The weather is just right for a day trip of epic proportions. Whether you’re a gardener, lover of plants, or just like to walk, the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens has something for everyone.
Located in Boothbay, Maine, the garden is a relatively “new” attraction but on par with any East Coast peer. What started as a group of neighbors wishing to boost tourism in the area while building a world class botanical garden has become the largest botanical garden in New England.
The grounds opened in 2007 with over 300 acres, many devoted to native Maine and New England plantings.
It’s about a two-hour drive to Boothbay from here. An unassuming driveway opens quickly into an explosion of color and greenery. The visitor center is at once impressive — large but well integrated into the landscape.
Accessibility is the name of the game here and one quickly sees people with walkers and scooters, canes and wheelchairs, some of which can be borrowed at the visitor center. There are also courtesy shuttles on the property which cover everything except the deep woodlands. It really is a well thought out experience no matter your ambulatory status.
The gardens are divided into categories such as a sensory garden, a dogwood collection, a children’s garden, a meditation garden, and more. The hardscape is easy to navigate with ample opportunities to sit and enjoy the plantings on a bench or a friendly wall.
Water features are seamlessly worked into the landscape. See if you can find the fish out of water. Plants are well identified by family, common name, botanical name, and origin.
Having visited several botanical gardens, what’s striking about this one is its lack of formality. Plantings are nestled together as you might have in your own yard, complimenting each other and eliciting many “oh that’s a great idea” or “I love that combination” moments.
Don’t misunderstand: volunteers are working all over the place, weeding, watering, trimming, and pruning, but the arrangements are natural looking and welcoming.
And speaking of welcoming, there are also five trolls waiting to greet visitors in the woods beyond the gardens. In 2021, Danish artist Thomas Dambo built the reclaimed wood giants as part of the global fairytale The Great Story of the Little People and the Giant Trolls. Dambo has installations all over the world, and visitors can track their sightings at trollmap.com.
Children and adults alike delight in the sightings. There’s a troll adventure for guests to follow, complete with a scavenger hunt. One must truly see these forest dwellers to believe their size and character.
In addition to the trolls, artist sculptures in granite, wood, metal, and glass are placed thoughtfully all over the property. From whimsical to abstract, the artwork enhances the walkways and gardens.
There are free docent-led tours each day for those who want to have the highlights pointed out, and there are guided hikes, wetland tours, and more. Or just meander and use the map to discover over five miles of trails. Allow plenty of time to investigate the gardens and walk to the water viewing dock if you can.
Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy something from the café. We spent almost four hours the day we visited — and can’t wait to go back and explore again. The garden also hosts a winter lights festival from after Thanksgiving until Dec. 31.
Check out the programs and make some time to get to the beautiful gardens in Maine.
Mainegardens.org
Tip: Buy your tickets online and save $4 per ticket. You can even do it in the car on your way there!
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