There is nothing like Maine in the summer. Brunswick, Maine is one of my top five favorite places to visit, especially in the summer when the weather is beautiful and the area seems to bustle with summer time activities. There is so much to do in this lovely and easy paced town, and Brunswick provides a quaint downtown area full of art galleries, museums, local food and of course, theatre. Brunswick, Maine is one place I love to visit, and this town is beautiful, full of history and things to see.

During this trip we stayed at the Best Western Plus Brunswick/Bath. This hotel was described by someone who lives in Brunswick as a “hidden local gem” because of the indoor salt-water pool. This Best Western is located about three miles from the downtown district in Brunswick where there are attractions such as the Pickard Theatre, Joshua L. Chamberlain museum and many shops and restaurants. The rooms are comfortable – spacious and well lit, and each room has a Keurig® coffeemaker, refrigerator and microwave. The rooms also were quiet, we hardly heard any noise from the hotel lobby, and our room was rather close to the lobby.  In addition, the hotel offers the previously mentioned indoor salt-water pool, a full complimentary breakfast, free high-speed internet and a fitness center. In addition, it was mentioned to us that this facility is a fully generated hotel that can provide full power during times of power outages, which during intense storms or winter blizzards I imagine that this would provide for much needed peace of mind. A true measure of satisfaction is how a hotel deals with situations in which something does not go as expected, however, if someone is dissatisfied we found the staff will do everything within their power to rectify the situation.

There is always plenty to do in Brunswick, there are quaint shops, museums and it is a great town to simply take a leisurely stroll around. One of the things I did on this trip was to visit the local Farmers’ Market that is held on the grassy mall in downtown Brunswick on Tuesdays and Fridays, and there is another Outdoor Farmers’ Market at Crystal Spring Farm on Saturdays. Both these markets offer a variety of local, fresh produce, dairy, meat, baked goods and other artisanal products. I was highly impressed with the variety of offerings and vendors at both of these markets, everyone was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and the products being sold are of a high quality.

Each time I am in Brunswick I always set aside an evening to see a show at Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT). This year I saw Fiddler on the Roof. MSMT always offers high quality productions, and their production of Fiddler was no exception. It had incredible performances, amazing choreography and it was a magnificent and highly entertaining production. MSMT is one of the best summer theatres that I visit during any of my summer travels.

In addition to the attractions, there are a wide array of restaurants to choose from in Brunswick that will satisfy every craving. My first stop is always Libby’s for lobster roll. It is the best lobster roll in Brunswick. The lobster is definitely the star of the show in their lobster roll – it is lightly tossed in mayo and put on a buttered and toasted roll.  Libby’s lobster roll is simple but oh so amazing. One restaurant I discovered on this trip is Henry and Marty’s, located on Maine Street in Brunswick. I have only positive things to say about this exceptional restaurant, I was impressed by their creative menu as well as the fact they use local and organic ingredients. The Cuban Shrimp I enjoyed while dining there is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten,  it was simply delicious! Henry and Marty’s has a charming ambiance with an artistic flair, and it makes for an elegant and enjoyable evening out. A trip to Brunswick would not be complete without a stop a Gelato Fiasco. This is a gelato lover’s delight as their menu is full of traditional flavors of gelato, plus many very creative and original flavors. The night I was there I had the flavor that was named in honor of the production of Fiddler on the Roof at MSMT, Biddy Biddy Baubka.  You cannot go wrong with any flavor at Gelato Fiasco, as their gelato is made in house from natural ingredients (no mixes or artificial flavorings) and fresh locally sourced milk. Additionally, for those of you who wish to try their gelato, but cannot make it to Maine, they do ship, and it is available in many grocery stores around the country.

If you have a chance to get away to Brunswick for a weekend (or longer), I highly recommend visiting some of the places I mentioned. Brunswick, Maine is a delightful town that offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and historical sites. Brunswick is the perfect getaway for a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

Kelli Curtin is editor and writer for theatresensation.com. In addition, she is a contributor for the online site broadwayworld.com. Kelli is excited to share her passion about theatre and the Arts with her readers. Kelli can be found on Twitter, Facebook and on Instagram.