The village of Georgetown, Maine, one of the Five Islands off the coast of the mainland state, was incorporated in 1716 and has a history that mirrors Revolutionary America. It’s a quintessential remote beach town; when in Georgetown, you have to walk in the middle of the roads because there aren’t really sidewalks, but few cars will pass and most drivers wave at you as you stand to the side. If you’re thinking of visiting this charming beach destination, here’s a sample itinerary to help you plan your vacation to Georgetown (after you go to the beach every morning, of course).
9:00 am: Wake up — you may have woken up earlier, but the sound of the waves will inevitably lull you back to sleep. Get out of bed. Eat a lazy vacation breakfast, maybe of French toast. Top with Maine blueberries and Vermont maple syrup.
9:37 am: Get dressed for the beach; after all, you’ll want to get there before high tide comes in and the green-headed flies swarm too much. Always bring bug spray, sunscreen, and make sure to check the high and low tide schedules while on vacation.
Make your way to Reid State Park, a beach off of the Atlantic Ocean. Once you arrive, you can fully take in the beauty of it all. And definitely make sure you do.
The deep marine blue of the ocean mixes with the light blue of the sky. The fog on the horizon line blends the two, making it hard to tell where the sky ends and the ocean begins. You’ll see small islands nestled in the water and even smaller boats move across the horizon. The ever-present crash of the waves slaps the water and splashes white seafoam. Coming off the water with the mist of salt water is the smell of seaweed and seafoam — the ideal candle scents. Beneath you, you’ll feel the grit of sand. It’s not as soft as it could be but the beauty of the sparkles in it make up for its coarse grains. You could probably stay there all day, probably all vacation, and maybe even all summer.
Lay out a towel — or a chair if you’re fancy — and lie down. Now is the perfect time to crack open that book you’ve been waiting for vacation to read. When you get too hot and your sunscreen starts melting off with your sweat, it’s time for a swim. While you’re at it, pick up some funky shells or fancy rocks.
Alongside the sand and oceans, you’ll find forests and trees, with seagulls landing on the cliffs of the coastline. Those cliffs and woods are what make Georgetown so very Maine.
You’ll inevitably have to schedule your day around how the tides move in and out of the beaches, so by the time you’ve moved your towel and snacks further up on the beach for a fourth time, it’ll probably be time for lunch … and some cream for the mosquito bites.
1:04 pm: Once you’ve made your way back to your accommodation, it’s lunchtime. You’re on vacation, so make it fancy! Add your favorite cheese and jam to a bagel from Mister Bagel in nearby Brunswick. It’s just as good as most New York City bagel shops — which says a lot about the quality — but with options like the Cape Cod sandwich, the menu has a New England flair.
Follow your lunch up with a moment of relaxation. The eternality of the sound of waves crashing will add to the sleepiness that the afternoon brings. Slather on more sunscreen, lay out your towel, read more of your book or take an afternoon nap — whatever you find most enjoyable.
3:52 pm: Around this time, the tide will be at the perfect point to go for a boat ride in Sagadahoc Bay. Enjoy just until the tide gets lower, so you’re not stuck dragging the canoe through mud and very shallow water. If boating’s not your thing, you can wait for low tide to walk all the way across the bay. When you get to the other side of the water, the beach — somewhat unfortunately named Shipwreck Island — is full of soft, sandy mud.
6:30 pm: After rinsing off, throw on some soft clothes. Don’t bother scrubbing too hard, as you’ll find yourself just as sandy and covered in sunscreen as before. And as hot as you may have been during the day, the breeze coming through the screen door and open windows will make your vacation evening chilly.
Dinner is whatever you want it to be, but if you plan to stay in, be sure to pick up some fresh vegetables from one of the village’s little shops. Because you’re on vacation, have a cocktail.
7:30 pm: When you’re on vacation, dinner must be followed by dessert — it’s a vacation rule. Sample every flavor at Gelato Fiasco. The nearest Amtrak station is in Brunswick, the only other Gelato Fiasco location outside of Portland (so every trip into town requires a stop here). They have everything from Wild Maine Blueberry Crisp gelato and Strawberry Balsamic gelato to Peanut Butter Cup gelato and Cookie Therapy gelato.
11:32 pm: Spend the evening talking, laughing, playing games, or watching the ocean with whomever you’re on vacation with until you finally realize how late it’s getting. Get plenty of rest — how can you take it all in again tomorrow if you’re tired?
Breath in the smell of sunscreen and seawater and let the the sound of crashing waves lull you to sleep once more, ending your perfect day in Georgetown, Maine.
Interested in other ways to romanticize your summer without going on a vacation? Check out these 10 Ways to Romanticize Your Summer On A Budget.
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