This year was the family’s third year spending the school winter vacation at the Samoset Resort in Rockland, Maine; and once again, we’re so happy we spent time there. There were plenty of activities to keep the kiddos busy (giving time for the adults to kick back and relax) and plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Dear Reader, this is our secret vacation spot, so don’t share it with everyone. But if you do go, make sure you bring another family or two who also have kids. The kids will keep each other busy, and it’ll make the nights more enjoyable when you all cozy up at the lobby’s fireplace after a long day of activities. (Oh, another secret… have your kids ask the front desk for a S’more kit… marshmallow roasting sticks included!)
Activities
Cooking and Crafts – These are our daughter’s top favorite activities at the Samoset. The craft sessions they hold up to 3 times per day are fun, and they hold cooking sessions (cookie decorating, cupcake decorating and caramel apples) a few times in the week, too.
Indoor Pool and Game Room – These are our son’s top favorite areas in the resort, a heated indoor pool (with a hot tub for the adults) and a room with 3 gaming consoles (Xbox/PS3).
Movies – Each night the resort shows two movies. One at 7pm for the younger kids, and one at 9pm for the older kids.
Snowshoeing – Strap on a pair of snowshoes and trek down to the breakwater for great views of Rockland Harbor. If you’re adventurous you can head out to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse pictured above.
Ice Skating – Bring your skates because there is a groomed skating rink right outside!
Food
La Bella Vita – As long as we’re staying at the resort we have at least one breakfast at the in-house restaurant. Though on the pricey side, the breakfast buffet is impressive and has expansive selections both hot and cold. Dinner at La Bella Vita is formal, so instead, we hit the resort’s bar area…
Enoteca Lounge – Great wine, great cocktails, great beers on tap, and great brick oven pizzas. The Baked Eggplant Rollatini was incredible as was the Meatball and Three Cheese Panini.
As mentioned above, it can be pretty expensive eating at the Samoset. The idea of never leaving the resort can be enticing, but you’ll probably want to venture out for a meal or two… or many. Another option is to have food delivered or bring take out to eat in your room or the very large lobby. Pull together chairs and tables and eat around the massive stone fireplace.
Home Kitchen Cafe – If you’e spending time at the Samoset, or staying anywhere in Rockland, you MUST stop here for breakfast or lunch one day. The corned beef hash is to die for and the pancakes are huge! They’re as wide as the plate and almost 3/4″ thick! They also have plenty of gluten free options including gluten free pancakes which were pretty darn good. Check out the Eggs Benedict pictured here! Wow!
Hole in the Wall Bagels – Another great breakfast place (including gluten free bagel options), but be advised they only take cash. (The reason we luckily went to the Home Kitchen Cafe was because we realized we didn’t have cash after pulling into the Hole in the Wall Bagels’ parking lot. Pssst, get yourself a Square reader!)
Roselyn Thai Restaurant – As I’ve mentioned before, flavors in Maine are somewhat muted, and finding good spicy Thai food requires a search. Well, we did it for you this time. Stop at Roselyn’s and try their Crazy Noodles if you’re a lover of spicy noodle heat. You can either eat in or take your food to go.
L&H Burgers – Whoa, I only mention L&H because they’re no longer there. As mentioned in last year’s post, they made the best burgers I’ve ever had. We miss you!
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