Down East Maine Antique Road Trip: RV Stops, Vintage Shops & Seaside Finds

Join us on a Down East Maine antique road trip through some of the state’s most picturesque coastal towns, where seaside charm and vintage treasures await around every bend.

From historic homes to salty harbors, we traveled miles of scenic shoreline in search of the best antique stores, charming villages, and hidden gems that make Maine so magical.

Whether you’re in an RV or simply love the thrill of the hunt, this road trip is packed with inspiration, nostalgic finds, and unforgettable stops.

Indulge in local favorites like buttery lobster rolls and fresh-off-the-boat seafood as you soak in the coastal beauty that defines a Down East Maine antique road trip.

Each stop offers its own dose of New England charm, from vintage-filled shops to scenic harbors and sun-drenched beaches. With every town we explored, we found not just antiques, but the heart and soul of Maine’s seaside culture.

Are you ready for a Down East Maine Antique Road Trip?

Down East Maine Antique Road Trip: Towns, Shops & RV Stops

There’s no better way to experience the magic of a Down East Maine antique road trip than by RV, especially during the vibrant summer months. Traveling the coastal roads allows you to explore charming seaside towns, uncover hidden antique shops, and enjoy the freedom of boondocking in some of Maine’s most scenic locations.

On this journey, we explored six beautiful Maine coastal towns, each with its own distinct character, vintage finds, and local charm. From weathered furniture and nautical treasures to classic collectibles, every stop was a reflection of Maine’s rich coastal history and craftsmanship.

Boondocking added a layer of adventure to our trip, giving us the flexibility to park near gourmet markets, antique barns, lobster shacks, and local breweries. Traveling in our Panoramic RV made it easy to hop from town to town, blending vintage shopping with the quiet pleasures of Maine’s outdoors.

Maine Coastal Towns on Our Antique Road Trip | Scarborough, Maine

RV Camping at Wild Duck Campground

Scarborough, Maine, was the first stop on our Down East Maine antique road trip, just a quick 40-minute drive from our home base in York County. For this leg of the journey, we stayed at Wild Duck Campground, an adult-only RV park nestled in the heart of Maine’s largest Audubon saltwater marsh. It’s a peaceful spot perfect for birdwatching, kayaking, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of coastal Maine. Get Directions

Antiquing at Gurley’s Antiques

Right off Route 1 in Scarborough, Gurley’s Antiques was our first vintage shopping stop. This multi-vendor shop is a must-visit if you’re antiquing in southern Maine. From quirky collectibles to classic farmhouse finds, Gurley’s offers a wide range of antiques at all price points, making it an ideal kick-off for any vintage lover’s Maine road trip. Get Directions

Vintage Military Memorabilia at Gurley’s Antiques

One of the most fascinating discoveries on our Down East Maine antique road trip was the incredible selection of vintage military memorabilia at Gurley’s Antiques in Scarborough. I had never come across a shop with such a vast collection of antique uniforms, apparel, and historic artifacts.

Among the treasures: heavy wool Red Cross nurse’s capes, antique military uniforms, polished boots, vintage pins, and ironstone dinnerware, each piece telling its own story. Whether you’re a history buff or just love unique vintage finds, this shop is packed with character and charm.

Ironstone Finds at Gurley’s

If you’re hunting for vintage ironstone, Gurley’s Antiques in Scarborough is a must-stop on any Down East Maine antique road trip. From pitchers to platters to those perfectly imperfect stacks of plates, ironstone lovers will feel right at home here.

There’s nothing quite like the sight of a well-loved stack of ironstone, chippy edges, creamy tones, and all that farmhouse charm. Whether you’re starting a collection or adding to your existing stash, this shop won’t disappoint.

What I Found: A Beautiful Demijohn

In one of the vendor booths at Gurley’s Antiques, I spotted a gorgeous collection of affordable vintage demijohns, and I couldn’t resist. I always keep my eye out for unique glass vessels under $50 to add to my growing collection, and this one was a total gem.

The wide, angled silhouette and textured glass immediately caught my eye. It’s one of those special finds that makes an antique road trip so rewarding.

How I Styled It in Our Coastal Maine Home

Back at our coastal Maine home, I styled this vintage demijohn in a sunny corner of our living room, surrounded by other antique coastal decor finds collected over the years. Its wicker jacket and textured finish pair perfectly with nautical touches and nautical tones, adding a relaxed, layered charm to the space.

More Demijohn Inspiration

If you’re just as smitten with vintage demijohns as I am, you’ll love these related posts. From styling ideas to thrifting tips, here are more ways I’ve decorated with these timeless glass vessels in both our coastal Maine and Vermont homes.

Exploring More Coastal Towns on Our Down East Maine Antique Road Trip (Wiscasset, Rockland & South Thomaston)

Wiscasset Antique Mall

After a peaceful night of camping in Scarborough, we continued our Down East Maine antique road trip about an hour north to Wiscasset, Maine, often referred to as “the prettiest village in Maine.”

Our first stop? The Wiscasset Antique Mall, a shop that came highly recommended by my friend Molly from Molly in Maine. Open seven days a week year-round, this antique mall is far larger than it appears from the outside. Inside, it boasts two full floors packed with antiques, vintage collectibles, and decorative treasures from a wide range of vendors. Get Directions

If you love the thrill of the hunt, this is a spot where you can easily spend a few hours wandering the aisles. From old tools and vintage pottery to glassware and coastal décor, there’s truly something for every kind of collector.

Even with my love for antiquing, I have to admit, Wiscasset Antique Mall was almost overwhelming in the best way. With so many vendors and such a wide variety of vintage goods, I found myself a little overstimulated (which usually means I walk out with less than I hoped!).

Still, a few treasures and standout moments caught my eye. If you love a deep-dive antique shopping experience, this is the kind of place where you could happily get lost for hours. Here are just a few of the highlights that stood out during our visit.

Louis Saphier’s Bavarian Chalet Painting

One of the most intriguing pieces I spotted at the Wiscasset Antique Mall was a winter landscape oil painting of a Bavarian chalet by Louis Saphier, dated to the late 1940s. I was instantly drawn to its rich texture and peaceful, snow-covered charm, such a perfect piece for a cozy winter vignette.

Louis Saphier (1875–1954) was a New York-based American painter known for both his portraits and landscapes. He’s perhaps best remembered for his 1945 portrait of Bob Hope and regional works like Neck Road Farm House, Brooklyn. This snowy alpine scene was unlike anything I’ve seen from him before, such a delightful surprise tucked into a Maine antique mall!

I thought it would be a beautiful piece inside our Vermont home, but it had a hefty price tag, so I passed. And I’m already missing it.

Vintage Skateboard Collection

One of the most surprising and fun highlights at the Wiscasset Antique Mall was an entire wall of vintage skateboards, and not just one or two, but a full collection of them! I’ve never come across anything quite like it while antiquing. Just wow.

I immediately imagined how amazing these would look as decorative memorabilia in a coastal Maine surf shop or even a retro-inspired clothing store, like my friend’s daughter’s shop, Talking Threads, in Ogunquit, Maine.

At $350 a board, they were a bit beyond our budget for this trip, but they were undeniably cool. Just one more reason I always say: you never know what you’ll find on a Down East Maine antique road trip!

The Wiscasset Antique Mall is a tourist and local favorite, and I can absolutely see why. If you are ever in the Down East Maine area, don’t miss this antique store experience.

Maine Coastal Towns | Rockland and South Thomaston, Maine

Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland

After hours of vintage treasure hunting at the Wiscasset Antique Mall, we continued our Down East Maine antique road trip north to Rockland just in time for the annual Maine Lobster Festival, a true summer highlight on the coast of Maine.

Held along the Rockland waterfront during the first weekend of August, this five-day event is packed with food, fun, and local flavor. The Maine Lobster Festival is free to attend and pet-friendly, making it a perfect stop if you’re road-tripping with a furry friend (like our Bernese Mountain Dog!).

From fresh lobster dinners to live music, artisan vendors, craft booths, and coastal views, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, even if you didn’t come for the seafood. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in local culture between antique stops.

McLoon’s Lobster Shack | A Popular Summer Destination in South Thomaston

After exploring Rockland and soaking in the festivities at the Maine Lobster Festival, we made our way to a highly recommended local gem, McLoon’s Lobster Shack in South Thomaston, Maine. Just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Rockland, this charming shack sits right on the water and quickly became my favorite stop on our Maine coastal towns road trip. Get Directions

McLoon’s is a small, working lobster shack with plenty of outdoor seating, think weathered picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and the sound of the water lapping at the shore. The views are spectacular, with boats drifting by and lobstermen hauling in their catch.

The air is crisp and salty, the pace is slow, and the lobster rolls? Absolute perfection.

It was at least 20 degrees cooler here than inland, and I honestly didn’t want to leave. If we could have boondocked our RV right there by the shore, I would have stayed the night in a heartbeat.

Boondocking at Bleeker and Greer Market

That evening, we made our way to Rockport, Maine, where we reserved an overnight boondocking stay through my favorite travel app, Harvest Hosts. Our host for the night? A delightful local market right on Route 1 called Bleeker and Greer. Get Directions

What is Harvest Hosts?

If you’re not familiar, Harvest Hosts is a network of farms, wineries, breweries, and attractions across the country that welcome RVers for overnight stays. In exchange for a free place to park, guests are encouraged to support the host by spending around $30 during their visit. It’s a wonderful way to discover local gems, meet kind-hearted people, and avoid the hustle of traditional campgrounds.

The next morning, we slept in and waited for Bleeker and Greer to open at 10:00 a.m., and it was so worth the wait. From freshly baked baguettes and French butter to homemade ravioli, pizza dough, and the most delicious blueberry pound cake, we stocked up on gourmet goodies to fuel the rest of our Maine coastal towns road trip.

We sipped coffee, picked up a free Bleeker and Greer market bag (a sweet touch!), and then hit the road toward Boothbay Harbor, hearts and bellies full.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Rockport

As we cruised along Route 1 in Rockport, Maine, a little sign caught my eye: the Midcoast Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 799 West Street. How cute is this place? Get Directions

Of course, it was an instant must-stop on our Down East Maine antique road trip. I love visiting local ReStores, they’re always full of secondhand surprises, from furniture to architectural salvage and home decor at amazing prices. This one had that small-town charm and thrift-lover appeal that made it extra special.

If you’re vintage hunting along the Maine coast, definitely keep your eyes peeled for small but mighty spots like this one.

Find More Inspiration Antiquing in Maine in These Posts: Looking for more vintage shopping ideas, hidden gems, and coastal charm? These blog posts feature some of my favorite spots to antique, thrift, and treasure hunt throughout Maine:

Maine Coastal Towns | Boothbay Harbor

The final stop on our Down East Maine antique road trip was the postcard-perfect village of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, just about an hour’s scenic drive south of Rockport.

I hadn’t visited Boothbay Harbor in nearly 15 years, and like so many of Maine’s coastal towns, it was even more charming than I remembered. With its bustling harbor views, historic homes, and walkable downtown, this seaside gem is the perfect mix of scenic beauty and vintage discovery.

Known for its quaint antique shops, welcoming locals, and rich maritime history, Boothbay Harbor offers the ideal ending to a coastal road trip through Maine. Whether you’re a vintage enthusiast, ocean lover, or both, this town is full of treasures waiting to be uncovered.

Boothbay Harbor Craft Brewery & RV Stay

On the third night of our Maine coastal towns road trip, we booked a Harvest Host stay at Boothbay Harbor Craft Brewery, a laid-back spot with local flavor and RV-friendly vibes. This turned out to be one of the most fun and relaxing overnights of the trip!

There’s a cozy indoor tavern, a casual outdoor beer garden, and a tucked-away RV park in the back that includes boondocking spaces for Harvest Host guests. It had everything we needed: good food, a great atmosphere, and welcoming hosts.

We did hit one unexpected challenge: oppressive heat and humidity followed by dramatic thunderstorms and torrential rain. As much as I’d hoped to walk around town and visit a few Boothbay Harbor antique shops, the weather had other plans. So those adventures will have to wait until our next trip through the Maine coast.

But the next morning brought a highlight, a fresh Maine blueberry pancake breakfast at Waves Restaurant, right on Main Street in downtown Boothbay Harbor. With its cozy, cramped wooden dining room and local charm, it’s everything you’d want from a beloved New England breakfast spot. If there’s a wait, it’s worth it!

Map of Our Down East Maine Antique Road Trip

Curious about the route we took on our coastal Maine adventure? Here’s a Google Map highlighting each stop from Scarborough to Boothbay Harbor, including antique shops, boondocking locations, and a few lobster roll detours along the way! Whether you’re planning your own Down East Maine road trip or just want to explore virtually, this map has all the vintage stops marked for you.

Looking for more places to visit in Maine filled with vintage charm, coastal inspiration, and unforgettable local shops? Here are a few of my favorite stops, from antique stores to hidden gems you won’t want to miss:

Wrapping Up Our Down East Maine Antique Road Trip

Thanks so much for joining us on this scenic and treasure-filled journey through some of the best coastal towns in Maine. From antique hunting and boondocking adventures to blueberry pound cake and lobster rolls by the water, it was a road trip to remember, even if it was a little hot!

We’re already planning our next vintage-inspired adventure, boondocking and antiquing along the rocky shores of Nova Scotia. And you may now read all about it in this Nova Scotia Road Trip Itinerary Antiquing Coast-to-Coast post.

To learn more about boondocking and vintage-inspired adventures, visit our Antiquing Road Trips by RV blog series for more scenic stops, travel tips, and antique shopping guides across New England and beyond:

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