New Hampshire to Maine Coast to Boston - In One Day

On our upcoming foliage trip to New England, we do not have much time in the one week to hit the coast. But having read a lot of the posts on this forum, seems like Kennebunkport, Portsmouth etc are good stops ... On our last day in the region, we have to start driving from Bartlett, NH and drive to Boston ... Just have to reach Boston for overnight as we have an early flight in the morning ... So we were thinking of taking a detour to the coast on the drive to Boston ... How does this sound for a Saturday drive??

Hwy 16 from Bartlett, go South east on 16 till hit 109 .. Then head into Kennebunkport ... Should take about 2.5 hrs ... PLan to start from Bartlett at about 9 AM ...Lunch and afternoon sightseeing in Kennebunkport ... Then take 95 into Boston ... About 1.5 hrs ... Reach Boston by 6 PM ...

If the drive sounds ok (time, distance, traffic etc), please also help with things to do/ must see places in Kennebunkport ... We are interested in scenic photo oppportunities as my husband is a photographer ...

Thanks

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emalloy on Sep 30, 09 at 08:02 AM

Well, the drive into Boston will be at a busy time, even though you are going against the heaviest traffic. Depending on where you are going in the city, watch out for one ways or lane directions, sometimes they change during rush hour and some gps systems don't understand that. Otherwise, this will be ok.
djkbooks on Sep 30, 09 at 09:40 AM

On a Saturday, you should not encounter serious, if any, traffic problems driving into Boston.

If you leave Bartlett on Route 113, then take Route 117 to Route 35 to Kennebunkport, the drive should take only about 2 hours and will be just about as scenic.

Kennebunkport is a charming seaport village, whereas Portsmouth (almost all brick historic buildings) is more a small city on harbor. Both are well worth a visit.

For scenery, you may want to follow the more scenic routes south from Kennebunkport (Atlantic Ave in Wells, Shore Road in Ogunquit, Route 1A in York Beach, etc.). Highly recommend a drive to Nubble Light along the way.

http://lighthouse.cc/capeneddick/

And, in Ogunquit, there's the magnificent Marginal Way walking path along the beach.

There are any number of wonderful lunch spots. And, there are some magnificent spots for dinner in Portsmouth (Rudi's, Jumpin' Jay's Fish, reservations essential for a Saturday), if you don't have to be in Boston by 6PM.
zootsi on Sep 30, 09 at 11:41 AM

Perhaps the most 'real Maine' photo op near Kennebunkport is Cape Porpose, a small fishing village just outside Kennebunkport. Marginal Way in Ogunquit is also very scenic, as is Nubble Light. Portsmouth is fun, but only if you have the time. There is a large parking garage right downtown.
dfrostnh on Sep 30, 09 at 12:42 PM

I think you would enjoy your trip more if you follow zootsi's suggestion for dinner in Portsmouth. Enjoy the scenery while there's still daylight and then have dinner. Unless it bothers you to drive at night into Boston, Portsmouth is only about an hour north.
vibhav on Sep 30, 09 at 10:31 PM

This is awesome!!! We have totally planned our last day using all the great feedback above ... Thanks a lot djkbooks... Also thanks to dfrostnh, zootsi and emalloy ...

We are planning for Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, Wells, Ogunquit and York and the Nubble Light ...

One question - Any suggestions for a vegetarian friendly place for dinner? Hubby does not eat meat or fish ...

Thanks,
Vibhav
djkbooks on Oct 1, 09 at 04:31 AM

Do a search for Portsmouth, NH dining. There are many websites with restaurant listings that include menus (throughout the seacoast area). Most restaurants have wonderful vegetarian offerings or the chef will customize a dish for you.

If you want to do some shopping, Portsmouth is an excellent destination for that!
djkbooks on Oct 1, 09 at 04:39 AM

PS If you have an overnight reservation in Boston you can cancel, you may want to consider staying overnight in Portsmouth instead. There's wonderful live music all about on a Saturday night. You'll see it posted everywhere or in any of the many free publications you can pick up all over.

It's just an hour ride to Logan from Portsmouth, and there will be little traffic early on a Sunday morning.
zootsi on Oct 1, 09 at 10:12 AM

For vegetarian food: In Kennebunkport there is a very good Thai restaurant - Mekong. I would think they have vege dishes.
In Portsmouth, a very good Italian place is Cafe Mediterraneo. I believe they offer vege pasta dishes.
vibhav on Oct 1, 09 at 06:04 PM

Djkbooks that is a great idea ... We would have loved to stay in one of those towns .. unfortunately our flight is at 7:30 in the morning .. mgiht be too tough to drive one hour that early in the morning with a toddler ... Would have loved to do that if the flight had been around 10 or so ..

Thanks zootsi for the Mekog suggestion .. Willd efinitely look it up ...

BISblue on Oct 1, 09 at 08:31 PM

I hope you are staying at a hotel at logan in Boston. A great value is the Comfort Inn and Suites. They have 24 hour van to the airport if you can drop car the night before.

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New Hampshire to Maine Coast to Boston - In One Day

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