Curtis Memorial Library Director Recommends Five Must-Do Spots in Brunswick, Maine

Elisabeth Doucett, executive director of Curtis Memorial Library in downtown Brunswick, laid out local picks that map the social life of the town: a saltwater swim spot where Bowdoin students and neighbors converge, a Park Row art supply shop that ended trips to Portland, a cozy breakfast that kick-starts winter workdays, a bar known for serious mocktails, plus a missing hidden-gem entry that points to other local treasures worth exploring.

Brunswick at a glance: a designated Main Street Community and quintessential college town, Brunswick centers on Maine Street and the grassy Town Mall between Maine Street and Park Row. Bowdoin College — founded in 1794 and anchored in the heart of town — gives Brunswick cultural depth (the Bowdoin College Museum of Art holds more than 20,000 objects and is free to the public). The town is also transit-accessible: an Amtrak station sits steps from downtown, and seasonal rhythms include a twice-weekly Farmers’ Market from May through November and free summer concerts at the Town Mall.

Simpson’s Point Landing — a summer swim where tide timing shapes safety and community “My favorite outdoor discovery in Brunswick was swimming at Simpson’s Point Landing in the summer,” Doucett says, and she emphasizes the tidal reality: “You have to hit the tide right. The water recedes halfway down the bay at low tide so you can’t swim there unless you love mud.” When the tide cooperates, she adds, “you are likely to run into your friends, neighbors, Bowdoin students, dog walkers and both serious and casual swimmers. It feels like community.”

Public health and safety are integral to enjoying Simpson’s Point. The tidal variability Doucett describes means swimmers should plan around tide charts and be prepared for muddy low-tide conditions; the spot functions as a local gathering place that supports mental well-being through outdoor exercise and social connection. If you’re bringing family members, elderly relatives, or young children, factor in tide timing, footwear for mud, and the absence of any lifeguard information in the notes we have — confirm current safety conditions before jumping in.

The Mix on Park Row — bringing art supply access to downtown Brunswick “I love visiting The Mix on Park Row,” Doucett says, noting that before The Mix opened she “always went to Portland to get my supplies.” That changed the moment a neighborhood art supplier arrived: “They have serious supplies for folks who take their art seriously and they have kits and art materials that are more about fun and experimenting with art. It is a hard place not to spend money.”

Local access to affordable and professional-grade art materials carries equity implications. For people without reliable transportation or the time to travel to Portland, The Mix reduces barriers to creative work and leisure, supporting Bowdoin students, hobbyists, and older adults who find art-making therapeutic. Shopping locally also keeps dollars circulating through Brunswick’s downtown economy — important for small-business resilience in a town that balances college-driven demand with year-round residents.

OneSixtyFive at The Inn on Park Row — a warm, stylish breakfast that fits into a workday “On a cold winter workday morning one of my co-workers and I went out to breakfast at OneSixtyFive at The Inn on Park Row and it immediately became a favorite,” Doucett recalls. “The space is warm, attractive and friendly. You get your breakfast served quickly, but with a beyond-the-norm stylishness that is lovely.” She singled out the food: “The food was delicious (I had the brioche French toast), the conversation was relaxed, and it was a perfect way to start the day.”

Doucett’s description highlights how downtown dining supports everyday routines for library staff, college faculty, and commuters using the nearby Amtrak stop. Quick, hospitable breakfast service matters for workforce well-being — a warm meal and a calm table can meaningfully reduce morning stress for people heading into public-facing jobs or caregiving shifts. OneSixtyFive’s location on Park Row also makes it practical for visitors pairing museum visits, errands at nearby shops, or a walk through the Town Mall.

The Abbey — mocktails and small plates that widen hospitality options “I enjoy trying mocktails, particularly if they are more than just an afterthought at a restaurant. The Abbey has mocktails that are excellent on their own and even better when paired with the delicious small plate options,” Doucett says.

High-quality nonalcoholic options are more than a menu trend; they increase inclusivity in nightlife and dining. Mocktails that are “excellent on their own” create social spaces for people who abstain from alcohol for health, recovery, religious, or safety reasons, and when paired with shareable plates they foster community dining without centering alcohol. For college towns like Brunswick, such choices also respond to a spectrum of needs among students and town residents, aligning hospitality with public-health-minded service.

Hidden gem — Doucett’s pick missing from the excerpt; local contenders that reflect Brunswick’s quieter treasures The Sun Journal excerpt with Doucett’s picks names four specific venues but does not include the hidden-gem entry. Because that detail was not supplied, here are several clearly local spots and institutions that fit the “hidden gem” spirit and are rooted in the town’s history and arts scene:

• Skolfield-Whitter House — a museum in a sea captain’s home that “offers an excellent glimpse into the town’s past,” providing visitors a tactile way to connect with Brunswick’s maritime history.

• Maine Fiberarts — an organization offering year‑round exhibits and workshops; a place for visitors and locals to see contemporary fiber work, learn skills, and plan studio visits to fiber artists in the region.

• Bowdoin College Museum of Art — technically not hidden, but a cultural gem: it’s one of nine museums on the Maine Art Museum Trail and houses more than 20,000 objects in its permanent collection, free to the public.

Other seasonal options include the twice‑weekly Farmers’ Market (May–November) and the Brunswick Winter Market in the restored Fort Andross Mill Complex. Any of these could plausibly serve as a curator’s hidden find; a follow‑up with Doucett would confirm which of these, or another place, she intended.

Practical notes and the bigger picture Doucett’s picks map a downtown ecosystem where Park Row, Maine Street, the Town Mall, Bowdoin College, and the Amtrak station knit together commerce, culture, and everyday life. The Town Mall’s free summer concert series and the farmers’ market schedule (May through November twice-weekly) offer predictable opportunities for community-building that complement the individual venues Doucett names.

From a public-health and equity perspective, these recommendations highlight priorities for local leaders and institutions: preserving accessible outdoor spaces that support safe recreation (tide‑aware swimming at Simpson’s Point), ensuring small businesses like The Mix can supply essential creative materials without forcing trips to Portland, and supporting dining and hospitality that accommodate diverse health needs through nonalcoholic offerings. Strengthening transit access (Amtrak steps from downtown) and maintaining affordable event programming at the Town Mall help keep Brunswick’s downtown inclusive for residents across income and mobility spectrums.

If you plan to follow Doucett’s trail around Brunswick, remember two quick actionable tips:

• Check tide tables before heading to Simpson’s Point to avoid low‑tide mudflats.
• Time market and concert visits to May–November schedules and the Town Mall’s summer series for the liveliest downtown experience.

These local picks from the library director underscore a larger point about Brunswick: small, everyday choices — a neighborly dip at the right tide, a quick breakfast that brightens a workday, or access to art supplies downtown — combine to sustain community wellbeing and economic resilience.