An Aug. Trip To Coastal Maine......
 

WE are planning a one week trip to see the Maine Coast. Are there any "Must See's" or really neat places to stay? We are on a somewhat limited budget but have the time to view the area.
Thanks

Don't even think about not going to Arcadia Natl Park & Bar Harbor. Can't remember places to stay there--we camped many years ago with children; however, it is an absolutely wonderful place. My husband & I are thinking about going back next summer--just us! It might also be interesting to stop over in Freeport, Maine at the LL Bean store--if you've ever shopped from their mailorder catalog. Lobster are fabulous & CHEAP in that area. Enjoy!

Maine is wonderful! My husband and I drove from SC to Portland Maine. We had 10 days but a lot of driving. We stayed in Ogunquit Maine and loved it. It is a coastal town with beautiful coastline, lovely restaurants, and quaint hotels. We stayed at the Colonial Inn. It was reasonably priced and very nice. Huge front porch and rooms were tastefully decorated. The best thing is you park your car and walk everywhere. There is also a trolley stop right in front of the hotel. Wonderful lobster in Perkins cove which is about 1/2 mile walk along a coastal walkway. Ogunquit was one highlight of our trip I only wish we had gone on up to Bar Harbor. Have a great trip!

We took a trip 4 years ago along the coast of Maine. We stopped at Kennebunkport (saw BUSH'S house from the distance). That was a real pretty little town (you can find inexpensive lodging) The outlet shopping in Freeport was great-lots of good deals . The highlight of our trip was Bar Harbor. You should really consider going there. We stayed at the Bar Harbor Inn. Highly reccomend that place. Have fun (the lobster is great and so is the Ben & Jerry's ice cream ).

Go to Portsmouth, NH (lovely seaport), cross the bridge into Maine and drive all along the coast; get off the beaten-track whenever you can; see Kittery Point (outlet shop in Kittery), the Yorks (Nubble Lighthouse), Ogunquit (the beach and Perkins Cove; walk the Marginal Way; have a beer and mussels at Barnicle Billy's), continue on to Kennebunk and Kennebunkport; have lobster at Nunan's in Cape Porpoise; continue to Portland, walk through the Old Port, take a ferry to one (or more) islands in Casco Bay, visit the Portland Art Museum; Freeport now has many, many outlet stores; continue on to Boothbay Harbor. Go as far north as time allows; the coast of Maine is extraordinary, and you cannot see it all in one trip--so go back!

MAINS COASTLINE IS OK-WHY NOT COME TO NEW BRUNSWICK?
WE HAVE THE WARMEST WATERS AND THE BEST BEACHES. LOOK AT THE 'LITTLE SHEMOGUE COUNTRY INN' ON THE NET. YOUR $ LASTS LONGER IN NB.

We just got back from our tenth (I think) visit to Monhegan Island in Maine. It's an hour out to sea from Port Clyde or Boothbay Harbor, no cars, only some old trucks to carry stuff on the island. It's 1/2 mile by 1 1/2 miles - a small "village" and then you can walk on miles of paths through forest to the other side of the island and stand atop cliffs with 150 feet drops. Spectacular. Write if you want more info.

My husband and I are planning a trip to the Maine coast the first week in October. Our itinerary includes a trip to Monhegan Island. I would love more information about the Island, clothes to wear, places to eat and stay. Thanks.

Some other museums in Maine are at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, free, and the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, lots of Wyeths.
Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor are great places for eating lobster in the rough, taking boat rides around the islands and sightseeing in general. Stay outside of Bar Harbor, Southeast Harbor and the rest of the island are much cheaper and less crowded. When in Acadia Natl. Park go to Jordan Pond Rest. for homemade blueberry pie and ice cream.
Also drive up Mt. Cadillac for sunrise or sunset.
Take a ferry to Campabello island and see FDR's summer home.
You can also go inland and visit the mountains, Sunday River in Bethel and Sugarloaf have lots of summer attractions, golf, mountain biking, etc.
or visit Baxter State Park with Mt. Katahdin, the starting point of the Appalachian Trail.
Lots to see and do, get a guidebook and map from AAA if you are a member.

Dennis

Highly recommend that anyone planning a trip to Maine pick up a copy of "Maine, An Explorer's Guide" by Christina Tree. This is a wonderful book that covers everything imaginable.

Where can I get 'Maine, An Explorer's Guide by Christina Tree'?

There's nothing prettier than Coastal Maine. Boothbay Harbor is one of my favorite places. The town is quaint and there are several boating excursions that leave right from the town center -- whale watching, sunset cruises etc. Don't miss the Edgecomb Potters store Hand in Hand in Boothbay Harbor or their gallery in Edgecomb -- it doesn't cost anything to browse. Also visit nearby Ocean Point. Have a great time.