City of Bath, Maine

Bath is a mid-sized coastal town in Sagadahoc County just north of Brunswick. The city lies on the Kennebec River near where it opens into the Atlantic Ocean and was settled by travelers from Bath, England around 1600, and is where its name originated from.

Bath is known as ‘The City of Ships’ because of the many sailing ships that were built in the shipyards here. At one time Bath had more than 200 shipbuilding firms. Bath Iron Works is one of those shipbuilders and is still operational today and a major regional employer.
Established in 1884, Bath Iron Works has gone on to build hundreds of wooden and steel vessels. They were a major contributor to the US Navy during WWII with many ships built right here in Bath.

Exploring Bath Maine

Bath is also a popular tourist attraction because of its quaint narrow streets and beautiful brick buildings. Most notable are the Federal, Greek Revival and Italianate 19th century architecture. The popular movies Message in a Bottle (1999) and The Man Without a Face (1993) were filmed on site here.

Bath has much to offer for residents and visitors alike: many hiking trails, boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, shopping and sightseeing; as well as local entertainment and rich culture in the way of art galleries and studios.

Maine Maritime Museum

Explore 400 years of shipbuilding history, maritime heritage and culture at the Maine Maritime Museum, which is the largest maritime museum in New England. This massive complex and active waterfront was established in 1962 on the site of a historic shipyard. It also contains the Victorian-era shipyard owner’s home, The Donnell House, and five original 19th century buildings.

The Maine Maritime Museum is also home to the world’s largest collection of shipbuilding tools as well as 500 ship models, 475 maritime paintings, and 21,000 artifacts. During your visit you can take a boat tour on the Merrymeeting ship and get a close-up view of local wildlife and the beautiful lighthouses in the area. Don’t forget to check out The Wyoming, a full size replica of the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built.

Golfing

The Bath Golf Club was established in 1932 by Wayne Stiles. Mr Stiles is considered to be one of the finest golf course architects on the east coast. If you love to golf you won’t want to miss testing your skills on this course.

Hiking and Biking Trails

There are many beautiful, serene trails in and around Bath ideal for walking, biking and enjoying nature.

Thorne Head Nature Preserve and Butler Head Preserve are both part of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust, which is a 96-acre preserve dedicated to protecting nature and providing environmental education.

These preserves offer quiet walking trails through the wooded areas of Bath and neighboring towns where visitors can observe the local wildlife and scenic waterfront views. Whiskeag Trail is located here and its 5 miles of trail connects back to Thorne Head Nature Preserve.

Sewall Woods is another preservation area in Bath that was set up for the protection of vital coastal and forest habitats. This forest is home to many species and sits on over 2300 feet of shore front on the Whiskeag Creek.

Local Amenities and Entertainment

Whether you are planning a visit or relocating to Bath you won’t be disappointed when it comes to shopping, eating and entertainment.

Lodging in Bath

When you’re looking for someplace nice to stay you’ll discover many choices from in-town hotels to cottages and inns on the waterfront. If you’re looking for something more intimate and rustic you’ll want to check out the local Bed & Breakfast places.

And if you’re looking for something special for a wedding or event look no further than The Georgetown Island Guest House. This restored 1895 farmhouse located on nearby Georgetown Island is a perfect venue for special events or large family gatherings.

Shopping

There are many local shops worth a visit in downtown Bath. You’ll enjoy walking through the old streets and into the old buildings to shop

for jewelry, pottery, clothing, Maine made souvenirs, antiques and collectibles.

Restaurants in Bath

Bath has many local mom & pop run establishments including coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream, sandwich shops and pizza places. You’ll find whatever you’re craving here: seafood, lobster, Thai, Mexican, steakhouse, BBQ, and even Irish pub style food. And don’t miss out on the spectacular views that you’ll get while dining on the waterfront.

Local Entertainment

The Chocolate Church Arts Center is a performing arts and visual arts center established in 1977 to provide residents with a place to enjoy the arts. The building is a Gothic Revival Church from the 1840’s and has a deep significance in this well preserved city.

Heritage Days Fest is an annual festival that is held each year around the 4th of July. This celebration lasts for 6 days and is free to the public. Events such as live music, a parade, carnival, family activities and lots of food vendors are held throughout Bath’s beautiful historic downtown area.

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