Looking for things to do in Rockland, Maine? Bixby Chocolate, Maine's original bean-to-bar chocolate maker, has launched a new Chocolate Tasting Experience at its factory on Rockland's historic working waterfront — and it's quickly becoming one of the most flavorful ways to spend an afternoon on the Midcoast.
Whether you're visiting Rockland for the day, planning a weekend on the coast, or you're a local looking for a new experience downtown, the Bixby Chocolate Tasting is a sweet, low-key addition to any Rockland itinerary.
What Is the Bixby Chocolate Tasting Experience?
The Chocolate Tasting Experience is a guided, expert-led session held right at Bixby's factory at 1 Sea Street Place in Rockland. Over roughly 45 minutes, a knowledgeable chocolatier walks guests through a curated selection of Bixby's chocolates, sharing insight into flavor, texture, and aroma along the way.
It's part tasting, part education. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at Bixby's bean-to-bar process — from carefully sourced organic cacao to the finished bar — and come away with a much deeper appreciation for what goes into real craft chocolate.
A few highlights of the experience:
- Expert-led tasting of a curated selection of Bixby's finest chocolates
- Behind-the-scenes insight into the bean-to-bar process, from cacao sourcing to finished product
- Historic waterfront setting, right in the heart of Rockland's working harbor
- Approximately 45 minutes, making it an easy add-on to a day downtown
Why Rockland, Maine?
Rockland has built a reputation as one of the best small coastal towns in Maine for food, art, and water views — and Bixby Chocolate has been part of that story since 2011. Founded by mother-daughter team Donna and Kate McAleer, Bixby set out to make a healthier candy bar, free of artificial additives, preservatives, and corn syrup. That mission turned into Maine's first bean-to-bar chocolate company.
Today, Bixby's factory sits on Rockland's historic working waterfront, surrounded by the same maritime energy that shaped the town's identity. Visitors can pair a chocolate tasting with a walk along the harbor, a stop at the Farnsworth Art Museum, or lunch at one of Rockland's well-loved restaurants — making it an easy, walkable addition to a day exploring the area.
The recognition has followed: Bixby's Belize 70% Dark Chocolate Bar was just named a winner at the 2026 Good Food Awards, adding to previous honors from the International Chocolate Awards and the Specialty Food Association's sofi Awards. It's the kind of craftsmanship you can actually taste — and now, taste with a guide.
What to Expect When You Visit
Bixby's facility is dedicated gluten-free, and many of its chocolates are vegan, organic, and kosher, so the tasting is a welcoming stop for visitors with dietary restrictions who still want the full chocolate experience.
Beyond the tasting itself, Bixby's space includes a retail shop and the Bixby Cafe, where you can sit down and enjoy chocolate, drinking chocolate, coffee, tea, and gelato after your session. It's an easy way to turn a quick stop into a relaxed hour on the waterfront.
How to Book
The Chocolate Tasting Experience can be booked directly at bixbychocolate.com. It's a great fit for:
- Visitors looking for things to do in Rockland, Maine
- Couples or small groups wanting a relaxed, unique outing
- Chocolate lovers curious about the bean-to-bar process
- Anyone planning a Midcoast Maine day trip with a food-focused stop
Plan Your Visit
Bixby Chocolate Factory 1 Sea Street Place, Rockland, ME 04841 Tasting Experience: approximately 45 minutes Book online at bixbychocolate.com
If you're mapping out things to do in Rockland this season, put the Bixby Chocolate Tasting Experience on the list. It's a short, memorable stop that captures exactly what makes Rockland worth visiting: craftsmanship, character, and a waterfront setting you won't find anywhere else.
