Hi! Brand-new member here. I've been doing a lot of reading about coastal Maine, and would like to hear from the experts...those of you who have been/live there! We are flying in to Boston at the end of the month, and driving directly into Maine. We have only 3 nights. I was thinking Kennebunkport, Camden, Boothbay Harbor (in that order - since we have to get back to Boston for our flight out). Boyfriend says he is happy to drive 3-4 hours per day (I'm a little worried that's too much drive time). I am worried that if we miss Bar Harbor/Acadia, that we're missing something huge. Are we? And if so, what itinerary would you suggest? We could try Boothbay Harbor, Bar Harbor, Camden...but I worry that's too much driving. Maybe I worry too much! Ideas/suggestions from you, please? Thanks!

I certainly am no expert, but did a coastal trip in Maine three years ago.
We flew in to Portland, drove to Boothbay Harbor & stayed at a lovely inn off the beaten path (if you're interested in it, let me know & I'll look up the name). It was lovely with an in room 2 person whirlpool tub... very nice location on the bay.... very romantic.
Next day we ventured up to Bar Harbor walked around town and stayed at Bar Harbor Inn. Again, lovely accomodations
oceanfront.
We spent the 3rd day just touring Acadia, and I wouldn't have missed that for anything! It's beautiful. I would have liked 3-4 days just in the park.
Biking portions of it would have been great. We just didn't have the time, and wanted to see as much as possible, so we drove.
Camden Harbor is lovely. We stopped there on our way back to Portland, but didn't stay, just shopped & ate. Also a beautiful spot.
I guess your itinerary depends upon how many days you have... I would suggest plenty of time, at least 2-3 days at Acadia.
Happy trails!!

Hi! Welcome. I am fairly new, but this site gets addictive. I would suggest Camden as your home base. It is a delightful, small, charming seacoast town with great restaurants, shops, and an interesting harbor. From there, you can travel north on Route One, which follows the ocean for most of the way. There are many interesting towns along the way, Lincolnville, Belfast, etc. Eat at Young's Lobster Pound in the Belfast area. There is a small sign on the highway. It is very rustic, but they have the best lobster. The Lincolnville Lobster Pound is great, as is Chez Michael. In Camden, try the Waterfront Restaurant and Cappy"s Chowder House. Again, heading north on 1 you can end up in Acadia National Park. It is not to be missed! Driving down the other side of the peninsula is Schoodic Point also wonderful. The town of Bar Harbor is worth visiting. Three days is not much time. One should be in the Camden area. Also you can drive to Rockland from Camden in twenty minutes or less. It has a nice harbor and downtown area. One day will have to be for Acadia, Schoodic Point, Bass Harbor and other locations in the area. Check your map. You could do Boothbay Harbor on the third day. I think it is under an hour. We always make stops along the way. There are always quaint harbors, shops, etc.
Let me know if have other questions. We are not experts in the area, but have visisted twice for a week each and hope to return again in the Spring. Hope you have a great time.

Sorry tarapup, I overlooked the fact that you were only there for 3 noghts.
That's the amount of time that my husband and I had and our itinerary was not rushed at all, very leisurely and the only regret was not more time at Acadia.
There's not a whole lot to do in Boothbay, except eat fresh lobster OF COURSE! It was really restful and fun to hang out our first night there.
We had 2 nights at Bar Harbor Inn and then did the long drive to the airport the last morning.
Hope this helps!

Wow - thanks for the quick replies! We are bound to the 3 nights (can't add more time to the trip for various reasons, and the flight is booked), and committed to flying in and out of Boston. After about 5 hours of plane/travel time (we arrive at about 3:30 p.m. in Boston), I'm thinking we won't want to drive much that first evening, which is why I picked Kennebunkport for our first night's stay. But, it sounds like Acadia is not to be missed...I also have my heart set on Camden. We are planning to get up and go/find a new spot each day. And, the more I read about Boothbay Harbor, the more I think we should see that, too! Yikes! How to choose?? And makai1, I would love to have the name of the place where you stayed - sounds like just the ticket. Romance is in the air...at least I hope it is!

Just a thought. Sparhawk on the ocean or Sea Chambers in Ogunquit. Then after a leisure morning of walking the beach and marginal way, head to Bar Harbor for 2 nights of exploring then high tail it back, if you have a later flight, you could always stop on your way to the airport at another spot.

Hi tarapup,

The inn we stayed at in Boothbay Harbor is called the Spruce Point Inn. Check it out at sprucepointinn.com.

How long would it take you to get from Boston to Boothbay on the day you fly in. That might work out nice for you if it's not too far.

You'll love this inn, especially if you want to relax after driving.

Happy planning!

I have to agree with the other posters...I thought Boothbay was just "so-so"...but loved the big LLBean store in Freeport! Also, you cannot go to Maine without somehow, someway seeing Acadia. The top of Cadillac Mountain is worth the drive alone!

WE just got back--for 3 days I think you should think of staying in Pemaquit and driving to Kennebunlport and camden.The Bradley INN is excellent--and eat at the small restaurant at the lighthouse for breakfast--lunch is a must at Shaws in New Harbor, and the Bradley does a gourmet dinner thats great.I love Kennebunkprt though, we stayed at the Cape arundel Inn, right on the water overlooking the Bush Compound.If you want a nice relaxing stay, pemaquit is the place