On a Lark in Camden, Maine

I just had the most worth it weekend of mosquito bites in all of my 29 and a half years. 

I first visited Camden, Maine in 2010. I was 21, so you can imagine what I was up to and it wasn’t museums and nature tours. But I fell in love with the town and the region. This is not the cheap white wine talking. 

Known as where the mountains meet the sea, Camden sits just under two hours north of Portland on the coast. On the sweetest little harbor, specifically. Whitehall Maine, a recent addition to the Lark Hotels family, brought me up here to kick off summer in their beautiful woodsy modern summer camp of a hotel which just SCREAMS Maine in the best way possible. Like right now I’m writing this from a rocking chair on the front porch with a bowl of blueberry ice cream wearing flannel. 

There was lots of indulging relaxing with quite a few scoops of exploring, so here is my Camden, Maine travel guide for you kittens!

Dress | Suitcase

[ play ]

Downtown is everything a seaside New England downtown should be…tiny shops {I love Jo Ellen Designs, Glendarragh Lavender, and Sea Bags}, ice cream joints, and a view of the water no matter which way you face.

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the area between late June and July, visit the Glendarragh Lavender Farm for, you know, the perfect Instagram lavender fields.

Assuming you do not have an unwavering fear of driving off cliffs heights like moi, I recommend heading to the top of Mount Battie, especially at sunset. You can also hike it! Another thing I have yet to add to my resumé.

Wouldn’t be me a trip to Maine without a little lighthouse scouting. Curtis Island Light sits in a public park that is only accessible by the bougey boat. BUT, you can spot this gem from Curtis Island Overlook just outside of town. Here is a very embarrassing yet informative post written when I was 24 and considered myself a fashion/lighthouse blogger please don’t click please don’t click.

And a sail around Camden Harbor on the Schooner Surprise is going to be very, very hard to top in terms of my future summer plans. Chchcheck back next week for more about this!

[ stay ]

Right, so, Whitehall is perfect. And I’m not being paid to say that. Design director Rachel Reider has done it again {Click here to see her work at Blue on Plum Island!}. Colorful, modern, printed, it doesn’t exactly reek of Midcoast Maine, and yet it suits the town so well. 

Lark’s signature small place breakfasts are one of my favorite selling points, though Whitehalls’s fire pit and back patio really take the cake here. My and Shauna‘s dinner-out plans were slashed as soon as we opened the wine plopped ourselves in front of the fire…one large pizza delivery and four hours later, we still hadn’t moved. And even though it gives off the vibes of an upscale summer camp cabin, the hotel dripping in luxe amenities, like Lather bath products, fluffy robes, and all the on-demand TV options and tech tools you could need in your room.

[ eat ]

Boynton McKay // 10 seconds in the door you just know this is the locals’ spot. Honor system coffee bar while you wait in line to order, and the most memorable breakfast burrito I have ever been graced with. Food Network Magazine also named it Best Breakfast in Maine. So there.

Cafe Miranda // A midcoast institution, and the absolute fattest menu I have ever seen. I do not think there is a single type of cuisine chef Kerry Altiero has forgotten. Asian, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, and Thai alone were all represented at our table.

Ok if I’m keeping it 100, techhhhnically this funky little bistro is located in Rockland, but clearly worth the Uber.

The View at 16 Bay View // Roofdeck drinks overlook Camden Harbor? Absolutely.

40Paper Bistro & Bar // Italian, outdoor seating, creative cocktails and A+++ happy hour bites. Perfect on paper and in person.

The Red Barn Baking Co // An itty bitty adorable pastry bakery. What more do you need to know?

Oh man guys. I hate to brag, but it was bliss. I can’t recommend this postcard-perfect area, or the hotel, enough. MJF got me a Lark Hotels gift certificate for Christmas and it’s going to be preeeetttyyy hard to resist heading back up to Whitehall Inn. Maine mosquitos and all.

[ follow along love! instagram | twitter | rss ]

Full disclosure: I received a complimentary stay at Whitehall Maine for the purpose of this review. All opinions and images are my own.