Nestled near the Camden Hills in Maine, this little village was once part of Camden, Maine before a split in 1891. Rockport is well known for its beautiful views of hill and harbor, as well as its historic landmarks and natural preservation. The community is very active in nature, culture, and local festivals. Those traveling to Rockport will find many things to do and see no matter what the taste and season. Enjoying the scenery is among the most important reasons to visit  Rockport, but don’t miss the arts, music, and great food this small town has to offer.

History of the Rockport Community

This small Knox County town was once part of Camden, Maine. In 1891, the Rockport area and the city of Camden had a dispute over the costs associated with building a nearby bridge, and Rockport split off from the larger city. Afterward, Rockport annexed some Camden land, and Rockport has been independent ever since.

The modern Rockport population is around 3,200, and only covers 25.5 square miles of land. Homes in Rockport range from old farm houses to modern development homes. Because of the large diversity of housing styles, those seeking to purchase real estate in Rockport are advised to use a well-informed Rockport realtor who has had lots of experience in the local communities with both buyers and sellers.

Today’s Rockport Community

Today the town has its own harbor, a beautiful area that Andre the Seal—a popular local character and subject of some books for youth—called home until his death in 1986. The area also has nature preserves and has something for everyone. In fact, nature conservancy and enjoyment is one of the prime activities of the area. There are also many golf courses in Rockport, as well as the surrounding towns of Dark Harbor, Camden, Rockland, and Northport.

Water plays a big part in the local activities, and many of the gatherings focus on it. For instance, the Maine Lobster Festival in nearby Rockland is a favorite of the Rockport residents, as Rockland’s Maine Boats, Homes, and Harbors show. Rockport itself boasts the North Atlantic Blues Festival, which features the top jazz and blues artists of our day. If you prefer classical or chamber music, check with the Rockport Opera House.

If you like the fine arts, don’t miss The Center for Main Contemporary Art. This fine organization was started to promote Maine’s contemporary artist community. The Center sponsors shows and educational programs, as well as artists’ opportunities.

Rockport is a uniquely-flavored community with a culture that is as rich and diverse as its geography. Visitors and residents alike appreciate the natural land and sea environments, and much effort has gone into the preservation of the wilderness, whether on land or water. Most recreation centers around this preserved land.

There is something for everyone at Rockport. The culture lover, nature lover, skier, gourmet food expert, the child, the sportsman—all have something to appreciate in this small village .

Recreation and Entertainment in Rockport, Maine

In a town with only about 3,000 people and 25 square miles of land, who would think there is much to do in Rockport, Maine? Well, there is a lot to do there, and here are just a few of those activities.

Maine Photographic Workshops

These workshops have provided visual artists in film and photography who are serious about their craft with the opportunity to receive advanced training. There are over 250 workshops (two weeks long) to choose from. The Workshops also offer local and worldwide artistic exploration and offer instructions from some of the world’s finest artist.

Bay Chamber Music at the Rockport Opera House

This concert series was founded by the late Andrew Wolf and his brother, Thomas Wolf (piano and flute, respectively) in 1961. After the first series, many fine groups followed, many of them coming from the famed Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.  Today the concerts continue with a varied year-round program. The artists perform most of their concerts in the Rockport Opera House, a concert hall located next to Mary Lea Park. This park was named after Rockport music lover Mary Louise Curtis Bok and resident violinist Lea Luboshutz. The beautiful building was built in 1891, and after extensive renovation, now has modern features while still showing its old charm.

Wooden Boats and Rockport Marine

This area of Maine has become a leading center for the construction of wooden boats and the harbors a center of boating for these fine craft. Located on Penobscot Bay, Rockport Marine has focused on the craft of private wooden boat and yacht construction. They work with many sizes of craft, and also offer restoration and repair. There is also storage available.

Camden Snow Bowl

For those of you who like winter sports, the Camden Snow Bowl is just a short drive west of Rockport. The ski area offers four lifts and nine trails, with everything from beginner slopes to expert. There is even an area available for freestyle skiers. There is snowboarding, racing, tubbing, and tobogganing offered there, as well as a ski school.

Samoset Resort

Looking for a getaway or a golf vacation? Try Samoset Resort in Rockport. The resort is nestled between rolling hills and the Penobscot Bay, and is a great getaway for any purpose. Samoset sports a highly-rated golf course, excellent service, luxury rooms, the best of amenities, and four-diamond dining.

Water Sports and Hiking

Because of the abundance of water in the Rockport area, fishing and swimming are among the most popular activities. Sea kayaking and boat tours are also popular, as are hiking, backpacking, and camping in the nearby wilderness areas and hills.

Windjammer Weekend

The Camden area is home to some of the richest marine history on the east coast. Labor Day weekend this heritage is celebrated by the assembly of the last of the schooners that were at one time numerous all along the coast. Camden brings the remaining oak and pine crafts together for activities, races, treasure hunts, and workshops.

Rockport Homes and Real Estate

The little village of Rockport, Maine, is located at the edge of Camden, and was once part of the other town. After a dispute over the cost of a bridge in 1891, Rockport split from Camden and has been independent from it since then. It’s well known for its natural beauty as well as high culture, as well as being a summer home to the wealthy.

Rockport’s population is just over 3,000, and the area of the town is a mere 25 square miles. Although the homes vary in style and price, there are some new developments in the area as well. Rockport is home to some of the most sought-after real estate on the coast of Maine.

Styles of Rockport Homes

Rockport homes for sale offer a lot of variety and choice. You can find older, more traditional homes available with farm house styling almost everywhere. There are also cottages and other older style homes available in Rockport. These are sometimes said to be in the “traditional neighborhood” style.

You can also find newer developments in and around Rockport, and sizes vary greatly. These are in a more subdivision style area, and are more contemporary in design. They offer more modern amenities, but lack the traditional quaintness of the older traditional neighborhood homes.

Prices of Homes in Rockport

Just as styles of homes vary widely in Rockport, so do the prices.  As one might assume, waterfront property is much more expensive; however, if you’re not averse to driving a short way to reach the water activities and views, you could fare much better on the price of your home. Currently, about $300,000 is the average listing price of a 2 bedroom home in Rockport.

Remember that Rockport is a unique community, filled with culture, nature, and much in the way of activities and events. If you are considering buying Rockport real estate, be sure to enlist the help of an informed Rockport realtor. Make sure you ask questions and are satisfied with the answers. Some things to ask when reviewing Rockport homes are:

 What are the local schools like for this neighborhood?

 What will I need to know for my homeowners’ insurance if I buy this home?

 How much has the value of homes changed in this immediate area over the last five years?

Your Rockport realtor should be able to answer those questions to your satisfaction. This will only happen if he or she has had a lot of experience with buyers and sellers in the particular area where you are considering your purchase.

Rockport real estate has gotten a lot of attention recently, and activity is increasing regularly. If you are interested, take a trip to Rockport and talk to an experienced Rockport real estate agent.