We will be driving from Boston (Cambridge , so north of the city) to Portland on a monday in September - as our hotel doesn't have check in till 4pm and we will have our 14 month old with us we were thinking of leaving after her morning nap (around 10 am) and stopping once or twice along the way once we got into maine - in say Kennebunkport or Ogunquit or old orchard beach - does it make sense to go off highway the whole way up through Maine (is it scenic and interesting the whole way or are there certain stretches?) - where would be a nice place to stop for lunch? Have a walk around?
Also we plan on spending one or two days exploring Portland with the baby and check out fort williams and 2 lights (does the Lobster shack have high chairs?) - But if anyone has any experience with a toddler in the area any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

My opinion would be to get off RT 95 in NH onto Rt 101 to Hampton Beach and follow Rt 1A North along Ocean Highway and the seacoast from Hampton, thru Rye, to Portsmouth, NH This is the only stretch actually hugs the coast, and then stop and tour Portsmouth, if you want, and continue North on RT 1 to Ogunquit, ME and turn off to the coast and park and walk along the Cliff Walk along the shore.
Further North Maine state RT 9 the coast thru Old Orchard Beach into Portland. Most of the trip thru Maine is near NOT on the coast and you would have to take local roads to get to vantage points on the coast.
Get a good state map or google the towns to see the route.

York is a good place to stop. It is roughly 1/2-2/3 of the way to Portland. You could take in lunch at Maniax Cafe, behind the new RiteAid on Route One. This is a great spot for young families with a relaxed atmosphere, good food and decent prices. A good place for a toddler. Also, York Beach is a great place to take her to run around, or go further down the beach to Short Sands Beach. There's a nice playground and some touristy shops there. Clean. My guess is you'll spend almost the whole day there, you'll like it so much. Enjoy your day!

I'd get off 95 at Kennebunk, and follow route 35 down through Kennebunkport for a nice scenic drive. Follow route 9 all the way through Cape Porpoise to Camp Ellis for lunch( Huot's Seafood or Wormwood's Seafood)...then walk it off nearby at Ferry Beach State Park or at Ocean Park (just before Old Orchard Beach)- beautiful stretches of beach. From Ocean Park you'll have about a 25 min drive to your hotel in Portland.

I hope it's not Labor Day Monday!

I would get a local map, and take all the shore roads available between Hampton and Kennebunkport taking in the views and the diverse architecture of beach homes and gentleman estates, and winding roads.

Just got back from a few days in southern maine, and the chili dog at the Lobster Shack in Perkins Cove, still a winner year after year.

Study a map and tour thru these few towns before heading back on the highway.

Portand is wonderful

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35123608

Safe journey!

g

bookmarking

York is a great recommendation for a place your little one can get out and run around whether it's the beach or the playground. It's a very popular family town. Traditional to watch the salt water taffy machine at the Goldenrod and traditional to buy a box. Also agree with Gyppie Lou that the drive along NH's coast i.e. Rye has beautiful homes. If you want to take a slight detour, after you cross the bridge from Portsmouth NH to Kittery Maine follow the signs to Kittery Point for more lovely homes - also a very quiet little beach. In Portsmouth, Prescott Park across from Strawbery Banke is on the water and provides a nice grassy place to enjoy. We like to have bag chairs in the trunk so we always have a place to sit while we enjoy the view. Rt 1B from there goes thru lovely Newcastle, a very old historic town and past Wentworth by the Sea hotel.