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Town in Maine, United States
Photo: John Delacy, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vinalhaven is a historic island town situated in the Fox Islands archipelago within the Mid Coast region of Maine, United States. Located in Knox County, approximately 15 miles (24 km) across the waters of Penobscot Bay from the mainland city of Rockland, it stands as home to roughly 1,200 permanent residents a population that swells dramatically during the peak summer months. Vinalhaven is globally celebrated as one of the largest and most prosperous lobster-fishing communities in the world, treating travelers to a rugged landscape of flooded granite quarries, massive pine-forested preserves, and a classic, uncommercialized New England maritime culture.
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Protected by the Nature Conservancy, this beautiful preserve is a must-see. If you have one day on the island, you want to do a picnic lunch here. There are numerous paths around the serene little island, and they are frequented by many dog-walkers and friendly "summer people." There's a sizable field for Frisbee and other such games, and picnic tables around for your use. Everyone knows about it, so don't expect the place to yourself.
At 59 ft high, it offers a great view of Crockett river. Off of North Haven Road. If headed north on North Haven Rd, turn left on Tip Toe Road, and continue until the road bends right. There is a small parking area there.
The only lighthouse on Vinalhaven. You may view the lighthouse, but stay away from the building as it is a private residence. It is right off of North Haven Road. If going north on North Haven Road, turn left on Tip Toe Road and turn right on Brown's Head Road. The lighthouse is at the end of the road.
A beach island which becomes a Peninsula off Vinalhaven at low tide. Take the main road through town, Pequot road to where the remains of the Coke bottle statue are and veer right. Turn right on State Beach Road and go until you can't.
A preserve composed of a handful of trails, including one of the better kept secrets of the island. Fox Rocks is an outcropping of granite closer to the center of the island with a fantastic 360-degree overlook. Off of North Haven Road, across the street from Middle Mountain.
One of two public swimming quarries.
One of two public swimming quarries.
An area where there are a few trails and a great view of an inlet with rushing water. At the end of the trail, you can see a waterfall that reverses based on the tides. Go down Main Street towards the ferry dock. It becomes Sands Road. At the end, turn left onto Dog Town road, and continue until you see a small parking area on the right hand side (right after the pavement ends).
National Wildlife Refuge, 9 miles south of Vinalhaven, out where some wild marine life might be seen. Some attractive dramatic geography.
Good Americana food, fast-seafood, and great view in the dining room. Closest you're going to get to a fast food joint, but that doesn't mean it's fast (on the contrary, runs on island time). Well worth the patience. A BYOB establishment.
Great pizza for an island. Great pizza for anywhere outside of New York, frankly. Also a BYOB establishment.
Vinalhaven's late night eatery. It's open until 9PM. It serves pub food and drinks.
Fantastic food. Great drinks. Good people. Call for a reservation (seatings at 6:00 and 8:15) in the back room overlooking the water or pop into the more casual front room open from 5:30-9:00 nightly. Open Tuesday-Saturday in high season.
A great sandwich shop. Fast, friendly service at a reasonable price.
Ah, here it is! Do it yourself, fresh off the dock lobster. Go to the town gas station and co-op (right next to the Ferry Terminal), and ask the attendant for lobster. Depending on the season, She might ask "Sheddahs or Hahd-shells?" Shedders are cheaper, but Hardshells taste a whole lot better. Your call. She might also offer "Regulars" or "Deluxe" (or "Select") Deluxe are more expensive, but also bigger, meaning you get more Lobster meat per pound. Again, your call. Either way, refrigerate until time to cook. Drop in boiling water. Don't worry if they scream, it won't last long. (It's actually a whistling emitted from the gaps between their shells as the air within the shells expands under the heat and bubbles up). Boil until you can't pick them up by their feeler without having the feeler pop off. Server with lemon and butter. You can also buy crabs at the co-op for pretty cheap. The lobstermen hate them, but some keep them around instead of throwing them back for a little extra change at the end of the day.
At caters a modest selection of classier drinks than you should hope to find on a small fishing island.
It's nicely equipped and renovated for what it is.
Vinalhaven, being an island, requires a little bit of foreknowledge as a destination. The best route in from outside New England is to fly to Boston's Logan Airport.
Read in the guideWith careful logistical planning, it is possible to get a car onto the island, but be sure you have at least three days to waste each way.
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Rockland · Regional · RKD
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