I need some help in planning a quick trip to the coast of Maine. We are flying in to Portland from NC on a Thursday morning and driving over to Lewiston to pick up our son. We have until Sunday afternoon for our visit and excusions. Thought about going north to Bar Harbor for a couple of nights and then back toward Boothbay. After reading some of the wonderful suggestions, I am not to sure...Camden sounds nice, as well as Wiscasset. We do not have alot of time for the activies, just want to hang out, eat some Lobster and visit with our 22 year old.

I'm not a Maine expert, but I have been there 3 or 4 times, everywhere coastal from York to Lubec. I'm also now planning a late June visit to the upper half of the coast, so my thinking cap has been on for a while now. The area around Camden, Rockport, Port Clyde, Bucksport, etc. is one of my favorite areas, so I don't think you could go wrong there. We stayed at the Strawberry Hill Inn, and loved it. I think it was in Rockport, but I'm not positive. Bar Harbor and Acadia are also nice, but quite honestly, no more special in my mind than many other areas. It's a little built up and over-touristed for me. Boothbay is also nice, but I tend to like the more eastern areas because they are less visited. Blue Hill and Deer Isle and beautiful for just hanging out. Anywhere is good for eating lobster, so that's not a problem! I don't know if you want to stay in one place or wander, but if you wander, keep in mind that some of the driving in coastal Maine is slow at times, and some of the towns on the peninsulas take some time to get to.

Thanks for the reply. This was my first time posting a message and I appreciate the help. Looking like 2 days in Bar Harbor with a park visit and one around the Boothbay area. Wher to stay? Leaning towards Harborside and Browns Warf Inn...

The Brown's Wharf Inn (Boothbay) is very lovely for a visit. We have never stayed there, but the ambiance is great, so I imagine the rooms are fine.

If you do get a chance to travel down past Ellesworth and along to Blue Hill and environs, it is terrific and very different from Boothbay/Bar Harbor (which is touristy, for Maine). Plan a side-trip to the Chicken Barn- any local will help you out with this great antique and book store.

here is my trip report for Bar Harbor:

http://marztravels.blogspot.com/2008...-national.html

Hi,

You got to visit Acadia National Park! Hike up the Precipice trail and then go watch the sunset from Cadillac Mt. End the day with a nice meal at the Jordan Pond house with a view of the pond.

Personally, I like Bar Harbor better than Camden. In fact, I love Bar harbor!

We stayed in Boothbay a couple of years back....All are great. I think Bar Harbor had more going on. Camden was lovely and I might lean toward it...

Boothbay is lovely but very crowded. You'll enjoy driving around and finding quieter places to enjoy the scenery. The Maine Coastal Gardens provides a nice walking path thru mostly woods. It's near Boothbay. Some of the best lobster shacks are located out on peninsulas. Despite many trips to Maine we've never eaten at Red's in Wiscasset. Check out the Owl's Head Transportation Museum which usually has some extra activities on weekends (guys usually like planes and cars). Take a short, easy hike to the Owl's Head light for a terrific view. Have lobster and pie at Waterman's Beach, our favorite place to have lobster at a picnic table by the water. From Boothbay it's also a nice drive east from Brunswick to the Harpswell area. Very rural. We ate at Este's which is a good sized casual seafood restaurant on the water. I've seen recommendations for places on Chowhound.com. The Sea Basket in Wiscasset is a popular family place right on Rt 1 but think it may be closed on sundays. But on the drive south from Bar Harbor don't miss the drive up Mt Battie which overlooks Camden Harbor. The view is incredible. We like to have a picnic lunch there. We also like to stop at the 'chicken barn' to browse thru used books.

Thanks for the help. We will be leaving soon and I will remember all the suggestions and let you know what we discover.