Our Home Port: The historic town of Winterport is located 12 miles south of Bangor, 11 miles from Searsport, 41 miles from Camden and 65 miles from Bar Harbor. Winterport is located on the Penobscot River and was once a filled with merchant ships engaged in the lumber trade. During the 1700's Winertport was part of the town of Frankfort and considered the "winter port" for the city of Bangor located several miles up river. Beyond Frankfort, the river completely froze each winter. In 1860, the town changed the name of this area that housed the fleets of merchant ships to Winterport. Winterport's main street features many beautiful sea captain's homes from the 1700 and 1800's. Currently it is a sleepy little town with just a few small stores, a B&B and a wonderful winery specializing in delicious fruit wines made of locally grown fruits.

The Docks: We chose the Winterport Cold Storage Facility & Docks for our home as they are the last surviving stevedore (one employed in the loading & unloading ships) from the great age of sail. There is little shipping traffic and we are very glad to dock WANDERBIRD here at the last of the salty old working piers that once dominated the riverside. There is plenty of free parking. Just look for our signs: Expedition Vessel Wanderbird.

Your Arrival: You should plan on arriving in Winterport between 6 and 9 PM on the evening before your cruise departs. Our crew will greet you at the docks and show you to your cabin, and then you will be free to explore the schooner and get to know your shipmates. You may stay aboard the WANDERBIRD the night before your cruise departs, but plan on finding dinner in town - the first meal we serve aboard will be breakfast on the morning of departure. We will serve a light snack that evening and you will want to pick up most last minute items while in route.

DIRECTIONS:

If you are flying, we suggest the Bangor International Airport as it is located about 15 minutes from Winterport. You may also choose to fly into Portland or Boston. Portland is 2 hours and 40 minutes from Winterport and Boston is 4 hours and 40 minutes form Winterport. Car rentals are available at all three airports.

From Bangor: Take Broadway/Route 15 for 1&1/2 miles. Turn right onto the ramp for I-95 and continue for 3 miles. Bear right onto the ramp for I-395 and go 1 mile. Follow ramp to route 202 and go four miles. Turn left on Western Ave/Route 9 and go 1/4 mile. Turn right onto U.S. Route 1-A (south) and continue approximately 10 miles to Winterport. As you enter the village, look for our sign on the left at the Winterport Cold Storage Facility on Steamboat Street.

From Portland Area: Take Route I-95 (Maine Turnpike) for 100+ miles to Exit 44 and bear right (south-east) onto the Colbrook Road. Turn right onto Route 202. Continue (south) on U.S. Route 1-A to Winterport. As you enter the village, look for our sign on the left at the Winterport Cold Storage Facility on Steamboat Street.

From the Coastal Area: Take U.S. Route 1 North to Stockton Springs. Bear left onto Route 1-A and travel approximately 11 miles towards Winterport. As you enter the village, look for our sign on the right at the Winterport Cold Storage Facility on Steamboat Street.

Click here for a map by MapQuest.com.
(Location= Steamboat Street, Winterport, ME 04496)