That's a lot of driving for three days. I hope your folks do not have bladder issues.

Try the Berkshires, a much shorter ride, plenty to do, and a beautiful part of the country.

I think Bar Harbor is much too far for a 3 day trip. Portland is a beautiful small city with fun things to do. You can take a food tour of the Old Port area (lots of walking up and down hill) or a cruise of Casco Bay (park in the garage next to the ferry terminal).

South of Portland are beautiful sandy beaches but there will be lots of traffic esp on Sat, the start of a big holiday week for many. If you want to go to a beach, get there early in the day. You could walk the Marginal Way in Oguinquit but even early it's a popular walk.

It's about 2 hours north of Portland to go to Rockland where you can visit the Farnsworth Art Museum (focus on Maine artists including all three Wyeths) and/or Owls Head Transportation Museum (usually has extra events going on on the weekend). The hike to Owls Head Light is short and easy. You can also walk down to a small, rocky beach.

One of the most scenice spots for steamed lobster to eat at picnic tables is Five Islands. There are places closer to Portland. I would suggest Portland as your base.

If you must have a dramatic view, instead of Cadillac, try Mt Battie in Camden ... which is still a very long drive.

It really depends on how much time you want to spend in the car. You've only got 3 days.

Forget Bar Harbor and Acadia and Camden. Not gonna happen in 3 days. 5 days, you'd be ok.

If you're set on Maine try looking at the southern Maine coast instead on google maps for distances and driving times from the city. Even at that, you'll be driving 6 hours each way which takes up one 'day' of your 3 day trip.

What's the goal of the trip? Seaside towns? How about the CT coast instead?

Sorry, that would be 9 hours each way to/from NYC>Bar Harbor, Maine.

I'd go with plan B. That is a busy time for travel and you will be spending half the time sitting in traffic. If you don't already have hotel reservations you may have trouble getting something that would be pretty/relaxing.

Bowsprit's advice to look at CT coast, (say Mystic area) or even RI coast (Westerly, Charlestown, Metunik, etc.for beachy, Newport or Jamestown for Rocky) maybe take the ferry from New London, CT or Point Judith, RI out to Block Island for something different and coasty.

If you have the budget, look at the Ocean House Hotel in Watch Hill RI.

Agree with all of the above. It's close to a 6-hour drive from NYC to Portland in moderate traffic. And you've picked dates that are going to be really heavy traffic on the roads, since everyone in the northeast has the same idea. Because the Fourth is on a Wednesday, many people will make a week of it for vacation - and be heading out of the city on the 30th. Likewise, people taking half the week for vacation will be on the roads on the 3rd - not to mention all those people north of Boston who want to go into that city for the holiday...

Not to beat the poor horse bloody, but you'll also be running into minimum night stays during the days leading up to the 4th of July.

The Green Heron Inn in Kennebunkport still shows their 2 bedroom cottage as available those nights, it's a nice two story cottage with (I think) 2 baths.
Kennebunkport Inn also showing some availability still.

I wouldn't wait too long to book something. You'll find plenty to do in the area, and it's an easy drive into Portland. July 3rd will be a helluva day for traffic back down towards NYC, however, so plan your drive accordingly.

www.greenheroninn.com
www.kennebunkportinn.com

bar harbour is too far...

maybe stop a night at the sise inn in Portsmouth, NH just before crossing into maine..

visit the yorks in southern maine--have lunch at stonewall kitchen---just opposite the 1st york exit from the highway where it meets rte 1... fabulous

kennebunkport is a lovely town with nice places to stay or visit the Bushes..

rockland is lovely too as is damascotta...doubt you will get further...

I really appreciate all the replies so quickly. Now I know bar harbor is def out of the question.

Purpose of the journey is to have a nice relaxing 3 days with my folks and always wanted to go to Maine (I am from England and was told driving up the coast in Maine is very similar). I never thought about the CT/RI coast and your ideas sound lovely and I am def open to that. That or staying in Southern Maine.

Cheers

Southern Maine will take you about 4.5 hours in travel time; definitely doable, imo.

Various Cape towns are reached in approx. the same amount of driving time. R.I. beaches will take you about 3.5 hours from Manhattan.

The CT coast will take you about half that time to reach.

Have you considered driving South to the Delaware or Maryland coasts? You can reach Rehoboth in about 4 hours. And of course you know all about New Jersey beaches.

Once you've decided on a destination, you'll get plenty of suggestions for things to do if you need them. Enjoy your parents' visit.

I think that the most important thing to do for this trip would be to choose one place and make it your base.
In Maine, Portland or Camden would work out well.
It is very tiring - and time-consuming - to spend time checking in and out. Much more relaxing to get up, have breakfast together, and plan some sightseeing.
There are lovely inns in this area, and also motels that provide breakfast.
Yes, Bar Harbor would be too long a trip. There will be plenty of lovely sights in lower Maine, and plenty of lobster, too!

Sylvia in Philly

There is NO way you are going to "reach Rehoboth in about four hours" from NEW YORK and at that time of the year..unless you are FLYING very low.

Sorry, I misspoke above. What I should have said is you'll have traffic all the way down the Garden State Parkway (assuming that's the route you use) and you'll be rolling along with all those Jersey Shore travelers. Then you have to wait for the ferry (you should have made reservations already)and then you might find a place to stay in Rehoboth.

It's a nice place but it doesn't compare to southern Maine and especially given your own "English" point of view.

I'm surprised you're finding availability for a Saturday check-in the weekend before INdependence Day. I would not wait any longer to make a decision and book something. At least find something with a lenient cancellation policy and lock it in, then spend a few days procrastinating/deciding but knowing you have a back-up plan booked.

Dukey: That's a GoogleMaps estimation. That feature doesn't take in account traffic patterns, time of day, time of year, etc.

As suggested, I would stay closer to home. Have lunch in Mystic, Ct, visit the Mystic Seaport, Old Stonington, Essex Village -- next day drive to Newport RI - many great things to see/do, visit Bristol RI --- these areas will give you a great New England experience!

That's a GoogleMaps estimation. That feature doesn't take in account traffic patterns, time of day, time of year, etc.

Just to be clear, Google Maps *do* take these things into consideration - at the moment at which you generate (or refresh) the map. The estimated time in current driving conditions is listed at the top of the text part of the directions.

While Google Maps won't estimate a holiday-exacerbated driving day other than on the day itself, you can generate the map on a similar day and time (such as tomorrow afternoon) to get a better idea...

where is a good place to load up on lobsters to bring home? any special nook and cranny boat dock you know?