Bucksport ‘Best Coastal Small Town’ In America According To USA Today

Bucksport ‘Best Coastal Small Town’ In America According To USA Today

TSM photo. Bucksport seen from across the Penobscot River and inside the front gate of Fort Knox.

Well, apparently one doesn't have to travel very far at all to find the "best coastal small town" in America!

As part of "10 Best Reader's Choice 2021", USA Today announced this past Friday that the town of Bucksport sits atop the publication's top ten list for "Best Coastal Small Town" in the country!

How cool is that?  Very.

The Hancock County town of approximately 5,000 residents that sits pretty much at the mouth of the Penobscot River beat out places like Georgetown, South Carolina, and Cape May, New Jersey.

Yes, the paper mill that kept hundreds of locals employed is long gone, but the town of Bucksport with its beautiful walking path on the waterfront, views of Fort Knox from across the river, and events like the Bucksport Bay Festival and Ghostport, is evidently hard to beat.

All of the towns on USA Today's list that were selected by the publication's readers have a population of fewer than 25,000 people, and the article said, "Each offers uncrowded, unpretentious, and affordable seaside fun in small packages that prove bigger isn't always better."

USA Today had this to say about Bucksport: "10Best Contributor Deborah Fallows suggests that you "stop for a craft beer (made by real friars) at the Friar’s Brewhouse, visit the history museum, or try a glass of wine at Verona Wine and Design." Local bodies of water such as Silver Lake and Jacob Buck Pond offer opportunities for fishing (including a winter fishing derby), kayaking, and canoeing. Recreational boaters seeking saltwater activities can utilize a public dock located directly off Main Street."

Here's the official top 10 of USA Today's "Best Coastal Small Town."

  1. Bucksport - Maine
  2. Georgetown - South Carolina
  3. Rockport - Texas
  4. Southport - North Carolina
  5. Ocean Springs - Mississippi
  6. Bay Saint Louis - Mississippi
  7. Nags Head - North Carolina
  8. Del Mar - California
  9. Beaufort - South Carolina
  10. Cape May - New Jersey

In the category of "Best Smalltown Food Scene", Bar Harbor ranked at #8 and was mentioned as having over 90 restaurants that compete with fresh, off the boat seafood.

Walk Through These Photos Of The Famous Bar Harbor Shore Path

It's probably one of the more picturesque walks within any small coastal town in New England, and if you haven't strolled the 3/4 of a mile pathway yet, you really should take the time to do so.

The famous Bar Harbor Shore Path was created in 1881, and one can only imagine the famous and successful individuals of the past who have walked it throughout the years. Let's go ahead and join them.

Stroll Through These Photos Of The Brewer Riverwalk

The 1.1mile-long Brewer Riverwalk gives a vantage point to all three bridges that cross between Brewer and Bangor and the Bangor Waterfront. There's plenty of park benches along the way to sit and take in the sights.
Categories: Local News, Maine

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