DavidD2

We are coming from Florida. Our first trip to Maine is June 1-9. I am a firefighter. I rock climb (boulder around), like to kayak, and easy to moderate hiking. My wife likes to shop, look at blown glass, art work, and pottery. We both like to eat and experience new foods. I'm not crazy about lobster, but she REALLY is, so we are looking for good restaurants that are good at lobster, but have crab, too or other options. We can eat off newspapers, so decor does not matter- just needs to be worth the money. We are traveling without children or pets. Landing in Portland, will have rent car, and want to tour around, but don't want to be in the car all the time, so we are looking for a few days in Portland OR along the Southern Coastline. Then head north to Bar Harbor/Acadia. Schedule is open at this point, but want to get some cottages and B&Bs booked. What itinerary would you recommend for a trip like this? What towns along the coastline South and North of Portland are "Not To Be Missed"? The more descriptive you are the more it will help, since we know NOTHING about the area. Your help is really appreciated!!

clarkgriswold

As I read the first few sentences of your post I immediately thought "Camden/Rockland would be perfect"...but it doesn't seem to be on your radar.
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...h=Camden+Maine

Southern Coastline is more beachy, mid coast & Acadia more rocky. You can "wing it" that time of year, there are tons of accomodations just opening up for the season with vacancies. Might want to pre-book the Saturday night if it's in Bar Harbor or Portland but otherwise don't lock yourself into anything unless you find a place that you really want to stay because it's a good time of year to explore and road-trip.

Restaurant/hotel service can be very spotty as new student staffers from all over the world invade and just begin training for the July/August mayhem to follow.

Weather is hit-or-miss in early June. As the week approaches and you check the forecast, plan on Portland for the "iffy" days at it's a large city with more museums/things to do etc.

DavidD2

Camden is totally on our radar. Is there enough to do in Camden to use it as a "base" for a couple days?

dfrostnh

Camden is a must see, probably an overnight but I think a base further south would have more to see and do. If the weather is good, a day trip to Monhegan Island sounds like something you would like. We took the boat from Boothbay. Highly recommend taking a picnic lunch to eat on your hike. The Boothbay area also has the shopping places your wife would like.

Rockland has a variety of restaurants plus the Farnsworth Art Museum and nearby Owls Head Light and Owls Head Transportation Museum (see if a special weekend is scheduled). Bath is home to the ironworks/shipbuilding plus Maritime Museum. Nearby Brunswick is a college town with a variety of restaurants and great to explore the Harpswells to the east. We're considering staying in that area. Easy hikes - get the conservation property guide to public places you can visit. This area is fairly rural and very different from southern Maine with all its sandy beaches. Keep your eyes open for church or benefit suppers. One year in June we spotted signs for a benefit lobster supper to benefit a local volunteer FD. Can't remember if they had a choice other than lobster. There was a choice of mussels or crab with the lobster.

It's a long drive from Camden to Bar Harbor thru rural country which is why I would pick Camden as an overnight stop along the way, not a base. Camden is very upscale. We stayed at Bay Leaf in Lincolnville just north of Camden a couple of years ago. Rustic with tiny bathrooms but decent.

emalloy

Good advice so far. It might be warm and sunny but you will probably have some cold days near the ocean, so do bring layers. If you decide to venture out on the water it will be very cool in any case.

Early June is still black fly season if you get away from the coast - even pretty close to the coast if you are in the woods, so bring bug repellant and cover up.

DavidD2

WOW! Good advice about the black flies. Obviously no cottages mention this on any of their sites! If we are flying out of Portland and must return there to leave, does it look like there is time to go to Canada, Vermont, New Hampshire, even Washington DC. OR is there really enough to do exploring the coastal towns of Maine? We plan to do the Precipice Trail in Acadia on one of these days, sea kayaking on another day. Just don't want to feel rushed. We usually try to cram in too much and end up exhausted by the end of the trip- thereby needing another vacation!

dfrostnh

NH's White Mountains/Conway area are only about an hour from Portland but as pointed out, it will probably be black fly season. You could do a drive thru but that will mean spending all day in the car. (Go west on the Kancamagus hwy, go a little south on Rt 3/I93 to Meredith NH (Lake Winnipesaukee) then up to Center Sandwich, east to Tamworth and back to Rt 16, north back to Conway. You shouldn't have trouble with black flies in downtown Meredith which has some cute shops.

You also have time to explore Portsmouth NH or the beaches. It's possible there will still be snow in Tuckerman's Ravine in early June. Might be a good time of year to visit North Conway with the gorgeous view of Mt Washington before all the shops and streets are clogged with tourists.

xxx30

Just head for the MDI. Plenty of rock climbing, pond and sea kayaking, hike or bike and shopping. Early season no crowds.

clarkgriswold

Yes you'll find plenty to do in Maine especially since you enjoy hiking and kayaking. In Camden/Rockland you have Mt. Battie plus a number of small lakes nearby. An easy drive to Owl's Head, Tenant's Harbor, Spruce Head etc. Damariscotta or Boothbay Harbor are nice day drives, or take a ferry boat ride out to Isleboro or Monhegan and hike an island for an afternoon. And if your wife would rather shop or look at antiques or visit art galleries, the mid coast is great for that as well.

If you get rain the Maine State Museum in Augusta is less than an hour's drive and worth it. And even though the Portland dining scene deservedly gets all the buz, Rockland and Camden have more than enough to keep anyone well fed for a week. And while you won't find "crab" or "king crab" anywhere as an alternative to lobster, you are about to be introduced to sweet Maine picked crabmeat which is great in a sandwich or for crabcakes....and most seafood restaurants also serve broiled haddock, scallops, tiny Maine shrimp, full belly Maine Clams (steamed or fried) and also maybe Oysters. Try both batter-fried and crumb-fried Maine clams and let us know your favorite.

DavidD2

THANK YOU! This group is a great help to us! We have solidified Camden as a base for 2 nights- staying at The Whitehall, which has its grand opening this weekend- risky??? Yes...But they have a great special 30% off room rates for their opening. Pig + Poet is the restaurant at the hotel. The menu is not online, which makes me think it will be WAY OUT of my budget. I heard that ferries have not started this early in the season. Is that true? Where do the ferries take you around the Camden area? Same for ferries in Acadia area??

clarkgriswold

There is a ferry from Lincolnville (just north of Camden) to Islesboro, and since there are year-round residents out there I'm sure the ferry is running. Isleboro is where Kirstie Alley had a home along with Travolta and a few other famous "scientologists". Just search Isleboro ferry or Monhegan ferry for info, though if you're only spending 2 days on the mid-coast I wouldn't spend hours on a ferry boat I suppose.
Whitehall has been around for ages, but it has new ownership and a 1.5 million dollar facelift. Always a gamble to try a brand new restaurant before it works out the kinks I suppose.

DavidD2

I received a really great rate on a cottage on the water in Penobscot Bay. Is this too far if we plan to do Acadia and are already spending two nights in Camden?

dfrostnh

"Penobscot Bay" is a huge area stretching from Rockland to Stonington. Rockland would be too far from Acadia but somewhere near Belfast might not be. Depends on the mileage and how far you want to drive each day. Early June rates can be much lower than summer rates. I have not been to Isleboro. Monhegan ferry from Boothbay is a long ride but worth it for hiking on rocky trails overlooking ocean as long as weather is good. (bring binoculars)

DavidD2

Apparently the good deal is in Belfast. One of the problems I'm running into is apparently having chosen the wrong weekend for Bar Harbor. This morning I was told there is a race and concert that weekend in Bar Harbor. So I'm trying to determine if I really want to be making 1.5 hour trips to get to Acadia everyday.

elberko

I think some places might not be open yet in early June, which might be why you are having trouble finding something. The place I was going to suggest you try doesn't seem to open till mid-June:
http://www.hutchinscottages.com

sportsnut25

David,

Feel free to reach out to me via email at [email protected]. I visit the Midcoast (Camden/Rockland) area every summer and have lots of family from the area. I can help you find interesting things to do in the area if you want.

elberko

Welcome to the forum, sportsnut25. The point of the forum is to post info here, to share with all.

DavidD2

Thank you for all your responses. Our trip is fast approaching. We have settled on 2 nights in Camden and the remainder in the Bar Harbor area. We will be staying in Sullivan, just north of BH for 5 nights. Is there anything we should not miss in the Camden area, other than Mt. Battie? Any great restaurant recommendations that are not expensive, but have good portion sizes?

clarkgriswold

Home Kitchen Café in Rockland and Marriner's in downtown Camden are great for breakfast and lunch. (How about a lobster roll with a side of blueberry pancakes?)
Maybe try some fried clams or scallops from Mt. Battie Takeout Shack...take them to Camden Hills State Park nearby for a scenic picnic.

Near Sullivan I always hear about a casual spot called Tracey's, but haven't had the opportunity to try it.

The walk along the shore from downtown Camden to Rockport is very nice and be sure to take in Rockport Marine Park.

In Bar Harbor try The Thirsty Whale and the Side Street Café. You can find markets that will cook fresh lobster for you so bring your own nutcrackers and take them to a picnic-table by the shore. "Travelin Lobster" in Bar Harbor and "Graffam Bros" in Rockport come to mind...or ask the locals in Sullivan for a recommendation. If you're hungry leaving Portland airport, pull off 295 at Yarmouth and continue north towards Freeport, Day's lobster will be on your right with a takeout window & picnic tables in the back. Lobster lunch or other fried seafood, burgers etc and usually quick n easy on and off the freeway.