The Smiling Cow
The Smiling Cow
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Smiling Cow is a 80 year old family owned gift store located in the scenic coastal community of Camden, Maine. This Camden landmark is located atop the Megunticook River as it spills into the Penobscot Bay providing their customers with a priceless view from their back deck. A wide variety of gifts are available from Maine Maple syrup and home made fudge to clothing and jewelry made in Maine. We have shortened hours this summer in response to the Covid 19 epidemic. We are following all CDC guidelines. Masks ARE required as is social distancing and limited numbers of customers at one time. We currently are open 10 am to 4 pm and expect to expand hours in July.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
68 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
15
Average
5
Poor
0
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0
NHjo
Saco, ME13,896 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
While in Camden again, I had to visit one of my favorite stores, the Smiling Cow. I love their clothing, accessories, prints, gourmet food items, and all their Maine-themed items. The photo of the local Belted Galloway cows is priceless. (I've seen the actual cows that are a few blocks away).
Written July 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GAM
Sterling, VA88 contributions
Oct 2020
No trip to Camden is complete without a visit to The Smiling Cow. Celebrating their 80th year in town in ‘20. Homemade fudge, souvenirs, local crafts. If you’re not shopping, just stop in to say hello. You’ll find something to help you remember Camden and Maine.
Written October 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your kind words. We have been really gratified that so many customers and friends have stopped in to shop or just to say hi and see how we're doing as we navigate through these far from normal times.
Written October 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EMPatten
Newport, RI6 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This store is a Maine gift to all of your senses. The scent of a Maine woods and the fresh salty coastal air, to the taste of homemade fudge (made in this store), to the laughter from shoppers discovering the humor within this store's walls, to squeezing of the softest, most cuddly stuffed animals, to the view from the back deck - one of the most photographed views in Camden; this store has something for everyone. Several of my friends were looking for small beautiful gifts for friends at home (what a jewelry and scarf selection!), and I was looking for original photographs of the Maine coast, a t-shirt, and a few high end gifts. We found everything we were looking for, including directions to the 3-4 ice cream shops in town.
We happened to be in Camden while this family owned and operated store was celebrating it's 75th Anniversary. As our luck would have it they were giving away celebratory gifts to the first 75 customers on opening day! Such a fun store. What a friendly, helpful, and fun loving staff - and I learned the boss is often in the store herself leading the fun.
I also need to note that many stores in Camden are pet friendly especially this one, if you are traveling, you should not leave your dog in the car. Water bowl at the front door here, and dog treats behind the counter. Like I said - something for everyone, including the family dog.
Another helpful hint I learned in this store, if you'd like to park for longer than 2 hours, there is ample parking behind the smoke stack (which can be seen from all over town). Turn onto Washington St. next to the Camden Opera House, pass the fire/police station, and on your left at the end of the building, is a driveway that takes you behind this massive building (the former Knox Woolen Mill). Every other parking space in the down town area is 2 hr.
We happened to be in Camden while this family owned and operated store was celebrating it's 75th Anniversary. As our luck would have it they were giving away celebratory gifts to the first 75 customers on opening day! Such a fun store. What a friendly, helpful, and fun loving staff - and I learned the boss is often in the store herself leading the fun.
I also need to note that many stores in Camden are pet friendly especially this one, if you are traveling, you should not leave your dog in the car. Water bowl at the front door here, and dog treats behind the counter. Like I said - something for everyone, including the family dog.
Another helpful hint I learned in this store, if you'd like to park for longer than 2 hours, there is ample parking behind the smoke stack (which can be seen from all over town). Turn onto Washington St. next to the Camden Opera House, pass the fire/police station, and on your left at the end of the building, is a driveway that takes you behind this massive building (the former Knox Woolen Mill). Every other parking space in the down town area is 2 hr.
Written April 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Love2taketripsUSA
USA131 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
The smiling cow is always a pleasant place to stop in and take a look around. The tea and coffee on the back porch overlooking the harbor is very nice.
Written September 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for taking the time to review our shop... we do appreciate feedback from our customers. Glad you enjoyed visiting us and taking advantage of the view of the beautiful harbor from our back deck.
Written September 13, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
greenway35
Austin, TX18 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
You simply must visit the Smiling Cow shop when visiting Camden, Maine. When you finish your shopping, you'll be smiling too. Every time we visit Camden, we shop at the Smiling Cow. They have all the types of nice souvenirs and gifts that you would hope to find, plus unusual items not found elsewhere. The staff is friendly and helpful. Family-owned and operated by the third generation of the family. It's easy to see why the Smiling Cow has been making customers smile since 1940. Drop in and you'll see why. I shop at their webpage too: www.smilingcow.com
Written July 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JQSax
1 contribution
Jun 2015 • Family
I have been coming to Maine in the summers for years and there is nothing that quite sums up the experience as the Smiling Cow. It used to be the highlight of my trip when I was a kid and now it's the same for my kids. Where else can you eat fresh made fudge on the beautiful deck that boasts the best view of the Camden falls and harbor over some free coffee? Where else can you get a new Maine pine cushion, ceramic mug, calendar, dish towel, lobster gadget, while your kids can peruse a book about Andre the Seal or by Chris Van Dusen or try to decide which of the many small toys, games and crafts they want to get to keep them entertained during their vacation. Did I mention lobster buoys? You can get them here. They have a beautiful hand-painted selection if them. You can get the latest in ME-themed accessories and there's always fun silly stuff, too, from sassy magnets to gift cards, bumpah stickahs, jewelry, pajamas, slippers, soaps, Christmas ornaments, and on and on. This place is a true treasure and there's a reason it just celebrated its 75th year. It also happened to be owned by the nicest people in ME. The owners are often in the store at closing time during the summer, around 9pm, and they are full of great stories and good cheer. Thank you, Smiling Cow, for so many of years of fun on the Maine Coast! You keep us smiling!
Written June 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph M
Camden, ME14 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
This has been in business for 75 years and is a great place to buy tourist souvenirs and fudge. They have a little bit of everything! A must stop for visitors!
Written April 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Truth H
1 contribution
Jul 2014 • Family
The Smiling Cow is a wonderful little shop with friendly staff. You are welcomed to a coffee on the balcony outback over looking the Camden Falls and harbor. I recently took an exchange student there to buy Maine gifts to take back to Italy. We also bought some of their delicious homemade fudge! Definitely a must see while visiting our beautiful town.
Written November 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Connie C
Dallas, TX808 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
I was so surprised at the great selection of items! And of course I had to buy souvenirs including a super nice t-shirt for me and some trinket Christmas gifts. My daughter who owns an Inn in Camden recommended it and I’m glad we checked it out. Very friendly people and helpful while we were there.
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaymie
Germantown, TN210 contributions
Sep 2019
Great selection of gifts for everyone in downtown Camden. They've been there for a long time in what appears to be a highly competitive market and I can see why they've survived. Unique and quirky items at very reasonable prices.
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review... I love us being "unique and quirky"! We feel lucky to be located in beautiful Camden for the past 79 years overlooking the falls and the harbor.
Written October 14, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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