Yarmouth

Yarmouth sits about 12 months to the north of Portland, but it is a world away from the big city. It’s home to about 9,000 people and spans some 23 square miles. It’s one of the most historic areas of the state, dating back to 1636, but it also offers ample modern charm, especially in terms of its higher quality of life.

Noted for its good access to boat launches, fresh sea air, and incredible lobster harvests, Yarmouth is a community that loves its waterfront lifestyle. It remains rather remote, more of a charming village than a large city, but it boasts some of the best in small-town amenities.

When it comes to real estate in Yarmouth, a range of home styles exist. The area is noted for its large blocks of land in private residences, often spanning well over 3,000 square feet. It has a number of smaller homes, many with the traditional colonial feel to them. Properties often include historic homes or those dated close to 100 years old. These estate-like properties have been restored often and tell the story of the community.

• Excellent access to the waterfront for boaters
• Seafood and locally-owned restaurants that showcase it the best
• Open space where the neighbors are a bit further away

There's no doubt Yarmouth is all about the outdoors, from the good access to slip rams for boats to the numerous parks with conservation areas. Yet, here, there's still a small-town vibe even as the community grows and welcomes tourists each year. The New England style main street is prominent here and the place to be on the weekends. It’s a walkable community at its best.

Still, many people prefer to spend their time outdoors, whether that involves exploring the Royal River, on a boat harvesting lobster, clams, or scallops, or simply sitting down with a cup of coffee to chat with the neighbors. It’s a welcoming, upbeat, affluent community that knows its own charm.

Good food is everywhere here. Gather is one of the best choices. It’s an upscale location noted for its fresh cuisine, steaks, and venison, among other entrees. The Royal River Grill House is a more modern location that offers some of the best access to clams, steak, and fresh takes on traditional coastal cuisine. Bistro 233 is a more modern vibe that offers some fabulous locally created cuisine and drinks to match. Don’t overlook picking up some drinks at Brickyard Hollow, the area's best breweries.

It’s essential to visit during the annual three-day Clam Festival that takes place here. This small town grows by 10-fold as visitors from around the world come to enjoy the music, clambakes, drinks, and fireworks each year. The village parade ends the event.

Pratt’s Brook Park is a 220-acre woodland that’s also located in the area. It’s the perfect place for a picnic (you can even find blueberry fields to pick from and a waterfall to watch). It’s also a good place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.

Cousins Island is another notable popular location to spend the weekends. It’s much smaller, but this island has some of the best beaches.

The Yarmouth School District provides education to students in the city and includes the schools of: