Visit Maine Maritime Museum
Discover Maine’s diverse maritime culture – from lobstering to lighthouses – on the grounds of a former shipyard where the largest wooden ship the world had ever seen was launched in 1909. Located on the banks of the Kennebec River in historic Bath, the “City of Ships,” our scenic 20-acre campus offers indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities, daily lighthouse cruises, live demonstrations, and hands-on fun for the whole family. Stop by the Boatshop to see wooden boats being constructed using traditional techniques; visit with the blacksmith as they work in the forge; explore the original shipyard buildings. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious kid, or you just want to view Maine’s beautiful coastline from the water, you’ll find it all at Maine Maritime Museum.
Hours & Fees
The Maine Maritime Museum campus sits on 20-waterfront acres and includes 15 structures housing numerous exhibits and displays.
Open from 9:30 am to 5 pm daily
except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Members FREE
Adult $20
Senior $18
Child (under 18) FREE*
*Thanks to the support of
Getting Here
Parking
We have ample, free parking available with space available to accommodate RVs and larger vehicles in our south lot. To further accommodate our guests, we have 11 handicap-accessible parking spaces, as well as a drop-off area with benches located near the museum’s main entrance. Please note, overnight parking is prohibited.
Arriving By Water
Maine Maritime Museum is located at Lat: 43 degrees 53.689′, Long: 069 degrees 48.889′ – 10 miles up the Kennebec River from the Gulf of Maine.
From late-May to mid-October, the museum offers floating dock space, and a 75′ pier that can accommodate vessels from 60 to 300 feet in length. To ensure availability of suitable accommodations for your vessel, advanced reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (207) 443-1316 ext. 0, during normal business hours. Our Yachtsmen’s Building includes restrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.
Docking fees may be paid at the Admissions Desk when the museum is open (daily 9:30 to 5).
Food Service
The Sail Shed by Long Reach Kitchen on-site is open daily from 11:30 am to 4:30 pm, Thursday – Sunday offering a changing menu of sandwiches, baked goods, hot and cold drinks, and more; picnic tables and trash cans/recycling are available. You are also welcome to return to the campus with your admission sticker if you’d like to visit one of our great local dining options. Find a list of our Business Partners here. (Food and drink are not permitted inside the galleries or historic buildings.)
Accessibility and Services
The campus is navigated via a mix of paved and gravel walkways that are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs; with a few areas of substantial incline in the historic shipyard. The floors in historic buildings and gravel paths may be uneven; please watch your step. The majority of buildings have accessible entrances at the main level; upper levels of historic buildings are only accessible by stairs. For guests with mobility issues, Guest Services staff is happy to arrange golf cart service around campus. The floating docks can be reached via the accessible ramp. Wheelchair access aboard the cruise boat Merrymeeting is limited to the main cabin; on-board restrooms are not wheelchair accessible. There is no on-board access to the historic schooner Mary E. Guests traveling by water are welcome to tie up to the floats for day visits or call in advance to make arrangements for overnight dockage or mooring reservations. The Visiting Yachtsman’s building houses accessible restrooms, shower, and laundry for dockage guests.
Accommodations & Policies
- Accessible restrooms are located in the Maritime History Building and Visiting Yachtsman’s Building. Changing tables are available in all of the museum’s restrooms.
- Wheelchairs are available for loan at the Guest Services Desk.
- Service animals are welcome, but pets and support animals are restricted to the south end of campus and not permitted in any building. Dogs must be leashed; please clean up after your pet.
- Maine Maritime Museum is a smoke-free campus.
- While visiting the museum you may be photographed or filmed, and footage may be used in promotional materials.
