Exploring Maine: Popham Beach

Towards the end of our around the world adventure, we longed for a place to call home and began to compile a wish list. After much discussion and list making, we decided that Maine seemed like the perfect fit. One reason we choose Maine was that we had never been there before.  We reasoned that since we had not been there before, it would help us feel like we were still traveling. Around every corner was the possibility of something new or different. So far, we have not been disappointed by our choice.  We love Maine’s history, natural beauty, and especially the people. Since we have fallen in love with Maine, I thought I might start sharing some of our favorite places we have found so far.

Summer and beach…what else could one ask for? Maine has over 228 miles of coast line and beaches. One of my favorite beaches has been Popham Beach. Popham Beach is located one hour north of Portland at the mouth of the Kennebec River at the town of Phippsburg. Popham Beach is one of those rare beaches for Maine with its’ long stretch of white sand. Most beaches in Maine are rugged and rocky with few places to lounge and dig one’s toes into the sand or to build a sand castle. Beside the long stretch of sand, Popham Beach also has a little bit of something for everyone. There is a lighthouse on an island just off shore, a tide pool, an old fort, and several lobster shacks, where one can try one of Maine’s most famous dishes, a “lobstah” roll.

 

The lighthouse just off shore from Popham is known as Sequin Lighthouse and is the tallest and second oldest lighthouse in Maine. It was commissioned in 1795. During the summer, one can take charters to visit the island and explore the lighthouse. Unfortunately, we have not yet made it over the light house yet.  This is definitely on our list of things to do.   The fort at Popham Beach is a Civil War era fort. While never completed it did house troops during the Spanish American War and WWI. The fort has a great view and lots of space for kids to run around and play a game of hide and seek. Next to the fort is a small tide pool perfect for little one’s to safely explore the ocean. As for the the lobster shacks, while I cannot speak to how tasty the “losbtah rolls” were, there were lines coming out both doors.

While at Popham beach, we spent a delightful day relaxing in beach chairs, digging our toes into the sand and exploring the fort. We also did try to swim in the Atlantic Ocean. After dipping our toes into the water, we have decided that the Atlantic Ocean is a tad too cold for our taste here in Maine. Just a word of warning; on a nice weekend be sure to come early to get a parking spot or be prepared to do some waiting for a space to open up. Popham Beach is very popular with the locals.