Looking for coastal charm, artsy vibes, and fresh Maine air? Head to Belfast! This lively harbor town on Penobscot Bay offers a walkable downtown, rich maritime heritage, and scenic ocean views. Whether you’re exploring galleries, eating lobster on the waterfront, or walking the rail trail, Belfast makes the perfect Midcoast Maine escape.
Belfast, ME Highlights:
- Stroll the Belfast Harbor Walk: Enjoy sea breezes and boat views on this pedestrian path through working waterfront and scenic piers.
- Explore the downtown arts district: Browse local galleries, bookstores, vintage shops, and artisan boutiques.
- Bike or walk the Belfast Rail Trail: Follow this riverside trail for birdwatching and peaceful strolls along the Passagassawakeag River.
- Tour the historic homes: Admire 19th-century sea captain houses and Victorian architecture in Belfast’s residential neighborhoods.
- Kayak or sail on Penobscot Bay: Paddle calm waters or join a sailing tour for a picture-perfect coastal experience.
Best Time to Visit Belfast, ME
The best time to visit Belfast is from late spring through fall (May to October). Summer offers festivals, markets, and ideal weather for water activities. September and October bring fall colors, quieter streets, and cozy coastal charm.
How to Get to Belfast, ME
- By Car: Located along US Route 1, Belfast is about 1.5 hours from Portland and 45 minutes from Bangor or Camden.
- By Air: The nearest major airports are Bangor International Airport (45 min) and Portland International Jetport (1.5 hrs).
- By Bus: Concord Coach Lines connects nearby towns and cities to Bangor, with taxi or rideshare options to Belfast.
Where to Stay in Belfast, ME
- Belfast Harbor Inn – Comfortable stay right on the bay with water views and easy access to downtown.
- The Jeweled Turret Inn – Charming Victorian B&B with cozy rooms and historic ambiance.
- Belfast Bay Inn – Boutique suites in the heart of downtown, perfect for walkable access to restaurants and shops.
Best Things to Do in Belfast, ME
1. Belfast Harborwalk
Rating: ★★★★★
I drove nearly 2 hours from Portland to check out the Belfast Harborwalk and their Farmers Market. It was a fun, scenic day trip. The Belfast Harborwalk is a flat, simple, and popular stroll along the harbor in Belfast, Maine. The Harborwalk begins on the east side of The Armistice Footbridge that crosses over the Passagassawakeag River. The walk travels through the Front Street Shipyard and up towards Marshall Wharf Brewing Company and Main Street, where many restaurants and shops are located. It then meanders past City Landing before passing through Heritage Park and then Steamboat Landing. This easy walking trail ends near the Belfast Boathouse, where a good view of the city’s outer harbor can be found before returning to the Footbridge.
2. Visit the Belfast Farmers Market
Like the majority of the nearby small cities, the city of Belfast has its very own farmer’s market offering organic, local products in abundance from many different local vendors. Baked goods, a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, eggs, cheese, meat, and many other products can be found at the Belfast Maine Farmers Market.
The market is also known for having vendors who are welcoming and warm, as well as offering good prices.
For anyone tourists wanting to chat with the locals, the Belfast Maine Farmers Market is a great place to go for a taste of local life.
18 Spring St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-218-7005
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
3. Visit at Waterfall Arts
A comprehensive arts center for the Waldo County community, Waterfall Arts in Belfast, Maine provides resources to arts enthusiasts, professionals, and students of all ages, such as short-term rental facilities for organizations, performers, and artists, long-term studio spaces for teachers and artists, afterschool arts programs for students from 4th grade to 12th grade, and media-specific open studios.
The Waterfall Arts center also hosts a variety of art events, exhibitions, and classes. The center prides itself on being a resource in the community for cultural activities and also acts as a fierce, passionate advocate for the creative economy of the county.
256 High St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-338-2222
4. Have fun at the Belfast Curling Club
The Belfast Curling Club is a place for people who are big fans of the sport and those just looking to try something new alike.
The club offers everyone a chance to either join in a game of curling, providing all of the needed equipment and directions, or simply watch an entertaining game from the sidelines.
The Belfast Curling Club also has a bar where visitors and locals can take a break from playing and relax with a drink.
The well-lit ice of the curling club is in use between the month of November through early April.
211 Belmont Ave, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-338-9851
5. See a performance at the Belfast Maskers Community Theater
Established in 1987, the Belfast Maskers Community Theater was started by Basil Burwell, a retired arts professor, and has been a significant part of the arts community in the midcoast Maine region since its founding. The theatre group are consistently praised in the Belfast community for their high quality production and performance standards and the Belfast Maskers pride themselves on bringing the professional theater values to the community theater stage. Since the theater was founded, it has produced a wide variety of shows, ranging from the classics and Shakespeare to youth-oriented shows and musicals to light-hearted comedies to serious dramas.
17 Court St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-619-3256
Where to Eat in Belfast, ME
6. Savor Italian Favorites at Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House
Delvino's Grill & Pasta House is located in the heart of Belfast’s downtown district, offering a classic style to its cuisine, but with a bit of a modern twist. The locally owned and operated restaurant promotes an eclectic selection of appetizers and entrees made to stimulate customers’ senses. The menu includes pasta, fresh seafood, and homemade soups, and daily specials are offered as well, which are often reflective of what locally sourced ingredients are available to the restaurant.
52 Main St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-338-4565
7. If You Crave Seasonal Eats, Dine at Chase’s Daily
Chase's Daily is owned and operated by an energetic family and staff that work collectively to offer tasty food to the Belfast, Maine community inspired by the owners’ various interests and the farm. The neighborhood eatery is committed strongly to quality, and has done so since the first day it opened. Chase’s Daily is also known to be one of the state’s best vegetarian restaurants.
96 Main St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-338-0555
8. Shop for whole natural foods at Belfast Co-op
The member-owned Belfast Co-op is a community retail outlet offering whole natural foods, along with many other provisions and goods. In addition to vendors selling a wide variety of products, the co-op market focuses in locally grown and produced items. Visitors may pick up ready to eat food and sit outside on picnic tables. Founded in 1976 within the scenic downtown district, the Belfast Co-op is the largest and oldest food cooperative in the state and aims to provide customers with a broad assortment of locally sourced when available and organically produced products.
123 High St, Belfast, ME 04915, Phone: 207-338-2532
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