The Southern Coast of Maine 3 nights

Old Jul 28th, 2015, 06:51 AM
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The Southern Coast of Maine 3 nights

Hello, I will be driving up the Southern coast of Maine with my husband and toddler in mid Sept, starting with a visit with a friend in Kittery. We will have 3 nights (Fri-Sun), then hit NYC on Monday sometime. Most travel forums say to visit locations south of Kittery (Portsmouth, Ipswich, Gloucester, Manchester by the Sea (MA). Going north, I would also like to visit Ogunquit and Kennebuckport/Old Orchard Beach. This isn't much northern driving--but considering my 3 night window of time would anyone recommend a must see further north. To note, we will mostly be taking walks along viewpoints (Coolidge) and coves (Crane Beach), possibly a lighthouse (Nubble) and castle tour (Hammond) with some necessary food stops! If you think I already have enough viewpoints on my itinerary please let me know--and if you have an itinerary recommendation (stops and where to stay each night on a budget) that would be awesome!
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 08:14 AM
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There's only about 40 mins of roadway between Kittery and Kennebunkport so I'm not sure why you'd want to stay in 3 different places on a 3 night trip. Or maybe I'm not understanding....are you planning on going as far north as Old Orchard and then have 3 days to travel down towards New York, stopping all along the way................?
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 10:17 AM
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I'm thinking of staying in Kennebuckport for 2 nights--to visit Old Orchard and Ogunquit area. Then I plan to drive south of Kittery (Gloucester area)--to explore Hammond Castle and Ipswich. I will stay the night there, and Monday morn drive south to Manchester by the Sea-->then head to NYC later that afternoon.

Does that sound like a good plan? Is there enough to see with 2 nights in Kennebuckport area? I realize I'm not covering much mileage, and would be open to recommendations to drive further north! (Bar Harbor is a bit far, eh?)
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 10:31 AM
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The beach is nice at Old orchard but really not much there in mid-Sept for toddlers. I think the boardwalk/rides etc are mostly geared to teens and it's rather honky tonky. Ocean Park just south of O O B is a good place if you're just looking for wide expanses of beach/sand.

But I think you'll find Goose Rocks Beach at Kennebunkport all that you'll need. There is mini golf nearby, playgrounds etc. Fontenay Terrace Motel is a good choice for budget lodging...though prices mid-Sept in Kport look a bit higher than Ogunquit, maybe there is an "event" of some sort or some bus-tours invading.

Yes Bar Harbor is too far especially with a toddler, if you want a day drive maybe consider Cape Elizabeth/Two Lights Park, or maybe out around the Sebago Lakes region or the Shapleigh Lakes area....though I think you'll find plenty to amuse yourselves at York/Nubble light.....The Marginal Way in Oqunquit, Kennebunkport, downtown Kennebunk, Cape Porpoise for lobster lunch etc.
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 10:58 AM
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Thanks. There is also the possibility of just heading south on the ME coast, and then spending a little more time exploring MA and RI (instead of bypassing them altogether to get to NYC). Do you have an opinion on that? I'm guessing coastal drives through MA and HI would take way too long to get to NYC by Monday.
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 11:19 AM
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"I'm guessing coastal drives through MA and HI would take way too long to get to NYC by Monday."

Hawaii is rather out of the way, driving from MA to NYC. Perhaps you could stop in Newport, RI for lunch.
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Old Jul 28th, 2015, 01:45 PM
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If the idea is to relax a bit and to have the toddler enjoy the ocean, your southern Maine plan is good because it's the best time of year to visit there. You don't ever want to go near Ogunquit/Kennebunkport in July or August as far as I'm concerned. You have everything you need nearby but could take afternoon drives to the lakes, or into Portland if by some chance you feel bored.

Other than Cape Cod I haven't spent much time exploring the Mass coast so I'm of no help there.
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Old Jul 29th, 2015, 01:56 AM
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York Beach is a popular family destination. There's a playground area as well as the beach near the Goldenrod where we always used to stop to watch the taffy pulling machine. It's a long walk but we also used to walk up to Nubble Light from there and get ice cream.

The coastal route thru Rye NH is a pretty drive. You can start out on Rt 1B near Prescott Park in Portsmouth NH and then connect with Rt 1A. There are some fabulous ocean "cottages" plus Wallis Sands Beach. It continues to Hampton Beach.

Ask your Kittery friend about Fort Foster. I have a Maine friend who takes her dog to the beach. Not sure if this is the one. Sounds like a nice place to picnic according to trip advisor.
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