By July 4th, you’ll hear locals start to say that “town’s hopping” – and they’re right! The midcoast is abuzz with activity: it’s when everything really feels alive.
You can expect nice weather in July: the temperature is consistently warm during the days, and often cools off at night. You will also see summer squalls (pop-up thunderstorms), which most frequently occur in late afternoon and early evening. The squalls, like the early morning fog, help keep the temperatures consistent, while also preventing oppressive humidity. Some days in late July in particular can feel more sticky, especially if a good squall hasn’t rolled through in a week or so, so those are the days when folks like to get out on the water (or spend time at the beach!)
July is a great time to visit if you enjoy live performances! From musicians in restaurants and local concert halls (like the Boothbay Opera House or Bath’s Chocolate Church,) to summer plays across the region, there’s always something fun to see! Lots of musicians play into the evening, especially at local restaurant; it’s a great place to start if you’re planning a date night!
Boaters and boat enthusiasts also love July, because it’s a glorious time to get out on the water! Whether you enjoy sailing, power boats, whale watches, kayaking, or paddleboarding, you’ll find lots of ways to get on the water in July. If you’ve never been to Maine, or want an all-in-one experience, try Cabbage Island Clambakes in Boothbay: you’ll get a boat tour of our area, a whale watch, a lobster dinner, and a chance to meet some classic Mainers all in one fell swoop! You can make your reservations at the dock in Boothbay Harbor, and remember that they’re cash-only!
Want to bring the family? July is great for that too! There are all sorts of family-friendly activities here, including hitting the museums, seeing a movie, playing mini golf (a favorite of our family,) hiking, swimming, and more! Our region is classic Maine, so you won’t find boardwalks, and the local water park is about an hour away, but you will find room to roam. Local kids are often found playing outside, biking on quieter streets, walking around town, or on local basketball and tennis courts.
July is when the Midcoast really gets its groove on: life is not fast-paced by any means, but runs like a well-oiled machine: things just work! It’s worth it to make reservations up to a week ahead in many cases, especially if you’re looking to visit a particularly popular spot, and especially at night, but you’ll also want to leave room for spontaneity: head up the coast for the day to explore, wander down the street to check out the view, or pick up a book by a local author and just enjoy! It’s all part of life here in Maine.