“The Town’s government works to ensure that Castine continues to be a welcoming place to live, work, raise a family and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Maine coast through a variety of recreational activities, while focusing on responsible and sustainable growth in social economic and land use spheres with equitable and inclusionary practices. The community of almost 1400 full-time residents is bolstered by twice as many summer residents and thousands of short-term visitors who come by both land and sea to enjoy a remarkable abundance of recreational and cultural activities. The Maine Maritime Academy, Castine’s active waterfront, Main Street businesses, and over 60 small enterprises result in an environment where synergy creates opportunity.
Business and Economy –The Town’s over 60 registered businesses are a testament to Castine’s allure as a desirable place to live, work and visit. Located less than an hour from Bangor International Airport, with direct flights to Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and several Florida locations, Castine is accessible. High-speed internet attracted remote workers and independent business owners during the pandemic, some of whom chose to stay. A high priority for the town is to continue the re-expansion of food and lodging options, with the knowledge that choice, predictability and reliability are key to success. Building foot traffic is important for retail businesses, whether our visitors arrive by boat in summer, for sporting events, and for year-round residents in winter. Successful businesses have created welcoming environments and adapted content and offerings for multiple price points and clientele. Castine remains a destination well beyond the traditional summer “high season.”
The Castine Merchant’s Association, with over 50 members, supports a full range of the town’s businesses, promoting their interests, and economic and activities and development in collaboration with the town. It actively manages the town visitor center, social media, and other outreach that promotes Castine tourism, livability and benefits for business.
The Community and Economic Development Office at the Town Hall (Emerson Hall, 67 Court Street), is typically staffed on Tuesdays and Thursdays (other days by appointment). It engages in a range of activities that support Castine’s Comprehensive Plan, with a focus on fund-raising, initiative management, and serving as a point person for activities that will support business-friendly economic development.
The Castine Visitor Center is located at the entrance to the Town Dock area and is open from Memorial Day Weekend through September. Hours of operation are 9-4, Monday thru Saturday and 12-4 Sundays. Staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, who can offer guidance on everything Castine has to offer! See also Visit Castine on this website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Community and Culture – With an exceptionally active community of volunteer-run organizations and initiatives, Castine’s year-round and summer residents come together to pursue their passions and give back to their community as well as neighbors in need. Examples include the Castine Arts Association (which promotes visual arts, community film events, musical performances and more year-round), Castine Touring Company (which provides motorized history tours in summer, and donates proceeds to causes that support neighbors in need), the Castine Golf Club (which offers golf, sailing and tennis lessons and access to members and non-members), Castine Rowing (which offers free of charge traditional rowing for the public), and the many ad-hoc initiatives that organize exceptional events programs for July Fourth, Bastille Day and Memorial Day, among others. Castine’s children enjoy remarkable educational opportunities, well-embedded in the community, and attend school in an expanded historic schoolhouse, which sits on the town green, the site of many community activities.
History and Outdoors – Castine’s important location and role in local indigenous, as well as early colonial history, provide a unique window through which to understand what makes the town and the region what it is today. This history is a unique asset to the town, along with historic sites that document early relations between indigenous groups and colonialist forces, the battles, as well as the forts and the towns that grew up around them. Castine is lucky to have a well-endowed Historic Society and the private Wilson Museum to both interpret the town and region’s past. Led by experienced professionals, and supported by a cadre of devoted volunteers, they carefully curate and present cultural, historic and artistic events for the public, free of charge.
Appropriately, for a town on the iconic Maine mid-coast, a close relationship with the sea is foundational. Its deep-water port, nearby coves and active waterfront remain central to Castine’s character, while the focus has shifted from shipbuilding and fishing to serving boaters of all types. The waterfront is the most active place in Town, anchored by historic Eaton’s Boatyard and the Maine Maritime Academy, which anchors a 500-foot training vessel, a 100 years-old Arctic Schooner and classic tugboat. The Yacht Club hosts the Castine Classic boat race, a July event, brings an array of vintage wooden sailboats to town, part of a three-day sailing event each July. Castine Kayak Adventures is based on the waterfront, and provides outdoor recreation opportunities around Castine, to and through islands in Penobscot Bay, and around Acadia National Park. Castine’s many nature preserves offer a wide range of landscapes in which to unplug and experience the beauty of the area.”
