Magnificent Oceanfront Home on Penobscot Bay
5.0
Outstanding(41 Reviews)House in Cushing, ME
10 guests · 3 bedrooms · 2 baths
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen or Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
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About this house rental
Welcome to Harbor House, a family-designed and built timber-framed, 18th century reproduction, gambrel roof home on mid-coast Maine’s St. George peninsula. Harbor House is delightfully sited on two-and-a-half acres of ocean front property with private dock facing a secluded harbor, several islands, and the open waters of the Atlantic. It is located on a private road away from the bustle of summer traffic, yet only two miles from the Port Clyde working waterfront and Monhegan ferry, and three miles from the restaurants, library, bakery, public tennis courts, and yachting fleet of Tenants Harbor. Drift Inn Beach, a public beach great for swimming, and Marshall Point Lighthouse are also close at hand.
Let’s start out on Harbor House’s broad south-facing deck with its glorious ocean views, perfect for lingering over your morning cup of coffee, watching windjammers coast along on the southwesterly breeze, taking an afternoon nap on the hammock, grilling today’s catch for dinner on the gas grill, or star gazing after dark, with the Milky Way so close you feel you can almost touch it. On the deck you are literally surrounded by nature’s bounty, sharing the bracing sea air with the ospreys busily tending to their young on Grandfather’s Island, great blue herons wading in the harbor at low tide, and kingfishers perched on the dock waiting for you to snap a photo. Out on the dock linger over the views of the surf breaking on rocky ledges, intriguing tide pools, and the scent of beach roses and raspberries. Don’t be at all surprised to come face-to-face with an inquisitive seal or to hear the soaring cry of loons at the mouth of the harbor.
Moving into Harbor House, you pass through a cheery sun room with tile flooring, ready to receive the treasures you picked up from your seaside stroll or your sandy shoes and beach toys. Through the glass doors now you are in the living room with its pleasant mix of contemporary and antique furniture, and fireplace (firewood included) if the nights get chilly. Your eye is drawn to the exposed post and beam framing of hand-finished red and white oak cut from trees in Amherst, Massachusetts. The construction technique used is mortise and tenon joinery with oak pegs locking the frame in place. Notice, too, decorative details such as chamfering of the primary beams with lambs tongue stops and extensive raised panels used as wainscoting, all harkening back to New England’s architectural past. To your left is a complete modern kitchen with two refrigerators and stocked with all the utensils you’ll need to prepare simple or lavish meals, and dining area that can comfortably accommodate ten.
On the main level you will also find the cozy library, with a collection of books about Maine and the sea, thrillers and classics, and a second working fireplace as well as cable TV. For those needing to stay in touch with the outside world, please note that Internet wifi has recently been installed at Harbor House, so by all means bring your laptops! Overflow guests can sleep in the library on a comfortable queen inflatable bed provided for that purpose. You will also find a half bath on this level, and an outside shower open to the sky that is great to start your day with a shower as the sun filters through the leaves of nearby birches, or to wash off sand and salt at day’s end.
Let’s start out on Harbor House’s broad south-facing deck with its glorious ocean views, perfect for lingering over your morning cup of coffee, watching windjammers coast along on the southwesterly breeze, taking an afternoon nap on the hammock, grilling today’s catch for dinner on the gas grill, or star gazing after dark, with the Milky Way so close you feel you can almost touch it. On the deck you are literally surrounded by nature’s bounty, sharing the bracing sea air with the ospreys busily tending to their young on Grandfather’s Island, great blue herons wading in the harbor at low tide, and kingfishers perched on the dock waiting for you to snap a photo. Out on the dock linger over the views of the surf breaking on rocky ledges, intriguing tide pools, and the scent of beach roses and raspberries. Don’t be at all surprised to come face-to-face with an inquisitive seal or to hear the soaring cry of loons at the mouth of the harbor.
Moving into Harbor House, you pass through a cheery sun room with tile flooring, ready to receive the treasures you picked up from your seaside stroll or your sandy shoes and beach toys. Through the glass doors now you are in the living room with its pleasant mix of contemporary and antique furniture, and fireplace (firewood included) if the nights get chilly. Your eye is drawn to the exposed post and beam framing of hand-finished red and white oak cut from trees in Amherst, Massachusetts. The construction technique used is mortise and tenon joinery with oak pegs locking the frame in place. Notice, too, decorative details such as chamfering of the primary beams with lambs tongue stops and extensive raised panels used as wainscoting, all harkening back to New England’s architectural past. To your left is a complete modern kitchen with two refrigerators and stocked with all the utensils you’ll need to prepare simple or lavish meals, and dining area that can comfortably accommodate ten.
On the main level you will also find the cozy library, with a collection of books about Maine and the sea, thrillers and classics, and a second working fireplace as well as cable TV. For those needing to stay in touch with the outside world, please note that Internet wifi has recently been installed at Harbor House, so by all means bring your laptops! Overflow guests can sleep in the library on a comfortable queen inflatable bed provided for that purpose. You will also find a half bath on this level, and an outside shower open to the sky that is great to start your day with a shower as the sun filters through the leaves of nearby birches, or to wash off sand and salt at day’s end.
Amenities
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Cushing, ME
Reviews
5.0
Outstanding(41 Reviews)5.0
Christa and her family have created a warm, inviting home on a gorgeous piece of property. We awoke to spectacular sunrises, or dense fog, and both were appreciated. Harbor House is an incredibly serene spot, making it very easy to hear the quiet sputtering of lobster boats as they move from trap to trap. And eating breakfast (all meals, actually) on the deck is as good as “dining out” gets
5.0
This architecturaly stunning, oceanfront home has everything you could want for your Maine coast vacation. No need to cart bicycles and kayaks, they're already there. And the kids loved diving off the deep water dock. Load up on groceries, because once you get there you won't want to leave.
5.0
We loved this classic New England home that was built as a historic post and beam design. Great kitchen, shared spaces, bedrooms and deck. We had everything we needed and enjoyed watching the lobstermen check their traps. We were close to the Monhegan ferry and had a lovely day trip. We bought fresh lobsters from the dock and visited local art galleries. A great stay!
5.0
We had a lovely time at this this comfortable, charming and well-equipped home. The location is so peaceful and the view delightful. The owner is ver helpful as well.
5.0
First impressions are as important as you know them to be.
The Harbor House is a quiet vacation retreat on the water with post and beam construction giving it period connectivity that transports you. The modern Appliances and Kitchen appointments rock, along with the sunrises and sunsets on the dock. My wife enjoys painting watercolors, and unbeknownst to us many beautiful ones are on the walls there and were perfect for inspiration. The Harbor House checks many boxes for vacation time. Great time!
5.0
Harbor House was everything you could imagine Maine would be like. From the moment you walk in , you feel like your coming home to join family. The home has so much history and character and we loved being able to feel a part of that. It’s in a wonderful location -an easy bike ride to town, the beach , and the lighthouse.
The accessibility to everything is wonderful. It is apparent the family wants their guest to feel right at home.
Christa was wonderful to work with- she always responded and was very informative with any questions we had.
We all loved ( 3 boys ages 9-18) our vacation so much and can’t wait to return!
5.0
Harbor House was everything you could imagine Maine would be like. From the moment you walk in , you feel like your coming home to join family. The home has so much history and character and we loved being able to feel a part of that. It’s in a wonderful location -an easy bike ride to town, the beach , and the lighthouse.
The accessibility to everything is wonderful. It is apparent the family wants their guest to feel right at home.
Christa was wonderful to work with- she always responded and was very informative with any questions we had.
We all loved ( 3 boys ages 9-18) our vacation so much and can’t wait to return!
5.0
A lovely location - great water views and access but sheltered enough to avoid high winds and the like. The house is comfortable and big enough to accommodate a family of four adults all of whom were working remotely during part of the visit. Lots of privacy.
5.0
A lovely location - great water views and access but sheltered enough to avoid high winds and the like. The house is comfortable and big enough to accommodate a family of four adults all of whom were working remotely during part of the visit. Lots of privacy.
5.0
I’ll start with where we ended - my daughter crying and not wanting to leave. We had the BEST time at Harbor House. It was an ideal location for our family to reconnect amid virtual school and work from home and the stresses of life. Between the swing in the bunk room that amused my kids for hours to the fireplace where we gathered every night for Bird Bingo and s’mores to exploring the shoreline and tide pools... everything was incredible! This house is the most magical place we have been as a family. My husband is obsessed with the gourmet kitchen and I loved all the details - the wood beams, antique furnishings and views from every window. We felt so at home yet so at peace there and will certainly be back to Harbor House. We feel so fortunate that Christina and her family opened up their home to our family!
5.0
After deciding that we would become homeschooling parents for the first time in 2020, my husband and I looked at each other in September and realized there would never be an opportunity again to spend a fall week in New England once our four children are back in-person in public school. The idea was born, and there was no better way to make lemonade from the lemons of 2020 than at Harbor House. My family (and our pup) took school on the road, ate in every night and fully enjoyed the mid-coast of Maine and accommodations at Harbor House. What a special place and family. Christa was fantastic to communicate with before and during the visit.
My three year old loved all the games and toys and the older children played in tide pools near the water. We had school in the mornings and visited coastal towns and lighthouses in the afternoons. I can imagine that Harbor House is amazing in summer but I want to put in the plug for autumn as well! It certainly was a bright spot in such a dark year and we are grateful.
5.0
My husband and I had a wonderful stay at the Harbor House in October. The house was neat as a pin and very comfortable. The fireplace was the centerpiece of our evenings, as the nights got very chilly outside - in the 30’s our first night there. The house was very warm! Wood was provided on the side of the house which eliminated the hassle of finding some upon arrival. We loved morning coffee on the porch and cooked nearly every meal. Important note — arriving in this quiet area in mid October, we found that almost all the restaurants we tried to go to were closed for the season, and we will definitely try to come back in the summer months next time. The kitchen is well updated and has just about every piece of cooking equipment you need! We would highly recommend a stay at the Harbor House again in the future!
5.0
Beautiful family property. Great location and well appointed home. Just like coming to your own place.
5.0
We spent four nights instead of seven (and without the family members who couldn't join us because of COVID) but enjoyed every minute of it -- the sunrises and sunsets over the water, the kayaking, the rocks, the birds, the deer, the nearby Marshall Light and Port Clyde. The beds were super comfy, the kitchen well supplied. We can't wait to go back next year, hopefully with the family this time.
5.0
We had the most wonderful time while staying at Harbor House! The only drawback is that it is so perfect, you will feel guilty for leaving to sightsee! We intend to return in the spring and summer and stay longer, just so we can experience relaxing at the home. It is so organized, stocked, and presented. You will feel as if you are part of the family who built it, and have been given the keys for a weekend. We have been ruined and spoiled to ever staying anywhere else! Thanks for sharing this treasure with families like ours!
Kristy
5.0
We have been coming to Maine for 30 years,, staying at Lakefront Cottages. The Harbor House was an entirely different world. The Property was immaculate, with all the woodwork you would think there would be dust, I could not find a spec! It was completely equipped with everything you could possibly need in a Kitchen.
The Rooms were very comfortable and the bed linens made you feel like you were staying at a high price Hotel. Usually we are running around all week, here we just enjoyed the view, the Kayaks and bikes. We felt like we were staying with an Old Friend. We will be back next year!!!
5.0
Our 3rd adventure staying in this very beautiful home...as New Englanders...the thoughtful detail was lovely &impressive
Location fabulous
A loving thank you
5.0
The Harbor House was perfect in every way! It was super, super clean and it's obvious that Christa and her family take great pride the house. We are lucky enough that they share it with us, honestly. There was not one thing we did not like about the house. The view was spectacular, the neighborhood was perfect, and they had everything from bikes to kayaks for you to use. We cooked every day in the awesome kitchen, and only went out to eat once while we were there, and that was when we went hiking on Monhegan Island, which I highly suggest as a day trip. My husband and I cannot wait to come back again. Thank you so much to Christa and her family for sharing your house with us!
5.0
We loved staying at Harbor House with our three daughters ages 7, 9, and 11. The kids endlessly explored the rocky shoreline. Just down from the house there is a small private sand beach. We were usually the only ones there! There was just enough to do in the area - visiting Rockland (30 min drive), coffee and ice cream in Port Clyde (2 min drive), swimming in the rock quarry (12 min drive). And we had so much good family time playing with the well stocked supply of board games and kayaking together (also supplied). The neighborhood is very small and everyone so friendly. We can't wait to go back! I don't think our Maine experience would be as wonderful if we had to stay at a different house. Thanks for the wonderful stay Christa!
5.0
Hi Joanne,
I have been meaning to send you an e-mail to thank you for renting your beautiful home to us. You have such a wonderful spot here and we feel privileged to be among the people to call this our home for a week. The days have been filled with many many activities including coffee on the dock, searching for critters in the tide pools on the rocks, fishing off the dock, kayaking, morning and afternoon trips to Drift In Beach (low tide), and boat rides with our friends the who have the house on Drift In Road. We have had endless fun…the kids are entertained for hours just playing on the rocks. Also, each of the kids had done their obligatory jump off the dock into the frigid Maine water. I must admit that I have not been so brave. We have had the PERFECT weather week and it should continue through our stay. My one worry before arriving, one indoor shower among two families, has not been a problem at all….as almost all of us prefer to shower outside (and/or skip a day or two of showering….we are on vacation after all J ). I will send some pictures as soon as download them to my computer.
Thanks again Joanne! This is truly a vacation to remember.
Take care,
Wendy
5.0
This will be our third summer at Harbor House. Without a doubt, a wonderful place to vacation with the family. We have made many family memories there. The house is clean, comfortable and ideally located, if you want to get away from it all (although, shopping is 10-25 minutes away, depending on what you are shopping for. We prefer to do one big shopping trip in Rockland on the way in and go to the Port Clyde General Store/Tenant's Harbor Store for the little items needed throughout the week.) Private and quiet. Beautiful views. The kayaks are terrific for investigating the many beautiful nearby harbors (bring extra life jackets!). The house is nicely furnished and has many games for the children to occupy themselves with at night. We have had many fires in the fireplace. The nights are so peaceful, with the sound of the ocean waves tumbling over the rocky shore. We have had the good fortune of seeing Eagles, Osprey, Otters and Seals. There were Moose sightings across the harbor but we did not actually see one. The children spend hours fishing from the dock. Depending upon the weather and time of year, they have jumped off the dock for a swim. The water is crystal clear. The pebble beach around the corner from the house is also great for swimming. At low tide it is very sandy. Ferry to Monhegan worth it on a sunny day. Wear comfortable shoes and hike the outer trail around the island. INCREDIBLE views. Amazing pictures. Cute little stores and galleries. Plenty of places to eat. Great day trip. Back on land, we are not usually ones to dine out but occasionally go to Tenant's Harbor for a fish or lobster meal. We prefer to cook at home and eat in. The kitchen is extremely well equipped. Everything you could possibly need. The beds are comfortable and the bathrooms are charming. The attention paid to the little details when this house was built is evident throughout it's cozy beamed rooms. Very tastefully done. You have the feeling of being in an old house (although it is not) without the creaky floors and critters that normally come with older houses. I cannot say enough about this wonderful home. We really feel at home in Harbor House and I am certain anyone visiting it will feel the same. You will NOT be disappointed. I know we will be visiting Harbor House for many years to come.
PS. If you should visit, be certain to stop in the Tenant's Harbor bakery for their delicious pastries and warm breads! I believe they call it Anadama? bread... really good! : )
5.0
Harbor House is, to our mind, a vacation rental dream come true. We have been vacationing in Maine every year for the past 10 years or so. Harbor House has been, by far, our favorite place to relax, enjoy family and friends, and experience the best Maine has to offer. The house, its amenities, and locale far exceeded our expectations over the past two years we have had the great good fortune to stay there. Harbor House is a true family home that envelops the visitor with warmth and hospitality! Our family has spent many happy hours together at Harbor House - curled up by the fire playing cards or with a good book, preparing great meals with the local abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables (and, of course, lobster), sunning and fishing on the wonderful lawn and large dock, kayaking in the bay directly from the dock, biking the back roads, walking to nearby beaches and into the wonderful village of Port Clyde. The views from the dock are spectacular - quintessential coastal Maine! Other activities such as golf, movies, and great sights and shopping in Camden and Rockland, are just a short car ride away. Local art galleries abound. We have enjoyed wonderful meals in any number of lovely local restaurants in Port Clyde, Tenants Harbor, Rockland and several points in between. The house is spotless and the owners truly bend over backwards to ensure that you have a good time and feel at home in this wonderful getaway. We only wish it were closer (we live in New Orleans)....we'd be there at least twice a year!!
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Cushing?
The average price for a rental in Cushing is $386 per night. This rental is $301 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Magnificent Oceanfront Home on Penobscot Bay. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Magnificent Oceanfront Home on Penobscot Bay pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Magnificent Oceanfront Home on Penobscot Bay?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, parking, and laundry.
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