Did you know that Belfast, Maine, is Down East Magazine's best place to live in 2022? Here's a little bit about why. Katrina Grant is local to Belfast and can give us an inside peek into what makes this area so special.

A sunny day at Belfast by the Bay

With the weather warming up in Maine, it is a great time to get out and enjoy the sunshine. We have been anxiously waiting for the sun to shine and the snow to melt from another long and cold winter. We are waiting to smell the fresh air, with a hint of sea salt. There is no better place to get out and do just that, than in Belfast, Maine. Belfast has so much to offer from shopping to dining to walking, running, and boating. Come visit Belfast Maine and enjoy a day of adventure and leisure on the Mid-Coast of Maine.

If you are here to stay for a day, a week, a month, or even a year, Belfast has all you need. There is a nice shopping center right off Maine’s Route 1, where you can stock up on all the supplies you need. There are restaurants and fast-food drive-throughs. You can even stop into Reny’s (also known as, ‘the Maine adventure’), to can find specialty treats, clothing, home goods, and one-of-a-kind Maine gifts to take home with you.

When you head downtown, you will want to stop into Alexia’s for a delicious award-winning pizza. After that you can wander in and out of the many shops that line the historic streets. The architecture of these brick buildings is something to sit back and admire. There is a specialty toy store called Out on a Whimsey Toys. It is a beautiful store you could explore for hours.

Next you will want to wander down by the water. One of my favorite features of Belfast by the Bay is the Bay itself. There is so much to do and explore on the water. They have one of the best walking path systems I have ever seen. If you do the entire set of paths, you can go almost three miles. There is a beautiful walking bridge that crosses the bay. If you like outdoor events, there is a large park with a gazebo and field where many seasonal events are held. There are restaurants like Nautilus Seafood and Grill and Front Street Pub. There is also an ice cream location called Wild Cow Creamery.  All this is located along this beautiful and well-maintained walking path.

For anyone who needs to know, there are also restrooms located at the walking bridge, at the harbor, and sometimes one down by the boat house during events.

I have fallen in love with Belfast and all that it has to offer. They hold many seasonal events all year long. One of the first ones my husband and I attended was their New Year’s Eve celebration (also see the video in this article). I will never forget how amazed I was to see everyone in the community come and celebrate in such a unique way. It was a blast. We have also attended their Christmas by the Bay with our kids to meet Santa and get a sleigh ride. The most recent event we attended was their first annual ice carving festival. They have something for everyone. It is truly unique and always fun.

If you are in the Belfast Bay area, please stop by and stay a while. It is such a unique and beautiful spot on the mid-coast of Maine. I have enjoyed this gem for many years now. I highly recommend it.

This article is sponsored by Dave Conley of Canoe the Wild.  See the Canoe the Wild listing on Maine Vacations by clicking here: Canoe the Wild or go directly to the Canoe the Wild homepage by clicking the logo.