A driving trip down the Maine Coast
 

My husband are planning to spend 6 days driving down the Maine Coast at the end of August. We know that we want to spend some time at Bar Harbour and Acadia Park. I would like to go whale watching, hiking and kayaking, but i am not sure where (if any) are the best places to do any of these things. I am also looking for reccommendations of other places to see/stay/eat along the coastline.

Hi,juliasj,

Just so you know, there isn't a scenic road "down the Maine Coast". Route 1 is only occasionally scenic, and often either moving slowly through towns, or through scrubby pine forest.

That said, all the things you have listed are easily done in Bar Harbor/Acadia. Camden is often mentioned as another place people like, and the small city of Portland is a favorite of mine.

~Liz

Should we draw our attention more inland, than focusing on th coast?

That wouldn't be my choice, but it depends on what you want to do. I have spent as much as 10 days at a time in Bar Harbor/Acadia, because spending time outside/hiking is how I like to spend my time.

You can in fact drive pretty close to the coast of Maine but not, as elberko warns you, by staying on any one particular highway.

Maine is shaped like your open hands. The main highway, US 1, generally runs along the base of your fingers, and the Good Stuff is mostly out near your finger tips. You have to go all the way out to the end on one side of the finger and come all the way back on the other.

That being said, this is enormously rewarding. There is a little harbor, a lobster pound, a white clipboard church or salt water farm around just about every corner. Most of these places are inhabited by both natives and people from away, though the people from away are likely to own or rent cottages where they stay year after year, and many of them are very focused on sailing.

You need to buy De Lorme's Maine Atlas and go for it. A GPS. Is useful, but since there is no particular place you are going, De Lorme's is the way to go.

I know the difference between " clipboard" and "clapboard" but apparently Steve Jobs didn't.

I personally would stick to the coastal areas. I do like following the coast on those side roads that come off of US 1. It can slow you down, but it sounds like you've got time to slow down and smell the roses anyway.

August could be hot and muggy inland, with thunderstorms every afternoon. What are you particulars, are you flying in and out of Bangor?

We are from Ohio and planning to drive, hoping to save some money instead of flying and renting a car.