Monhegan Island is one of my favorite places in the world - and lucky for me it's close to home! It holds a special place in my heart because it is where my now husband took me for one of our first dates. We have since been back 7 more times bringing along as many friends as we can - because this island needs to be shared!
Monhegan Island is right off the coast of New Harbor, Maine. It has always been known for its beauty and because of this artists flock from all over the world to this magical island. Probably the best part is that it will never be over-crowded because the number of people on the island at any given time is limited by the capacity of the ferries.
Aside from the art appeal and charm, Monhegan also hosts 10 miles of trails, epic cliff coasts, and great beer and restaurants to refuel. So whether you want to paint, photograph, drink beer, or hike - MONHEGAN IS FOR EVERYONE!
Below are some tips on planning a trip!
High-Summer or Mid-Fall are the Times to Go
To avoid the choppy waters and rain, I would recommend heading to Monhegan Island in the best of summer or in late fall. Summer offers the great weather, long summer nights, and maybe even a swim in the frigid ocean! Late fall will have fewer people because school will be in session and will start to have the amazing New England foliage.
Take the Hardy Boat for the Cinnamon Rolls
I may be biased because I have never taken the alternative ferry - BUT the Hardy Boat is amazing. It is a family run business, and the co-owners, Al and Stacy, are the nicest people in the world. The crew are fantastic at making sure you are comfortable during the ride, offering the BEST cinnamon rolls (fresh from The Cupboard in New Harbor) and blankets for comfort during the chilly cross over. They also will point out wildlife and points of interest along the way!
Go for a Hike!
There are miles of great trails on Monhegan Island. If you are looking for cliffs, then check out White Head to Lobster Cove (or vice versa). Wanting some shade? Then Fern Glen and Cathedral Woods are gorgeous.
Eat at the Novelty
If you are a seafood person, then maybe don't eat here because there are a lot of great seafood spots on the island. But if you are like me and love Maine but hate seafood, then the Novelty is for you! They have great pizza (even Gluten Free), beer, and single serving wine options. Great makings for a picnic!
Buy a Bottle and toast at sunset
Alcohol is abundant and the rules relaxed when you are living on island time! So grab a bottle from Monhegan Brewing Company, the Novelty, or The Barnacle and go find a nice spot to sit and admire the view!
An Overnight Trip will Extend the Magic
After so many day trips to Monhegan Island, my husband and I finally decided to do an overnight trip for our 5-year anniversary. Afterwards, we questioned why we hadn't ever done that before - because we got to see the secrets of the island at night. Experiencing the charm of having dinner on the remote island, and then watching the sunset from the lighthouse and seeing the fireflies emerge - it's truly magical.