seattlite

Sneaking away with DH for a midweek roadtrip: Monday drive from Connecticut to Portland/Crescent Beach for 2 nights, Wednesday drive to Bar Harbor for 2 nights, Friday drive back to Boston. We to hike, kayak, run. Is this too ambitious? We are dying to see Acadia. Or should we do 1 night/3 nights to break up the driving? Thanks!

clarkgriswold

If you like to hike, kayak and run then yes, I would do just one night Portland, spend the full next morning there, then make the afternoon drive to Bar Harbor. That will give you good full days in Bar Harbor on Wed and Thurs.

dfrostnh

I like Clarkgriswold's suggestion to do just one night in Portland so you can have more time in Bar Harbor but there are so many wonderful places in Maine and Bar Harbor is so far. We don't kayak but love exploring the Harpswell area east of Brunswick. There's a map to public conservation areas where you can hike/walk and the area seems to be off the radar for most tourists. Even Mt Battie in Camden would give you a good hiking experience without going all the way to Bar Harbor. (although we just drive up the auto road and take a picnic lunch for the top)

OTOH you are dying to see Acadia so go. You can do more Portland on another getaway trip.

seattlite

Thank you!

yestravel

I love Maine (just returned from our annual trip up there). But as much as I enjoy the Harpswell, Brunswick area including Camden, it does not have the hiking that Acadia does. We did some of the walks/hikes mentioined above and they do not compare to the hikes and the views one gets on the hikes in Acadia. It is definitely less touristed thn Acadia though. Kayaking in that area, yes, but you get fabulous hiking in Acadia and also kayaking. I would as suggested, shorten your time in Portland, which is wonderful, and get on up to Acadia. You can do a leisurely drive up there and explore some of the towns along the way if you like.

clarkgriswold

If the timing works out I think I'd go straight to Acadia from Connecticut, long drive but your anticipation is up and there are good lobster roll or ice cream stops along the way. Then a nice dinner by the sea and good full days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then on Thursday you can drive down the coast at a leisurely pace maybe stopping in Camden for breakfast and a drive up Mt. Battie, maybe a short hike. ...Then maybe round 3pm hook up with the freeway in Brunswick putting you into Portland by 4. Dinner and breakfast by the bay in Portland but Portland is a big city and not really what you're looking for in terms of hiking, kayaking etc. What time must you be in Boston on Friday?