Ian Bronson
Come explore the Monhegan Island coastal getaway. It’s a living piece of history, a working lobstering community, and an artist’s dream all rolled into one. Since the 1800s, painters have been enchanted by its rugged cliffs, quiet charm, and the kind of light that makes everything feel like a painting.
The Tiny Village With Centuries Of History
Monhegan Island has stood strong since the 1600s. Originally a fishing settlement, it has seen centuries of change while maintaining its small, close-knit character. Unlike other towns that have grown into tourist hubs, it has remained tiny, with fewer than 50 year-round residents who embrace its quiet, off-the-grid lifestyle.
It’s A Secluded Island That Feels A World Away
The island sits 12 miles off the midcoast of Maine, reachable only by boat. There’s no bridge, airport, or chain hotel, and that isolation is part of its magic. Once visitors step off the ferry, they find themselves in a place where time slows down and the outside world fades away.
There’s A Lobstering Community In This Painter’s Paradise
While artists paint the docks and cliffs, lobstermen haul in traps like their ancestors. Monhegan’s working harbor is lined with weather-beaten buoys, piles of lobster pots, and wooden boats that have been passed down through generations. There’s no commercialized seafood scene here. It’s just hardworking families making a living off the sea.
Edward Hopper And Winslow Homer Captured Its Beauty
Some of the greatest American painters have immortalized this island. Among them, Edward Hopper painted extensively on the island between 1916 and 1919. He captured its rugged cliffs and coastal vistas in 32 oil-on-panel studies. Rockwell Kent and the Wyeth family were also drawn to Monhegan’s wild beauty, inspired by its ever-morphing ocean moods.
Here, The Light Feels Different
Artists often talk about Monhegan’s light in almost mythical terms. It has a crisp, golden quality that shifts throughout the day, bouncing off the cliffs and water, making everything feel alive. The combination of open ocean, rocky shores, and lack of artificial light creates that incomparable atmosphere. It’s a sight to behold!
Towering Granite Cliffs Drop Into The Atlantic
Unlike Maine’s more sheltered harbors, Monhegan faces the full force of the Atlantic. Tall granite cliffs rise above the crashing waves, giving some of the most breathtaking views on the East Coast. Trails wind along the rugged coastline, always leading to dramatic overlooks where seabirds soar, and waves pound against rocks.
Marked With Wonderful Hiking Trails
Monhegan’s 12-mile footpaths take hikers through forests, past varied flora, and up to stunning ocean views. The most famous trail leads to Blackhead, among the tallest cliffs on the island, where the sea stretches endlessly in every direction, feeling like a step back in time.
A Place Devoid Of Cars And Noise
It’s one of the few places where cars are practically nonexistent. The only way to get around is by foot, making it one of the quietest destinations in Maine. At night, the only sounds are the distant foghorn, the rustling trees, the wind, and the waves rolling onto the shore.
One Of Maine’s Oldest Artist Colonies
Before Maine became a hotspot for summer retreats, Monhegan was already an artist’s haven. By the mid-1800s, painters had begun arriving, enthralled by its raw beauty and affordable cost of living. Unlike Ogunquit, another early artist colony, Monhegan never turned into a resort town. It remained an untouched, creative sanctuary.
Monhegan’s Hidden Gems Complete The Experience
Start your day at The Barnacle with fresh-baked pastries and locally roasted coffee. Then, have a bit at the Fish House, which serves up hearty seafood chowder. At sunrise, grab a craft beer at Monhegan Brewing Company, a family-run brewery with an inviting outdoor space for a laid-back evening. In between, if you crave something sweet, head to The Novelty or the Monhegan Store for a classic frozen treat.
