Planning your whole wedding experience in Maine? We can help! After your wedding in Winterport, Maine, you can stay in Maine and have these amazing honeymoon experiences! Check out our complimentary Maine Honeymoon Agendas. These are meant to be day trips, so do them one, or do them all, and let us know what you liked the best! Of course - selfies are great too. Make sure to use #crookedsteeplehoneymoon or #CrookedSteepleMaine so we can see!

Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park

1. Breakfast at Two Cats

2. Hike around Jordan Pond for a gorgeous trail for all levels - make sure to stop at the Jordan Pond House and get your POPOVER!

3. Enjoy a late lunch or snacks and margaritas at the Fish House - great outdoor dining at moderate prices. We recommend the peel and eat shrimp!

4. Take in the sunset on the schooner Margaret Todd

5. Stay at the historic Bar Harbor Inn for the night and do it all again the next day! Or, come back to the Crooked Steeple Hall and stay before heading to Belfast or Camden the next day.

Camden

1. Breakfast At Boyton-McKay - this little shop is like nothing you've ever experienced! It's small, but the food is DELICIOUS!

2. Walk around the downtown area - the waterfront is a nice place for photos then head to the main road & enjoy the shops! There's so much to choose from, you won't leave empty handed.

3. Have lunch at The Waterfront Restaurant and enjoy looking at all of the big boats coming in and out of the harbor.

4. Drive up Mount Battie and catch the sunset. You'll want to get there a little early, and explore the tower and history!

5. Dinner at the world famous Natalie's

6. We recommend a stay at 16 Bay View - you'll want to request a room with a balcony over the harbor for sure, and take advantage of room service breakfst the next morning. It will be an experience you'll never forget!

Belfast

1. Have a delightful breakfast at Belle the Cat

2. Take a walk around the waterfront and check out the big boats at Front Street Shipyard! Make sure you take some time to walk across the footbridge

3. Nautilus for lunch - a great waterfront dining establishment with excellent views and delightful food.

4. Go shopping downtown - buy Maine souvenirs!

5. Visit the Marshall Wharf Brewing taproom, then head upstairs to Three Tides for sunset and dinner.

6. We recommend a stay at the Colonial Gables - you can get a private cottage on the beach!

Winterport/Bucksport

1. Breakfast at the Wooden Spoon

2. Head on over to Sandy Point Beach for the afternoon. Bring a picnic lunch - there are multiple stops along the way to pick something up. Or - you can stop at the Winterport House of Pizza or Freshie's and grab subs to go.

3. On the way back, head to Bucksport and take a trip over to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and head up to the Observatory. It's very romantic at the top!

4. Have some tapas and wine in the courtyard at Verona Wine & Design!

5. Take a walk on the waterfront in Bucksport - it's beautiful! Grab some ice cream for your journey in downtown Bucksport. You might even catch some live music!

6. Have dinner at MacLeod's - a locals favorite with excellent food and a homey feel.

7. Come back and stay at the Crooked Steeple Hall and take another day trip the next day!

We hope you were inspired by our ideas! Let us know what questions you have, we love to help you make your time in Maine the absolute best!

You've heard many of the main reasons to visit Maine, such as sunsets, lobster, and whoopie pies. We've made our own list here at the Crooked Steeple Hall. Without further adieu, here are 5 whimsical reasons to visit Maine!

Waterfront Dining

Check out our list of favorite places to enjoy some waterfront dining near us! We're lucky to have many gorgeous places near us, that offer a wide variety of dining experiences. Want a private picnic? We can make that happen too!

Acadia National Park 

Here are our favorite things to do in Acadia National Park. We'd love to share our tips - feel free to call and ask us questions, or check out our friends at lovemaineadventures.com! We'll also be posting more updates in the coming months, so check back often.

Breweries and Wineries

Spoiler alert - we're located just blocks away from some....

winterport winery and penobscot bay brewery in maine

Waterfront Concerts

Locally renowned artist visit the Darling's Waterfront Pavillion often - this year's shows include the Pentatonix, Ray Montagne, Dispatch, Paramore, Imagine Dragons, Jason Aldean, and more! Check out our post about tickets on sale.

Lighthouses

Just checking to see if you were reading! We're centrally located near some of the most beautiful lighthouses in Maine. See our list above!

bass harbor head light

We'd love to help you plan your next stay, event, or your wedding in Maine! Contact us today to learn more.

We are blissfully located close to the Penobscot River, and we have many waterfront dining opportunities within a short distance from our location! Check out this list of our favorite places for waterfront dining

High Tide

5 S Main St, Brewer, ME 04412

Phone: 207-989-3300

Great views from both inside the building and outside, if it's the season! A great environment for lunch or dinner, featuring a full bar, live music & seafood classics. It's a great place to listen to the Waterfront Concert Series or to watch the sunset as well.

Masons

15 Hardy St, Brewer, ME 04412

Phone: (207) 989-6300

Mason's is a full-service brewery. Pub food, great brews, and ambiance is what Mason's is known for. They have a great brunch option, as well! Full bar, so you can have a bloody mary, too. 

Sea Dog -

26 Front St, Bangor, ME 04401

Phone: (207) 947-8009

A brewery and American style pub & eatery offering many flavored beers, such as Blueberry and Grapefruit. Live music throughout the week as well!  Bonus -  Open till 1 am!

McLaughlins at the Marina

100 Marina Rd, Hampden, ME 04444

Phone: 

(207) 990-1111

This is probably the closest waterfront dining location to the Crooked Steeple Hall. A nice spot on the Marina, it's sort of a hidden local gem. Full bar and takeout available.

Young's Lobster Pound

4 Mitchell St, Belfast, ME 04915

Phone

: 

(207) 338-1160

Simple BYOB spot serving lobster rolls, grilled fish & casual seafood with waterfront picnic tables.

Need help planning your Maine vacation? Give us a call today!

It's thawing out here in Maine, and we're looking forward to the summer....and with summer comes concerts in Maine! We've got some booked already at the Darlings Waterfront Pavillion, so you can plan your trip around them. How COOL would it be to have your wedding here and then attend a concert in your wedding dress? Maybe your favorite band is playing! Check out the lineup below...

Jason Aldean

May 27th

Jason Aldean is an American country music artist.

Imagine Dragons

June 8th

Imagine Dragons is an American rock band.

Foreigner, Whitesnake and a Led Zepplin Evening

June 15th

Foreigner is an English-American rock band, Whitesnake are an English hard rock band, and Jason Bonham is the son of Led Zeppelin's drummer John Bonham

Steve Miller Band with Peter Frampton

July 5th

The SteveMillerBand is an American rock band and Peter Frampton is a British-American rock musician.

Dispatch, Rebelution, Stephen Marley

July 14th

Dispatch is an American indie/roots band.  Rebelution is a reggae music band. Stephen Marley  is a Jamaican American musician.

Pentatonix

August 30

Pentatonix (abbreviated PTX) is an American a cappella group.

We are a very short driving distance from the Darlings Waterfront Pavillion! We fill up fast on concert weekends, so give us a call today to book your wedding with us and take advantage of hosting your wedding or event with us during one of the busiest weekends in Bangor! You can have the big city experience AND the rural eclectic wedding experience. Call us today!

One of the many joys of being in a coastal community is having many lighthouses to view in a day. If you enjoy touring lighthouses in Maine, the Crooked Steeple is your perfect location to stay when you are planning your next trip.  Maine has over 65 historical lighthouses - 5 of which we are recommending because they are lighthouses in Maine on route 1 - which is where we are located off of. You could spend many days checking them all out - but we recommend you start here! (Descriptions from Wikipedia..)

1. Fort Point Lighthouse - The Fort Point Light, or Fort Point Light Station, is located in Fort Point State Park, in Stockton Springs, Maine. A lighthouse at this point has served as an active aid to navigation since 1835; the present lighthouse dates to 1857, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

2. Bass Harbor Head Light - Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse located within Acadia National Park in the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island, Maine, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay.

3. Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse - Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light is a historic lighthouse complex at the end of the Rockland Breakwater in the harbor of Rockland, Maine. Replacing a light station at Jameson Point (the northern end of the breakwater), the light was established in 1902, about two years after completion of the breakwater. Now automated, it continues to serve as an active aid to navigation. The light was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse on March 20, 1981.

4. Owls Head Light- The Owls Head Light is an active aid to navigation located at the entrance of Rockland Harbor on western Penobscot Bay in the town of Owls Head, Knox County, Maine. The lighthouse is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and licensed to the American Lighthouse Foundation. It is the centerpiece of 13-acre (5.3 ha) Owls Head State Park and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as Owls Head Light Station in 1978.

5. Dice Head Lighthouse - Dice Head Light is a lighthouse in the town of Castine, Maine. First established in 1829, the light was deactivated in 1937 and replaced by a skeleton tower 475 feet (145 m) to the south. When that structure was destroyed by a storm in 2007, however, the old light was reactivated in 2008. The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Add this list to your Google Maps! 

I hope you enjoyed this lighthouse tour! I'm looking forward to hearing about YOUR adventures in Maine - call me today to book your stay!

Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a destination for kids and adults alike! Just a short drive from the Crooked Steeple Hall, it's a great day trip - a perfect stop on your Maine road trip, or something that your friends and family will love to check out while visiting Maine for your Destination Wedding!

FORT KNOX

According to Wikipedia, Fort Knox, now Fort Knox State Park or Fort Knox State Historic Site, is located on the western bank of the Penobscot River in the town of Prospect, Maine, about 5 miles (8.0 km) from the mouth of the river. Built between 1844 and 1869, it was the first fort in Maine built entirely of granite; most previous forts used wood, earth, and stone. It is named after Major General Henry Knox, the first U.S. Secretary of War and Commander of Artillery during the American Revolutionary War, who at the end of his life lived not far away in Thomaston. The fort was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, as a virtually intact example of a mid-19th century granite coastal fortification. Fort Knox also serves as the entry site for the observation tower of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge that opened to the public on 19 May 2007.

PENOBSCOT NARROWS BRIDGE AND OBSERVATORY

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge is a 2,120 feet (646 m) long cable-stayed bridge that carries US 1/SR 3 over the Penobscot River. It connects Verona Island to Prospect, in the U.S. state of Maine. It replaced the Waldo–Hancock Bridge, built in 1931. The Penobscot Bridge site also is home to the Penobscot Narrows Observatory, the first bridge observation tower in the United States and the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. The tower reaches 420 feet (128 m) into the air and allows visitors to view the bridge, the nearby Fort Knox State Historic Site, the Penobscot River, and Bay.

For more info on the Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Bridge, check out the official site - http://maine.gov/mdot/pnbo/

We're looking forward to sharing stories with you when you visit! Send us a message today to inquire about booking your event or stay with us!

Maine is full of historic sites and natural beauty. When you choose a Maine wedding venue like Crooked Steeple Hall, you and your guests will experience a beautiful and unique event. One of the best ways to make your event shine is to embrace all that Maine has to offer. You can do this by using locally grown wedding flowers from a community supported farm here in Maine. Maine flower farms cover the state and choosing one is part of your own wedding journey. As you dream about and plan your wedding, there are many wonderful Maine flower farms and local florists who can make your design reality.  Right here in Winterport, you and your wedding planner can choose from a wide variety of unique, organically grown flowers from Winterport's own Fisher Farm.

Maine Wedding Flower Farms

1. Fisher Farm- local, organic flowers - 177 Coles Corner Rd Winterport ME, 04496 - (207) 478 - 4803

2. East of Eden Flower Farm, 637 Browns Point Road, Bowdoinham, ME 04008 - (207) 319-6318

3. Little River Flower Farm, 160 Turkey Lane, Buxton, ME - (207)929-3967

Local Maine Wedding Florists

1. Chapel Hill Floral - 453 Hammond St, Bangor, ME 04401 - (207) 942-7386 - Chapel Hill has done some of the biggest, most outrageous arrangements in town! For unique and innovative designs - this is who we recommend!

2. Hampden Floral - 60 Main Rd N Ste E, Hampden, ME 04444 - (207) 862-3018 - Hampden Floral never fails to deliver a beautiful, timeless product. They are fast and efficient and as a bonus are the closest floral shop to us!

3. Bangor Floral - 332 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401 - (207) 947-4569

4. Lougee & Frederick's - 345 State St, Bangor, ME 04401 - (207) 947-4521 - a staple in the Bangor community!

We're looking forward to hosting your Maine Destination Wedding. Contact us today to learn more.

When you think base camp, do you also think adventure? We do! And we'd like to fill you in on a little secret - Winterport, Maine is the PERFECT base camp for adventure! With many destinations a short drive away, the Crooked Steeple Hall is the perfect place to stay and play in Maine! Winterport: We wrote about the many things to do in Winterport in our last post! From the Waterfront to the Winery - Winterport has it all!

Hampden: Hampden features many parks, such as Dorthea Dix, and Reeds Brook Trail System. McLaughlin's at the Marina features waterfront dining, as well as a firepit outside and live music on the weekends.

Bangor: Bangor is the "big city" closest to us. The Downtown area is bustling with shops and eateries, as well as many public parks and green spaces. There's a beautiful path down the Penobscot River, which starts at Hollywood Casino, and ends across the river at Mason's Brewing Company. Speaking of breweries, you can spend the day touring the many breweries popping up in Downtown Bangor, and Brewer, Maine. There's the Maine Discovery . Museum, the largest children's museum north of Boston,  as well as the UMMA Museum of Art, which is free to enter.

Brewer: Brewer's waterfront features a lovely walking path, as well as two waterside restaurants - Mason's and High Tide.  Geaghan's Tap Room and Mason's Brewery are adventures in themselves! The downtown area features a coffee shop - Logical Sip, a yoga studio - OmLand Yoga, and Between Friends, a lovely antique store and art center.

Belfast: Belfast is a quaint artist town with a Shipyard. You will be in awe of the many ships that line the waterfront, and the shops that line the downtown area. You can certainly spend a day exploring Belfast!The walking bridge is a favorite experience as well. Belfast features an authentic Lobster Pound as well.

Bucksport: Bucksport is also a waterfront town in transition. The waterfront provides beautiful views of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, as well as Fort Knox, which are both must-sees while in the area! Vona Wine features a great patio area you can relax in, and if wine isn't you thing, there are antique shops and ice cream you can partake in. Sandy Point Beach is a great place to relax, or take a stroll!

Searsport - In between Winterport and Belfast lies Searsport, Maine - an unassuming town with many wonderful features! Swan Lake is a great place to get some sun or take out a kayak or canoe! Mount Waldo is also in this area - it's a great moderate hike with amazing views! It's not very far from our doors, either. Moose Point State Park is a great place to have a picnic, or to take a walk. On a clear day, you may be able to see a schooner or two! If lighthouses are your thing - you're in luck! The Fort Point Light is right down the road from the Crooked Steeple Hall.

We haven't even begun to discuss Acadia National Park or Baxter State Park... those will be featured later.

As you can see, Winterport is quite a base camp for adventurers! All of the towns described are within a 30 minute drive from the Crooked Steeple Hall.

Give us a call today to discuss availability, or to book your next event -  or stay - at the Crooked Steeple Hall!

Winterport, Maine - A Whimsical Maine Wedding Venue Destination

The town of Winterport, Maine, is a perfect place to host your Whimsical Maine Wedding!

History of Winterport

Winterport, Maine is an old river town, settled in 1766, during the American Revolution. The railroads didn't come to Bangor until 1855. This made Penobscot River the main source of transportation at the time. Because the river was icebound into Bangor, all goods and travelers had to be unloaded in Winterport and transported to Bangor and all points north, by wagons or sleds. This gave the town its name as the "Winter Port" of the Bangor region.

From the city's website -

"Old maps of this town show many farms existing in the rural area where now stand abandoned cellars and orchards as mute evidence of what was once thriving agricultural activity. The old records, photos, and postcards in the Historical Association museum reveal the tremendous changes that have occurred here.

Where stood livery stables, carriages, harness, and blacksmith shops, there are now only an occasional hitching post and watering trough to remind us of the days when nearly everyone kept a horse.  In time, an Exxon station, the Winterport Mercantile, and the restored Treat Building replaced the Rankin store, the corn and flour mill, the vest factory, and the Frank Haley business where he sold everything from stoves to caskets.  On Steamboat Avenue, there was a vinegar factory, along with coopers shops, fishermen’s shacks and the wharf for the Boston boats.  Although many of the 19th century buildings still stand, all have seen numerous changes in use and purpose."

Winterport Today

The town of Winterport today is a peaceful destination, approximately 25-30 minutes from Downtown Bangor a destination in itself, and the Bangor International Airport. The town borders the Penobscot River.

Winterport has a unique collection of shops. Tea Mania is a local tea shop that ships their teas all over the world.  The Wooden Spoon, a bakery, is the newest addition to Main Street. The town also has Winterport Winery and Penobscot Bay Brewery. Next door to the Winery and Brewery is The Bacon Tree, a restaurant famous for its breakfasts and Friday night dinners.

Accommodations include the Old Winterport Commercial House, An 1833 inn and stagecoach stop converted into a 4,000 sq. ft. antique shop and second-floor bed & breakfast with private baths and the Guest House at the Crooked Steeple. In addition, a short drive down the road will take you to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox - a great viewpoint and a photo perfect spot, as well as another coastal town, Belfast, Maine.

Winterport: A Maine Wedding Destination

Imagine: your guests arrive in a quaint New England town. They are amazed by the friendliness of everyone they meet. They are in awe of the river, the historic New England buildings preserved in a quaint village. Your guests are in for a remarkable experience.

Places to stay: Wedding parties have the benefit of accessing a private space above the Crooked Steeple for getting ready, or as a Honeymoon Suite for the night of the wedding. The Crooked Steeple Meeting Hall can accommodate up to 12 guests! The Old Winterport Commerical House is walking distance from The Crooked Steeple. It has 5 guest rooms and is available to rent entirely for wedding parties, or individually for your guests. The 1812 Pierce House is available for rental as well and can host up to 20 guests.  It's located about half a mile from the Crooked Steeple Hall and is a great space to host a rehearsal lobster bake or a private Sunday morning brunch.

Winterport, Maine Wedding Photo Opportunities

There are many antique buildings that make for stunning photo opportunities. The Penobscot River is also accessible at the end of Kaler Street, a few hundred feet from Crooked Steeple, and from many locations as well as the docks at the Winterport Boat Yard. Blueberry Hill, the town blueberry fields, offer stunning views of the surrounding areas. Mount Waldo, in Frankfort, offers 360 degrees views and on a clear day you can see Mount Katadin in Baxter State Park.

Convenient Maine Wedding Ceremony + Reception location

Your guests have traveled to be with you - let them relax in the historic accommodations at Crooked Steeple Hall and the 1812 Pierce House. Spread over 3 properties, your guests have plenty of space to enjoy their stay. Winterport is located centrally to many Maine must-sees: Acadia National Park, the coastal towns of Belfast, Camden, and Rockland, close to Bangor, and for the more adventerous of your group, Baxter State Park and Mount Katadin.

You can hold your ceremony inside or outside at The Union Meeting House, a historical building that has been well maintained. The 1820 Union Meeting House is situated on the hill overlooking the village of Winterport and the Penobscot River. It’s the perfect place to hold your ceremony and capture many beautiful wedding pictures, with stepped lawns and original granite steps. After your ceremony, head to your reception at Crooked Steeple Hall. The main Hall is on the first floor, with a large balcony overlooking it all, where you can create a lounge space for your guests. The lower level contains the Speakeasy, a great place for the groomsmen or after-hours celebrations to continue into the night. After the wedding, the bride and groom can enjoy the onsite suite at Crooked Steeple, while the wedding party retires just down the road to the 1812 Pierce House and the Old Winterport Commercial House.

Learn more about hosting your destination wedding at Crooked Steeple Hall in Winterport, Maine.