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Hello!
I'm so excited to share a new series of posts with you! As I go places, I'll take you with me via Read Eat then Repeat Travels posts. I hope to share stories of unique eats and book lovers' destinations and round out these posts with a few travel tips. First in the series: Mainely Adventures!
I recently went wheels up to Maine on a mostly-vaction-but-also-some-work trip. And while I could go on and on about the fun time I had, I'd rather tell you about the wonderful places I found and the fantastic people I met. See below my favorite Maine destinations and why they now hold a special place in my heart!
Coastal Route One is the New England road trip of your dreams. If you love small towns with lots of history and wonderful shops, this is the route for you. Coastal Route One travels the entire length of Maine, North to South. During the summer months especially, the stretch between Portland and Bucksport offers frequent views of the Atlantic Ocean and various tributaries, bays, and harbors. I traveled through charming Brunswick, Wiscasset, and Rockland to name a few. Each small town along C. Route One boasts its own unique downtown, often dotted with a mixture of local art galleries, historical buildings and museums, small shops of every kind, and of course eateries.
Eat dinner at Frontier, a business which describes itself as "part restaurant, part art gallery, part movie theatre" in the historic Fort Andross in Brunswick:
Or shop a fun selection of paper goods and home decor at Rock Paper Scissors in Wiscasset:
Must-Do Foodie Stop Along Coastal Route One:
Red's Eats
What: Roadside Food Stand
Where: Wiscasset, Maine
Why: Award Winning Lobster Rolls
Just A Heads Up: Lobster Rolls are a traditional dish in New England, and while the recipe varies by restaurant, the basic ingredients are cold lobster meat soaked in butter and served on a hotdog-bun-esque roll. Some versions include mayonnaise, celery, or scallions.
While Belfast, Maine certainly falls into the category of adorable small town on Coastal Route On between Portland and Bucksport, it earned a special place in my heart and, therefore, a special spotlight in this post. This quirky harbor town is home to a beautiful library, a scenic waterfront, and endless shops selling everything from homemade candy to yarn.
The best way to explore is by foot. Take a stroll down Main Street or High Street and enjoy what Belfast has to offer!
Must-Do Book Lover Stops in Belfast, ME:
Bellabooks
What: New & Used Bookstore That Also Sells Antiques That Also Sells Coffee Omg
Where: High Street, Belfast, ME
Why: If you love books you have to stop in this store. Owners Gary and Kim love books and people and will gladly talk books with you if you strike up a conversation. With their charming cafe tables, small courtyard, and fresh brewed Yirgacheffe, Bellabooks feels like home to a book lover.
Belfast Free Public Library
Where: Just up High Street from Bellabooks
Why: If you have kiddos or you're looking for a place to get some work done, consider stopping in Belfast's Public Library. The building in and of itself is astounding. All KidLit is housed its very own floor of the library, meaning kids and teens have a space to enjoy themselves and crack open a good book without disturbing older library patrons. If you'd consider yourself an "older library patron" or you need a quiet space to work, stop in and set up shop in the Gammans Room.
And last, but certainly not least on my adventure, was Bangor, Maine. Bangor has big city feel but is half the size of Portland. Take a walk down any of the main streets and shops will catch your eye left and right. If you find yourself in Bangor near lunch time, stop in to coffee shop & cafe Giacomo's on the corner of Central St. & Hammond St. or bakery and lunch spot Bagel Central on Central St.
Shop small and support women makers and entrepreneurs at Willie Wags. A trip to Willie Wags is like stepping in to a real life Etsy shop. WW features a large variety of products crafted or designed by women. Products range from quirky gifts and home decor to books and everything in between. If you won't be making it to Bangor anytime soon, you can shop WW online at www.thewilliewags.com or keep up with them on social media @thewilliewags!
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| Um, who does't need one of these Willie Wags pillows in their house right now? |
The real gem in Bangor is KidLit Wonderland: The Briar Patch. The Briar Patch is an independent bookstore devoted to stocking quality products and staying on top of literature trends. Stop in at the minimum to take a look around, but if books float your boat you may find yourself walking out with more than you can carry. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and would love to point you in the direction of a great read. Find titles new and old, and if you're lucky, the occasional signed copy. The Briar Patch also hosts book signings and events often, so keep up with them on social media @briarpatchbooks and plan your visit accordingly! (Cough, cough, there's a Harry Potter Celebration planned for July 31st, see you there.)
As my time in Maine came to a close I reflected on the sights, smells, tastes, and stories I'd experienced, and I know in my heart, this is only the beginning. I'll be back in Maine someday (someday soon if I'm lucky).
Thanks for reading and "going" on this adventure with me. As always, happy reading and happy eating!
Mags
*Photos courtesy of
New England Today
Frontier Cafe
Bangor Daily News
Bellabooks
The Briar Patch
Michelle Houts
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