Maine, and the nicest thing to do?
Jul 15th, 2007, 02:08 PM
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Maine, and the nicest thing to do?
Maine, and the nicest thing to do?
I am in Portland, ME heading up the coast of Maine (toward Bar harbour). I am searching for specific destinations on or near the coast. I know about Acadia, and am planning on touring the park before exiting via the CAT ferry to Nova Scotia. Please share your favourite Maine spots according to the following interest criteria. Thanks.
-the nicest thing to do?
-landscape/architectural photography
-memorable/dramatic scenary (i.e. viewpoints, panoramas, sunsets)
-nature, the outdoors, hikes/mountaintops with an amazing view...
-lovely/charming streets
-non-typical/exciting/interesting/unique EXPERIENCES (full of original character), and local only to the area.
-specialty/unique local cuisine
I am in Portland, ME heading up the coast of Maine (toward Bar harbour). I am searching for specific destinations on or near the coast. I know about Acadia, and am planning on touring the park before exiting via the CAT ferry to Nova Scotia. Please share your favourite Maine spots according to the following interest criteria. Thanks.
-the nicest thing to do?
-landscape/architectural photography
-memorable/dramatic scenary (i.e. viewpoints, panoramas, sunsets)
-nature, the outdoors, hikes/mountaintops with an amazing view...
-lovely/charming streets
-non-typical/exciting/interesting/unique EXPERIENCES (full of original character), and local only to the area.
-specialty/unique local cuisine
Jul 15th, 2007, 04:24 PM
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You didn't say if you planned to drive straight through or stay overnight somewhere, but I can recommend the B&B, Anchor Watch in Boothbay Harbor. The views from the rooms were like something out of a Maine magazine. If you're timing is good, a local festival which I think is called Windjammer Days is really special - many big old vessels float into the harbor making for great photos. We also had the best and cheapest lobster of our trip in Boothbay Harbor (I think it was at a lobster pound?)
We also loved Camden, ME. The town is small and quaint (or at least it was when we visited 10 yrs ago) and has many wonderful old B&B's to choose from. Stay near the downtown so you can just walk to the harbor - great way to end the day.
Good luck with your plans!
We also loved Camden, ME. The town is small and quaint (or at least it was when we visited 10 yrs ago) and has many wonderful old B&B's to choose from. Stay near the downtown so you can just walk to the harbor - great way to end the day.
Good luck with your plans!
Jul 16th, 2007, 02:30 AM
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nicest thing to do is have steamed lobster at Waterman's Beach near Owls Head Light. It's small, not much else on the menu, serene view.
-interesting architectural area is Bay Path village near Searsport. You'll have to find it on the map. I don't think most tourists know about this place.
-Dramatic scenery after the view from Cadillac would be the view from Mt Battie overlooking Camden Harbor. Also nice view from Owls Head light.
-Camden is charming.
- I always think of anything lobster as local cuisine but I would add any pies made by "the church ladies". Rhubard early in the season. Anything blueberry.
Also for dramatic views would be a boat trip out to Monhegan Island. Take a picnic lunch and binnoculars.
If it were September you could go to the Common Ground Fair sponsored by the organic farming association. Our best narrated boat cruise was from the Bath maritime museum and was a full day cruise to look at lighthouses. We were told to bring a picnic lunch which we ate on a tiny island. We were on our own for about an hour so picked a nice shady spot with a good view. In addition to the great stories about the area, natural science, we did a close ride by the Bath Iron works. But I a lot of tourists miss the other part of Maine's history and that would be the logging industry. The Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor is great, look for pictures of the Lombard Hauler. Visit Leonard's Mills logging museum on a day when they are having an event. Some of the guys who restored the sawmill are there (making sure it works perfectly). We also saw some college lumber teams competing. My FIL was with us and was fascinated with the collection of chain saws, some of which he used to use.
You might also seek out a church or grange supper on a Saturday night for some local cooking and eavesdropping. In our area we go to a monthly public breakfast at a fraternal organization where we sit with some farmers. Discussion could be about the price of lumber or who has recently bought what kind of farm equipment.
Not sure if Maine has an active 4-H working steers club. NH has. You could check with Cooperative Extension in the counties you are visiting to see what kind of 4-H events are going on. Summer is the time when kids start showing their animals, sometimes demonstrating at farm museums. Next thing would be to check for antique steam engine events. This covers anything from steam powered pumps to tractors. There's some very interesting equipment that has been restored. I also suggest checking with the Maine Dept of Agriculture about specialty farms and livestock. You should be able to find people who still log and farm with oxen or draft horses.
-interesting architectural area is Bay Path village near Searsport. You'll have to find it on the map. I don't think most tourists know about this place.
-Dramatic scenery after the view from Cadillac would be the view from Mt Battie overlooking Camden Harbor. Also nice view from Owls Head light.
-Camden is charming.
- I always think of anything lobster as local cuisine but I would add any pies made by "the church ladies". Rhubard early in the season. Anything blueberry.
Also for dramatic views would be a boat trip out to Monhegan Island. Take a picnic lunch and binnoculars.
If it were September you could go to the Common Ground Fair sponsored by the organic farming association. Our best narrated boat cruise was from the Bath maritime museum and was a full day cruise to look at lighthouses. We were told to bring a picnic lunch which we ate on a tiny island. We were on our own for about an hour so picked a nice shady spot with a good view. In addition to the great stories about the area, natural science, we did a close ride by the Bath Iron works. But I a lot of tourists miss the other part of Maine's history and that would be the logging industry. The Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor is great, look for pictures of the Lombard Hauler. Visit Leonard's Mills logging museum on a day when they are having an event. Some of the guys who restored the sawmill are there (making sure it works perfectly). We also saw some college lumber teams competing. My FIL was with us and was fascinated with the collection of chain saws, some of which he used to use.
You might also seek out a church or grange supper on a Saturday night for some local cooking and eavesdropping. In our area we go to a monthly public breakfast at a fraternal organization where we sit with some farmers. Discussion could be about the price of lumber or who has recently bought what kind of farm equipment.
Not sure if Maine has an active 4-H working steers club. NH has. You could check with Cooperative Extension in the counties you are visiting to see what kind of 4-H events are going on. Summer is the time when kids start showing their animals, sometimes demonstrating at farm museums. Next thing would be to check for antique steam engine events. This covers anything from steam powered pumps to tractors. There's some very interesting equipment that has been restored. I also suggest checking with the Maine Dept of Agriculture about specialty farms and livestock. You should be able to find people who still log and farm with oxen or draft horses.
