1st trip to Maine
 

My husband and I want to rent a house in Maine. We will be driving from Kentucky so don't want to drive all the way to the north end of the state. Probably a little north of Portland would work though. We have no preferences on towns but would like to be on the ocean. We like to antique, play golf, and view beautiful scenery. We love to visit restaurants and cook in. We are not in to hiking. Can anyone suggest some towns that I can investigate renting a house?

Bar harbor is one of my personal favorites, though about 3 hours from Portland. There are shops, a golf course, nice views. You could also check out Kennebunkport, 40 minutes from Portland. It is a small town on the water where you once again have shops and there are places to golf. Good luck!

Take a look at Sheepscot Harbour Village Resort and Spa and Water'e Edge Banquet and Function Faciliy, formerly known as The Sheepscot River Inn and as the Edgecombe Inn (about twenty years ago when we use to stay there)

I have a feeling that, given their current name, they no longer charge $49 per night, and they seem to have as the song goes:"Pave paradise and put up a parking lot" but the location hasn't changed and they still rent cottages, albeit not of the former rustic kind.

http://www.midcoastshvr.com/

Mark

Look at the Willard Beach area near South Portland, or Cape Elizabeth, or maybe "Pine Point" about 20 mins south of Portland.
If you're looking for this July or August, however, I'm afraid it will be slim pickings at this point in time.

We just spent 2 nights at Oakland Cottages in Rockport ME. Cabins are very rustic, tiny rooms but adequate. Each come with Adirondack chairs, fire pit and grill right on the ocean. Kitchenette has dorm size fridge (no freezer), 2 burner stove, tiny sink but good assortment of dishes and pots and pans. No tv. I used cellular service for my iPad. Rockland has a nice farmers market (next town south).

Portland, Brunswick, and Boothbay all have nice farmers markets once a week. I'm sure there are others.

Friends do an annual rental at Quahog Inn in Harpswell ME that is on the water and is like a small apartment. We love the Harpswell area (east of Brunswick) but it is very rural. A few great restaurants but also a longer drive to shops and stores.

I would start on VRBO looking at Brunswick, Harpswell, Bailey's Island, Orr's Island, Bath, Wiscasset, Boothbay (not just Boothbay Harbor), Damariscotta, Rockland, Rockport, and Camden.

Be aware that "on the water" does not mean "swimming" and that many rivers are indistinguishable from the ocean. This is fjord country, though they don't call them that.

The coast of Maine is very long, with scores of little towns near the water. If you want long sandy beaches and water you can swim in, look at towns south of Portland like York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport. As you get above Portland, the coast is rockier with colder water. The towns listed above are all good choices. We rented a house on Bailey's Island several years ago and loved it. Pemiquid is another beautiful spot.

I so appreciate all your replies. Since I have never been to Maine, city names really help me. I am going to check out VRBO and Home Away and now I will have a focus.

If your dates are flexible, September will be much less touristy-crowded than July or August, and you'll be much more likely to secure a tee-time or two.