1. Flying Cloud Bed And Breakfast
City: Newcastle, ME
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (207) 563-2484
Address: 45 River Rd.
Description: Once the home of sea captain George Washington Tukey, who set a world speed record in 1851 in his clipper, the Flying Cloud, this pretty white clapboard Greek Revival sits across the street from the Damariscotta River. The five guest rooms are named for the ports visited by Captain Tukey in his ship, and four of them have views out across the water (the other looks over the garden). All have private baths, and they are each tastefully appointed, with details like a claw-foot tub here, gas fireplace there, a four-poster bed, and pumpkin pine floors. The porch out front is delightful, and the screened-in breakfast area is a treat as well. Rates include the great breakfast.
2. Newcastle Inn
City: Newcastle, ME
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (207) 563-5685
Address: River Rd.
Description: With 15 rooms and suites, the Newcastle Inn sits right on the Damariscotta River with nice views back at the village of Damariscotta. The guest rooms are each uniquely decorated, many with antiques, lace curtains, canopied beds, and unusual touches, like the Victorian couch in the Seguin Island Room. Some have fireplaces, and all have private baths. Choose from options like Jacuzzis, private entrances, and queen- or king-size beds. Rates include breakfast.
3. Dodge Point Public Reserved Land
City: Newcastle, ME
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (207) 778-8231
Address: River Rd.
Description: The state acquired these 521 acres on the Damariscotta River in 1989, and people have been flocking to Dodge Point ever since. Why? The Damariscotta is a very scenic, wide saltwater river, and this piece of property has more than a mile of frontage. A few trails and an old woods road go here and there on lands that used to be an old tree farm, and they make good use of the river and its pocket beaches. Plans are to connect it with a new River Link trail to the nearby Sheepscot River, creating a long natural corridor extending all the way to Boothbay. Open from dawn to dusk.
4. Newcastle Publick House
City: Newcastle, ME
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (207) 563-3434
Address: 52 Main St.
Description: The Newcastle Square Building lords over the corner on which it sits in Newcastle, a historic four-story brick eminence with two chimneys, and it’s always screamed “nice restaurant.” So locals have scratched their heads why it hasn’t been put to use in any long-term, successful way. This venture has promise, an informal pub with better than pub fare—grilled steaks and seafood, local oysters, some unexpected optiions like karubi pork ribs and smoked duck salad—and a selection of Maine microbrews. The place aims for the neighborhood pub—board games to play, a Mug Club, live entertainment some nights—and it makes for a pleasant bonhomie.