Rockland, Maine: Things to Do, Stay & Eat

Located in Knox County on the Penobscot Bay, Rockland is a popular tourist destination in Maine. Rockland is also commonly recognized as one of the best places to live in Maine. In 2017, Smithsonian named Rockland as “one of the best small towns in the country,” and Downeast Magazine appointed Rockland as the “best place to live in Maine” the same year. The coastal city’s population is approximately 7,297.

Rockland offers visitors a historic downtown with a wide range of local shops, restaurants, salons, art galleries and more. However, the city’s most popular point of interest is its picturesque, multi-use harbor. Rockland’s working waterfront includes the Breakwater Lighthouse, South End Shipyard and the Snow Marine Park. These entities are home to the city’s commercial fishermen, and also cater to both recreational boaters and cruise ships alike. According to the city’s official website, Rockland landed 35 million pounds of seafood in 2016 and is home to the headquarters of the largest fishing company in the world.

In addition to its thriving harbor, marinas and boatyards, Rockland also offers visitors an exciting local food movement. The city has become known for it’s increasing number of farm-to-table restaurants throughout the past several years. An additional element to the city’s economic success is its manufacturing sector. In fact, Rockland has the largest concentration of manufacturers in Maine. Many boat builders such as Backcove Yachts and Yachting Solutions call Rockland their home.

Many tourists also enjoy Rockland’s Farnsworth Art Museum, which is world-famous for its paintings by Andrew Wyeth and several other popular New England artists. Throughout the summer months, the city hosts many festivals and outdoor events, including the Maine Lobster Festival. For lobster fans, this is a must-see event during the first week of August every year. The five-day event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe.

5 Fast Facts About Rockland, Maine:

1. In 2008, Rockland became a designated U.S. Coast Guard City. The city has had a long-standing relationship with the Coast Guard, dating back to World War II.
2. Rockland acts as a departure point for the Maine State Ferry Service to the islands of Penobscot Bay. These towns include Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus.
3. Thanks to the Center for Maine Contemporary Art and the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland is known as a premier destination for experiencing visual arts in the state of Maine.
4. Rockland has dominated the ship-building scene in Maine, as far back as 1854. It’s said in 1854 alone, the city produced eleven ships, which included three barks, six brigs and four schooners.
5. The city is no stranger to lots of praise; Budget Travel named Rockland their “Coolest Small Town in US,” National Geographic Travel has called the city the "Top Adventure Town in Maine" and named Rockland on their "Top 9 Small Foodie Towns" in Maine.

What Rockland is for

Rockland is the working half of the mid-coast pair. Camden has the harbor view and the money, Rockland has the ferries, the fish and the art museum. It is the terminal for the state ferries to Vinalhaven and North Haven, and the base for a large share of the windjammer fleet.

The Farnsworth and the art

The Farnsworth Art Museum is the reason a lot of people stop, and it is a serious regional collection rather than a local one. American art with a deep Wyeth holding across three generations. Main Street around it has filled with galleries as a result, and the town has more of them per head than anywhere else on the coast.

The breakwater

The Rockland Breakwater runs nearly a mile into the harbor, built from granite blocks, with a lighthouse at the end. Walking it is the town's signature thing to do and takes about forty minutes each way. It is genuinely uneven. The blocks are large, irregular and slick when wet, and it is unsuitable for strollers, poor footwear or anyone unsteady. Check the forecast; there is no shelter and no shortcut back.

Common questions

Can you walk out on the Rockland Breakwater?

Yes.

The blocks are uneven with gaps between them, so wear real shoes, and turn back if it is wet, windy, or icy.

Is the breakwater walk suitable for everyone?

No. The route crosses uneven granite blocks and is exposed to coastal weather. Assess the surface and conditions for your group; a lighthouse at the end does not make the route an accessible promenade.

Should you stay in Rockland or Camden?

Rockland if you want a working city, Camden if you want the postcard harbor.

Rockland has the ferries, the museums, and a deeper run of restaurants, and it stays open through the winter.

Camden is prettier and more compact but busier in summer and quieter off-season.

They are close enough that either one works as a base.

What is there to do in Rockland when it rains?

Two museums carry a wet day.

The Farnsworth Art Museum holds a major collection of Wyeth family work in the middle of downtown, and the Owls Head Transportation Museum (Owls Head) sits a short drive south with antique aircraft and cars.

Main Street galleries and a long lunch at Home Kitchen Cafe fill the rest.

Where do the ferries from Rockland go?

To Vinalhaven, North Haven, and Matinicus, on the state ferry service from the terminal on the waterfront.

Vinalhaven and North Haven run daily and take passengers and vehicles; Matinicus runs far less often and is a serious commitment.

Day trips to either of the first two are straightforward.

Can you visit an island from Rockland?

Yes, ferry routes connect Rockland with island communities. Choose a destination.