Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

Thanks for your report!

Wonder if you live in Boston area or just began a trip there. Yes, that heavy traffic can be a problem...would some dare call the interstate an expressway or freeway? We have discovered the Maine coast on several trips, recently our first time in Portland. Not a Bar Harbor devotee with the commercialism. Our destination was basically Boothbay Harbor area.

I just returned from coastal Maine - Bar Harbor down US 1 to
Ogunist. Acadia National Forest was a beautiful view on a clear day. Jordan's Pond for popovers and a wonderful pumpkin soup mid afternoon - no crowd - no hurry - just a wonderful view. Bar Harbor - Cafe this way - is the breakfast place !!
The town was busy as 2 cruise ships were in - try the Atlantic Brew Co for there tasting and Blueberry Ale - very interesting and refreshing. Also, Pumpkin beer in October you have to try. Our trip continued to Camden (what a beautiful town) our trip on the schooner Surprise was a delightful -peaceful - trip along with history and charm of the couple who own and sail. Lunch at Marriner's diner - another lobster roll - (huge) we shared it and sat on the deck outback and overlooked the harbor. The shops in Camden are full of wonderful items made in Maine - and nice and courteous sales staff. Next up to Beatie Mt at the State Park just outside of town - what a VIEW - this was well worth the $4.50 per person fee -- we could see Cadillac Mt
from there. It was a perfect day. I too thought Camden was a delightful town and could have stayed longer. However, we wanted to see more of the coast. On to Boothbay - and the Coastal Botanical Gardens. Another beautiful surprise - only 5 years old and what a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Boothbay was interesting and the oneway streets make it even so. Shopping and harbor viewing and then on we head to Wiscasset -Red's had a line so we opt for the shack on dock across the street -- wonderful Lobster and corn - beautiful afternoon sitting by the water. Onward to Wells for the night. We found a nice family owned hotel ($60) on the causeway - clean - and the daughter ran the restaurant - nice breakfast for $6 - then off to Ogunist - York. Beaches - shops - lighthouses. Afternoon back up to Kennebuck Port and Dinner at Federal Jacks - nice view of the port and great burger. We continued on to S Portland to spend the night -
Spent this last day with seeing Two Lights /Portlands Waterfront - and driving through the Art District - then with the drizzle of the rain - we girls decide to head to Freeport to shop - when the day goes sour " Girls Go Shopping" . After a few hrs of LL Bean and others we decide to head in to spend the night at Portland Airport area and turn our car in - staying at the Hilton Garden Inn and arriving at the airport early - one more Lobster Roll at Shipyard - we head South back to Augusta, GA -- with happy thoughts of a wonderful week in Maine - and looking forward to another trip soon.

Ozarksbill,
I notice you mention that you don't like Bar Harbor because of its commercialism. Thought I would suggest that if you go to Acadia NP again, you might like Southwest Harbor. We stayed at the Inn at Southwest Harbor several years ago & really enjoyed it. SH is smaller & quieter & much less touristy than BH.