Topside Inn

Welcome to Topside Inn Bed & Breakfast

Come up and marvel at our incredible panoramic views of the scenic harbor and islands from the highest point in town. A 19th-century sea captain's home, joined by two classic summer guesthouses, offers stylish, comfortable lodging just steps from a charming coastal village you won't soon forget.

Our front lawn provides a grandstand seat to observe harbor activity during the day, and the lights of the sky at night.

Our 20 guest rooms are spread among three buildings situated just steps from each other on two acres. There are wonderful views in any direction — sunrise and the famous footbridge across inner harbor, the lighthouses and islands, out to sea, and the western sunset.

All guest rooms include:

• a private, in-suite bathroom
• bath amenities, hair dryer, iron and ironing board
• room/window fans to amplify the cool ocean breezes
• cable TV, free wireless internet and local telephone calls
• full breakfast, 24-hour tea, coffee and snacks, afternoon treats
• ice and barware for BYOB
• free parking and luggage assistance
• and Breakfast too!

A delicious full breakfast is always included: great local coffee, fresh fruit, amazing homemade granola, yogurt, baked goods, cereals, and a different hot entree special with sides each morning. Start your day slow and leisurely, or grab a quick bite on your way to an early sail.

Enjoy our convenient in-town location just a one-minute walk to restaurants, shops and art galleries in the waterfront coastal village. On the water, boat excursions depart at the foot of the hill for bird and whale watching, sightseeing, lighthouse tours, schooner sails, fishing, kayaking and more. On land, the spectacular beauty of the peninsula awaits on the Land Trust hiking trails, at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, or just around the next turn on a seaside country road. We'll help you find it all!

Topside Inn is a non-smoking property, inside and out! Your complete cooperation is appreciated.
We can accommodate children age 12 and older.
Sorry, we don't accommodate pets, but there are kennels nearby.
Check-in is 2pm to 7pm, easy arrangements for late arrivals. Check-out is by 11am.
Parking is available before and after your stay to enjoy local activities.

Come up and see why everyone says: WHAT A VIEW!

Whether passing through or staying a while, attending a special event or just getting away from it all, you'll find a warm welcome waiting for you on top of the hill. Our goal is for all guests - whether visiting for the first time, or returning again - to feel that they've arrived at their favorite seaside getaway. A calm, unassuming style surrounds you as you realize (or remember) that this not a typical bed and breakfast.

Common Space

In the main house, all guests are welcome to lounge by the living room fireplace with a book or magazine, take on a puzzle or board game, review local restaurant menus, or plan your next adventure. We can help with your questions, provide directions and advice for excursions, and make whatever arrangements you need.

After breakfast, the serving room nearby is ready with ice, barware, snacks, and the hot water kettle for tea, coffee or hot chocolate at any hour. Cookies, brownies or other treats randomly appear on most afternoons.

Starting the day off right

Watch the harbor come alive in the morning sun — come to the dining room, where a delicious full breakfast starts the day: help yourself to great local coffee, tea and juice, a fresh fruit selection, homemade granola, yogurt and muffins. We also offer a different, creatively prepared hot entree each morning.

Beyond morning use, the dining room is a great spot for puzzles, board games, afternoon gatherings, or to watch the beautiful sunset.
 

The Great Outdoors

Topside Inn is situated on 2+ acres of land, with the Main House fronting McKown Street as it winds tightly up the hill from the center of town. The front lawn, anchored with a row of classic white Adirondack chairs, slopes gently toward views of the outer harbor. The lawn and buildings are bordered by a variety of gardens that are a colorful, continual work in progress. Rooms in the two guesthouses include direct access to covered porch space for taking in the views, and the sweeping front porch on the Main House offers rockers for all to enjoy. On summer afternoons a spirited game of croquet or bocce may erupt on the front lawn.

Your Innkeepers

Brian Lamb and Ed McDermott left busy urban life in Washington, DC at the end of 2001, and landed "temporarily" in Boothbay Harbor to spend a year exploring potential life as innkeepers and researching business opportunities on the New England coastline. After driving every country road, and looking at every inn for sale across six states, they discovered they were already home, and that their future inn was calling quietly from the top of the hill. They can't imagine doing anything else.

From this hilltop location, the McKown family watched over their shipyard and the comings and goings of the ships they built. When necessary, they catered to the lodging needs of the shipyard workers. Then, with the passing of the yard, the lodging business turned to the needs of summer visitors. Now, guests come year round to enjoy our beautiful location.

Throughout the years, each owner has continued the McKown family traditions - friendliness, informality and personal courtesy come naturally at Topside.

Something for Everyone

Our treasured in-town location means a quick two-minute walk to Boothbay Harbor's restaurants, shops, art galleries, the famous footbridge across inner harbor, and the waterfront. Plan ahead with the suggestions and links below, and check the Chamber of Commerce calendar for scheduled events during your stay. We also maintain a bulletin board of current activities to remind you of happenings once you arrive.

On the Water

Rent a kayak and explore the harbor, islands and lighthouses on your own, or enjoy a guided tour.
See the coast from a traditional wooden sailing vessel - Schooner Eastwind, the Lazy Jack, or the friendship sloop Bay Lady.
Let an experienced naturalist guide you in searching for whales, seals, puffins, and more.
Take a day trip to magical Monhegan Island.
Feast at a traditional New England clambake.
Experience the timeless tradition of lobstering in Maine.
Visit Burnt Island Lighthouse, a limited summer schedule but the living history museum is worth the trip.
Or maybe just a day of old-fashioned angling for the 'big one'.

On Land

When you want to keep your feet on dry land, there's a bounty of choices from our central location, just a short drive away.

Visit the incredible 250-acre Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Hike the 30 miles of nature trails preserved and protected by Boothbay Region Land Trust.
Walk over to Barrett Park and enjoy a picnic and a dip in the water at the head of Linekin Bay.
Head to Ocean Point, walk along the sea wall and take in the views. Stop at East Boothbay General Store for a treat.
Learn more about ocean life at the Maine State Aquarium or the weekly Cafe Scientifique lectures sponsored by Bigelow Laboratory.
Antique car enthusiasts, railroad fans, and history buffs will all enjoy Boothbay Railway Village.
Hit the links at Boothbay Country Club, a championship 18-hole course with challenging holes on par with the breathtaking vistas.
Get to the gym, if you must, at our exceptional YMCA, with a reasonable visitors rate and reciprocity throughout New England.

Entertaining

Don't miss the show at the historic Opera House, a unique venue for any performance. Check their calendar of great events!
Take in a first-run movie at the small-town, one-screen Harbor Theater.
Compete for putt-putt champion at Dolphin Mini Golf, ranked one of the top 10 mini golf courses in the U.S.
Check out the revue at Carousel Music Theater or the summer theater show at the Boothbay Playhouse.
You will usually find live music at several night spots in the harbor on weekends, and nightly in the summer.
And did we mention the stars?

Eat!

In the busy season we are fortunate to have many dining options for a small town — from casual to contemporary to unique, seafood is everywhere and you won't go hungry! Nearby favorites include:

Boathouse Bistro
Ports of Italy
The Thistle Inn
McSeagull's
The Lobster Dock
Kaler's Crab and Loster House

Shop and get Artful!

There is truly something for everyone amongst the shops, art galleries, boutiques, and merchants in Boothbay Harbor. If you're not a shopper but forced to go, you can almost always find ice cream. Our usual walks around town give us some favorites noted here, starting impartially at the bottom of our hill.

Coastal Interiors and Abacus Gallery
The Memorial Library's Used Bookstore
Boothbay Region Art Foundation, allen david gallery, The Creative Turtle, and Joy to the Wind Gallery
Ice Cream Factory, WannaWaf, and the little gelato hut on the corner
The Saucy Contessa, Coastal Maine Popcorn, and Orne's Candy Store

Heading Off the Rock

Boothbay Harbor is ideally situated as a base for exploring the midcoast region. Plan to stay a while — there is some great exploring to do.
Southbound, stop in busy Wiscasset for the interesting shops, visit Castle Tucker and Nickels-Sortwell House museums.
Historic Bath and the Maine Maritime Museum are a great day-trip destination.
Our rocky coastline offers few sandy beaches, but Popham State Beach and Reid State Park are on peninsulas south of Bath.
Brunswick has a lively Maine Street, great restaurants, the Maine State Music Theather and Bowdoin College.
The midcoast shopping mecca Freeport, home to LL Bean and 200 other upscale outlets, can be reached in 45 minutes or less.
Northbound, drive the River Road to Damariscotta, and on down to Pemaquid Lighthouse, one of the most photographed locations in Maine.
Rockland - for the Farnsworth Museum, Owl's Head Transportation Museum, a fun visit in town, and possibly dinner at Primo
Camden - explore shops and galleries in town, then head north and drive the auto road to the top of Mt. Battie.