Overview
Rockland is a city in Maine that has witnessed a resurgence. Once boarded up shops are now colorfully decorated and the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center offer a diverse Maine artisan collection. Rockland plays host to many festivals, including the Maine Lobster Festival and the North Atlantic Blues Festival.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rockland
Farnsworth Art Museum
Maine Lighthouse Museum
Largest collection of lighthouse artifacts in the country. It has merged with the American Lighthouse Foundation. In the renovated Penobscot Bay Gateway Visitor's Center.
Owl's Head Transportation Museum
Owl's Head has a terrific collection of pioneer-era aircraft and automobiles including more than 100 historic aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages and engines.
Windjammer Cruise
Breakwater Lighthouse
Walk the 7/8 mile long breakwater to the lighthouse.
Maine Lobster Festival
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Nov. (climate data from nearby Acadia National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RKD Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland — 3 mi away. Directions
- AUG Augusta State Airport, Augusta — 37 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 68 mi away (major hub). Directions
Besides walking or using a rental car, the best mode of transportation in town is a taxi.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Farnsworth Art Museum, Owl's Head Transportation Museum
- Lunch Primo
- Afternoon Breakwater Lighthouse, North Atlantic Blues Festival
- Dinner Rockland Cafe
- Evening In Good Company
Day 2
- Morning Maine Lighthouse Museum, Windjammer Cruise
- Lunch Wasses Hot Dogs
- Afternoon Maine Lobster Festival, Maine Boats Homes & Harbors Show
- Evening Waterworks Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
By bus
Place Concord Trailways
By train
Place Amtrak
The Downeaster. Take the Downeaster to Brunswick, and then transfer to the Maine Eastern Railroad (seasonal).
By car
Besides walking or using a rental car, the best mode of transportation in town is a taxi.
Remember to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks! This is a state law in many other places, but it is strictly enforced in Rockland, particularly along Main Street. You will be ticketed if you fail to yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk.
Driving to Rockland from the south along Route 1 can be extremely stressful during the summer months (especially in July and August) as the two-lane road is clogged with traffic (especially in the town of Wiscasset). Many prefer to take I-295 (formerly I-95) north to Augusta, and then take State Route 17 east to Rockland. While longer in distance, the drive is far less stressful and often quicker, despite the longer distance. If you are in no hurry and wish to see many of the wonderful sights to be had along Route 1 between Bath and Rockland, then Coastal Route 1 is the way to go.
Get around
See
Do
There are many galleries, shops, and restaurants downtown. The ferry from Rockland will take you to one of many beautiful working islands, including Vinalhaven, North Haven or Matinicus.
Do Windjammer Cruise
Festivals
Eat
Eat Primo
One of the top rated restaurants in the state.
Eat Rockland Cafe
A well-prepared, affordable homestyle meal.
- Any of the areas many fantastic lobster pounds, for fresh-off-the-boat seafood. Ask a local.
Eat Wasses Hot Dogs
Famous hot dog stand operating since the early 1970s, featuring the excellent hot dogs (fried in peanut oil). They also operate another location in Belfast.
Drink
Drink In Good Company
A wine bar with a varied (and often affordable) selection of wines, ports and beers, as well as expertly prepared appetizers and entrees.
Drink Waterworks Pub
Beers brewed by local Rocky Bay Brewery and good pub fare. Live music.
Sleep
Go next
Daytrips include Camden, Belfast or around the beautiful Saint George Peninsula.
Nearby
Owls Head
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
Rockport
City / town · 4 listings · 6 mi away
Camden
City / town · 20 listings · 7 mi away
Union
City / town · 5 listings · 11 mi away
North Haven
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Vinalhaven
City / town · 21 listings · 15 mi away
Searsmont
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Jefferson
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
My experience
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