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help with four day trip to Brunswick/ Camden/ New Harbour

help with four day trip to Brunswick/ Camden/ New Harbour

Old Apr 30th, 2013, 04:20 AM
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help with four day trip to Brunswick/ Camden/ New Harbour

Hi,

My sister is going for an interview at Bowdoin college and she would love to combine it with a short family vacation. Her interview is on 1st and 2nd May.


Her family would be joining her on 2nd May and will stay the night in Brunswick at Brunswick Inn (that's where she is going to be for her two nights there). However they would be happy to move to another area say Bay harbour or Camden if you guys feel that there would be more kid frinedly things to do.

I know the whale watching only starts in May and I am not sure if they would get to go for a trip...but which companies can I write to and ask? The kids( 5 and 3 year old) really enjoy going to farms...they would be happy with short hikes. I am sure they enjoy running around...and they love the beach (though it might be too early for the beach). I am not sure what else that they might enjoy because I haven't seen them for a year. Could you please give me more ideas? I would be very grateful.

Also could you please suggest kid friendly places to stay? Budget is about between $200-300/ night. They wouldn't mind a little more or a little less for a perfect place. My sister and BIL have been working like mad and it would be a break for them after a very long time.

Could you please help me plan a perfect trip for them? I know I can't know for sure what their idea of perfect would be...but as of now they have entrusted that responsibility on me...as they both have no time to think about it...it my perfect trip that they will have to take.
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 04:24 AM
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Oh I forgot to say that they would need a place to stay for 3rd and 4th night.
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 04:38 AM
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I am soo sorry...I meant Bar Habour! Can't even say I haven't woken up properly...it's after mid day in London!
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 05:06 AM
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Here's the Harpswells area guide to public conservation areas. This area is east of Brunswick. Free access. The Giant's Steps is a nice walk along the cliff. Not so dramatic as the Marginal Way in Oquinquit but shorter and probably more suitable for young children.
Be aware for any forested areas that the black flies have just started coming out in NH. They might not want to do any hikes thru woods. There is one secluded beach that is very nice although rocky that I would have to figure out location. We went to other places last summer but the beach was something we found several years ago
http://www.harpswell.maine.gov/verti...ted_722012.pdf
The warning would be that the access road is very poor and a rental car with low clearance might have problems. I think it might be the Stovers Point beach which has the low car clearance issue pointed out in the brochure.

Brunswick is not near the ocean. It's going to be very cold out on the ocean so winter jackets, hats and gloves are recommended. I don't think I would do a whale watch with children that young in case of sea sickness. A boat ride that doesn't go out so far to see seals or haul up a lobster trap would be more fun for the kids. Even the ride out to Monhegan Island is long and can be boring.

I hesitate to recommend staying in the Harpswells this early because there's not a lot of restaurants to begin with. They might be happiest to stay where they are esp if there's an indoor pool and children's playground.

In the Camden area we stayed at Glenmoor by the Sea several years ago. There are a variety of units to choose from. A family would enjoy a unit with a separate living room area. They'll have to check the current price range. Anything with some cooking facilities will help with the budget even if it's just a microwave, coffee maker and frige. Although right on Rt 1 it is set far back from the road with plenty of green space for the children to roam.

We have not been to the Portland ME children's museum but I think I would head south instead of north with children that young. The sandy beaches are mostly south of Portland. York Beach is a very popular family area with a children's playground in a park right on the ocean front. Tide pools, sandy beaches for sandcastle building, swings, is perfect. They can also take the long walk up to the ice cream place by Nubble Light if it's open this early. York's amusement park has been there for more than 50 years and I'm not sure if it's worthwhile. We generally avoid amusement parks.

North of Portland beaches are rocky. Southern Maine is very built up but the Harpswell area is very rural. The college town of Brunswick gives them plenty of options for restaurants.
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 08:52 AM
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Whale watch boats won't go out until late May when tourists start to trickle into the state.
I would suggest the Village of Boothbay Harbor, about 50 min drive from Brunswick. There are several hotel choices right on the ocean, or there is the little Beach Cove Hotel on the edge of town...it's set on a small lake and has rowboats for guests use if the kids like to go fishing.
There is an Aquarium and The Railway Village and though there are not whale watch trips there may be short harbor cruises or island tours available.

http://www.boothbayharbor.com/commun...bay-harbor.php

www.beachcovehotel.com
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 02:12 PM
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Hi defrostnh...really appreciate your long response. Harpswell looks like an amazing area...however as you say it seems they will be going a little too early in the season. I am finding it hard to find quaint places with indoor pool. I agree with what you say about boat rides...they will most likely seem quite monotonous to the kids.

The camden area looks quite perfect...though again the places that seem nice don't have pool etc...which might come quite handy with the kids.

I checked Portland but it seems like a really built up town...not relaxing enough...though I might be completely wrong in assuming that. I am also slightly confused with your suggestion of going south. Will the wether be significantly better close to Portland than say Camden.

Clqrkgriswold the aquarium and the railway village seem like just the kind of things my nephew and niece might enjoy. The beach Cove hotel does look good. however it is not available on the dates that they need to be there. Any other suggestions which might be good with kids. As said earlier one thing with an indoor pool might be particularly handy.

Please help me...Camden and Booth bay harbour both look like good options. Would you say that one is better than the other with kids?
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Old Apr 30th, 2013, 08:02 PM
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Rocktide Inn is the only motel with an indoor pool that I know of in Boothbay. Camden Riverhouse Hotel is the only one in Camden.
Haven't been to Camden with kids so I'm not sure what there is to keep them busy, here is a list but some things may be June July August only:

http://www.scout.me/family-fun--near--camden-me

Point Lookout resort, 10 minutes north of Camden, has great cabins in the woods, access to the ocean, playground, soccer field, bowling alley, hiking trails but oddly no swimming pool www.visitpointlookout.com
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Old May 1st, 2013, 02:49 AM
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There would be more options south of Portland because it is much more built up and popular year round so there are probably more choices of indoor pools. The sandy beaches are lovely but we don't like the traffic on Rt 1 and Rt 1 is definitely not quaint.

I think you can skip an indoor pool esp because the children are so young (and pools are so deep if there's not a special kids section). We live in the country. Last year 4 young children spent a couple of hours just playing trucks in the sand. Kids can enjoy doing things like collecting shells and rocks. A place with a great sandbox would be just fine. A sandy beach, a pail and shovel is probaly all they need.

Although Boothbay Harbor is not my favorite place in summer (too crowded), I think there might be more choices for boat trips. Nearby Maine Coastal Gardens is a nice hike/walk.

On the link clark posted, the Owl's Head Light is a nice short hike and there's another trail that goes down to a rocky beach to explore. Good place to picnic if it's warm enough.
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