Maine's Sweet Spot

Story by Nif Leder; Photos courtesy Camden Harbour Inn

Things are heating up in Maine now that same-sex marriage is legal, so keep it in mind on your list of places to stay and play.

About two hours up the road from Portland, Maine's largest city, you’ll find Camden, a quaint port city that the state calls, "The Jewel of the Maine Coast." The area's peaks and valleys create a unique, beautiful landscape perfect for getting outdoors and doing some hiking and kayaking. Of course, there's nothing wrong with taking it slow, steady and relaxing by simply cruising around town by bike.

Composed of only about 5,000 residents, Camden has the cross-over appeal of being both an artist and farmer community. This also means that camping is decidedly not the only accommodations option. One place to shack up in style is the Camden Harbour Inn, which is owned, designed and maintained by a gay couple originally from the Netherlands who haved earned their inn a Four Diamond rating from AAA and  inclusion in National Geographic’s "129 Hotels We Love" and The New York Post’s "100 Best Summer Destinations."

The Inn's restaurant, Natalie's, dishes up French cuisine with a free side of sweeping views, so take in the sunset while indulging on oysters, herb encrusted lamb, or a classic local lobster dish with brown butter. Yum!

Story by Nif Leder; Photos courtesy Camden Harbour Inn

Things are heating up in Maine now that same-sex marriage is legal, so keep it in mind on your list of places to stay and play.

About two hours up the road from Portland, Maine's largest city, you’ll find Camden, a quaint port city that the state calls, "The Jewel of the Maine Coast." The area's peaks and valleys create a unique, beautiful landscape perfect for getting outdoors and doing some hiking and kayaking. Of course, there's nothing wrong with taking it slow, steady and relaxing by simply cruising around town by bike.

Composed of only about 5,000 residents, Camden has the cross-over appeal of being both an artist and farmer community. This also means that camping is decidedly not the only accommodations option. One place to shack up in style is the Camden Harbour Inn, which is owned, designed and maintained by a gay couple originally from the Netherlands who haved earned their inn a Four Diamond rating from AAA and  inclusion in National Geographic’s "129 Hotels We Love" and The New York Post’s "100 Best Summer Destinations."

The Inn's restaurant, Natalie's, dishes up French cuisine with a free side of sweeping views, so take in the sunset while indulging on oysters, herb encrusted lamb, or a classic local lobster dish with brown butter. Yum!