6-10 p.m.: So many options, so little time. See what's on the schedule at the Opera House (86 Townsend Ave., 207-633-5159, boothbayoperahouse.org), an 1894 hall that's home to concerts, lectures, dramas, and special events; most start between 7 and 9 p.m., so plan activities and dinner accordingly. Other possibilities worth planning around include First Friday art tours, Thursday evening Hallowell Band Concerts on the Memorial Library lawn, and Lincoln Arts Festival events (207-633-3913, lincolnartsfestival.org). Mull it all over cocktails on the deck of the Rocktide Inn's On the Rocks tiki-bar lounge (35 Atlantic Ave., 207-633-4455, rocktideinn.com), across the footbridge on the east side of the harbor.
Come here to dawdle, browse, dine, wander
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For more time on the water, book a sunset cruise or paddle. Join world sailors and boatbuilders Herb and Doris Smith aboard their latest project, the Schooner Eastwind (207-633-6598, fishermanswharfinn.com/sailing.htm), a 65-foot traditional wooden schooner they constructed in 2004. The Eastwind departs Pier 6 on Fisherman's Wharf at 6 p.m. for a 2 1/2-hour evening sail to the outer islands and Seal Rocks. Or, join sea-kayaking outfitter Tidal Transit (207-633-7140, kayakboothbay.com) on its Sunset Tour. The two- to three-hour paddle around the inner and outer harbors departs at 5:30 p.m. Or, for a rocking good time, book passage on the Cahoots Classic Rock Cruise (Thursday nights) or Reggae Cruise (Sunday nights) aboard the Harbor Princess (Pier 6, 207-633-3500 or 888-942-5363, whaleme.com/tickets.htm).
By now, you're famished. The Lobster Dock (49 Atlantic Ave., 207-633-7120, thelobsterdock.com), on the east side of the footbridge, is the genuine deal when it comes to order-at-the window lobster shacks. Of course you can order lobster, but there's so much more: celebrity chef Bobby Flay challenged the kitchen to a crab cakes throwdown. For a more refined atmosphere, book a table at Ports of Italy (47 Commercial St., 207-633-1011, portsofitaly.com). Chef Davide Rossi was reared in Milan and attended culinary school in Italy, so he knows a thing or two about authentic Italian flavors. Or, count the stars while dining on the third-floor deck of the Boathouse Bistro (12 The By-Way, 207-633-0400). It serves a wide-ranging menu, including tapas-style choices.
10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Ready for a night on the town? Down on the waterfront, J.H. Hawks (Pier 1, 207-633-5589), Gray's Wharf (Pier 1, 207-633-5629, grayswharf.com), and McSeagulls (14 Wharf St. at Pier 1, 207-633-5900, mcseagullsonline.com) usually have live entertainment. Far quieter is the Townsend Coffee House and Wine Bar (53 Townsend Ave., 207-633-0809, townsendcoffeehouse.com), where Maine musicians often perform on Saturday nights.
1 a.m.-sunrise: Sleep well, and dream of your return.
Hilary Nangle, author of "Moon Coastal Maine" and "Moon Maine" (both Avalon Travel Publishing, 2008), can be reached at HilaryNangle.com.
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