English fishermen originally discovered this area of Maine, back in the 17th century. Fishing, ice cutting, shipbuilding, and lumber were the local industries in the 18th and 19th century. By the 1800's visitors started coming to the area. Boothbay is the largest boating harbor north of Boston. In fact, it is sometimes called the boating capital of New England. In Boothbay Harbor there are many restaurants, souvenir shops, crafts and antiques. There are many motels, inns, or B & B's. Boothbay is located in Maine's Mid Coast Region.