Bath, Maine

The City of Ships

Overview

Bath is famously known as the 'City of Ships.' It has a 400-year history of shipbuilding that continues today at Bath Iron Works, where US Navy destroyers are built. The downtown is a designated National Main Street, featuring brick sidewalks, locally-owned shops, and stunning architecture from the shipbuilding boom.

Key Facts

Population 8,766

Region Midcoast

County Sagadahoc

Founded 1781

Nearest City Portland (40 mins)

Town Office Visit official website

What Bath Is Known For

Bath Local Highlights

Shipbuilding history (City of Ships)

Bath has a 400-year history of shipbuilding that continues today at the massive Bath Iron Works shipyard.

Maine Maritime Museum

A world-class museum situated on a historic shipyard, celebrating Maine's maritime heritage and culture.

Historic downtown architecture

A charming district filled with 19th-century brick buildings, locally owned shops, and restaurants.

Bath Iron Works

A major U.S. Navy shipbuilder, whose massive cranes dominate the skyline and define the local economy.

Things to Do

Explore the Maine Maritime Museum

Tour historic boat shops, see the Wyoming sculpture, and take a lighthouse cruise.

Shop and dine in the historic downtown

Discover unique boutiques and cafes set in beautifully preserved 19th-century brick buildings.

Visit the Chocolate Church Arts Center

Enjoy concerts and theater in a repurposed Gothic Revival church.

Walk the trails at Thorne Head Preserve

Hike through forests to scenic overlooks on the Kennebec River.

See a destroyer at Bath Iron Works (from the outside)

Witness the scale of modern naval engineering from the waterfront park or bridge.

Living in Bath

Bath offers a strong sense of community and history. It is a working city with a diverse economy, not just a tourist town. It has excellent schools and is located conveniently between Portland and the rest of the Midcoast.

Weather & Seasons

summer

Pleasant and breezy, 70-80°F

winter

Cold with coastal storms, 20-35°F

spring

Cool and damp, 45-60°F

fall

Beautiful foliage, 50-65°F

Local Wildlife & Nature

Ospreys Striped Bass Seals (in the river) Bald Eagles

How to Get There

Bath is located on Route 1, about 40 minutes north of Portland. It is the gateway to the Phippsburg peninsula and Reid State Park.

Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.

Satellite preview

Bath outline

Trip Ideas Featuring Bath

5 Days

Midcoast Magic: 5 Days Through Maine's Iconic Coast

Explore the quintessential Maine coast from Brunswick to Belfast, with lobster pounds, lighthouses, islands, and working harbors.

8 Stops View Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you tour Bath Iron Works?

No, BIW is a secure defense contractor and does not offer public tours. However, the Maine Maritime Museum offers trolley tours that go past the shipyard for great views.

How far is the ocean?

Bath is on the tidal Kennebec River, but open ocean beaches like Popham Beach and Reid State Park are about 15-20 minutes away.