My soon-to-be-husband and I have decided we want to take our honeymoon to Boston and spend about 4 days there and then drive up to Portland, Maine and spend a few days there. We are getting married August 1st and so we will fly out the morning of August 2nd. Neither of us has ever been to this area, so we are looking for some fun things to do while we're there, or if anyone has done this before and has a suggested itinerary. We have a relatively small budget, but we love to splurge on good food. We also enjoy finding areas that are off the beaten path and unique, as well as museums, bookstores, good coffee, anything like that. We only have a short time but we want to see all that both areas have to offer!

I would do the Sam Adams brewery tour in Boston-from the reviews it look like fun, plus its free!

we spent a weekend in Portland just htis past October. It's a great food city, with so many terrific restaurants and bars. My favorite of the trip was a Greek place called Emilitsa, and the next runner up was Eventide Oyster Bar. We also had terrific Chinese for lunch at Empire.

Portland has a terrific art museum. They also own the studio on Prout's Neck where Winslow Homer painted several of his best seascapes. We took a guided tour out there. You sign up at the musuem website, then meet at the museum. A van drives you and maybe 10 other people out to the stuido where you can see the house, and walk down on the rocks by the sea and actually recognize some of the spots he painted. I found it very enjoyable. I also recommend a stop at Portland Head Light for the scenery. It was offseason when we went, but there is a well reviewed lunch truck serving lobster rolls there, it would be a great place to hang out, enjoy the view and have a picnic.

I would think you should spend some time outside of the cities, since its August maybe you want a beach day or too? You could go someplace like York Beach or Ogunquit either as a day trip from Portland, or spend a night or two on the way.

There's tons to do in Boston. The obvious big things like walking the freedom trail, or visiting the museum of fine arts....a couple favorites...the Isabella Stewart Gardener museum is small and a real treat. You could take a boat ride to the Boston Harbor Islands and walk around a bit, as well as get some great views of the city. You could take a whale watch cruise. You could take the ferry to Provincetown as a day trip. It's baseball season, you could take in a game at Fenway Park. (actually, if baseball interests you, the Red Sox minor league affiliate plays in Portland). If architecture is your thing, get a walking tour of the MIT campus...it has an AMAZING variety of interesting architecture by very famous architects (IM Pei, Gehry, Saarinen are all represented). The JFK Library is in a scenic spot, reachable by public transit, and is really quite interesting. If you have a couple of hours to spare, I recommend a docent tour of the Boston Public Library, particularly to see the John Singer Sargent murals on the top floor.

The best dining in Boston is actually across the river in Cambridge these days. Oleana, Craigie on Main, Alden & Harlow, West Bridge, Puritan&Co...these are some of the most interesting places to dine and all in Cambridge. There is good food to be had in Boston too, of course...Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore square is the first thing that comes to mind.

Hope this helps!

If the Sox are in town , then Fenway is a must. Get to the ballpark early since they close down the street and its a great street party. Omni Parker hotel is a great place to stay easy to get anywhere from this hotel.

I would consider splurging on Michelle Topor's food tour of Boston's North End. It incldes a lot of history and food samples You can skip lunch and budget elsewhere.

Agree with above recommendations esp Kennedy Library.

Find a lobster shack within easy drive of Portland. Maybe Five Islands for the scenery. Have not been to Portland farmers market but would suggest it. If anthing frsh blueberries and locally made yogurt for a snack.
Yes, the Bite Into Maine food truck is good at Fort Williams Park. Fantastic view of Casco Bay.

Search other Maine and Boston recommendations for more info And check Yankee Magazine's website.

Thank you all so much! These really help and I am getting so excited!