While staying at the Sebasco Harbor Resort, we visited the nearby city of Bath. Bath is famous for their rich nautical history. Just 20 minutes outside from Sebasco and 40 minutes north of Portland, this is a great place for shopping and dining. Here are the best things to do in Bath, Maine.

Things to do in Bath, Maine:

1. Maine Maritime Museum

The Maine Maritime Museum is dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of Maine’s maritime heritage and culture. The moment we walked in the door, the kids found the tug boat replica and could have played in there all day. We saw what the inside of a lighthouse would look like and walked through an exhibit on shipwrecks and salvages.

Outside, the kids loved the pirate playground and climbing aboard the Schooner Mary E. The museum also offers lighthouse and wildlife cruises around the Kennebec River. This impressive museum is the number one attraction of Bath.

2. Stroll the Main Street

Bath, Maine has such a great downtown area to stroll. There are lots of boutique shops and great dining options. The kid’s favorite stop was Island Treasure Toys which had all of their favorite brands. Made in Maine sells unique products created by Maine’s finest artisans, so it is a great place to find gifts to bring home. You can find just about anything you need at Reny’s.

We loved the vintage vibe at The Fountain where you can sit on diner-style stools and order deli sandwiches or ice cream. There is a nice little pocket park along the Maine Street where you can enjoy an ice cream.

3. Josephine Newman Sanctuary

This Audubon Sanctuary features over two and a half miles of trails that traverse meadows, coastline, forest, and rocky ridges. The trail highlights include salt marshes, a former beaver pond, and a brook. There are diverse opportunities to walk on bluffs rising above the ocean, or stand on a cliff and watch reversing falls caused by tidal water tumbling over ledges. No pets are permitted on the property.

4. Visit Maine’s First Ship

Maine’s First Ship is a volunteer-led project to reconstruct the 1607 Pinnace, Virginia, the first English ocean-going vessel built in the Americas. The goal is to create a floating classroom for students of all ages.

Their mission is to promote an appreciation of Maine’s early shipbuilding heritage, the Popham Colony, and its relationship with the Wabanaki.

To see the current status of the build, click here.

5. Take a Scenic Boat Cruise with River Run Tours

River Run Tours provides scenic boat cruises along the ocean rivers and shoreline of Midcoast Maine. These private tours can accommodate up to 6 people. Enjoy views of local lighthouses, wildlife and coastal landscapes.

6. Androscoggin Swinging Bridge

Just outside of Bath is the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge. The Swinging Bridge is a pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the Androscoggin River between Topsham, Maine and neighboring Brunswick. The bridge was constructed by the same engineering firm that designed and built the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. It was built in 1892 for the people working at the Cabot Mill in Brunswick. It is always a fun stop for the kids to get out and stretch their legs.

Bath is such a nice walkable city. You could spend the better half of a day wandering the downtown. There is no better place to learn about Bath’s history of shipbuilding than at the Maritime Museum. What are your favorite things to do in Bath, Maine?