road trip from NC to Maine in Sept.

Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:24 AM
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road trip from NC to Maine in Sept.

I am retiring after 31 years of teaching in public schools. I want to see some of this beautiful country. I live in Texas and will be traveling with friends to NC. My husband and I would like to drive up to Maine. I want to eat fresh lobster. I like see the back roads and eating in local not fancy places. I also want to stay in a small Maine cabin on the water. We have a week to explore. Any suggestion would be so helpful.
Valarie
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:27 AM
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It's approximately 1,000 miles from NC to ME (you don't say where you'l be in NC, or how far north you want to get in Maine). So with only a week, are you talking about finishing in Maine and then flying home, or driving back to NC?
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:30 AM
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It will take probably 3 days to drive NC to ME, does the week start when you get up there?
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 12:06 PM
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If you stick to highways you can do the trip to ME in 2 very long days and the driving can be ugly at times. If you want to take the smaller back roads then the whole week will be spent getting there with no time at the water.

You are a little late for this year in finding the small cottage by the water this summer, but you might be lucky and get a cancellation.

You need to answer the questions, about the travel time and how you plan to get home.

Perhaps fly to Manchester NH then rent a car and drive to Maine on the back roads
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 12:25 PM
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Stick to southern Maine. For the drive you will have to decide if you haul yourself quickly on the interstates - and if you go to southern Maine you really could make it in a single day with 2 drivers and 12-14 hours (we regularly drove north of Boston to Greensboro NC area in 1 brutal day) or meander along other roads and take 3 days. (I vote for hauling along the interstate)

Look at AirBnB or VRBO in towns of Wells, Ogunquit, York, Kennebunk - as far north as Biddeford. Most summer rentals are Sat PM to Sat AM - hoping in September you can find one for less time.

Or look in Portland area (then you will need 1 1/2 days drive, even on interstate). Portland while a city has some cute outlying areas and the city itself has some nice shops and restaurants. Several authentic New England lighthouses within a short drive.

Even in September, the coast of Maine can be busy. If it is solitude you want, you are talking about inland Maine on a lake - not as familiar with those areas and obviously, no cute lobster shacks on lakes.

Book lodging, then we can work on the rest of the trip.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 05:34 PM
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I can highly recommend going as far as Acadia National Park. It is definitely pretty, especially Sandy Beach and Cadillac Mountain.
A friend of mine is renting a cabin up there this summer.
Ogunquit is worth a stop to walk the Marginal Way. York has a pretty lighthouse. We also stopped in Kennebunkport because we have memories of George H. W. Bush's retreats there when he was President. Which route are you taking? Are you going from the Outer Banks? It would to know from where in NC you are coming from.
If you are taking I-95, it will pass through Washington DC. So, I don't know if you want to stop there.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 12:19 AM
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I love Bar Harbor and Acadia - but they only have a week. That is why I stopped their adventure in southern Maine.

Add another 4-5 days, and go to Acadia?
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Old May 24th, 2017, 02:50 AM
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Last year we rented an ocean front cabin in Rockland. Although right on Rt 1, there's a long driveway in so the cottages feel secluded. Very old-fashioned and rustic. It looks like there are some dates available in September.
http://oaklandseashorecabins.com/

We overlooked a tiny beach. Rockport is north of Rockland and very quaint but Rockland is a large town with a busy harbor. If you go east of Rockland there are two lobster shack type places but after labor day might be open weekends only. Our new #1 favorite is McLoons which is only closed on Wednesdays in Sept and Oct. https://mcloonslobster.com/

Closer to the cabin is Claws. Just a drive-in type of place with a covered porch overlooking the industrial part of Rockland Harbor. Great lobster burgers (think giant crab cake except made with lobster and not much else besides butter). I loved the chowder sampler but dh thought they had too much seasoning/herbs.

Yes, you would need at least one overnight on the road. When ds was young, he and a friend made the drive from Camp Lejeune to NH in about 14 hours and only one or two speeding tickets. Rockland would be another several hours. We really don't care for southern Maine although I have spent some long weekends there with friends and it's ok for a day trip. We prefer the mid-coast area. This year we are doing VRBO cottage near Damariscotta but it's not on the water. You should check listings though.

One time exploring backroads in the Camden/Rockland area, trying to find some wineries, we happened upon Morse's Deli. That was fun. Another year we saw a sign for a benefit lobster dinner for local FD. Nothing more local than that! Long tables under a canopy. But it was probably June. You might get lucky in September on a Saturday night. Check local newspapers when you get there. To us, it's worth it to go north of Portland. Should you be there on the right weekend, the Maine Organic Farmers have a hugely popular Common Ground Fair but it's in Unity (inland from Camden area). Great workshops, craft tents, local food, etc. No midway type of things but interesting old fashioned play areas for children.

When you get tired of lobster, try the fried clams.
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Old May 25th, 2017, 06:26 PM
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September is a beautiful time to visit Maine. Take a few more days if you can...you'll be able to visit both the sandy beach areas in the southern part of the state and the rocky midcoast area or even Acadia. When you mentioned a cabin, were you meaning lakeside or on the ocean?
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Old May 26th, 2017, 09:14 AM
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Hi-I am in NYC and am currently planning a return trip up to Maine in July. I have found lots of options on Air BNB and Home Away. I loved walking around Long Pond in Acadia and then having drinks and popovers (a specialty, for some reason) at the restaurant on the lake. ALso loved the bookstore/center called THe Naturalist's Notebook in Seal Harbor.
Abel's Lobsters in Acadia is off the beaten path but was really fun.
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Old May 26th, 2017, 03:05 PM
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There is a "Long Pond" in Acadia, but Jordan Pond is the one with a trail around it, and the location of Jordan Pond House restaurant. The trail is scenic, but approx. half of it is on boardwalks--not my favorite.
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