Peaks Island, Maine

The funky Umbrella Cover Museum was established in 1996, with the express wish to celebrate the mundane and to demonstrate the innate attractions of one of life’s most mundane inventions, the umbrella cover. Founder and curator Nancy Hoffman wanted to show visitors that there is wonder and beauty in all manner of strange things and to suggest that even the humble umbrella cover could have stories to tell. The unique and quirky museum has even travelled to the United Kingdom to present a pop-up exhibition. Visitors are welcome to bring along any covers they would like to donate to extend the museum collection.

The Umbrella Cover Museum, 62 B Island Ave, Peaks Island, ME 04108, Phone: 207-939-0301

Located in the Fifth Maine Regiment Memorial Hall, which was built by Civil War veterans of the Fifth Maine Volunteer Regiment in 1888, the 5th Maine Museum tells the story of the history of Peaks Island and the Fifth Maine Regiment. The building has been fully restored and is considered to be an architectural gem. The museum is roughly divided into two floors – the first floor devoted to the history of the Fifth Maine Regiment, while the second floor showcases Peaks Island history from the 1800’s to today. The museum hosts regular special exhibits, events and lectures during the season and is surrounded by a lovely garden offering excellent views across the water.

5th Maine Museum, 45 Seashore Ave, Peaks Island, ME 04108, Phone: 207-766-3330

Beautiful Peaks Island offers great inspiration for artistic souls and the Richard Boyd Art Gallery provides the ideal showcase for their works of art. Richard is an exceptional ceramicist who works in a studio directly above the gallery, which is open to the public daily from April through October. In the off-season the gallery opens on weekends only or by arrangement. Here you can admire (and purchase) the works of several established and emerging artists from Maine and beyond – there is usually a new exhibition every month and often you will be able to visit an inspirational themed exhibition. Paintings in various mediums, ceramics and sculptures are all represented at the gallery.

Richard Boyd Art Gallery, 15 Epps Street, Peaks Island, ME 04108, Phone: 207-766-2410

The Maine Island Kayak Company offers visitors to Peaks Island the opportunity to try a new hobby during their vacation. The calm waters around Peaks Island offer near-ideal conditions for paddling and the team at Maine Island Kayak Company are dedicated to getting newbies out on the water to enjoy an amazing adventure. Experience sea kayakers can rent all the equipment they need, while first-timers can sign up for a course to enable them to paddle safely. The company has experienced guides who can take you on guided kayaking adventures on Casco Bay and the other outlying islands of the archipelago. Half-day tours, full-day tours and sunset tours are available.

Maine Island Kayak Company, Kayak Beach, Peaks Island, ME 04108, Phone: 207-766-2373

When you need a little pampering to enhance your vacation on Peaks Island you need look no further than Massage on Peaks Island. Your masseur, Thomas Kipp, has several years of training and experience in sport and therapeutic massage and is dedicated to offering customers a mix of relaxing and therapeutic techniques. At the end of your massage you should feel relaxed, rejuvenated and free of tension. Thomas works with hot stones and heated towel to enhance your experience and will customize the massage to suit your specific needs, to address your aches, pains and tensions. When the weather is good you can choose to enjoy your massage out on the verandah overlooking the ocean.

Massage on Peaks Island, 650 Seashore Avenue, Peaks Island, ME 04108, Phone: 781-771-2387