you can hike up or explore the many other trails. Note there is a $6 entrance fee per adult for out-of-state residents. The view was like nothing I’d ever seen before and such a unique thing to do in Camden, Maine.
Walk around the harbor and through the Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheatre. It’s also right next to the public library that you can pop in to see some town history and cool Lego replicas
Stop at the Smiling Cow for some fudge or a souvenir. There’s also a great view from the back porch of the harbor and waterfall
Explore other nearby parks and lighthouses. A bit further out of Camden, but still very close, are Owls Head State Park and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
What Not to Do: If you’re only here for a day or two, I’d save time and not stop at the Laite Memorial Beach
Camden, Maine is such a cute, cozy town surrounded by beautiful scenery and is the perfect option when visiting Maine. If you’re planning a trip, this Camden Maine travel guide can be your one-stop shop for everything to do during a two-day visit to Camden, Maine, including where to eat and drink, what to see, where to stay, and more.
If you’d like to visit Portland, Maine on your trip as well, which is just a short drive away, check out our Portland Maine Travel Guide below or one of our other travel destinations:
