As a librarian, Elisabeth Doucett has given a few recommendations over time. As executive director of the Curtis Memorial Library in downtown Brunswick, she also knows quite a bit about the town and what makes it special.

Doucett agreed to answer a few of our questions about the Midcoast town, home to Bowdoin College, and share some of her favorite things to see and do.

Where do you like to eat?

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. The space is warm, attractive and friendly. You get your breakfast served quickly, but with a beyond-the-norm stylishness that is lovely. The food was delicious (I had the brioche French toast), the conversation was relaxed, and it was a perfect way to start the day.

Where do you go for a drink?

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.         

Where do you go to connect with nature?

My favorite outdoor discovery in Brunswick was swimming at Simpson’s Point Landing in the summer. 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. But if you get there at the right time you are likely to run into your friends, neighbors, Bowdoin students, dog walkers and both serious and casual swimmers. It feels like community.

Where do you go to shop local?

I love visiting The Mix on Park Row. I have been painting as an amateur for years and I always went to Portland to get my supplies. When The Mix opened, I could finally do my art shopping locally. 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.

What’s a hidden gem in Brunswick?

Labyrinth in the Woods is a full-size stone-marked labyrinth hidden away in the woods at Crystal Spring Farm. The path is circular, moving you from the entrance to the center of the labyrinth and back out again. It is available to anyone who wants to make the short walk into the woods and I find it is a wonderful way to quiet your mind and enjoy the peace and beauty of the natural setting.

Five Things is a feature in which locals give our readers suggestions for exploring the state of Maine, town by town. Have a city or town you think we should explore in the future? Tell News & Culture Editor Katherine Lee at [email protected].