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Belfast, Maine: Best & Fun Things To Do (Besides Watching Paint Dry)

Young’s Lobster Pound does the whole of the classic lobster dinner with Belfast Harbor right in front of it. The Belfast Farmers Market runs over 30 of the vendors out there every single Friday as well. The Belfast City Hall was built right the whole way back in the year of 1854. The Passy Rail Trail out there runs a whole 20 miles of it. Come hungry.

You are going to Belfast, Maine and you want to know what to eat, see and do. We have it covered. Eater, outdoor person, art person or somebody after something odd, Belfast has a version of it.

First, what Belfast, Maine actually is. This coastal city sits on a gentle hill above the Passagassawaukeag River and it is known for its art scene, hiking trails, shopping, food, boat building, music and events. It runs year-round and it pulls people in from a long way off.

Now the things to do and places to visit in Belfast, Maine. Food, outdoor hours, downtown, the arts and music scene, farmers markets and the odder corners of the town. Pack the bags.

Key Takeaways

• Belfast, Maine is a charming coastal city with a lively art scene, hiking trails, shopping, food, boat building, music, and events.
• There’s something for everyone in Belfast, whether you’re a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, an art lover, or just looking for unique experiences.
• Don’t miss out on exploring downtown Belfast, checking out the arts and music scene, visiting farmers markets and more, and experiencing some unique Belfast experiences.

A Glimpse of Belfast, Maine

Belfast, Maine is a small New England coastal town that gets under your skin. It sits on the coast of Maine and it is known for its harbor, its shops and the people in them.

Walking the streets of Belfast puts you in an earlier decade. The town is full of historic buildings and landmarks, the Belfast City Hall among them, built in 1854 as a serious piece of Greek Revival architecture.

Belfast sits on Penobscot Bay and that is the reason for everything else. The bay is busy with fishing boats and pleasure craft, and tall ships come through it. Walk the Belfast Harborwalk for the bay and the hills behind it.

There is plenty to do outdoors in Belfast. Hiking, biking and kayaking all run here. A scenic drive along the coast takes you into Camden and Rockland as well.

And if the outdoors is not your thing, Belfast has the indoor half covered. Browse the shops and boutiques downtown, take a film at the Colonial Theatre, or take the Penobscot Bay History Center for the story of the town.

Whatever you do in Belfast, the town holds up. Pack the bags and get out to this New England town.

Foodie’s Paradise

Belfast, Maine feeds people properly. Fresh seafood, farm-to-table rooms and serious baked goods. These are the tables to book.

Lobster Love

You cannot be in Maine without fresh lobster. Young’s Lobster Pound does the classic lobster dinner with the Belfast Harbor in front of you. For something different, the lobster mac and cheese at Meanwhile in Belfast. And for the version people argue about, the Lobster Ice Cream at The Good Table. It is better than it sounds.

Farm to Table

Belfast runs several farm-to-table restaurants cooking with locally sourced ingredients. For a cozy room and homemade soups, Chase’s Daily. For Italian, Laan-Xang Cafe 2 and their homemade pasta. And for something that runs on its own rules, The Lost Kitchen, a reservation-only room with a rotating menu of seasonal dishes.

Coffee and Pastries

Start the morning with coffee and a pastry from one of Belfast’s cafes. A latte and a croissant from Moonbat City Baking Company is the safe order. For a cozy room and good baked goods, The Purple Baboon. And for a different morning, a maple latte from 3 Tides & Marshall Wharf Brewing Company.

Seafood, farm-fresh vegetables or a pastry, Belfast has a version for every eater. Come hungry.

Outdoor Activities Galore

Belfast, Maine runs plenty outdoors. There is enough here to fill a long weekend. These are the ones to work through.

Hiking Trails

Belfast has some of the strongest hiking around. For a hard day, Acadia National Park is a short drive away. For something closer to town, the trails at Searsport Shores Ocean Campground. Ocean views, and wildlife along the way.

Biking Routes

Biking is a good way to take Belfast and get the exercise at the same time. The Passy Rail Trail is the one to ride, a 20-mile trail through the better parts of Belfast. For something harder, the Belfast Road Route, a 25-mile loop through some of the best country in Maine.

Fishing Spots

Anglers do well in Belfast. The Passagassawakeag River holds some of the strongest trout fishing around here. For something harder, work the Penobscot Bay, where bass and mackerel and bluefish all run.

Hiking, biking or fishing, Belfast has ground for it. Get outside and use the town.

Exploring Downtown Belfast

Downtown Belfast takes hours if you let it. Shopping, artisanal work or historical landmarks, all three are in the same few streets.

Shopping Spree

Start the shopping at the Belfast Co-op, where the local produce and artisanal goods are. From there, the Belfast Maine Farmers Market for fresh produce, baked goods and handmade crafts. The local shops on Main Street handle the gifts and the clothing and the accessories.

Artisanal Finds

For local art, downtown Belfast is where to be. Walk the Museum in the Streets and its over 30 historical panels and murals covering the city’s past. Then the Belfast Harborwalk, for the harbor and the local artisans selling their handmade work. The monthly Art Walk is where you meet the artists themselves.

Historical Landmarks

Belfast carries a lot of history and downtown is where it sits. Start at the Belfast Historical Society and Museum, which covers the city’s past through artifacts from the 1700s to now. Then walk Front Street, past the historic shipyard where boats are still built and repaired. With time, take Belfast City Park for the historic tower and the views out over the bay.

So take the walking shoes and get down into Belfast.

Belfast sits on a hill right above the Passagassawaukeag River and the whole of Penobscot Bay. The boats out there are still being built and repaired right on the Front Street Shipyard. The lobster comes in off the same water that the tall ships come through out there. Everything here starts at the water.

Arts and Music Scene

Belfast, Maine is small and the arts and music scene is not. There is enough here to fill several evenings. These are the places to check.

Local Art Galleries

Art people do well in Belfast. The town runs several galleries showing local artists. Back and Forth handles the contemporary work, and the Museum in the Streets runs the outdoor exhibits on the town’s past.

Music Festivals

Belfast is known for its music festivals, which pull crowds from across the state. Arts in the Park runs in summer with live music, arts and crafts, and food vendors. For folk, the Belfast Free Range Music Festival every April.

Community Theater

For local theater, the Colonial Theater or Waterfall Arts. Both run performances through the year, from plays and musicals through to concerts and comedy.

Music, art or theater, Belfast covers all three. Take your friends and go and look at what the town does.

Farmers Markets and More

Fresh produce, local crafts or organic goods, Belfast, Maine has it. These are the places to find them.

Fresh Produce

A ripe tomato or a crisp apple is worth planning a morning around. The Belfast Farmers Market carries fruit and vegetables of every kind. The market runs every Friday morning, rain or shine, with over 30 vendors selling everything from kale to blueberries.

For a bigger selection, the Belfast Co-op. This community-owned grocery store carries organic and locally-sourced fruit and vegetables across the range. The bulk section handles the nuts and grains and spices.

Local Crafts

For souvenirs or gifts, The Lupine Cottage. This shop carries the work of over 80 local artisans, pottery and jewelry and paintings among it. Something in there will be right.

Organic Products

For organic goods, the United Farmers Market of Maine. This indoor market runs year-round with over 60 vendors selling everything from meat through to baked goods through to organic skincare. The gluten-free and vegan selection is strong.

Eater or somebody looking for a good Friday morning, Belfast’s farmers’ markets deliver. Go and shop.

Unique Belfast Experiences

For something different in Belfast, Maine, the town has a few things you will not get elsewhere. These are the ones to try.

The Back and Forth Ferry

Take the Back and Forth Ferry for a tour of Belfast Harbor. The ferry runs between the Belfast Harbor and the Armistice Footbridge, with the harbor and the coastline around you. You pass the Front Street Shipyard and the Belfast Harbor Inn on the way. Watch for seals.

Alpaca Encounters

Animal people should meet the alpacas at Heritage Park. They are known for their soft wool and they are happy enough to see you. Sign up for an alpaca encounter and get properly close to them. It is not something you do most weekends.

Boat Building Workshops

Belfast carries a long maritime history and the best way into it is to build a boat. The Front Street Shipyard runs boat building workshops at every skill level, from beginner through to experienced. You learn traditional wooden boat building and you leave with a handmade boat of your own. It is hard work and it pays back.

History person, animal person or somebody looking for a different weekend, Belfast, Maine has a version of it. Try something you have not done.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the scoop on Belfast, Maine’s harbor walk?

The harbor walk is among the most popular things to do in Belfast. You walk the waterfront with the views alongside, and seals or porpoises turn up if you are lucky. The walk runs about a mile and it passes the Belfast Boathouse and the Armistice Footbridge. Wear comfortable shoes, because you will slow down.

Where can I find the best seafood in Belfast?

Belfast has plenty of fresh seafood. Young’s Lobster Pound, Darby’s Restaurant and Nautilus Seafood & Grill are the local favorites. None of them will let you down, and the lobster mac and cheese at Darby’s is the order to make if you want the calories.

What are some unique day trips from Belfast?

Belfast works as a base for the area. Acadia National Park is the big day trip. The Penobscot Bay History Center in Searsport is the quieter one. A scenic drive up the coast to Camden fills an afternoon. For a longer drive, Bar Harbor to the north or Portland to the south.

What’s the most popular attraction near Belfast?

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory is the most popular attraction near Belfast. The bridge spans the Penobscot River and the observatory tower gives you the whole river from the top. It is worth the drive.

Is Belfast a hidden gem or a tourist trap?

Belfast is the quiet corner rather than the tourist trap. It is not as well known as the other coastal towns in Maine and it carries plenty for visitors anyway. Friendly locals, good food and outdoor hours. It is also less crowded than the busier spots, so you actually get to rest here.

Frequently asked questions about Belfast, Maine

Where can you eat the best fresh lobster anywhere in Belfast, Maine?

Young’s Lobster Pound does the whole of the classic lobster dinner with Belfast Harbor right in front of it. Darby’s Restaurant and the Nautilus Seafood & Grill are the other two out there in the whole town. The lobster mac and cheese at Darby’s is the whole of the order worth making. Hungry.

How long is the Passy Rail Trail bike route running out of Belfast, Maine?

The Passy Rail Trail runs a whole 20 miles right through the better parts of Belfast out there. The Belfast Road Route is the harder one, a whole 25-mile loop out through the whole Maine countryside. Bike rentals and the trailheads both sit close to the whole of the downtown out there. Ride.

How long does the harbor walk trail run along the water in Belfast?

The Belfast Harborwalk runs about a mile right along the whole of the waterfront out there. It takes you right past the Belfast Boathouse and the whole of the Armistice Footbridge as well. Seals and the porpoises both turn up out there in the bay if you are lucky. Shoes.

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