Rockland Inns
Top Reasons to Visit Tenant’s Harbor in Maine
· East Wind Inn-The East Wind Inn is a beautiful Inn full of well maintained antiques, quaint cozy rooms and non-intrusive service. When we visited, we stayed in a separate building, called the Meeting House, in a corner room that overlooked the harbor. A constant light breeze kept the room scented of salt air and wild roses that were growing beside the porch. We spent a great deal of our time “porch sittin’” and watching the boats in the harbor, one of our favorite pastimes when on vacation. A full breakfast is included with the room, which is served in the lovely main dining room at the Inn. We had dinner at the Inn’s restaurant, which is open to the public, which was outstanding. My husband had the Tuna special, which I even thought to be spectacular, and I don’t generally like Tuna. I had the potato encrusted haddock which I would rate as one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed in a restaurant in Maine. Our server, Karen, made sure our experience was memorable, and it truly was. The grounds around the Inn are beautifully manicured and flowers were everywhere. I would go back to Tenant’s Harbor just to stay at East Wind Inn, sit on the porch with a glass of wine and watch the sun change the colors of the boats in the harbor.
· Low tide at the Drift-in Beach-What looks like a small, rocky beach at high tide turns into a huge sandy beach at low tide. As the tide goes out, it reveals a beautiful wide beach and shallow water for swimming (if you have the nerve to jump into the Atlantic Ocean, even in August, my hat is off to you—it’s too cold for me!) The water is shallow and perfect for children. There are no large waves here, no public restrooms or picnic areas; just a great beach at low tide.
· Peace and quiet—This is not a touristy town and certainly not a large one. It has one store and a couple of restaurants and is definitely off the beaten path unless you’re headed to Port Clyde to catch the ferry out to Monhegan Island. If you blink while driving through town, you might miss it; but it’s worth stopping in. The only store is Tenant’s Harbor Merchantile, which has a good wine selection, a deli and surprisingly fresh fruits and vegetables.
· Public landing—Access to the water is right behind the Merchantile, along with plenty of free parking. My husband launched his kayak here and paddled around the harbor’s calm waters. It’s a big enough landing that you could launch virtually any size boat from here easily.
· The harbor—There are many boats moored to buoys of all colors in the harbor, yet not a lot of activity. Lobster boats leave before dawn and in the morning many of the bigger boats have been replaced by the dingey’s used to get out to the boat. As the tides change, the boats face different directions, which you’d only know if you’d done your homework by doing some serious “porch sittin’”.
About the Author
I am a freelance travel writer and I reside in Maine with my husband of 28 years. My website, http://travelwithlindabatey.wetpaint.net is where I post my journeys and experiences.
Historic Inns of Rockland Maine