Town of Yarmouth, Maine

Driving along a certain stretch of I95 North for the first time and seeing the enormous globe spinning inside a glass atrium off to the right is certainly a double-take sort of moment; most Mainers could enlighten you as to A), what you are seeing, and B), where you are when you are seeing it.

This spherical spectacle is Eartha, a 41-foot diameter globe, slowly revolving in what was originally the DeLorme headquarters and is now a Garmin facility. This oddity is open for up-close public viewing during business hours; the building is located in Yarmouth, Maine—a captivating, seaside town that has far more to offer than this gargantuan globe.

Exploring Yarmouth, Maine

The town of Yarmouth has wisely set aside many protected areas for the enjoyment of all, each featuring unique qualities that draw locals and visitors alike every day. Royal River Park, one of the town’s most popular, allows dogs and offers picnic areas, a paved trail through woodlands and alongside waterfalls; keep your eyes peeled for frequent signage at historically significant spots (the park is located on a historic mill site). The trail meets up with the Beth Condon Pathway, which is part of the Eastern Trail, and includes a butterfly garden as part of an everlasting memorial to the pathway’s namesake: 15-year-old Beth Condon, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver in 1993.

Grist Mill Park is another Yarmouth gem located on the grounds of a former mill; if you are lucky enough to visit after a storm or in early spring, the falls can be a breathtaking spectacle. The West Side Trail has 10 miles of trails popular with bikers and pedestrians; be sure to have your phone handy, as you’ll be treated to amazing views of Casco Bay. Perfect for bird-watching, hiking, snow-shoeing, or just relaxing, the Spear Farm Estuary Preserve has over 2 miles of trails on a 55-acre property, and you could easily while away an entire day in the peace and solitude here. Another option is Pratt’s Brook Park, which is the largest park in Yarmouth, featuring over 6 miles of pedestrian-only trails as well as a disc golf course. Or, for a golf experience that involves small, white, dimpled balls rather than small frisbees, head to Toddy Brook Golf Course, which is open to the public and has a fantastic café. And, if you’d just rather set up your beach chair and contemplate where the sea meets the sky, there’s always
Sandy Point Beach. Yarmouth’s only true sandy beach, this spot is located just over the bridge to Cousin’s Island and is a popular kayak launching site.

Dining in Yarmouth

Whether or not you are a fan of shellfish and are planning a trip to Yarmouth, be sure to schedule your vacation to coincide with the annual Yarmouth Clam Festival. This weekend-long celebration of all things bivalve begins the third Friday of every July with a spectacular parade; the family-friendly event attracts over 120,000 visitors every year and includes a carnival, arts and crafts, music, road races, clam-shucking and pie-eating contests, fireworks, and much more.

Once the clam-crazy crowds dissipate, however, Yarmouth still has plenty of options for every appetite. The casual, family-style Muddy Rudder Restaurant (“The Rudder,” to locals) just off Route 1 has been bringing folks back time and again since 1976 with house favorites like the Rudder Chips (house-fried potato chips with parmesan cream, crumbled bacon, scallions, and meat of choice) or the Rudder Burger (topped with roasted garlic demi-glace, bleu cheese, and onion rings). You can even pick up your favorite menu items—or just ingredients—to go at the Muddy Market. The Royal River Grill House offers a different dining experience altogether with its seaside-meets-industrial esthetic, craft cocktails, and creative menu. Depending on the season and the local availability of ingredients, the spectacular menu at The Garrison changes frequently; this upscale spot is surrounded by the Royal River and is a uniquely dynamic dining find. Gather also offers dishes crafted with locally-sourced ingredients, but in a more casual and family-friendly atmosphere. Maggie Mae’s serves up healthy take-out, eat-in, or make-at-home meals and snacks. Their “Blueprints” take-out menu is a mash-up of their salad bar and entrées—choose one of their basic salads as a “base,” and select from a host of other delicious add-ins to customize your creation. Owl & Elm provides tempting twists on classic pub comfort food—and they have an amazing bakery bar! For breakfast and lunch (and take-home dinners), Clayton’s is a great option. This local dine-in spot started out as a cheese and wine shop in 1994 and is now a favorite for townies and visitors alike. And the Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company features a pub menu alongside their list of freshly brewed ales, stouts, IPAs, and lagers.

Yarmouth’s coffers are overflowing in the specialty dining department as well. In typical New England fashion, Day’s Crabmeat and Lobster offers the quintessential lobster pound dining experience in addition to an extensive take-out menu (give the “Day’s Lobster Roll Challenge” a shot: One full pound of lobster meat crammed into a fresh roll). Want pizza? Yarmouth’s got you covered with Pat’s Pizza and Otto. In the mood for Mexican? Swing by Bruce’s Burritos. Jonesing for some Jamaican Jerk wings? Then save your appetite for Binga’s Wingas. But make sure you leave room for dessert, because—yup—Yarmouth has that, too. If you tend to scream for ice cream, head to Toot’s Ice Cream; if you’re more of the “cake is my favorite food group” type, then definitely make time to stop in at Maple’s Bakery before they close to pick up something sweet for after dinner.

Stay Awhile

While Yarmouth doesn’t have any hotels or motels of their own, there are plenty to choose from just over the town line in nearby Freeport—the Casco Bay Inn and the Best Western are just two of many fantastic lodging options there—and there are several affordable Airbnb offerings in Yarmouth, as well.

If you are looking for a cozy seaside spot away from hustle and bustle of daily life, Yarmouth is the place. Retreat from the to-do lists and responsibilities for a few hours; spend some time in the fresh air, have a fantastic meal with a view…recharge your batteries with a bit of classic coastal energy in Yarmouth.

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