Travel Tips: Getting to Belfast, Maine
Wanderbird Expedition Cruises
PO Box 272, Belfast, ME 04915
Toll-free: 1-866-SEA-BIRD
or 1-866-732-2473
Office: 207-338-3088
Toll-Free: 1-866-SEA-BIRD
Email: wanderbirdcruises@gmail.com
Our Home Port of Belfast, Maine
We are very pleased as the beautiful & historic small city of Belfast, Maine has welcomed us to make this our permanent home port. Belfast is located just off U.S. Route 1, across the Bridge from Searsport. This is where we greet our guests, spend our first night aboard, and then set sail on our Maine Cruises.
Attractions, Lodging, and Dining
Your Arrival:
Our "Ships Office" is located at 33 Main Street in Belfast, just up the street from the docks, however, you will find us at the ship preparing for your cruise. You should plan on arriving at the ship between 6 and 9 pm on the evening before your cruise departs. Our crew will greet you at the docks and show you to your cabin. You will be free to explore the vessel and get to know your shipmates.
You may stay aboard the WANDERBIRD as our guests the night before your cruise departs, however the first meal we serve will be breakfast on the morning of the departure date of your cruise.
We will be pleased to recommend several excellent restaurants in town for your pre-cruise dinnner (Read about Belfast attractions here). We will serve cold drinks, tea & coffee that evening and you may want to explore our colourful and friendly home port, and pick up a few last minute items. You are welcome to bring along beer, wine, soda, bottled water or other items that are not available for purchase while on board.
Getting to Belfast:
If you are flying: the Bangor International Airport (approximately 1 hour drive), the Portland Jetport (2 hours drive) or Boston (4-1/2 hours drive). Car rentals are available at all three airports. Click here for a fullsize map from Google.
Directions From Bangor Internationl Airport/Area:
Start out going NORTH on GODFREY BLVD. approximately 0.2 miles and
continue to go STRAIGHT toward EXIT TO CITY for 0.1 miles.
Stay
STRAIGHT to go onto GODFREY BLVD. approximately 0.2 miles and
turn
RIGHT onto MAINE AVE. for 1.5 miles.
MAINE AVE becomes US-2 / ME-100
/ ODLIN RD: Follow this 0.8 miles.
Turn LEFT onto I-395 E. and continue
0.7 miles and then merge onto US-202 W via EXIT 2 toward HAMPDEN
- continue 4.1 miles.
US-202 W becomes WESTERN AVE / ME-9, follow
this 0.4 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto US-1A / MAIN RD N. Continue to follow
US-1A South for 19.2 miles. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-1 W / ME-3
W. for 9.9 miles and
stay STRAIGHT to go onto MAIN ST. for 0.6 miles.
Turn
SLIGHT LEFT to stay on MAIN ST. and continue for 0.2 miles to end
of Main St., Belfast, ME 04915, US
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 2 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 36.73 miles
From the Portland International Jetport/Area:
Start out going EAST on JETPORT ACCESS RD. for 0.1 miles.
Turn SLIGHT
LEFT to stay on JETPORT ACCESS RD. and continue for 0.1 miles,
then
turn LEFT to stay on JETPORT ACCESS RD. for another 0.2 miles
and
finally Turn SLIGHT RIGHT to stay on JETPORT ACCESS RD. for another
0.1 miles. Turn RIGHT onto INTERNATIONAL PKWY. and go 0.3 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto CONGRESS ST / ME-9 / ME-22. and travel 0.1 miles
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto CONGRESS ST / ME-9 / ME-22 and
Continue
to follow CONGRESS ST. 1.7 miles.
Merge onto I-295 N toward FALMOUTH
for 23.9 miles.
Take the US-1 exit- EXIT 28- toward COASTAL ROUTE / BRUNSWICK /
BATH for 1.2 miles.
Stay STRAIGHT to go onto US-1 N / BLUE STAR
MEMORIAL HWY.
Continue to follow US-1 N. for 43.9 miles. Turn LEFT
onto CAMDEN RD / ME-90. Continue to follow ME-90 for 10.7 miles.
Turn LEFT onto US-1 / COMMERCIAL ST. Continue to follow US-1 for
1.9 miles. This road ends at US-1.
Take a left and drive NORTHEAST
on ELM ST / US-1 toward MECHANIC ST.
Continue to follow US-1 for
16.6 miles. For the Belfast exit, turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto NORTHPORT
AVE. and go 0.9 miles.
NORTHPORT AVE becomes HIGH ST., continue on for 0.5 miles.
Turn
LEFT onto MAIN ST and go approximately 0.2 miles to end of Main
St., Belfast, ME 04915, US
Total Est. Time: 2 hour, 27 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 102.75 miles
From the Downtown Bar Harbor Area:
Start out going NORTH on MAIN ST / ME-3 toward ME-3 / MT DESERT
ST. for 0.1 miles.
Turn LEFT onto ME-3 / MT DESERT ST. and go 0.4
miles
then turn RIGHT onto EDEN ST / ME-3. for 0.2 miles.
Stay STRAIGHT
to go onto EDEN ST / ME-3.
Continue to follow ME-3 N. for 19.3 miles.
Turn LEFT onto MAIN ST / US-1 / ME-3. Continue to follow US-1 W
/ ME-3 for 37.0 miles.
Take the ramp toward ME-137 / DOWNTOWN BELFAST
AND WATERFRONT for 0.1 miles and
keep RIGHT at the fork to go on
HIGH ST. for 0.7 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto MAIN ST and go approximately
0.2 miles to end of Main St., Belfast, ME 04915, US
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Total Est. Distance: 58.04 miles
Belfast Resources:
Belfast Chamber of Commerce
207-338-5900
PO Box 58, Belfast, Maine 04915
Accommodations:
Alden House
Innkeepers: Ted and Deborah Hensley
207-338-2151 or 1-877-337-8151
63 Church Street, Belfast, ME 04915
(B&B in Belfast Historic District- Recommended by our Wanderbirders/Guests)
The Penobscot Inn
Hosts & Innkeepers: Val & Kris Kurapka
1-800-335-2370 or 207-338-5715
192 Northport Avenue (Rt.1), Belfast, Maine 04915
(Our favorite quiet local getaway & place for dinner)
Wealthy Poor House
Hosts & Innkeepers: Captain Malcolm & Carol Gater
1-207-338-4578 Email: wealthypoorhouse@gmail.com
70 Church Street, Belfast Maine 04915
(B&B in Belfast Historic District)
Restaurants:
The Penobscot Inn
Hosts & Innkeepers: Val & Kris Kurapka
1-800-335-2370 or 207-338-5715
192 Northport Avenue (Rt.1), Belfast, Maine 04915
(This is our favourite cosy winter place to dine.)
Three Tides
Proprietors: David & Sarah Carlson
207-338-1707
2 Pinchy Lane, Belfast, Maine 04915
Go to Marshall Wharf/Next to the Tugboats
(Fun Tapas Bar - Great Food, Micro-Brewery & Cocktails)
Darby's Restaurant & Pub
Proprietors: Gail & Jerry Savitz
207-338-2339
155 High Street Belfast, Maine 04915
Two doors from movie theater
(Classic building, local art & delicious eclectic cuisine)
Delvino's Grill & Pasta House
Proprietor: Tina Del Santo & Anthony Jackovino
207-338-4565
52 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915
(Fun atmosphere, delicious local fare & Italian inspired cuisine)
Rollies Bar & Grille
Proprietor: Ryan & Brooke Otis
207-338-4502
37 Main Street Belfast, Maine 04915
(Sports bar -Voted #1 Cheeseburger Burger in Mid-Maine Coast!)
Taxi:
Marty's Old Town Taxi
207-827-8800
(Wanderbirders traveling from Bangor have used this service. Marty will pre-arrange a time for your 'pick up' at the docks in Belfast as well.)
Where to Go & Other Local Information:
Penobscot Marine Museum
207-548-2529
5 Church Street, Searsport, ME 04974
(A fantastic museum... Definitely worth a visit for a look back at our abundant maritime history.)
Northern Lights Gallery
Proprietors: Karen & Rick Miles/Vessel Wanderbird
207-338-3088
33 Main Street
(Inuit Art, Fine Northern Handicrafts, Scrimshaw & Jewelry)
Parent Gallery
207-338-1553
92 Main Street, Belfast, Maine 04915
(Much of the local photography featured aboard Wanderbird, is that of our good friend Neal Parent! Check out his Photography, Classes & Gallery!)
Photo © Karen Miles