Minnie

We are planning a two week trip to Maine in mid-July--our first. We are flying into Bangor and spending five nights in Bar Harbor. Then we plan to stay in Camden and Kennebunkport before driving back to Bangor. The question is should we stay somewhere in between Camden and Kennebunkport, since this is a leisurely trip? If so, where? Newcastle? Boothbay? Portland? Would love to hear from some people who are familiar with the area.
Thanks,
Minnie

elberko

Minnie,

It's hard to give advice without knowing what type of vacation you're planning. Shopping? Antiques? Kayaking? Hiking? Let us know.

betsy256

The natural place to stay between Kennebunkport (which tends to be touristy and crowded) and Camden is Portland. It is a small, lovely, clean, uncrowded, walking-friendly city with lots of restaurants and small shops within a block or two of the waterfront (an active working waterfront). South of Portland are Cape Elizabeth & Portland Head Lights, both of which you've probably seen pictures of. You can walk on the rocky beaches and soak in the ocean's ability to relax you. I could spend days there wandering around.

The natural trip north from Portland is up Route 1 through some small towns into the mecca that is L.L. Bean in Freeport. If you can stand the crowds and outlet stores, it's a neat experience, but it used to be better when all the floors were wooden and creaky and the store was unmodernized!

Belfast is a cool little town north of Camden -- last year they had a painted life-size cow sculpture exhibit throughout the town. We stayed at the Best Western just outside of the town, which has a pool and a walk down a grassy hill to a rocky beach so you can see starfish & other creatures. We enjoyed the undiscovered atmosphere of this small Maine town.

Castine is another beautiful town. Hopefully when you're in Bar Harbor you will spend at least a day in Acadia National Park. Leave early on a day with a fine weather forecast. It is an amazing place -- you go from isolated rocky mountain top to forest to beach ... bring a good camera, as it's amazing.

If I had the chance I'd go to Maine every year, and I've spent many summers there. The natives enjoy the peace when the summer folks leave! Be sure to bring some warm, casual clothes and some bug repellent -- little Maine surprises await!

Minnie

Betsy, Thanks for your suggestions. I'm glad you love Maine. We are anxious to explore it.

Elberko, In answer to your question. We are hikers and photographers. A little bit of shopping is okay. We like sightseeing, basically discovering whatever the area has to offer. I appreciate all recommendations.

dfrostnh

While in Bar Harbor, take time to explore the Blue Hill peninsula. Look for the Blue Poppy which has beautiful gardens to explore. We stayed in Searsport a couple of years ago and I agree that places like Belfast are interesting to explore. I would also recommend checking to see if any events are planned at the small logging museum in Leonard's Mills (outside Bangor near Brewer). They have a beautiful restored saw mill and the opportunity to explore the other part of Maine (logging). The Cole Transportation Museum in Bangor is fascinating.
North of Camden, drive inland for a visit to the Cellar Door Winery. From Camden, make sure to visit the Owl's Head lighthouse in Rockland. It's only a short hike with fantastic views. Then follow the signs to Waterman's Beach for great lobster and picnic tables looking out on the bay. It's a relatively uncrowded area.
I would also recommend exploring the Damariscotta area. You will want to take photographs at Pemaquid Point. Bring some bag chairs and enjoy the ocean. There's also some good lobster places nearby.
You are going to see that south of Portland is far more built up than north. It doesn't take many miles to go from congestion to serene back roads. There is also a small Victorian cottage community near Camden that's pretty hidden. There's a lot of exploring to do. I would eliminate Kennebunkport if you don't like crowds.

Judyrem

Hi Minnie, we are doing an 11 day trip to Maine in late July early August, We are flying into Bangor and saying in Bar Harbor for 5 days, the going to Portland for 3 days(thanks Betty for the info), then heading to Camden for 3 days. Thought about Castine but B&B's were limited. Judy

Judyrem

I meant Betsy ;-)!

elberko

Minnie,

Based on your second post, I'd recommend you try getting off the beaten path. All those little coastal towns are fine, but full of tourists, and maybe not so different from each other.

We're hikers, and spend most of our Maine time in Acadia, but our second favorite Maine area is Deer Isle and Stonington. Feels more isolated and "real". Lots of good hiking and photo ops. You can even take the mail boat from Stonington to Isle au Haut (part of Acadia) for a beautiful day-hike where you'll feel like you're all by yourself.

If that sounds appealing, post and ask for more info.

Minnie

Yes, more information please. Off-the-beaten path sounds exactly what we're looking for. Didn't realize areas south of Portland were so touristy--that's why it helps to get input from people who know the area.

Many Thanks!

mmargaret

I have a recommendation for a very nice family owned place called The Seaside in Kennebunkport Maine. It was very close to the water and the rooms were very Maine like in decor and were decorated beautifully and super clean. It was not right in Kennebunkport but close. They had a wonderful breakfast each morning. Coffee, pastries, cereals. It gets pricey out there in high season.

elberko

Minnie, I found this Web site very useful for Deer Isle:

http://www.deerislemaine.com/

Under accommodations, you'll find a link for Boyce's Motel, which is where we stayed, and would stay again. Very nice little place. There was a decent little restaurant next door, too, which I can't recall the name of...

The mail boat link is there too, but a little hard to find, so here it is:

http://www.isleauhaut.com/

Frommers has a little guidebook for coastal Maine that's pretty useful, also.

Happy planning!

katybird

Another great spot to visit is Monhegan Island 10 miles off the coast.It is known as an artist community where Jamie Wyeth paints and owns a home.It is breathtaking with several hiking trails. You can take a ferry from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor or Port Clyde.
You will fall in love with Maine! We go to Maine every year and always discover something new.
Have a good trip.

clarkgriswold

If you have two weeks, I would definitely fit in Boothbay, and you might also want to get away from the coast and explore one of the lakes regions, Sebago or Belgrade or up around Lucerne.

Clousie

Minnie,

Sounds like we enjoy the same activities and I definitely agree with elberko"s and katybird's suggestions.

Stonington is a great place to stay. They do roll up the sidewalks up early because it's primarily a fishing town and comes very much alive about 4 am. Not sure if it's still there, but we stayed at a lovely B&B, called Ocean View. For something quite different, you can stay at the Keeper's House, an old lighthouse on Isle au Haut. We also went to a nature preserve in the area, but I can't seem to find the name. At low tide, we were able to walk out to an island from there.

There are many small islands that are great for day trips. Katybird already mentioned Monhegan, but Acadia National Park also runs some trips to islands or there are private ferries. We always love the trip from SW Harbor to Swan's Island. We rent bikes in SW and explore the wonderful beaches, etc there away from most of the tourists.

Personally, I'd definitely avoid Kennebunkport, Portland and even Bar Harbor from what you said. Of course, since you haven't been there, and Bar Harbor is the main entrance to the park, you'll probably want to go there, but suggest you may want to stay in SW Harbor. We stayed at Harbour Woods which were clean cabins with small kitchens.

Please ask if I can answer anything else.

Minnie

Thanks to everyone for all of your ideas and information. I am much better prepared to plan this trip now. If I have any questions I know where to find answers.

mainetoday

Here's another idea. If you really want to stay away from the crowds and have a rental car. Why not drive along the coast, north of Bar Harbor, there's another 150-250 miles of driving you know. All the way up to Calais, Machias, Eastport, Lubec, etc. Lot's of historic routes and stops along the way. Beautiful rural settings and scenary, with plenty of places to stay. My recommendation is a nice little place about 7 miles south of Calais on Rte. 1 called the Downeaster Hotel. It is small and quant, it's centrally located to all the areas attraction and it's right on the ocean. Plus it has a total Maine feel to is. I think the website is:
http://www.calais-maine.com/downeast/downeast.htm

Good luck and have fun, I think they list local activities right on their site.