Enjoy the rustic charm of an original 1800s Bayside gingerbread cottage! Savor the view from the front porch, relax with a good book, or chat with neighbors as they stroll by -- this is a friendly summer community! Driftwood Cottage sleeps six in three bedrooms (one double, one set of twins, one set of detached bunk beds in a small alcove) and one bath (claw foot tub with shower). We furnish bed linens, but you should plan to bring your own towels. Porch furniture, charcoal grill and picnic table provided. Available July and August.
Visible from the front porch, the water's edge is just a block away -- as is the Village Center, a family-friendly focal point for summer fun. Children frolic on the playground swings, while older kids play pick-up games on the basketball court. At the Village pier and float, children of all ages splash in the bay under the careful watch of a lifeguard. Youngsters can learn to sail in classes offered through the Village Yacht Club. Rental kayaks are available nearby, and can be beached here. Many summer residents are sailors, and their moored boats dot the Bayside shoreline. Northport Golf Club is just a few blocks away and welcomes visitors.
Historic Bayside: Established as a Wesleyan summer camp meeting community in the 1800s, Bayside's original homes -- tents on wooden platforms -- were subsequently transformed into Victorian gingerbread cottages that now are gaily painted in a variety of hues. The village comes to life during the summer season, with American flags flying, colorful flowers overflowing their planter boxes, cats snoozing in the sun, residents rocking on their front porches, and friendly folks strolling the streets and socializing along the way.
Nearby Attractions: From Bayside, it's just a short drive to Lincolnville Beach, where the ferry leaves for Islesboro. A few miles farther down are hiking trails in the Camden Hills (Mt. Battie), and the beautiful town and harbor of Camden. The Farnsworth Museum, famous for its Wyeth collection and more, is situated not far beyond Camden in Rockland, another seaport, which offers day cruises and overnight windjammer sails. A little farther down the coast you can cruise to Puffin Island, where the birds were reintroduced successfully in the 1980s, or visit a botanical garden in Boothbay Harbor.
In the opposite direction, you can head into picturesque Belfast with its new shipbuilding facility and small working harbor. In Searsport, don't miss the Penobscot Marine Museum with its historical perspective on the area's seafaring days. Farther East are the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory.
On up the coast are spectacular Acadia National Park (not to be missed!) and the towns of Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor and Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island. There you can go sightseeing, whale-watching, island-hopping, and more. En route you'll pass a water park in Ellsworth, mini-golf, and other attractions.
Antiques shops, art galleries and restaurants abound throughout the Midcoast Region.
Countless families make Bayside their annual vacation destination throughout their children's growing up years -- and beyond. Kids who come for successive summers establish lifelong friendships.
Pets: Sorry, we cannot accommodate pets.