Lilac Place is  located in the midcoast of Maine on Upper Penobscot Bay,  considered one of the top sailing bays in the whole wide world and about 950 Sq. Miles – with many islands and places of attraction.

You can  walk or drive to Fort Point State Park – enjoy the lighthouse – picnic on the beautiful acreage – pick blueberries (when in season) and see the remains of Fort Pownall and its moat.

We are in Waldo County, Maine,  a beautiful unspoiled county where you may discover the wonders of coast and countryside.   Also a perfect stopover on your way to Canada.

Here you shall be able to hike Sears Island, the largest uninhabited island on the East Coast and you might just find tiny star fish and beautiful sea glass. Free public access,  this island encompasses more than 940 acres and 5 miles of shore line.

Here you shall be able to explore the Original Fort Knox, a fabulous bastion where “never a shot was fired.” It took years to build.  Fort Knox is famous for its history and ongoing events.

Located  minutes from the Penobscot Narrows bridge and Observatory ( the tallest one in the Western Hemisphere) so just go  to Fort Knox for access to the Observation http://penobscotnarrowsbridgeandobservatory.info.  An Elevator will take you to the top of the 420′ high observation tower which affords a panoramic view of Maine and Downeast. “On a clear day you can see forever” .  The tower will hold up to 49 persons. The only observation tower similar to ours  is in Thailand.

While there are some bridges being built that look like our Penobscot Narrows Bridge  this is a first in engineering construction. It is a unique cradle/cable stayed bridge.  Officially opens on May 1st.

Here you shall be able to visit the Penobscot Marine Museum with all its wondrous Yankee humor. This is the oldest marine museum in Maine,  it is located in Searsport, (just 5 mile down the road)  known as the “Town that Went to Sea”  and also previously known as the antique capital of Mane..   penobscotmarinemuseum.org

Go sailing – kayaking – hiking – biking. Watch the fishermen bring in their daily catch. Warm  ( Swan Lake State Park) and cold water swimming.  Fish from the piers.  Beautiful galleries and potteries.

Unique shopping, wondrous bakeries. Fun for the entire family.
Great restaurants,  both casual and fine dining, all with vegetarian dishes and some with vegan.  We’ll happily tell you our favorite picks.   However, you can  walk to Just Barb’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Walk to The Main Street Market country store for good takeout, wines & beers, very fresh seafood, limited groceries but  ice cream (a favorite of Mainers year round)  and a chat with the locals.   Its just around the corner.

For a full line of groceries and most everything you could need, we highly recommend Tozier’s Family Market in Searsport.   We’ve long said it should be called Tozier’s Friendly Market  as everyone is so welcoming and helpful and neighbors meet and chat.  See link below.

And – we Highly recommend  The Good Kettle , immaculately clean with the best soups , sandwiches, salads , all made on the premises for eat-in or take-out.   They’ll happily put a picnic together for you – complete with local brews or non-alcoholic, and the ice creams are to never be equaled.

Then in Belfast – we have a huge supermarket (Hannaford’s) and they carry a full line of organic foods, to include fabulous produce , meats, cheeses, wines & beers from local farmers and craftsmen.   Plus – there is the Co-op and the Farmer’s Market – along with unique shops and proudly, NO malls.   The continuously family shoe store in the U.S.   An Art Deco movie theater – all hand painted – an Opera House – just stroll around and enjoy.

Once here a must is Reny’s – absolutely a wonderful place to shop at highly discounted prices.   Reny’s has just about everything and its a fun place to shop.   No matter what you want – start at Reny’s.

If necessary,  we are  very close to Stockton Springs Health Center, a part of the Waldo County General Hospital which is rated in the top 3 of rural hospitals in the country. www.waldocountygeneralhospital.com

The Post Office is  within walking distance  as are the  library and the Community Church.  The basic essentials are in Stockton Springs.

Pick your own strawberries in June – wild blueberries in August – apples in September

Our countryside is filled with wildflowers  starting in the spring – lilacs and fields of lupine and 6 species of wild roses  going right thru to our beautiful fall foliage which ends Mid-October.

You  will also want to visit our local wineries and breweries.   They are award winning in many categories and have handsome tasting rooms.  My favorite is Winterport Winery and Penobscot Bay Brewery – a mere 10.5 miles from Lilac Place.

We are minutes from Belfast, Searsport, Bucksport and about  a 30+ mins.  from Camden  Hampden .
 

You CAN  get to EVERYWHERE from here. We are less than an hour to Bangor; Bar Harbor; Acadia National Park,  Rockland, and just a tad longer to Augusta, Castine, Blue Hill  and Schoodic Point.

Flying in? Consider the following: Bangor International Airport (about 1 hr); Rockland and Bar Harbor (small airports, about 1 hr) Portland Jet Port – 2 hours via I-95; Manchester, N.H. 3.5 hour via I-95

We do hope you’ll consider visiting us – we are a beautifully laid back community with fabulous seafood, wondrous hospitality  and  totally unspoiled!

We think you’ll want to come back – again and again!

Our favorite spots in the area:

1) fortknox.maineguide.com The original Fort Knox

2)penobscotmarinemuseum.org

3) searsportrughooking.com The top rug hooking studio in New England – they also offer classes .

4)http://www.lilacplace.com/sears-island/ – largest uninabited island on the east coast, easy access.

5) Penobscot Narrows Bridge & Observatory The observatory tower is 420′ high with gorgeous views

6) winterportwinery.com & www.pairingsinmaine.com Fine food, fine wine great brews, delicious Stout ice cream & good times along with beautiful tasting room and a cooking school that has a demo kitchen the likes of which I’ve never seen before.   I highly recommend a visit to Winterport Winery  and its  award winning wines and brews.

7) Waldocountygeneralhospital.com Rated among the top 3 rural hospitals in the U.S.

8) Toziersfamilymarkets.com Delightful market in Searsport – they carry just about everything in a very friendly atmosphere.

9) Mainegardens.com The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay.   Absolutely fabulous – open year round.

OUR FAVORITE LINKS NOT IN THE AREA:

Glen Moore’s… Slingmoore.com . Check it out, what a fun, wonderful and useful gift.   Glen & his wife stayed at Lilac Place a while back.

And this wondrous blog re Passamaquoddy Bay  written from the Canadian side, great photos of wildlife on both sides  of this International bay and you can track the whales.  Ilovequoddywild.blogspot.com

Check out the Denajean Handmade by Design on the following website.   All of my custom made chef’s jackets that I wore at Watchtide were made by Denajean.  www.sewingshantybydebbie.com

If you are taking a leisurely trip to Maine  we commend staying with Joe & Carol Lling in Chesterfield, Mass. on your way.   They own and run the 1886 House a beautiful B & B and personally knowing Joe & Carol, we’re certain you will enjoy your stay.  www.1886house.com

Going DOWNEAST – you will very definitely want to stay at the Peacock House in Lubec.   Lubec is such a beautiful coastal village  and this B &  B could not be better.  ( It is tops – take it from a B & B owner of over 25 yrs.) Peacockhouse.com The Peacock House got its name from the original builders – the Peacocks – who owned this beautiful house for 5 generations and started the B & B.   Dennis & Sue Baker from Reading, Pa.  purchased it 9 years ago and it just shows how much they love living in Maine and being hosts.   Also we recommend Monica’s Chocolates  in Lubec –  finest chocolates I’ve ever put in my mouth.   Make certain you have a plum truffle.