Iwan2go

Hi all, My husband and I are in the planning stages of a late August trip (11 or so days beginning around August 16th) and could use your help. We'd fly out of LAX into Boston, stay 3-4 nights in Boston, then drive up the Maine coast. I'm thinking 3 nights in Camden followed by 3 nights in Bar Harbor before flying home out of Bangor, ME around August 26th - the Sunday before Labor Day. We do want to visit my brother near Portsmouth NH (which could be a day trip out of Boston). We've been to Boston, Cape Ann and Kennebunkport on a previous trip. We're in good shape 60-year-olds who love long walks (not strenuous hikes, but moderate is OK), historical things, gardens, good food, small towns, relaxing.

I chose the Maine coast because I am hoping the humidity would be lower than the inland areas - true? I could tweak the trip to go into the NH mountains, just thought the coast would be better weather.
Second question: is Bar Harbor more crowded/slammed on the weekends? I'm looking at the Bass Cottage Inn, which advertises that it's near downtown but not in it.
Third, how would you characterize the difference between Camden and the Penobscot Bay area with Acadia National Park as far as outdoor activities, scenery, etc?



Finally, my last concern is picking up a car in Boston at Prudential Center and driving out of the city...man, driving in Boston is a nightmare, as the signage is not very clear. Is this a well-marked route? We have take the "scenic route" by default in Boston before and do not want to repeat it. (I know that on the weekdays we can take the train to Portsmouth and rent from there, but if you think it's easy to do this particular pickup, we'll consider it instead).

Thank you SO much for your help!

Iwan2go

PS California analogies for Camden and Bar Harbor are welcome for those familiar w/ CA - like, is Camden more like Santa Barbara and Bar Harbor like Carmel or Laguna Beach. Stuff like that.

Thanks.

sassy_cat

Mid to late August hasn't been too bad for humidity even inland in the last couple of years but the coast will be even less humid. We didn't have much of a summer last year! I think the humidity is worse in LA.

It's very easy picking up a car at the Pru as there's a nearby entry onto the I90.
Not sure exactly where you will exit the Pru but there's an entry just in front of the Westin Copley and on Mass Ave that are easy to get to. I've picked up cars at the Westin in the past and I think Avis will drop off at this location (maybe others).
Ideally in your shoes I'd recommend a GPS. Either bring your own or rent one.

I wouldn't take a day trip to Portsmouth, NH and backtrack to Boston as it's on your route to Maine.

sassy_cat

oops you'll need the I90 won't help you much. I93 is a little harder but with GPS not a problem.

Ackislander

Camden ~ Cambria
Bar Harbor ~ Carmel
Wiscasset ~ San Luis Obispo
Freeport ~ Solvang but with LL Bean

The good stuff in Maine is generally down the side roads, not along the highway.

Leave the Pru after 9 AM, 10 is better. Cross town to Storrow Drive (the car rental place will tell you which street to take) Turn right. Follow the signs to New Hampshire and Maine. Piece of cake.

GPS may not be at all useful from the Pru if it tries to send you to I-93 via Boylston St. Too complicated, even if shorter.

Iwan2go

Great! Thanks for all info, and the comparison to Cambria and Carmel helps in painting the mental picture for me.

As far as the car, Enterprise is at 800 Boylston St. Google Maps is directing me to get over to Commonwealth, left on Berkeley, right on Storrow Drive and then this loopy thing on to Tobin Bridge and Hwy 1, 15 miles to the 95.

Does this sound like the best, most simple route?

Anyone have experience of Bar Harbor in August on weekdays or weekends?

Ozarksbill

Oh yes, Boston traffic can be hectic...so maybe a GPS will help. We have stopped in Bar Harbor when going to Acadia Park. Yes it is generally touristy and crowded. We headed up to Bangor for a folk music concert. Of course, much to enjoy headed toward and along the Maine coast. We have a favorite little motel near Boothbay Harbor. Also nearby is a surprisingly lovely garden: Coastal Maine Botanical Garden www.MaineGardens.org And by the way we are some older than you.
Bill in Boston

Ozarksbill

Forget to add: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...e-minitrip.cfm

Iwan2go

Thanks so much, Izarksbill! The Maine Gardens look wonderful. Perhaps we can stop on the way up to Camden. I had earmarked the Farnsworth museum as well.

Ackislander

Yes, google maps is giving you the best and easiest directions.

If you miss "the loopy thing" to the Tobin Bridge, you can continue up I-93 until you hit I-95. It is just less direct.

dfrostnh

August is when you'll see trucks along Rt 1 selling fresh blueberries. Check out farmers markets. The one we've enjoyed is in Brunswick on Friday mornings. The easiest snack if you don't have kitchen access is fresh blueberries and vanilla yogurt. A blog mentioned some markets in other towns having some ethnic food vendors. I kind of hate to see you miss the food scene in Portland ME and might suggest you combine a visit in Portsmouth and a food tour of Portland's Old Port Area. (it's on a hill so strenuous walking is involved) After the last stop you can walk to Duckfat to sample their fries. Portland is considered a top foodie location since it's less expensive to start a restaurant, etc. If you take the food tour and have a late lunch at Duckfat, it will be late in the afternoon. Maybe spend the night so you can do Maine Coastal Gardens and the Farnsworth Museum on the way to Camden. (Rockland about 2 hours from Portland, I think)

Easy hike out to Owls Head light with nice view. Suggest lobster lunch at Waterman's. (lobster shack and picnic table kind of place) But check out what's happening at Owl's Head Transportation Museum on the weekend. They do some great weekend events.

You might want to visit the Maritime Museum in Bath. Check what kind of lighthouse cruise they might be offering. And, my usual spiel, take the auto road to the top of Mt Battie for the incredible view overlooking Camden Harbor. We like to picnic there. Bring binnoculars!

Since you are flying out of Bangor, you could also visit the Cole Transportation Museum which I like better than Owl's Head because it's more about work vehicles than fancy motor cars. Look for the pictures of the Lombard Log Hauler. Maine is more than lobster and the coast.
http://www.colemuseum.org/

gail

Sounds like a reasonable plan. When you pick up the car, get directions to highway - I could give them to you, but much easier to understand if someone in that area points and gives landmarks - you can do it.

I always like to have a GPS on trips - not as much for Point A to Point B - but because it allows me to pick some little side road to wander on with no concern about getting back to highway.

Check rates for one-way car rental if renting in Boston and dropping in Bangor. There may be a very high charge for that. In that case you might modify your trip a bit - perhaps taking train from Boston to Portland, ME and doing a round-trip car rental from there. If you took train to Portland, then your brother in Portsmouth could be a day trip from there.

Iwan2go

Thanks again, everyone. I emailed my brother a tentative plan and we may stay in Portsmouth a few nights after Boston to visit, either picking up the car in Boston or taking the train to Portsmouth and getting it the next day. Gail, appreciate the note about drop off fees. Enterprise has some places (including Prudential centere in Boston and the train station in Portsmouth) that allow one ways.

I have also bookmarked the Bath Museum - thanks frost. I don't think we can see Portland this trip, though the food sounds great! And Ackislander,, smiled about "Solvang with LL Bean".
The comparisons to towns I am familiar with helps a lot.