Portland seems to get all the hipster cred in Maine, but all those tourists and media attention make the Southern Maine hotspot so last week for the edgy set. Here’s the truth: While you were growing your beard out and turning Uno into a drinking game at Novare Res in the Old Port, one Mid-Coast town was quietly emerging as the most effortlessly cool place in New England. Not only is the small town of Belfast quickly becoming one of the coolest towns in Maine, but it’s also growing a following for being the coolest place in New England. Have you been to Belfast yet?

Founded in 1773 and named after the Irish city of Belfast, this town of less than 7,000 boomed after World War II as a working-class community centered on the poultry industry.
David Brossard / Flickr
In the 1970s, the town's poultry business collapsed during a national recession. Many residents deserted Belfast in search of jobs elsewhere.
Terry Ross / Flickr
But the area's serene natural beauty combined with affordable homes attracted new residents. These newcomers were very different from the old poultry workers -- they were artists, new college graduates, and city dwellers seeking a more rural lifestyle.
Family Hodgson / Flickr
Today the arts are an even bigger part of life in Belfast than when the artists first arrived, both inside at galleries ...
Althewebmaster / Flickr
... and outside on the street.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
When you stroll around Belfast, you can even sit on the art.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
Belfast also hosts a weekly art market on Fridays, the kind of thing usually seen only in a big city.
blueberrylemon / Flickr

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While Belfast has no shortage of the charming architecture typical of the area ...
Doug Kerr / Flickr
... the town isn't afraid to be a little weird and whimsical, either.
Doug Kerr / Flickr
A town can't qualify as the coolest in New England without a great food scene, and Belfast's is booming. Chase's Daily has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards. The restaurant is so committed to its farm-to-table philosophy that it sells fresh produce at its own market.
Lauren V. / Yelp
Find this restaurant at 96 Main St., Belfast, ME, 04915.
The New York Times has praised Three Tides as "the closest thing midcoast Maine has to a hipster bar scene." Don't miss the food, either.
Globeater M. / Flickr
2 Pinchy Ln., Belfast, ME 04915 / (207) 338-1707
Still not convinced, hipsters? We have three words for you: Belfast Ukulele Fest. It's an annual event.
Belfast Guitar and Ukulele Workshop / Facebook
In fact, Belfast hosts an impressive number of festivals for such a small town, including the popular All Roads Music Festival, Belfast Harbor Fest, a peace festival, and the Maine Celtic Celebration.
All Roads Music Festival / Facebook
Belfast's free-spiritedness long ago earned it the self-deprecating nickname "Moonbat Kingdom."
Jarrett B. / Yelp
Whether or not you think that's a good thing has a lot to do with whether or not you'll love Belfast.

Above all, Belfast is real, and that’s what makes this the coolest place in New England. With so much awesome in such a small town, it’s little wonder that DownEast Magazine has named it one of the best places to live in Maine. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a bigger city that still packs that cool factor, Bangor does a bang-up job.

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More to Explore

Coolest Place In New England

Marisa Roman | May 23, 2021

What are the most beautiful places in Maine?

As one of the coolest towns in Maine, Belfast sure is making a name for itself in this day and age. But what about those Maine towns that are effortlessly beautiful? They don't all have to be coastal towns either - some of the best small towns in Maine have endless beauty inland, too. Take these 10 small Maine towns as the perfect example. The stunning town of Bath, which is known as the “city of ships” and has tons of waterfront scenery, to the town of Freeport which is a local favorite and brimming with character.

What is the most dangerous place to live in Maine?

If you’re perusing all of these small towns in Maine and considering a move, the next item on your list is inquiring about safety. Unfortunately, not every town you come across, even the coolest towns in Maine, are going to have near-perfect statistics when it comes to crime. However, according to last year’s FBI statistics, these 10 cities in Maine are considered the most dangerous due to high crime rates. But keep in mind, just because the numbers may seem high when compared to other averages doesn’t make the city as bad as it may seem.

What is the oldest city in Maine?

It’s hard not to love a good history lesson when you're out and about visiting the best small towns in Maine. But if you really want a dose of history, we recommend checking out the town of Kittery - the oldest town in Maine. Settled back in 1623 by the British, the town of Kittery was finally incorporated in 1647. Some might argue that there are Main towns older than this one, and yet, Kittery still remains the oldest incorporated town in the state. Known as the “Gateway to Maine” Kittery sits right on the New Hampshire border, which makes it pretty hard to miss for most travelers.

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Belfast, ME 04915, USA