My husband and I are looking to spend 3-4 days in Maine the first week in September. A magazine recently recommended staying in Belfast, ME as is it still relatively "off the map". Is anyone familiar with this town? I found a nice place to stay but am wondering if we would be better off staying in Camden or Bar Harbor instead. We are looking for a small town with a cute downtown, cafe/restaurants, some shopping and a nice harbor to watch the ships.

We are a young couple with no kids.

Thanks!

September isn't hectic in Camden and there is a lot more dining and a bit more shopping there, as well as lots more lodging choices. If you want "quiet" you might consider HighTideInn, which is just outside of Camden yet really peaceful. (Not sure if you might be looking at something a little more upscale, however.)
Belfast puts you 30 mins closer to Acadia National Park if you're planning some time there, and still just 30 mins from the dining in Camden. It's a little too laid-back a place for me, not enough to keep busy without day trips, but might be just what you're looking for if you're not too concerned with the dining scene.

Yes, I agree. Belfast is more of a locals town, than a tourist town. With that said it can be nice for a day trip or as a base to travel from maybe. I am not sure you could spend 4 days there. I am not sure where you are from but there are some nice towns in southern Maine too.. Ogunquit or Kennebunkport are very nice. As is Boothbay Harbor. Camden is beautiful and charming... one of my favorites, but is a bit touristy... but you are tourists! So why not. Bar Harbor is beautiful, but very remote and hard to get to for a short visit. Good luck!

Also take a look at Boothbay Harbor since the description of what you're looking for matches it perfectly. Does this look like the pictures you've got in your head? :

http://photos.igougo.com/images/p181...rbor_Maine.jpg

http://img2.photographersdirect.com/.../pd1347622.jpg

Thanks everyone. We are coming from Charleston SC for a wedding in Portsmouth NH and thought to extend the trip a bit. Will check out Camden and Boothbay harbor.

We tend to prefer off the map kind of places. When we stayed in Searsport we made a brief visit to Belfast. It was mid-June and at least one shop was closed because according to the sign "gone fishing". DH wanted a haircut and enjoyed talking with the barber about the area. We don't do much shopping but I think if that is one of your requirements then Camden, Boothbay or one of the southern coastal towns would be more to your liking. Coastal Maine Gardens near Boothbay has a nice walking trail. Our idea of shopping is looking for the best lobster roll. If you like used bookstores, there's a huge one in an old chicken coop right on Rt 1 between Searsport and Ellsworth. Sorry, forgot the name of the town. First floor is all antiques. Second floor is all books.

I wonder about people coming to Maine and wanting to get off the map. It's Maine; we are already off the map! I'd like to suggest Camden, Boothbay Harbor, and Bar Harbor, or something in the southern area, Ogunquit, Kennebuckport....

While you are in Porstmouth (quite a nice place in itself, and my former home), take the scenic 20 minute drive from town to Sea Point beach at Kittery Pointe (Maine). Its the best kept "secret" in the area-- a sand beach, rocky point, rock beach, dramatic at sunrise or sunset (often gets throw-back colors over the ocean). Won't find many tourists there, just lots of locals spending time at their favorite spot.

There is a lobster shack along the way on a lovely little cove.