ScarletandGray

We are a family of four (kids will be 8 1/2 and nearly 5 by time of trip) traveling from Ohio by car late June to early July. Kids travel well in the car. Our primary destinations are the Portland, ME area and Newport, RI. We have a budget of about $150 per night for a hotel. This is my tentative itinerary: first night in Albany, NY to crash after 10 hours on the road. Continue next day through VT via Route 9 then to NH either through Concord or Manchester before reaching ME. If there is anything interesting to do on this route between Albany and ME, please let me know. We wouldn't be opposed to a 2-3 hour side trip on day 2. We will most likely be staying at the Comfort Suites in Biddeford, ME due to their amenities (pool), price and availibility. We were thinking 6 nights--is this too much? We want to see Cape Elizabeth, several lighthouses, Portland kids museum and of course the Aquaboggan waterpark and Old Orchard Beach. Is Biddeford a good central location to do these activities? We have a reservation to spend the night in the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport on 7/5 and were thinking of driving from ME to Newport early that day. Probably spend another night in the Newport area on the 6th before the long haul home on the 7th. We all enjoy biking, hiking, boating.

wyatt92

A couple of things:

I personally wouldn't stay in Biddeford. I know your budget is tight but I'd rather either stay somewhere on the beach or in Portland.

There's a lot to do in southern ME so 6 nights is ok depending on what you want to see. Do you want to go north to Camden or Bar Harbor? Explore the seaside towns of Ogunquit, Kennebunkport or Portsmouth NH?

If it were me I would spend a night or two less in ME and add a night or 2 to Newport.

Also, instead of staying in Albany you could consider Saratoga Springs which is about a half hour north of Albany with tons of charm.

ScarletandGray

Appreciate the feedback Wyatt92. Will definitely look into Saratoga Springs as an alternative to Albany.

Is there any particular reason you would stay in Portland vs. Biddeford?

We also want to be careful not to over-extend our day trips as we are already driving so far. Acadia sounds very appealing to us but fearful that it would be too much driving. Driving 30-60 minutes each way to an attraction is doable though.

Will also consider splitting the time more evenly between ME and RI. We can be flexible around the 7/5 reservation.

wyatt92

Biddeford just isn't that nice. It's about a half hour or so from Portland and Cape Elizabeth so if you plan on focusing on those areas you'd be better off staying there.

xxx30

WHAT THE #$%^ is your problem with Biddeford? A US President vactioned there and another one goes to the next town over.Some times he lets his boy come back for a visit.(still wont let the kid drive the boat)

DanB

I was beaten to the punch twice. I was going to reccomend Saratoga Springs over Albany. The only problem is Saratoga can be expensive in the Summer, but if you look around I think you can make it.
I definitely would not stay in Albany.

I also wouldn't stay in Biddeford.
I'd stay at the Union Bluff in York Beach Maine. It's right on the beach.
I don't know how much balcony rooms are in the summer. But the views are stunning.
http://www.unionbluff.com/

or

I'd stay at Dunes on the Waterfront in Ogunquit,Maine. Yankee magazine called this one of New England's gret bargains

http://www.dunesonthewaterfront.com/

If I was going to Maine I wouldn't stay at a Comfort Inn. Maybe thats just me.

ScarletandGray

Thanks DanB for the advice.

Ideally we would stay in Portland as that is where most of the attractions are that are of interest to us. I'm sure that the southern coast beaches you mentioned have plenty to offer but we have done a beach vacation the last two years (FL) and want something different this time around.

A hotel chain isn't exactly what I had envisioned either but a budget minded family must mind the budget. And because we don't have a full week to spend in the Portland area, renting a condo or cottage is impossible! Seems like a hotel is our only option.

I'm open to suggestions and appreciate the feedback thus far.

dfrostnh

My preference for a westerly route thru NH is Rt 4 thru Concord. It's mostly trees, a section of antique shops, a great ice cream stand/restaurant (Johnson's Dairy Bar) and then a very scenic approach to the coast crossing over Great Bay. Depending on your schedule, you could also have a seafood meal at Newicks on Dover Pt Rd which is on Great Bay. In Concord you might want to consider the Christa McAuliff Planetarium. Rt 101 from Manchester is a boring limited access highway. We are about the re-enter trips with children phase so I'm not familiar with some of the new places in the state. There is a science center in Manchester that has the mill yards reproduced in Legos. Not sure what else is there but maybe another poster will know if it's suitable for children of your's ages. Here's the link http://www.see-sciencecenter.org/ I hope you are also considering a boat trip of some kind. We like the ones out of Portsmouth NH. You can park in the parking garage and walk to the docks. I think you should save Acadia for another trip because of the distance.

ScarletandGray

Excellent input dfrostnh! Will definitely look into the planetarium and appreciate the dining recommendations. Looking forward to the beautiful scenery New England has to offer. And yes, will have some sort of a boating excursion while on the coast. Just have to plan that one carefully, mom has been known to feed the fish, if you know what I mean.......

dfrostnh

The Portsmouth Harbor cruise or inland rivers shouldn't be a problem. You don't go out into open ocean.