Town of Lubec, Maine

Lubec is the easternmost town in the contiguous US and is located on a peninsula in the Bay of Fundy. It’s slightly south of Eastport, and the famous striped lighthouse, West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, is to the southeast in Quoddy Head State Park. Lubec is the entryway (and the only bridge) for the neighboring island of Campobello, New Brunswick.

The community of Lubec celebrates a rich maritime history that flourished because the harbor remained ice-free in the winter—and it’s not because it’s not cold this far north.

Interesting to note that the Bay of Fundy has the largest tidal range in the world, up to 38 feet, and is why ice doesn’t have a chance to take hold in winter.

Lubec’s early economy was agriculture, fisheries, and smuggling (mostly gypsum, due to embargos). Shipbuilding and associated trades like sailmaking, boatwrights, and shipyards were significant in Lubec’s initial development.

Lubec today is an intriguing, albeit small, rural coastal town worth exploring not only for what the community offers but also for the many unique opportunities to explore the ruggedly beautiful coast of Maine.

Exploring Lubec Maine

In Lubec and the surrounding area, you’ll find yourself away from the major throngs of visitors that frequent Bar Harbor to the south, making exploring the village a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

Surrounded on three sides by the Bay of Fundy, Lubec is an easy town to get to know and explore. Points of interest in the village are the Peacock House B & B, a historic sea captain’s house from 1860 (named after former owners), the cobbled walkways on Water Street, and the Lubec’s Schoodic Sculpture in Stockford Park on Lower Water Street.

Anywhere you are in Lubec, you’ll find that you always have stunning, panoramic views of the bay. The connection to the sea is evident in what you can see and do in the compact community; there’s the McCurdy Smokehouse Museum which pays tribute to the fishing industry, which at one time was the economic force of the village.

Sardine canneries and herring smokehouses used to line the waterfront, and McCurdy’s is the last remaining smokehouse. The buildings now offer a glimpse into the history of this by-gone industry.

The Mulholland Market Gallery, a gallery and gift shop, is a part of the complex and features the work of local artists and craftspeople.

Nearby is the Lost Fishermen’s Memorial, dedicated in 2016, which honors those lost at sea in Washington County, and Charlotte County, New Brunswick, just across the bay.

The memorial, made of granite stone shaped like overlapping waves, has the names of all individuals etched on it who perished at sea while fishing from 1900 onward. The memorial and the park are a quiet yet powerful place of reflection.

Along the southern edge of the peninsula, you’ll find Mowery Beach Preserve, which has a short boardwalk surrounded by a coastal scrub woodlawn and passes by a cattail swamp and a sphagnum bog that are protected by the Downeast Coastal Conservancy.

If you want to extend your walk and enjoy the preserve, you can walk along the beach and at low tide view the remains of ancient tree stumps that indicate the location of an ancient forest.

Exploring the Area

The area around Lubec offers many opportunities to hike, walk, bike, and explore. You can experience an amazing variety of diverse ecosystems within proximity to each other.

There are preserved peat bogs, headlands, expansive beaches and mudflats at low tide, forests and meadows, and of course, the craggy coastline that makes Maine a popular vacation destination.

No visit to Lubec would be complete without a visit to the red and white striped West Quoddy Head Light House in Quoddy Head State Park, the most eastern point in the US—if you can manage to get there right before (or as) the sun rises you’ll be the first to see the sun’s rays sweep across the land.

The park has five hiking trails that offer spectacular ocean views, raised boardwalks over bogs, forests, and sandy beaches.

It’s worth mentioning that you can make arrangements to stay right on the grounds in West Quoddy Station. The former Headlight Keeper’s Cabin or the Station House makes for genuinely unique accommodations steps away from the lighthouse.

Another hiking trail close by is Boot Head, another trek that takes you along the craggy cliffs on wood and stone trails and staircases for dramatic views of the Atlantic.

There are so many more opportunities in the area to explore. Another well worth a visit is Cobscook Shores. With 15 new parklands in the undeveloped coastal region around Lubec to visit, you’ll most likely need to return to explore this unique park system fully.

Relaxing Like a (Lubec) Local

Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, walking, and hiking (if that’s possible) out and about in Lubec, you may be wondering where you might get a bit to eat, shop, or just hang out and take in the local life. We have a few recommendations, starting with The Narrow Escape on Water Street.

This is just the spot to get a hot cup of coffee or espresso, a meal, or a baked treat, and find that perfect gift to remind you of your visit here. If you are ready for a sit-down meal with a more lively atmosphere, there’s the Water Street Tavern & Inn or the Lubec Brewing Company.

There’s also Morano’s Authentic Pizza, a NJ style (thin crust) pizzeria for a quick bite, and for those looking for something sweet, check out Love at First Light for Maine-made Gifford’s Hard Ice Cream. They also feature Made-in-Maine gifts and souvenirs.

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