My husband and I are getting away for a romantic and fun weekend in Maine. We know that we want to see Acadia and will fly into Portland, but are unsure of the stops in between and places to stay. We will be traveling at the end of September and have around 3 days to sightsee and drive. We would like to keep our hotel stays under $200/night. Any recommendations for accomodations and places to see would be great! We don't know much about this region at all!

I just wanted to make sure that you knew how far Acadia is from Portland - 5 hours or so. It is a gorgeous area, and one that is worth so much more than the very short time you have. Maybe you should stick to the mid-coast or even southern Maine for this weekend get away, then plan a future time for at least a week to really enjoy Acadia. FYI - I am often in Maine in September and this end of the month time is usually gorgeous!

I think it is more like 3 hours. Camden/Rockport area is also a nice area to see.

The fastest route (not along the coast) is 3 hours. If you go via Camden/Rockport (which I love), it would easily add significantly to the time along Hwy 1.

You should note that many hotels have minimum night stay requirements on weekends....definitely through the summer, but I'm not sure about the fall.

Mapquest says 5 hours. It does depend on traffic and according to my Maine B&B friends, September is a very busy tourist month. That means traffic could be heavy too!

I think the trip sounds very romantic. After your long flight, I would stay the first night in Portland which is becoming a very good restaurant/tourist destination. And Old Portland is fun to stroll. I recently did a trip report.

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

Then I would hightail it to Acadia/Bar Harbor for the other 2 nights to take in Acadia area at your own pace.

Good luck!

Mapquest says 3 h 13 minutes in my search from Portland, ME to 86 Hall Quarry Rd, Mount Desert, ME 04660 (Acadia National Park). This route makes the most of 95 rather than Hwy 1 (which probably would take 5 hours).

If you drive like me - that means 2:45 LOL!!!!!

I stand coreected, just over 3 hours then. I do stick by my comment that it is a busy time there, or could be, as the last hurrah for the season. Summer used to be the busiest time, but fall has gotten more popular every year. I also think that it just isn't enough time to really "taste" the area. I have been going to Maine for almost 50 years!

It's about 3 hours driving from Portland to Bar Harbor.

The end of September will not be busy and there will be no traffic. The coastal towns are more summer destinations, where you'll find shoulder or off season rates for accomodations. There's a huge difference between being "very busy" (compared to the dead of winter) and the mobs of summer. The leaf peepers will be in the mountains, not along the coast. Fall colors come last to waterside destinations and they are not nearly as beautiful or plentiful as in the mountains, where the scenery is far more dramatic.

You do not need a week to explore Acadia. We've only been there once, preferring to revisit Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Portland, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and the Yorks.

We always head as far north as we plan to go, then work our way back.

Highly recommend "Maine, An Explorer's Guide" which is chock full of everything imaginable for maximizing your time and selecting those destinations most appealing to you.

Yes, that guide is great! We have owned in York Harbor over 20 years so am partial to that area...lots of history, great food, great beaches,etc.... I have been there every year the end of Septemeber and each year it is busier than the year before. My innkeepeing friends north of there have found the same thing. They are happy about the longer season of course as it is quite short for all inns and hotels!

You can drive out to Boothbay Harbour but you'll see enough beauty along the way and at Acadia. If you like shopping stop at Freeport. You'll go through Rockport and Camden. In Bar Harbour I stayed at the Stonethrow Cottage and it was magnificent!

Camden is esp popular even that late in the year. We stayed at the Glenmoor-by-the-Sea in Lincolnville, slightly north of Camden. Don't remember the rate but they offer a variety of accomodations. If you like wine, visit Cellar Door Winery in Lincolnville, a bit off Rt 1 but worth it. Visit Chowhound to read the argument over where to get the best lobster roll. I always recommend Waterman's Beach near Rockland for lobster dinner at picnic table by the water - basically just scenery and lobster. Nice short easy hike to Owls Head Light for terrific views. Don't miss the view overlooking Camden Harbor - take auto road.

Check out the Yankee Magazine for up dated "Bests" . The magazine is published in Maine, Rockport I think so they know all the local places.
I loved Hawthorn Inn in Camden and came all the way from Rome, Italy to stay there.www.camdenhawthorn.com
If you are coming for a romantic weekend , be sure to ask for the suite with giant jacuzzi & private deck overlooking the quiet garden in the Carriage House.