Damariscotta, town in Lincoln County, Maine, USA
Damariscotta is a small town in Lincoln County, Maine that sits along a river flowing to the coast. It has old buildings from its shipbuilding days and working docks where fishing boats come and go throughout the day.
The town grew from shipbuilding and river trade. Shell heaps left by the Abenaki show that oyster gathering was a way of life here for centuries.
The name Damariscotta comes from the Abenaki people who once gathered shellfish here for generations. Today you see this water-centered life everywhere: in the working harbor, oyster festivals, and restaurants serving what local boats bring in daily.
The town is easy to walk through with flat streets and close shops. Boat rentals and kayak tours are available nearby, and restaurants and stores are scattered throughout for easy access.
The town hosts an unusual fall festival where people build boats from giant pumpkins and paddle them down the river. This playful event shows the creative spirit of the community.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
