The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is a hidden treasure. This excursion is easily worth half a day and mucho kid-friendly. Also a great place to take summer visitors. The existing gardens, which occupy 248 waterfront acres, have been in place for just over 10 years. In 2006, a beautiful visitor’s center was built, including a cafe for lunching. There is ample evidence that there are plans for continued growth. Earth movers are currently making way for a ‘Garden of the 5 Senses’ area, and an enormous Children’s Garden has been designed. Until these projects come to be, you can stroll around the grounds taking in the amazing perennial beds, the meditation garden, ponds, art installations and waterfall. For the kids there is an installation of about a dozen individually-designed hands-on garden plots and a vast fairy house village. If you have an inkling to make this trip, do it before August 15 so you can see George Sherwood’s breathtaking kinetic sculptures. You have to see these babies in person. They are mesmerizing as they dance in the breeze and the movements change moment to moment. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens also offer special events and educational programs. On August 1, there is a Flash in the Pans Steel Drum Band Concert and Picnic and the weekend of August 8 features a Maine Fairy House Festival. The hours of operation for the are: Daily from 9-5. Cafe is open 10-3 through October 19.
