marvelousmouse

Well, I found out there is a ferry between Portland and Yarmouth NS. So that's exciting and it means I've got 6 nights to explore Maine. I know I want to explore the coast and hike in Acadia NP.

Where would you choose to spend those three nights? What are the roads like? Are there areas I should give more time than others?

This is early August. I love history (especially old houses and lighthouses), scenery, and food. I'll be coming from Boston.are there any really amazing bed and breakfasts or inns along the Maine coast?

marvelousmouse

Where would you choose to spend those six nights, I mean!

I could change lodging every night, but my idea was to spend 2 nights each in the south, mid coast, and north areas.

Inakauaidavidababy

Have you changed your plans to the Vineyard?

If you are still looking into hostels, you should put that in your post as that is important logistically.

marvelousmouse

MV is still part of the plan- these are pieces of a really long road trip. New England is my focus, so I'm figuring out how much time I need there so I know how much time I can spend hanging out with family in Missouri.

I am open to hostels or European style hotels as I don't mind sharing a bathroom. But hostels do not appear to really exist in Maine. I'm thinking 1 or two nights at an interesting historic inn and the rest at cheap motels or camping...I prefer camping over cheap motels unless they are really clean or really well located (for instance, I really like to be in walking distance from restaurants, and I will choose a motel over camping if I can walk to dinner and back).

DebbieDoesDulles

August is prime tourist season in Maine and the $49 cheap n cheerful motels that can be found in June or September will jack their prices up to $175 and higher per night for July & August. You'll want to book campsites at least 90 days in advance.

I don't really follow your post, are you saying that you have 6 nights to explore Maine, and then are leaving from Portland on a ferry? Or is a trip to Yarmouth included in your six night plan?

There are definitely some wonderful inns on the coast of Maine but they pull top dollar in August, what's your max budget per night?

marvelousmouse

Six nights in Maine. I had expected that the motels would jack up their prices. Used to that at home 200 a night is my max, but I don't particularly want to spend that much- I'd really prefer to keep it around 100-120.

But I'm occasionally willingly to stretch the budget as well for really neat hotels. It's less of a "I can't afford" and more that I'd rather spend the money on food and entertainment, if that makes sense.

dfrostnh

The roads in Maine are fine except if you really go wandering. There are some conservation areas open to the public in the Harpswells area (east of Brunswick) that include a secluded beach. The access road was very rutted. You could hike in if you had a low clearance vehicle (i.e. rental car). We were in a 4x4 PU. You might look for airb&b accomodations which include anything from a bedroom in a private home to an expensive summer home on the water. I think walking distance to restaurant might only be possible in the south coastal area but that will also be the area of most expensive accomodations. We stayed at the Dunes in Ogunquit once that was nice and a long walk to a Rt 1 restaurant (but also a trolley stop) and would stay again but generally we dislike the congestion of southern Maine and it's a day trip area for us.

I would suggest one overnight in the Portland area which might be a chance for a restaurant within walking distance. For lunch, a lobster roll from Bite Into ME food truck parked in Fort Williams park will also put you next to a lighthouse and a splendid view of Casco Bay. You can explore chowhound.com doing a search on Portland in the Northern New England section for restaurant recommendations. I would be tempted to skip seafood in favor of something like Bao Bao House. A mailboat cruise is also fun. We've only done the morning one but I believe there's one to see lighthouses.

Our newest favorite lobster shack is McLoon's in South Thomaston. If you stay in the Rockland/Rockport area you can visit several plus a winery or two. We discovered Marshall Point Lighthouse on our recent visit but weren't there when the museum was open. dh would have enjoyed seeing the inside of what I think was the keeper's house. It was a beautiful spot for sitting a spell and enjoying the water.

We stayed at a bare bones cottage on the water at Oakland Shores. Very rustic. Small private beach and long driveway in off of Rt 1 in Rockport. If your timing is good, they show some availability for motel rooms. Our cottage was clean and each had a fire pit and plastic Adirondack chairs. I think some were set up for the motel unit. Large grassy area, surrounded by pines. Old time Maine. A short drive south we enjoyed Claws, a take-out kind of place with a dining deck looking out on the ocean. We could see the ferries arriving in Rockland. For a take-out place they can get a little fancy with herbs in the chowders which was fine with me but dh much preferred his lobster burger (think giant crab cake). On a different day you could visit Owls Head Light and have lobster at Waterman's Beach which is our former most favorite. McLoon's is on a small working harbor and has a wider menu. Waterman's is in a quiet location but the ocean view isn't as scenic.

If you want to camp, we liked Chewonky in Wiscasset a lot. Former farm on a tidal river. Seems to be popular with locals. It's a small campground. Searsport Shores has gotten expensive but also has a unique tenters only spot overlooking the water. They provide a cart to tote your stuff up a trail. Again, a small campground.

Momof3boys

I stayed at The Keeper's Inn on Isle Au Haut for several nts. This was yrs ago, and pricey, but a wonderful experience. You took the mail boat to get there, my rm was down a path and was the old Oil House (complete w/ solar shower & nicest port-a-john ever!) & 3 gourmet meals a day including a bag lunch so you could hike around the island which is part of Acadia NP. Good luck!

marvelousmouse

Momof3boys- that looks absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, I think the 400/nt would cut into my budget a bit too much but it's definitely going on my bucket list! It would make an amazing anniversary trip Thanks for the suggestion!

DebbieDoesDulles

Maine does have bugs. Not a huge problem in most places for August, but keep it in mind if you're thinking about camping. Also, afternoon thunderstorms are not infrequent.

Southern Maine:
Red Apple Campground near Kennebunkport
Midcoast Maine:
Camden Hills State Park
Acadia area:
Mt. Desert Campground

Oakland Shores Cottages mentioned above are a good suggestion, also Beloin's . Maine also has some beautiful lake areas and you might consider staying at Moosehead Lake and hiking Mt. Kineo. Consider the Captain Sawyer House B&B. It's about a 3 hr drive from Acadia.