The book on an old college town

Art, theater, museums, and the ocean, too

August 04, 2010|Hilary Nangle, Globe Correspondent

Much more than a college town, Brunswick, which was first settled in 1628 and became a township in 1717, and its neighbors mesh culture with outdoor activities and fun shops with good restaurants.

STAY

Smack downtown and facing the town green is Brunswick Inn on Park Row (800-299-4914, www.brunswickbnb.com, $145-$195), a handsome Greek Revival mansion and adjacent carriage house. Two other inns are within walking distance of downtown: the recently renovated, full-service Captain Daniel Stone Inn (10 Water St., 877-373-2374, www.captaindanielstone.com, $149-$269) tucked between Route 1 and the Androscoggin River, and the Black Lantern B&B (57 Elm St., 888-306-4165, www.blacklanternbandb.com, $95-$110), across the bridge in a quiet, riverfront Topsham location. For a peaceful, waterfront escape, check into Middle Bay Farm Bed and Breakfast (287 Pennellville Road, 207-373-1375, www.middlebayfarm.com, $170-$190), located on the grounds of the former Pennell Brothers Shipyard. For that breezy island feeling, check into the Bailey Island Motel (Route 24, Bailey Island, 207-833-2886, www.baileyislandmotel.com, $135), a congenial, clean, no-frills waterfront spot with great views. Children under age 10 are free, 10 and older are $15.

DINE

Local art adorns the walls, and white cloths cover the tables, at Clementine (44 Maine St., 207-721-9800, $18-$29), serving seasonally inspired fare prepared with a dash of creativity. El Camino (15 Cushing St., Brunswick, 207-725-8228, $10-$15) uses fresh, local, and often organic ingredients to create innovative Cal-Mex fare. Shere Punjab (46 Maine St., 207-373-0422, $10-$22) is one of the state’s better Indian restaurants. New on the scene is Trattoria Athena (25 Mill St., 207-721-0700, $14-$21), blending Italian and Greek fare prepared from locally sourced ingredients. Eclectic doesn’t begin to describe Frontier Cafe (Fort Andross, 207-725-5222, $8-$15), a combination cinema, gallery, and cafe serving lighter fare. Order a BLT and a frappe from a carhop at Fat Boy Drive-In (111 Bath Road, 207-729-9431, $2-$12), a landmark since 1955. Mosey down Route 123 to find two local favorites serving lobster and chowders with a view: The Dolphin Chowder House (515 Basin Point Road, Harpswell, 207-833-6000, $7-$25) and the no-frills Allen’s Seafood & Takeout (119 Lookout Point Road, Harpswell, 207-833-2828, $6-$15). Save room for a scrumptious treat from Gelato Fiasco (74 Maine St., 207-607-4002).

DURING THE DAY

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