First time to Maine: non-touristy possible?
 

Hi, planning an extended weekend for 6 adults. Driving from Boston.
Looking for a reasonably quiet coastal town with decent restaurants.
Am I asking for the impossible?

Thank you

In August you're probably asking the impossible, after Labor Day you can take your pick.

Best bet in August is probably Cape Porpoise just north of Kennebunkport, or maybe Harpswell.

Cross Camden, Boothbay, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Bar Harbor and the likes off your list. Harpswell is beautiful and rural but close to Brunswick. If you can find lodging, that would be a great option. After eating at the Dolphin Marina restaurant we found a hard-to-find nature preserve kind of beach where we got out our bag chairs and binnoculars and enjoyed almost a desserted beach. A few guys fishing, some families enjoying the water. Even Rockland has some waterfront parks that aren't very busy.

By decent restaurants do you mean good food/family style places like the Sea Basket in Wiscasset or more upscale like Primo in Rockland?

Have you thought about inland Maine and the Lakes? Sebago? Bethel, Sabbaday Lake (Shakers)?

Hi, Thank you.

Since this is our first visit, we would like to stay on the coast. We are not huge beachgoers so that is not a requirement.

Looking for lobster/seafood shacks and beautiful scenery.

Will look into Cape Porpoise & Harpswell.

Thanks,
S

The main highways in Maine (pun recognized) generally follow the coast, while the scenery is on long peninsulas that jut out into the water (usually a bay rather than the open Atlantic.)

If you have good maps (DeLorme's Maine Atlas is available in most bookstores in cities) you can follow the myriad little roads that meet the water, beginning in the Brunswick area and ending in Camden or Rockland. Many of these will lead you to lobster pounds, and if you are lucky, you may be there in church supper season and get to eat a lot of blueberry pie.

we wnet to Maine 3years ago, first time and loved it.We stayed at the Bradley Inn http://bradleyinn.com/ 2 nights--its on Pemaquid Point, easy walk to light house and great restautarant in house,really fit for a foodie.There are other equally good within a mile or so.On had deep fried lobster,but can recall name. i think it might have been Shaws--right on the water Agree that mots of the usual suspects, camden,Bar Harbor et all will be full, but dont know about the Bradley Inn.

Pemaquid is another good suggestion. Nearby Damariscotta can be busy but nothing like Camden. It's a pretty town. The lighthouse is another good place to sit and enjoy the view. I think there are at least two good choices for lobster shacks as mentioned by bigbomoho. Also agree with Akislander to use the DeLorme guide if you're afraid of getting lost and to check into any church suppers. Last year we lucked out and followed signs for a lobster benefit supper for a local fire dept after leaving Owls Head Transporation Museum. Long tables under a tent. Your choice of mussels or crabs to go with the lobster, sides for $17.95. Pie was extra. DH opted for another lobster.

PS---as menioned by dfrost, the Pemaquid lighthouse ia about a 10 minute walk from the Bradley.If you go there it has a very nice beach/park area,with a nice rock formation for wave action.You could just sit on the beach,under tree shade,and while away the time watching for whales.There was a very quaint breakfast place right near the park, on the water, that has a great view of the water--we actually saw a whale over breakfast.Enjoy!!Also,you can just eat at the Bradley too, if you cant get in--but you have to make a reservation

sorry for the multiple posts,but we really loved our trip and hope you find a great place.We also stayed in Kennebunkport as well, at the Arundel Inn---right on the water and again very good food.Plus theres lots of places to eat nearby--but most likely be pretty full of folks.My experinece getting places to stay at the last minute is go to a high end place,especially in todays economy.In Camden,we stayed at the Norumbega http://norumbegainn.com/, it was a fantastic place to stay,but a little high.Its a castle overlooking Camden harbor,and has very nice ground to just sit and talk--sorry again for too much info

I've been recommending Pemaquid Light and the Bradley Inn, too, to many people. There's a little gew-gaw plus ice cream plus sandwich shop next to the light, but that's about as touristy as it gets. The Bradley Inn is a bit upscale, but gracious and pretty with good kitchen.

Those who suggest puttering along the roads east/south/shoreward from Rte. 1 are generally right, but because so much is privately owned, you may have trouble getting to the actual shore (mostly rocks) except around lighthouses.

Cyanna---yeah we loved it--kind of laid back but the BB is excellent.That sounds like the place we had breakfast,but it seemed like it was there forever--had alot of character--way more than an ice cream shop--maybe its gone.We were there during that near hurricane back in 2003, and man those waves were just crashing on the rocks at the light--was i right about Shaws??

Missed the lobster, coulda been Shaw's, don't know.

I think people do have breakfast at the cafe-end of the ice cream/gimcrack store, and I think I heard people praise it. Nice view, certainly - esp. since the Bradley Inn DOESN'T have one, really, despite its PR stuff. You have to have a room on the top floor and peek way beyond the trees to catch sight of water. But it's a nice place. Just don't want to get caught driving back to it from the inland towns after dark in the fog.

Thank you all.. And I love to read so too much info is good..

Unfortunately (not surprisingly) it looks like our stay will be determined by a place with openings. Am calling places now..

Thank you very much.. I hope to make it to all of these.

S

Hi So we are staying in Harpswell on Sat night. Our plans have changed a bit. We will be driving from Shrewsbury MA Sat morning and returning Sun night ( 3.5 hours each way).

We are considering sailing on Sunday with captain' watch symbion from Cundys Harbor or with Long reach cruises from Bath.

Besides this nothing planned.

BUT looking for casual seafood places with scenic views along the way. Any suggestions?

i always use chowhound.com to find spots to eat.Fodors is a geart site,but CHOWHOUND specializes in foodie stuff.Just post there and youll get plenty of suggestions--have fun

I'd say get everyone a cup of coffee, hit the road and don't stop until you get to Harpswell. There are places to stop such as Harraseeket Lunch in Freeport, but why deal with the summer Saturday lunchtime traffic issues (L L BEan, shoppers etc). Can't do much better than the Dolphin restaurant in South Harpswell anyway, and since you have so little time why not get to Harpswell and enjoy it?

Same deal on the Sunday return, lots of traffic everywhere with people returning like you....spend a nice long day sailing, dining etc and then hit the road and head for home. Route 1 or anything coastal is going to be slow going.

www.dolphinmarinaandrestaurant.com

divines suggestion sounded great--heres a link to a chowhound thread on Dolphin http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/716...ts;results_lis
Ill go next time we head to maine

Definitely go with chowhound suggestions. Brunswick is a college town. Harpswell is very rural. Good choice. If you need any provisions, get them before you leave Brunswick. I agree, get on the road as early as possible. Pack something for coffee break, stretch your legs at the first rest area in Maine. Grab some tourist brochures. Sit at a picnic table and get back on the road. You can have lunch at the Dolphin Marina. When you get there you might think it's not the right place because it's also a marina/boat yard. Here's a link
http://www.dolphinmarinaandrestaurant.com/
watch the slide show on the home page.

Sounds like a good plan. Will do. Thank you for your help