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Outline illustration of a large building with text "The Tipsy Butler" in a decorative font.
Newcastle, ME
(207) 653-4103
Outline illustration of a large building with text "The Tipsy Butler" in a decorative font.

Explore Midcoast Maine

One of our favorite things about running The Tipsy Butler is connecting our guests to what really makes this corner of Maine so special. We both grew up on the Maine coast, and we love sharing our favorite places, hidden gems, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with visitors. So skip the Googling! Stay with us to push past the “top 10” lists, and trust the local yokels to help you plan a trip you won’t forget.

Cover of "The Tipsy Butler Innkeeper's Guide," featuring an illustrated heron holding a key against a blue-green background.

Innsider’s Guide

When you book with us, you’ll receive our Innsiders Guide chock full of our personalized recommendations and suggestions for planning your trip. (Think wildlife sightings, swimming holes, walking/hiking trails, historical sites, ways to get out on the water, museums and galleries, all the best food spots, and hidden shopping gems!)
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A chalkboard displays the day's oyster varieties: Dodge Cove, Norumbega, Johns River, Wild Oyster, Heron Island, and Pemaquid.

Start Right Here

The Tipsy Butler sits on a quiet dead-end street in Newcastle, just a few minutes' walk from downtown Newcastle and Damariscotta. You can spend an afternoon browsing bookstores, art galleries, antique stores and locally owned shops. Grab an ice cream cone, espresso or fresh pastry. Eat dinner overlooking the water. Catch a movie at the historic Lincoln Theater. Or just settle into an Adirondack chair with a good book and watch the day go by!
A kayak floats on calm waters with another kayaker in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Get Out on the Water

The Damariscotta River is the heart of our community and one of the most beautiful estuaries in Maine. There are lots of ways to explore the river! You can watch seals haul out on the ledges, spot ospreys and bald eagles overhead, or paddle through quiet coves by renting a kayak. Take a boat tour, hop aboard a ferry, or simply enjoy the view from shore. And if you're curious about oysters, you've come to the right place. The Damariscotta River is the birthplace of Maine's oyster aquaculture industry, and you'll find some of the state's best oysters harvested just minutes from the Butler.
A rocky shore at sunset with a distant boat on calm water.

Beaches, Trails, and Outdoor Adventures

Looking for fresh air and a little adventure? You can explore miles of local hiking trails through forests, salt marshes, and along the rocky coast. Spend the day at nearby Pemaquid Beach. Visit one of Maine's most iconic landmarks at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. Hunt for sea glass, check out the fishermen’s museum, watch the waves crash against the rocks, or pack a picnic and find your own favorite view. Our peninsula has tons of hiking trails of varying difficulty and viewscape. We’re happy to provide customized hiking and outdoor suggestions based on what you’re interested in!

Culture & History

Midcoast Maine is chock full of art galleries, museums, theaters and historical sites. The Frances Perkins National Monument is located just minutes from our door, as is the awe-inspiring Whaleback Midden. And Maine’s beautiful forests and rocky coasts have inspired artists for as long as humans have been living here, so there’s no end to the art galleries and creative shops on our peninsula and in neighboring towns. Make your trip truly special and add on a local performance, concert or show. Wondering how to plan and where to look? Our Innsider’s Guide has more detail for you.

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A weathered bulletin board displaying various business advertisements and event announcements on Monhegan Island.

Nearby Day Trips

The Tipsy Butler makes a stellar home base for day trips throughout Midcoast Maine. Head down the peninsula to visit Bristol, Pemaquid, Bremen, and Round Pond. Or head out on Route 1 to see nearby Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Rockport, Bath, Wiscasset, and Waldoboro. For a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, take the ferry from New Harbor to Monhegan Island for an unforgettable day exploring one of Maine's most unique destinations. (More details on how to pull off the best Monhegan trip can be found in our Innsider’s Guide!) Each town has its own personality, and we're always happy to help you plan.

Two people sit on a rocky coastline, photographing the ocean and distant shoreline under a cloudy sky.

We’ll Help You Plan

No two trips are exactly alike. Some of our guests come to the midcoast to eat oysters and lobster rolls. Others want to hike every trail they can find. And of course there’s those who spend their days browsing bookstores, poring through antique shops, or perusing local art galleries. When you stay with us, we'll share our Innsiders Guide packed with local recommendations. And if you'd like more personalized suggestions, just ask! We love helping guests discover places and experiences they'll be talking about long after they get home. And we’re passionate about supporting local businesses run by our friends and neighbors.