At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in the mid-coast town of Boothbay, you’ll see glorious formal gardens, impressive stonework, man-made waterfalls, fountains, and ponds, and an overall design that’s both appealing and impressive. The children’s garden and sensory garden may be the finest in the world. Art shows, concerts, and dinners add to the cultural appeal of the Gardens, and special events and programs are fun and educational. Among the created landscapes, you’ll also find nearly a mile of sparkling waterfront; massive ledges covered in mosses, lichens, and ferns; and native forest – in fact, the essence of Maine.

The combination is unbeatable, as we’ve heard over and over again from our visitors. Their enthusiasm will become yours as you discover the Gardens for yourself. You can see the highlights in a few hours; or you can experience the grounds in different seasons and varying weather conditions. You can make a day of it, with lunch or a snack in the Kitchen Garden Café and a stop in the Gardens Gift Shop.

And, of course, you can watch our gardens grow and bloom and transform into something altogether different within a familiar framework. After all, if there’s one thing that’s certain about gardens, it’s that they are forever changing.

The glorious gardens and miles of waterfront and woodland trails at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens offer endless possibilities for discovery. It’s our good fortune – and yours – that we have a good number of qualified and personable docents who simply love to show the Gardens to newcomers and repeat visitors who want to see and learn more. No matter what your level of interest or horticultural expertise, a tour is a great way to become acquainted with the Gardens…or to find out what’s new since your last visit. Free docent-led tours are scheduled from May 1 – Columbus Day. No reservations are required, and there is no charge except regular Gardens admission. Simply meet your guide in the Visitor Center.

We try to make all visitor’s experiences as interesting, enjoyable, and comfortable as possible and have shuttles and tours that accommodate those who tire from a long walk or have disabilities that limit their mobility. Free shuttle service runs daily to several stops on the Gardens grounds. Accessible Cart Tours for those who may not be able to see as much as they’d like on foot are available with advance reservations; there’s a fee for these tours, except on Wednesdays.

The Visitor Center and Central Gardens, where our most-formal gardens are located, are ADA compliant, and there are benches placed throughout the grounds for visitors who may need to take a break. You can view a map of our grounds for more detail. The terrain on the remainder of the property varies from level, compacted-gravel walkways to steep trails through wooded areas. If you’re concerned that some areas may be inaccessible to you and your party due to the natural topography of our site, you can discuss the particulars with the Visitor Center staff.

Botanical gardens come into being in a variety of ways, and they offer vastly different amenities; but no matter where they are or how long they’ve been in existence, they have more than plants in common. Their true roots are in the geology and natural and human history of their sites, topography, and geographical location. Their past, present, and future are the work of highly committed individuals.

At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the natural elements are more evident than in smaller, more-manicured properties or urban settings. Our size enables our designers, including acclaimed landscape architects Herb Schaal, FASLA, principal of AECOM, Inc., of Colorado, and Bruce John Riddell, ASLA, of Bar Harbor, Maine, to create gardens and landscapes on a scale seldom found in botanical gardens. We hope you’ll visit soon – and often – to see for yourself.

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