Best Places to Visit in Maine: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

I've decided to start posting about things to do and places to see in Maine because, after all my years of living here, I've done a whole lot of them and can tell you all about it!! My hope is to help you make an informed and fun decision about where to go when you visit our fine state. 

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens was just named by Trip Advisor as the #1 public garden to visit in the United States this year!! They totally deserve it; I fall in love with the place every time I go there and they've added even more recently to tempt us all. Fairy Fridays, to name one, has become a big event in the summer time with a huge bubble machine on the lawn, fairy activities to do throughout the day, fairy houses to make, and kids get a chance to dress up!!!

With a harpist playing in the background the "fairies" chases bubbles on the lawn. 

Ah-dorable. 

My favorite place of all at the botanical gardens is the Harold and Bibby Alfond Children's Garden. 

Full of references to famous books about Maine; a statue of bears with blueberries from Blueberries for Sal, the Tidely Idely from Burt Dow: Deep water man, the garden brings literature to life with great art and beautiful flowers. 

You can even throw a lobster trap off the dock into the pond next to the Tidely-Idely. 

There are water spouting whales to cool you off on a hot day:

Garden Sheds with sod roofs and whimsical weathervanes:

An old fashioned water pump and watering cans to give kids a chance to help in the gardens, as well as a sand box for those who like to dig in the dirt:

There are real chickens in a cute little coop and a giant outdoor chair made out of driftwood. The fences are lined with owls:

and there is even an incredible tree fort with rope bridges and wooden birds:

 Last year there was a birch bark wigwam built for the kids, this year this stick framed house was made:

 There is a labyrinth to solve:

There is a cave to cool off in as well as a wonderful spot in the forest to build a fairy house:

The children's garden also hosts a story time in a Story Barn, which also has a puppet theater.

Can you image how much fun this place is????

Kids love it.

Outside of the Children's Garden there is the Garden of the Five Senses.

In this garden you can explore all your senses in many ways. 

There is a cool rock to make sounds in:

Or a texture experience with a bare foot reflexology maze:

The sight and smell of all the flowers and herbs is incredible:

And, they even have a "taste" part of the garden with kitchen herbs. 

This Garden is probably in the top 5 of my favorite places to visit in Maine. I really hope you will check it out. I know it's worth it.

Here is their information:

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
PO Box 234
Boothbay, ME 04537
207-633-4333 (phone) 
207-633-2366 (fax)
info@mainegardens.org