Description
Rockland, Maine, is a quintessential New England fishing town and somewhere where you’ll enjoy an authentic experience ashore. It’s an excellent destination to disembark during any North America cruise, with surprisingly historic buildings, an abundance of art galleries, and some sensational spots for seafood; Lobster is actually this town’s primary export, and Rockland hosts the Maine Lobster Festival annually to celebrate this. Boasting a beautiful coastline, surrounded by rich forests, this town is a cultural hotspot; artists and art enthusiasts alike flock to this fishing town from all over. So, you’ll be able to couple a relaxing walk along the Rockland Harbour trail with a visit to some unique art galleries; something that you can then follow with a succulent lobster roll, a specialty among the incredible foods available in the restaurants here. Home to a variety of boutique shopping experiences and nearby nature preserves, stopping at Rockland is always rewarding – no matter what type of cruiser you are. It’s somewhere where you can take a moment to appreciate the stunning beauty of New England and relish in the unique atmosphere this quaint coastal city brimming with culture fosters.
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Things to do
Rockland Breakwater & Lighthouse
Constructed in the 1890s by the United States Army Corps of Engineering to improve Rockland Harbor’s ability to shelter ships during storms, the Rockland Breakwater – to which a lighthouse was added in 1902 – stretches roughly 1,200 metres out into the waters around Rockland Harbor. Offering visitors a unique opportunity to walk out into the middle of the ocean, a visit to Rockland Breakwater is a must when visiting; you’ll enjoy some sensational views of the Maine coastline from the lighthouse, which is almost a mile out to sea.
Farnsworth Art Museum
Sitting in central Rockland, Farnsworth art Museum is a museum and gallery dedicated to contemporary American art; it features a significant number of works from famous American artists and a sizable collection of sculptures by Louise Nevelson, with four galleries dedicated solely to 20th century art. Celebrating Maine’s role in American art, both in the past and today, this is a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking for a cultural experience while ashore.
Owls Head Transportation Museum
Just outside of central Rockland, the Owls Head Transportation Museum is home to a landmark collection of antique aircraft, automobiles, and other forms of transportation from the interwar period and prior. In totality, it’s home to over 200 vehicles, and the museum’s collection even features a replica of the Wright Brothers’ iconic Kitty Hawk Flyer – which made the first sustained flight by a manned aircraft in 1903. Offering an insight into the evolution of modern transportation, many items in the museum’s collection are in operating condition – which is an impressive feat in and of itself!