Maine - Portland to Acadia itinerary - feedback please
Jul 18th, 2010, 06:57 AM
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Maine - Portland to Acadia itinerary - feedback please
Hello,
We're flying into Portland on Sept. 17th and renting a car to drive up to Acadia. Below is an itinerary I've come up with so far and would love to hear your feedback. Iffy about Boothbay, should we stay in Camden/Rockport area instead?
day 1 - arrive in Portland 11 am, have lunch then depart for New Harbor/Pemaquid. Stay at Hotel Pemaquid. Eat at Shaw's. Visit the lighthouse.
day 2 - Take ferry to Monhegan Island (or should we stay on Monhegan instead?). Return to New Harbor and depart for Southwest Harbor - Acadia. Staying at Acadia Cottages.
day 3 & 4 - Kayak, hike and play in Acadia. Places we'd like to eat at are Thurstan's, Burning Tree or Red Sky, Two Cats, MDI ice cream.
day 5 - depart Acadia and drive down to Boothbay Harbor, stay overnight (not sure where yet - suggestions?) Lobsterman's Wharf.
day 6 - depart Boothbay and return to Portland. Walk around town and dinner at Street & Co.?
day 7 - depart Maine at 10am.
This is our first visit to Maine, so we'd like to experience the most we can of the Maine coast.
I thank you for any advice/suggestions you can offer.
We're flying into Portland on Sept. 17th and renting a car to drive up to Acadia. Below is an itinerary I've come up with so far and would love to hear your feedback. Iffy about Boothbay, should we stay in Camden/Rockport area instead?
day 1 - arrive in Portland 11 am, have lunch then depart for New Harbor/Pemaquid. Stay at Hotel Pemaquid. Eat at Shaw's. Visit the lighthouse.
day 2 - Take ferry to Monhegan Island (or should we stay on Monhegan instead?). Return to New Harbor and depart for Southwest Harbor - Acadia. Staying at Acadia Cottages.
day 3 & 4 - Kayak, hike and play in Acadia. Places we'd like to eat at are Thurstan's, Burning Tree or Red Sky, Two Cats, MDI ice cream.
day 5 - depart Acadia and drive down to Boothbay Harbor, stay overnight (not sure where yet - suggestions?) Lobsterman's Wharf.
day 6 - depart Boothbay and return to Portland. Walk around town and dinner at Street & Co.?
day 7 - depart Maine at 10am.
This is our first visit to Maine, so we'd like to experience the most we can of the Maine coast.
I thank you for any advice/suggestions you can offer.
Jul 18th, 2010, 08:12 AM
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Terrific time of year for this trip, summer tourists are gone...leaf peepers haven't quite arrived yet.
First lunch....Harraseeket Lobster in Freeport, about 25 min from the airport. Pemaquid or Boothbay....I think I would go with Boothbay but for only one night, no biggie. Definitely get up to Acadia on night 2 since you only have 2 days there afterwards, you'll want them to be full days. Last day I'd go with Camden, easier drive and quicker to Portland next afternoon....during heavy tourist season I'd prob say avoid Camden but Sept 23 should be very enjoyable and laid-back.
First lunch....Harraseeket Lobster in Freeport, about 25 min from the airport. Pemaquid or Boothbay....I think I would go with Boothbay but for only one night, no biggie. Definitely get up to Acadia on night 2 since you only have 2 days there afterwards, you'll want them to be full days. Last day I'd go with Camden, easier drive and quicker to Portland next afternoon....during heavy tourist season I'd prob say avoid Camden but Sept 23 should be very enjoyable and laid-back.
Jul 20th, 2010, 01:21 PM
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This is what we've decided, based on your suggestions:
day 1 - arrive in Portland 11 am. Stop on the way to Port Clyde for lunch at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster's. Take the 3:00 ferry to Monhegan and stay at the John Sterling Harbor House.
day 2 - Depart Monhegan Island at 12:30. Head up to Southwest Harbor, Acadia with stop in Camden and/or surrounding area for a late lunch. Staying at Acadia Cottages.
day 3 & 4 - Kayak, hike and play in Acadia. Places we'd like to eat at are Thurstan's, Burning Tree or Red Sky, Two Cats, MDI ice cream.
day 5 - depart Acadia and head to Portland with a stop at Pemaquid Point and/or Boothbay Harbor. Staying at The Chadwick Inn.
day 6 - enjoy a full day in Portland. Eat at Street & Co. for dinner.
day 7 - depart Maine at 10am.
Thank you, thank you for all of your help finalizing our itinerary. Now the waiting begins
.
Lori
day 1 - arrive in Portland 11 am. Stop on the way to Port Clyde for lunch at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster's. Take the 3:00 ferry to Monhegan and stay at the John Sterling Harbor House.
day 2 - Depart Monhegan Island at 12:30. Head up to Southwest Harbor, Acadia with stop in Camden and/or surrounding area for a late lunch. Staying at Acadia Cottages.
day 3 & 4 - Kayak, hike and play in Acadia. Places we'd like to eat at are Thurstan's, Burning Tree or Red Sky, Two Cats, MDI ice cream.
day 5 - depart Acadia and head to Portland with a stop at Pemaquid Point and/or Boothbay Harbor. Staying at The Chadwick Inn.
day 6 - enjoy a full day in Portland. Eat at Street & Co. for dinner.
day 7 - depart Maine at 10am.
Thank you, thank you for all of your help finalizing our itinerary. Now the waiting begins
.Lori
Jul 21st, 2010, 03:15 AM
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MDI ice cream has a new shop on Extension St in Portland. Try to go when they aren't busy so you can ask for tastes. I'm glad I tasted the wasabi ice cream but wouldn't have enjoyed a full serving. LOVED blackstrap banana.
Second TanyaT's recommendation for the view at the top of Mt Battie. One of our favorite picnic spots. The lobster might be cheaper in the Pemaquid Point lobster places than Boothbay but you might enjoy the walk through Maine Coastal Gardens near Boothbay. The lighthouse is another nice spot. But check hours at lobster shacks because some are weekends only after Labor Day when the help goes back to school. (I'm not talking about restaurants.) Another suggestion instead of Pemaquid or Boothbay would be Rockland and Owls Head Light.
Second TanyaT's recommendation for the view at the top of Mt Battie. One of our favorite picnic spots. The lobster might be cheaper in the Pemaquid Point lobster places than Boothbay but you might enjoy the walk through Maine Coastal Gardens near Boothbay. The lighthouse is another nice spot. But check hours at lobster shacks because some are weekends only after Labor Day when the help goes back to school. (I'm not talking about restaurants.) Another suggestion instead of Pemaquid or Boothbay would be Rockland and Owls Head Light.
