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PEMAQUID POINT The Town of Bristol, Maine and its Department of Parks and Recreation welcome you to one of New England's best known destinations: the historic lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. The lighthouse rises above an outcropping of streaked granite, formed millions of years ago by the movement of land and the force of glaciers. Built in 1825, the tower stands guard over a dangerous section of the Maine coast where Johns Bay and Muscongus Bay meet. Today, the lighthouse and grounds are managed by the Bristol Parks and Recreation Department and are open to the public. Each year, tens of thousands of visitors from all parts of the world come to experience the sweeping panorama of the Atlantic Ocean dotted with distant islands and to see salt spray rise as the waves crash on the rocks. The stately lighthouse is such a symbol of Maine that its likeness was selected as the design for the new Maine State quarter, which was officially unveiled at a ceremony on June 9, 2003. But a visit to Pemaquid Point wouldn't be complete without touring the lighthouse keeper's home, now converted into a fisherman's museum. The collection includes memorabilia from the local maritime industry past and present. There's even a Fresnel lens from the lighthouse at Baker Island. Nearby is an art gallery, founded in 1960 by a group of local artists. When you visit, pack a lunch and find a picnic table in a shady grove of Spruce trees. Then simply enjoy all that this special place has to offer. Park is open from Mothers Day to Columbus Day. Admission is $2.00 per person. Contact the Bristol Parks Department for information about discounts. Please exercise caution when walking on the rocks, especially when the surf is high. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO PEMAQUID POINT
The Pemaquid Point lighthouse is such a symbol of Maine that its likeness has been chosen to appear on the new Maine commemorative quarter.
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PEMAQUID BEACH While Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is considered the "crown jewel" of Bristol's Parks, there is another spot that vies for the title. That's Pemaquid Beach. Here, along a jagged and rocky coastline, you'll find an unusual crescent of fine, white sand. During the summer, the beach is a favorite place to get relief from the heat. Sun worshippers abound, and you'll find more than a few intrepid swimmers who brave the chilly water. Pemaquid Beach is the perfect place for a family to spend the day. There's a snack bar with everything from lobster rolls to hot dogs. And, if you've left something behind, stop at the beach shop and pick up a towel or sun block. You can even rent beach chairs and toys for the kids. And, during the summer of 2003, we hope to add a new "resource room" (courtesy of the Pemaquid Watershed Association), a place to discover the area's flora and fauna. Park is open from Fathers Day to Columbus Day. Admission is $2.00 per person. Contact the Bristol Parks Department for information about discounts. Please leave your pet at home. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO PEMAQUID BEACH
Bristol is also fortunate to have three other, smaller parks: the dam at Bristol Mills, the Hannah Boat Landing off the Huddle Road in New Harbor and Moxie Cove in Round Pond. |
