What to do and see in Mid Coast Maine, Mid Coast Maine: The Best Specialty Museums

A small museum in Rockland that houses memorabilia from Civil War times and also doubles as Maine's lighthouse museum.

The WW&F Railway in Alna, ME, operates a historic steam-powered two-foot 'narrow gauge' railway through the Sheepscot Valley. The Railway traces its roots to 1894 when the Wiscasset & Quebec Railroad was built north from Wiscasset. With mounting debt & little business, the W&Q reorganized as the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington. Dreams of reaching Quebec, Waterville or Farmington never materialized yet, against the odds, the railway continued to provide a valuable service. Winding through pine forests, farmlands & hamlets, the WW&F connected Maine's interior to the coast until 1933. Brought back from extinction, the railway reopened in 1989. Today, you can ride our historic steam train for a trip back in time, explore our facilities and experience the art of running a steam-powered railway. See why the WW&F’s attractions & events are some of the best things to do in Midcoast. Enjoy Maine as it was a century ago. It is yours to discover and explore – we will take you there.

Featuring a world-class, operating collection of antique ground vehicles, engines and aircraft the Owls Head Transportation Museum is open seven days a week, year-round. Exhibits include "Faster: The Quest for Speed" featuring racing vehicles from some of New England's premiere collections.

Maine Maritime Museum is located on a beautiful 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River in historic Bath, Maine, and open year round. May through October, visitors can enjoy one of our daily lighthouse cruises or saiI on the historic 1906 schooner Mary E. Our BIW Story tour provides an exclusive look at modern-day shipbuilding. Indoors, visitors enjoy air-conditioned galleries with exhibits and hands-on activities for all ages. Outdoors, visitors can join a guided tour of the historic Percy & Small Shipyard, learn about lobstering, enjoy lunch under the sculpture of the schooner Wyoming (the largest wooden sailing vessel built in North America), see a blacksmith at work in his shop, watch wooden boats being built in the Boatshop, or play on a pirate ship. There's so much to see, admission is good for tow days. See why USA Today named Maine Maritime Museum the best museum in Maine!

We invite you to travel back in time to vintage Vacationland with us. Nowhere else in New England can you ride the rails behind an vintage steam or diesel locomotive surrounded by historic Maine buildings preserved in a recreated village, and view a collection of 60 antique autos. When you visit the Museum you'll learn about how technologies like steam engines and the automobile changed life along the coast of Maine between 1850 and 1950. In addition to the opportunity to ride in a vintage coach behind a vintage locomotive, the Museum also occasionally offers rides in one of our Ford Model Ts. Two of our most popular attractions are the resident goats who delight visitors of all ages with their antics. From a display of hundreds of salt & pepper shakers to a collection of engines that powered everything from small boats to whole factories, there truly is something for everyone in your family here. Throughout the season a wide variety of special events are hosted on the Village Green from vintage ball games to car shows and family festivals. The Museum is also a unique location for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

Museum dedicated to two Bowdoin College alumni who explored the Artic.

Aunt Lydia's Tavern was built in the early 1800s. It has undergone many changes over the years. Since 1996 it is the home of the Maine Antique Toy & Art Museum. We display a world class collection of antique toys, Disneyana, original items worn and used by the Movie Cowboy stars, 1977 Star wars, original comic strip art and animation cels. It is a museum enjoyed by adults. Be sure to bring your parents and grand parents. They will have a wonderful return to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Please arrive for the museum before 3pm. Open hours are Memorial Day to Columbus day 10-4pm. We are always closed on Tues & Wed. Columbus Day to Last weekend before Christmas, we open only Sat-Sun 12-4pm. We are closed from Christmas to Memorial day. Thank you.

Made up of 13 buildings, this seafaring village is the oldest maritime museum in Maine. The museum has a vast collection of boats including commericial fishing boats and recreational watercraft.