Boston to Maine in August
 

Hello all,

I will be taking my wife to Maine for our 17th anniversary this August (9th through 12th), on a Saturday through Tuesday. We will be flying into Boston to begin the trip, and we have never been to Maine.

We don't want to be too rushed, so anything but southern Maine will be out of the question this trip. I know she will want to visit Freeport (L.L. Bean) and Kennebunkport (I know I butchered that name!).

Here's my questions:

1) What other attractions should we see in this area?

2) What cities do you recommend staying in? Portland? Freeport?

3) We would like to see some of the rocky coast with lighthouses. Where are some nice lighthouses?

Thanks in advance for any information!

Duane

My recommendation would be to stay in Kennebunkport or Ogunquit (most places require three-night minimum stays in July and August) and book soon for the best choices. From Ogunquit, it's only an hour drive to Freeport (but I'd save that for a weekday), which is definitely worth the trip (there are sale prices at the store you never seen in the catalogs with better selection than the outlets). You can take the leisurely scenic drive, and explore Portland on your way back to wherever you're staying.

One of the prettiest lighthouses is Nubble in York (there are dozens of websites with locations and driving directions), which is only 1/2 south of Ogunquit.

There's plenty to keep you busy in Kennebunkport/Ogunquit, both of which are chock full of fine dining. Of particular interest in Kennebunkport are all the magnificent art galeries. Ogunquit has the breathtaking Marginal Way for strolling.

Highly recommend a table on the deck at Jackie's Too in Perkins Cove. Nothing like a fine lobster roll right next to the lapping waves with the seagulls all about. For fine dining in Ogunquit, our favorite is Hurricaine.

For your anniversary dinner, you may want to consider The White Barn Inn (they have a website) if you can get in.

If you are going to take your wife to Freeport you could stay two blocks away at the harakeet Inn (they have a few great package deals including dining and one even includes a certificate for L.L.Bean).(two blocks from L.L.Bean).and one day take the short ride down to Portland (there is an L.L. Bean outlet in Portland) and see the new area at the port. There is the Desert of Maine which we found fascinatinga few years ago.
You could always go on a whale watch or harbor tour..and of course lots of lobster and seafood shacks.. In Portland there is a museum which is getting raves. BTW I'll be doing this trip the first week in June..lol TheWhite Barn Inn is THE place, but be prepared to leave your "first born"..lol

Kennebunkport really is the place to stay, based on what you're looking for. It's a lovely town with plenty of places to stay in all price ranges, it's well within 2 hours of Boston, and you've got lots and lots of options, depending on the weather and what you feel like doing. The town itself has lots of shops and restaurants, the ocean beach is a short walk from downtown, and cities like Portland, Portsmouth (NH), and Freeport are all within an easy drive.

Thanks for all of the replies! Looks like Kennebunkport is the place to stay. Does anyone have any recommendations of places to stay in Kennebunkport?

Thanks!

Duane

DJK, you were lucky if you had a good meal at Jackies Too.

We ate lunch there because they had old Jack & Marion's memorabilia on the wall(n and we knew that place well).

The location and view are superb. My wife had the worst lobster rool of our trip there and my fish sandwich turned out to be an dry piece of frozen fish...awful!

On a happier note, I second a stop at Nubble light (http://www.lighthouse.cc/capeneddick/) and reccomend a stop a Brown's Ice cream close to the light. Their ice cream is wonderfull...mmmm.