Hotel at a Glance: 250 Main Hotel

The view from any of this hotel’s 26 rooms could be described as idyllic. To the north, there are red-brick buildings housing cafés and shops on downtown Rockland’s Main Street. To the south and west are the charming homes of the coastal neighborhood. But the best views of all may be from the hotel’s balcony rooms, which look out over Rockland Harbor to the east.

• Stylish rooms mix elements like reclaimed wood and midcentury-modern furniture, along with artwork.
• Free continental breakfast includes pastries and yogurt parfaits.
• To the top: The rooftop deck hosts wine socials in the summer.
• Within walking distance: restaurants and museums
• Trip planning is simplified thanks to in-room tablets that have sightseeing tips.

Rockland, Maine: Historic Shipping Hamlet on the Atlantic Coast

Rockland’s granite breakwater stretches for nearly a mile into the harbor, to a century-old red-brick lighthouse that still guides boats to the shore. For first-time visitors, a tour of the lighthouse is a nice place to start, or one of the local sunset cruises. People also snag spots along the pier to cast out for sand sharks and rock bass.

Naturally, the water has been central to Rockland’s growth. A shipping hamlet in the late 18th century, the village has become a tourist destination in the years since. Downtown, diners bite into succulent fresh-caught shrimp and lobster at the many seafood restaurants. A few local museums make for an educational afternoon on a rainy day. At the Maine Lighthouse Museum, visitors explore a collection of historic Coast Guard items and Fresnel lenses. Guests also take in paintings of Maine’s idyllic landscapes at the Farnsworth Art Museum, which exhibits works by a young Andrew Wyeth.