The town of Lubec is a charming town along the coast of Maine, well known for its iconic white and red striped lighthouse that sits on the easternmost point of land in the United States. Situated across the bay from neighboring Canada, Lubec is part of the Bold Coast of Maine, the region is home to many breathtaking vistas, nature to explore, iconic lighthouses, and more. The Quoddy Head State Park is the perfect place in town for any nature enthusiasts, however, there are other things to do in Lubec as well, such as museums and dining on local cuisine.
West Quoddy Head Light
In 1808, the West Quoddy Head Light station became the country’s easternmost lighthouses and was rebuilt in 1831, as well as rebuilt again in 1858. The lighthouse features a distinctive and now iconic white and red horizontal stripe design. The candy-striped lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. While visitors aren’t able to climb to the top of the lighthouse, the grounds of the West Quoddy Head Light are open to the public and include the VIsitor Center Museum inside of the adjacent 1858 Light Keepers' house, which is typically open Memorial Day through the middle of October.
973 S Lubec Rd, Lubec, ME 04652
Quoddy Head State Park
The Quoddy Head State Park lies on the easternmost peninsula of the United States and spans across more than five hundred acres, providing visitors with opportunities to experience views overlooking the Quoddy Channel all the way to Grand Manan Island’s red cliffs in Canada, hike miles of scenic trails, view a historic lighthouse, and more. The park can be a good place to spot a variety of wildlife as well, such as purple sandpipers, ruddy turnstones, gannets, and possibly even humpback whales off the shore. Quoddy Head State Park is also home to the iconic West Quoddy Head Light.
973 S Lubec Rd, Lubec, ME 04652, Phone: 207-733-0911
McCurdy Smokehouse Museum
Housed in what used to be an industrial fish processing facility, the McCurdy Smokehouse Museum is located along the waterfront in the coastal town of Lubec. The building is believed to be the state’s last intact herring processing facility from the early twentieth century. The complex was added in 1993 to the National Register of HIstoric Places. Inside the McCurdy Smokehouse Museum, visitors can learn about how herring was once smoked and processed from former McCurdy Smokehouse employees, who offer firsthand knowledge into the process and the industry. There is a small fee to visit the museum.
50 S Water St, Lubec, ME 04652, Phone: 207-733-2197
Lubec Historical Society & Museum
The Lubec Historical Society & Museum showcases a wide array of records, photographs, artifacts, and exhibits inside of a former company store dating back more than one hundred years. Located in an early 1900s’ building once owned and operated by the Columbian Packing Company, the museum features an extensive collection of photography, including photographs of vintage ships, as well as fishing gear, log books of sailors, high school memorabilia dating back to the late 1800’s, a model school room, a 1940’s barber shop, vintage clothing, military service records of those who served from Lubec, and much more.
135 Main St, Lubec, ME 04652, Phone: 207-733-2994
Water Street Tavern & Inn
The Water Street Tavern & Inn has the title of the nation’s easternmost tavern, situated inside of a restored historic waterfront building with beautiful views overlooking the working waterfront, as well as the bay islands, eagles, and seals. The menu here focuses on Downeast cuisine, but a little different flair to it, and changes daily. In addition to the Downeast fare, Water Street Tavern also serves a number of creative entrees. With a full-service bar, the tavern also carries a good selection of craft and microbrews available on tap. The restaurant offers a cozy setting for both visitors and locals alike.
12 N Water St, Lubec, ME 04652, Phone: 207-733-0122
Mowry Beach Preserve
The Mowry Beach Preserve covers an area of 48 acres, where it protects and showcases a 1.2 mile beach overlooking the Lubec Canal. The preserve runs alongside Lubec Village and provides easy access to the beach via a 1,700 foot accessible wooden boardwalk, which meanders through various habitats including woodlands, swamps and bog areas. The preserve includes one of Maine’s Important Bird Areas and visitors can spend happy hours observing many species of local and visiting birds. At low tide visitors will also be able to explore the remnants of a drowned forest, caused by raising water levels during the Ice Age.
86 – 78 Pleasant St, Lubec, ME 04652, 207 255 4500
The Lost Fishermen’s Memorial
The Lost Fishermen’s Memorial in Lubec honors the memory of the many brave fishermen who have lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Lubec has long been a fishing village and has lost many brothers, fathers, husbands and dads to the sea over the decades. The memorial remembers everyone who died in the fishing industry in the waters off Washington County, Maine and Charlotte County, New Brunswick. The moving wave-shaped memorial was sculpted by Maine artist Jesse Salisbury and has been inscribed with the names of all fishermen lost from 1900 to the present day. There is also a website which endeavors to provide more information on the lost fishermen.
1 Water Street, Lubec, ME 04652, 207 733 2341
