Explore Rockland
Discover the best of Rockland.
From award-winning restaurants and waterfront walks to art museums, local shops, and sweet treats, Rockland offers something around every corner. Whether you're here for an hour or the entire day, we hope you'll explore, linger, and enjoy everything our coastal community has to offer.
Breakfast, Coffee & Bakery
Start your morning—or take an afternoon break—with locally roasted coffee, fresh pastries, and welcoming cafés.
Bixby Chocolate Café & Roaster ↗
Newtys Ice Cream and Espresso Bar ↗
LUNCH
Whether you're looking for fresh Maine seafood, casual waterfront dining, or an intimate evening meal, downtown Rockland offers exceptional local restaurants within an easy walk of the harbor.
Amato’s Food Trailer at Harbor Park ↗
Sips & Bites
Take an afternoon break with a lobster roll, a beer or cocktail, small plates, and local made treats.
Sweets & Treats
Enjoy local chocolate, baked goods, donuts, and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Museums & Culture
Rockland is one of New England's premier arts destinations.
Explore world-class collections, regional history, and contemporary exhibitions.
Walkable. 16 Museum Street, Rockland. Open throughout the PSP season. September: Wednesday–Monday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. October: Wednesday–Monday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; closed Tuesdays
Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA) ↗
Walkable. 21 Winter Street, Rockland. Open throughout the PSP season. June–October: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5:00 p.m.
Walkable. 1 Park Drive, Rockland. Open throughout the PSP season. Daily, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Walkable. 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland. Open May–October, Wednesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Recommend only on ship days falling Wednesday through Saturday.
Owls Head Transportation Museum ↗
Short cab/rideshare. 117 Museum Street, Owls Head. Open year-round, daily, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. A dependable recommendation throughout the entire PSP season.
Knox Museum / Montpelier (Thru Oct. 10 Only) ↗
Short cab/rideshare. 30 High Street, Thomaston. Open Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m.–3:15 p.m., through October 10 only. Do not list as an unrestricted season-long attraction.
Shopping
Walk and browse many independently owned boutiques, galleries, bookstores, gift shops, and specialty retailers throughout downtown.
Highlights include local art, Maine-made goods, clothing, home décor, and unique gifts.
Galleries
Rockland is known for being an fine arts destination, and is home to numerous fine art galleries featuring regional, national, and internationally recognized artists.
Take time to wander downtown and discover them.
Walkable Waterfront & Harbor Highlights
Explore Rockland’s harbor, public parks and working waterfront—all within a comfortable walk of Harbor Park and downtown.
Harbor Park and Public Landing
Rockland’s waterfront gathering place offers sweeping harbor views, picnic areas, seasonal events and an up-close look at visiting schooners, fishing boats and working vessels.
PortShare Promise Welcome Center
Start here for maps, local recommendations, transportation information, free Wi-Fi and assistance from community volunteers.
Rocky the Lobster Selfie Stop
Take a distinctly Rockland photograph with Rocky, the beloved giant lobster and longtime symbol of the Maine Lobster Festival.
Rockland Harbor Trail
Follow the waterfront through public parks, marinas and sections of Rockland’s authentic working harbor. The trail extends north and south from Harbor Park.
Mildred Merrill Park and Harbor Boardwalk
A small waterfront park and boardwalk offering benches, harbor views and an easy connection between downtown, the marina and waterfront attractions.
Rockland Public Landing and Marina
Watch local boats, windjammers, launches and visiting vessels come and go from the heart of Rockland Harbor.
Historic Windjammers and Day-Sailing Excursions
See Rockland’s celebrated schooner fleet along the waterfront or reserve a harbor sail aboard one of the traditional vessels operating from downtown docks.
Sandy Beach
A small public beach and quiet harbor overlook reached by following the Harbor Trail south from downtown.
Snow Marine Park
A waterfront green space at the southern end of the Harbor Trail, overlooking Rockland’s working harbor and historic shipyard district.
South End Working Waterfront
Continue beyond downtown to see Rockland’s active marine businesses, boatyards and fishing heritage—the living waterfront that continues to shape the city.
Beyond downtown: The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is best reached by taxi, trolley or other transportation to the Breakwater parking area, followed by a nearly one-mile walk over the granite breakwater.
Transportation
Local taxi services are available throughout the day.
Joe’s Taxi (207) 975-3560
Schooner Bay Taxi (207) 594-5000
Sterling Elite (207) 785-3100
Uber and Lyft availability may be limited.
Plan Your Visit
Need transportation, restrooms, accessibility information, Wi-Fi, or visitor services?