Here’s Why Brunswick, Maine, is the Perfect Getaway for Couples

Overshadowed by nearby Portland and overlooked by tourists bound for the popular coastal towns of Camden and Boothbay Harbor, Brunswick is not on the radar of most family travelers in Maine. But couples looking for a cozy getaway will find fine dining, antiques, art and quiet streets for strolling, many lined by distinguished homes and well-kept gardens.

A newly opened hotel makes a convenient base in the center of town. The Federal impresses from the moment guests step inside. The atrium-style lobby is more than a place to check in. Comfortable chairs arranged in conversation groups create an inviting lounge area at one end, brightened by a large two-story window.

Décor is stylish and sophisticated, unfussy and welcoming. The same is true of the guestrooms; ask for one on an upper floor and facing west to enjoy the sunset views. Even if you’re there for a truly unplugged weekend, you’ll appreciate the multiple outlets and ports.

The Federal is a three-minute walk from the heart of Brunswick’s downtown, a wide main street faced by shops, cafés and restaurants, where you’ll find a choice of cuisines and prices. But it would be a shame to miss having dinner at least once at the superb restaurant in the hotel.

Before moving to Brunswick, 555 North was a much-loved Portland restaurant, and its fans still drive up from Portland for dinner here. The menu relies on local seafood and locally raised meats and vegetables, and the dinner options might include specialties such as butter-baked sole in a Chablis cream sauce or my favorite, the Knuckle Sandwich. Big meaty chunks of fresh Maine lobster and sweet corn in a basil aioli are sandwiched between two thick, juicy slices of fried green tomato. It’s a triumph of Maine-meets-Low Country.

Walk through the beautiful residential district of Federal Street or up Maine Street and through the park to the campus of Bowdoin College and spend an hour or so in the company of works by Winslow Homer, Rockwell Kent, Gilbert Stuart and John Singleton Copley in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art.

If antiques are your passion, Cabot Mill Antiques is the place to browse through the displays of 160 dealers who fill the huge mill with everything from old postcards to Chippendale. It’s the biggest selection you’ll find in Maine.