It all started in 2009 when Rockland was named among the top ten coolest small towns by readers of Budget Travel Magazine. Missing out by just under 1000 votes for the #1 spot, Rockland came in as the second coolest small town in the country, setting the scene for future awards.
Next came Rockland’s designation as one of the top 100 adventure towns in the U.S. by National Geographic Adventure, joined only by Blue Hill in Maine. According to editors, “A jumping-off point for ferries bound for the midcoast islands, the harbor town of Rockland rocks the mainland in its own right. From its mid-summer lobster fest to the Farnsworth Art Museum, the crustaceans and culture provide as much of a draw to this region as the great outdoors”.
Already in May 2012 alone, Rockland has added to its trophy case with two more well-earned awards. TheDailyMeal.com named Rockland among the nine best small towns for food in the U.S. Dedicated to covering “every aspect of the food and drink experience, theDailyMeal.com is a popular website for foodies and culinary travelers. Rockland’s write up on TheDailyMeal.com reads: “Rockland is that quaint New England seaside town that is the stuff of summer getaway dreams. The salty air and fresh-caught lobster are just the start; locals crowd into cozy Café Miranda, they find the town’s best sticky buns at Home Kitchen Café; go for sushi at Suzuki’s, and indulge in fresh, classic Italian at Primo. But declaring a favorite lobster roll is a must for visitors, so start at Linda Bean’s, Waterman’s Beach, or Miller’s Lobster Company.”
Just days later, This Old House, a time-favorite for home improvement fans, declared Rockland’s historic neighborhoods among the Best Old House Neighborhoods 2012. In answering the question “why buy here?”, This Old House editors declared Rockland ideal in many ways saying “In the past couple of decades, Rockland has shaken its image as an insular commercial fishing community by redefining itself as a popular tourist destination that’s also attracting full-time residents. It’s home to the North American Blues Festival in July and the Maine Lobster Festival each August. Rockland is the location of the Farnsworth Art Museum, which boasts more than 10,000 paintings by American masters, including Maine’s own, the Wyeths: Andrew, N.C., and Jaimie. There are also plenty of sailing, hiking, and skiing opportunities.”
In a follow-up story on Fox News, PJ Walter, co-owner and innkeeper of the LimeRock Inn explained that people come to stay there simply to enjoy walking past the beautifully preserved homes on LimeRock Street.
Whether you’re a foodie, adventure-seeker or admirer of fine arts, the Historic Inns of Rockland have created packages to savor the true gems of Midcoast Maine. Visit http://www.historicinnsofrockland.com/packages/ to learn more about the Savor the Flavor, Savor the Adventure and Savor the Arts packages which offer the ideal itinerary for discovering the gems of the Midcoast bundled with truly extraordinary accommodations within walking distance of downtown Rockland.
