New Harbor Maine - 7/25/08
Maine Photo Gallery
I write this article with reservations. I’m conflicted with the desire to share one of my favorite places in the world but also defensive about letting
the secret out and risking that it might change. New Harbor Maine has been our family’s special place for over 30 years now and over the years
little has changed. The memories grow deeper each year like the roots of the tall pines that cover the rocky coast. I am happy to share our secret,
but just promise to treat her right.
New Harbor Maine is a working fishing town located on the Pemaquid Peninsula about 65 miles from Portland. I have to admit that New Harbor
isn’t exactly a well kept secret. The movie “Message in a Bottle” was filmed here and the town was featured on the Discovery Channel. Despite this
type of exposure the town has been able to retain its charm. The town is a tourist destination without being touristy. It’s a fine line that has been
balanced well.
Maine Photo Gallery
I write this article with reservations. I’m conflicted with the desire to share one of my favorite places in the world but also defensive about letting
the secret out and risking that it might change. New Harbor Maine has been our family’s special place for over 30 years now and over the years
little has changed. The memories grow deeper each year like the roots of the tall pines that cover the rocky coast. I am happy to share our secret,
but just promise to treat her right.
New Harbor Maine is a working fishing town located on the Pemaquid Peninsula about 65 miles from Portland. I have to admit that New Harbor
isn’t exactly a well kept secret. The movie “Message in a Bottle” was filmed here and the town was featured on the Discovery Channel. Despite this
type of exposure the town has been able to retain its charm. The town is a tourist destination without being touristy. It’s a fine line that has been
balanced well.
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The primary accommodations are houses or cabins that can be rented weekly. A few inns and B&B’s are
also in the area as well. Our lodging of choice for the majority of the time has been a network of small
cabins along the ocean, harbor and scenic back cove. Each cabin contains the same basic elements, 2
bedrooms, small but functional kitchen, bath, fireplace, porch, no TV and the signature knotty pine
interior. Although minimal the cabins provide everything that is needed for a week long family vacation.
In more recent years we have opted for a larger house which did include a TV but it’s really not needed.
Located in the New Harbor area is Pemaquid Lighthouse which has recently been restored and for the first
time I was able to climb to the top this summer. Small groups are allowed to ascend the circular stairs to
the top. As a kid I always enjoyed climbing along the rocks near the shore. This time around I was
climbing the rocks to capture different angles of the lighthouse realizing along the way that I was
following my dad’s 30 year accumulation of footsteps over these same rocks. I believe that he has taken a
picture of this lighthouse from every possible angle, and he’s still doing it. Like father, like son.
Dining options within New Harbor are limited. The main spot is Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf right on
the harbor. It’s a classic New England clam shack and was even featured in the cookbook “The New
England Clam Shack Cookbook” by Brooke Dojny. The menu includes New England staples like chowder,
fried clams, and broiled scallops. However their specialty as you might imagine is whole lobster and over
30 years I’d estimate that I ordered lobster 98% of the time.
also in the area as well. Our lodging of choice for the majority of the time has been a network of small
cabins along the ocean, harbor and scenic back cove. Each cabin contains the same basic elements, 2
bedrooms, small but functional kitchen, bath, fireplace, porch, no TV and the signature knotty pine
interior. Although minimal the cabins provide everything that is needed for a week long family vacation.
In more recent years we have opted for a larger house which did include a TV but it’s really not needed.
Located in the New Harbor area is Pemaquid Lighthouse which has recently been restored and for the first
time I was able to climb to the top this summer. Small groups are allowed to ascend the circular stairs to
the top. As a kid I always enjoyed climbing along the rocks near the shore. This time around I was
climbing the rocks to capture different angles of the lighthouse realizing along the way that I was
following my dad’s 30 year accumulation of footsteps over these same rocks. I believe that he has taken a
picture of this lighthouse from every possible angle, and he’s still doing it. Like father, like son.
Dining options within New Harbor are limited. The main spot is Shaw’s Fish and Lobster Wharf right on
the harbor. It’s a classic New England clam shack and was even featured in the cookbook “The New
England Clam Shack Cookbook” by Brooke Dojny. The menu includes New England staples like chowder,
fried clams, and broiled scallops. However their specialty as you might imagine is whole lobster and over
30 years I’d estimate that I ordered lobster 98% of the time.
Pemaquid Lighthouse
It’s nothing fancy; you pick your lobster from the tanks on the lower level. Order numbers are
called out on a loud speaker and the bright red beauties are served with drawn butter and lemons.
Diners eat on wooden picnic tables watching the fisherman working in the harbor and protect their
meals from the seagulls. In recent years a raw bar was added down below serving oysters and a
variety of local beer.
In addition to Shaw’s most towns also have a Lobster Co-Op which is a group of fisherman that have
teamed up to sell their catch directly to the consumer. A typical Co-Op only offers whole lobsters
(live or steamed) and sometimes corn is offered as a side. Its bare bones and just perfect. There used
to be a Co-Op next to Shaw’s but it has not been in operation for I’d guess 15 years. You’ll find one in
Pemaquid and also Round Pound.
Another addition to New Harbor is the Hardy Boats which run several tours from Shaw’s Wharf,
including ferry service to Monhegan Island. My favorite New Harbor past time remains exploring
the rocks and Back Cove which sits adjacent to the harbor. The Back Cove has remained virtually
the same for the 30 years I’ve been coming here. A few fishing shacks line the northern shore.
Walking trails surround the area and biking is another popular past time. At the end of the day
nothing beats enjoying a cold beer or good glass of wine on the porch listening to the waves
crashing against the rocks with the sun setting at our backs.
The secret is out but I’m confident that if you do visit New Harbor you’ll love it for the same
reasons I do and you’ll become another guardian doing your best to protect her.
called out on a loud speaker and the bright red beauties are served with drawn butter and lemons.
Diners eat on wooden picnic tables watching the fisherman working in the harbor and protect their
meals from the seagulls. In recent years a raw bar was added down below serving oysters and a
variety of local beer.
In addition to Shaw’s most towns also have a Lobster Co-Op which is a group of fisherman that have
teamed up to sell their catch directly to the consumer. A typical Co-Op only offers whole lobsters
(live or steamed) and sometimes corn is offered as a side. Its bare bones and just perfect. There used
to be a Co-Op next to Shaw’s but it has not been in operation for I’d guess 15 years. You’ll find one in
Pemaquid and also Round Pound.
Another addition to New Harbor is the Hardy Boats which run several tours from Shaw’s Wharf,
including ferry service to Monhegan Island. My favorite New Harbor past time remains exploring
the rocks and Back Cove which sits adjacent to the harbor. The Back Cove has remained virtually
the same for the 30 years I’ve been coming here. A few fishing shacks line the northern shore.
Walking trails surround the area and biking is another popular past time. At the end of the day
nothing beats enjoying a cold beer or good glass of wine on the porch listening to the waves
crashing against the rocks with the sun setting at our backs.
The secret is out but I’m confident that if you do visit New Harbor you’ll love it for the same
reasons I do and you’ll become another guardian doing your best to protect her.
Back Cove
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