Why Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is worth the trip
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is the reason a lot of people find Boothbay in the first place, and it holds up. The gardens sit on more than three hundred acres in Boothbay, on the tidal shore of the Back River, with formal gardens near the entrance and woodland trails running down to the water. It is a place to walk, not to tick off, and it rewards an unhurried half day.
This guide covers the gardens in the growing season. For the winter light show, see our separate guide to Gardens Aglow and the holidays.
What to see
Near the visitor center, the cultivated gardens are the main draw: the Giles Rhododendron and Perennial Garden, the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, and the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden, which is as good for adults as for the children it was built for. In summer the Native Butterfly House is a short, warm detour full of Maine butterflies.
Then go further. The trails past the central gardens lead through spruce and moss to the shoreline, and the giant wooden trolls hidden in the woods turn a walk into a search for anyone under twelve, and quite a few people over it. Bring the map; the trolls are easier to miss than you would think.
- Giles Rhododendron and Perennial Garden
- Lerner Garden of the Five Senses
- Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's Garden
- Native Butterfly House in summer
- The giant wooden trolls in the woods
- Shoreline trails along the Back River
The gardens through the season
Spring comes late on the Maine coast. May brings bulbs and the first flush of green, and late May into June is rhododendron time, which is one of the best weeks of the year to visit.
June and July are when the perennial borders fill in and the gardens look their fullest. Mornings are cool and the light is soft, so go early.
August is the warmest month and the busiest at the gardens. The butterfly house and the children's garden are at their liveliest. Arrive at opening to beat the heat and the crowds.
September and October are quieter, with late-season color in the borders and the woods starting to turn along the shore trails. It is our favorite time to send guests, especially midweek.
How long to allow and when to go
Plan on three to four hours if you want to see the central gardens and walk one of the shore trails. Families with young children can easily spend longer in the children's garden alone.
The gardens open at 9:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM, and the gates are locked at closing. Hours and seasonal programs change, so check the gardens' website the week you visit, and buy tickets ahead on summer weekends. There is food and drink on site if you want to make a day of it.
Getting there from town
The gardens are about four miles from Commercial Street, a short drive out of town toward Boothbay. Parking is on site. In summer, the free Boothbay Harbor trolley runs a loop from downtown that includes the gardens, which lets you leave the car where it is.
If you are driving in for the day from Portland or Brunswick, come down Route 27 and the gardens are signed on the way into the Boothbay region.
Accessibility and practical notes
The buildings and the central gardens are accessible, and a shuttle runs continuously through the day between stops. Wheelchairs are available free on a first-come basis, and electric scooters and guided cart tours can be arranged. The outer trails vary from compacted gravel to rooty woodland paths.
Pets are not allowed at the gardens, and they cannot be left in cars in the parking lot. Service animals are welcome. Bring layers even in July; the shore trails are cooler than the parking lot.
Pairing the gardens with the rest of the day
A garden morning pairs well with a harbor afternoon. Walk the gardens from opening until lunch, come back into town, and take a boat out to Burnt Island Light or on a harbor cruise in the late afternoon. Or keep the quiet going and drive out to Ocean Point for the open-ocean view before dinner.
On a rainy day, the gardens still work. The woods are better in a light rain than in full sun, and the crowds stay home.
Where to stay near the gardens
Greenleaf Inns are on Commercial Street in Boothbay Harbor, a short drive from the gardens and a walk from everything in town. You get the gardens in the morning and the harbor in the evening, without staying out by the highway.
Greenleaf Inn has ten king rooms and a third-floor sky deck over the harbor. Admiral's Quarters Inn next door has eight rooms, a glass solarium, and a lawn with Adirondack chairs and a fire pit. Parking is free, one space per room. For rhododendron season in early June or a September midweek, call (207) 633-3100 and ask which rooms face the harbor.
Questions we get asked
How far are Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens from Boothbay Harbor?
About four miles from Commercial Street, a short drive. In summer the free town trolley also stops at the gardens.
How long do you need at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens?
Three to four hours for the central gardens and a shore trail. Families with children often stay longer.
What is the best month to visit the gardens?
Late May into June for rhododendrons, July for the fullest borders, and September for quiet paths and late color.
Are dogs allowed at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens?
No. Pets are not allowed and cannot be left in cars. Service animals are welcome.
Is Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens accessible?
The central gardens and buildings are accessible, a shuttle runs through the day, and wheelchairs are free to borrow. Outer trails vary.
Where should I stay to visit the gardens?
In Boothbay Harbor itself, so you can pair the gardens with the town. Greenleaf Inns are on Commercial Street, a short drive away.
