Approx. 9-10 day auto trip starting in Marblehead-Salem-Gloucester -Rockport ( where we have already visited) to York-Ogunquit-Portland-Camden and possibly Acadia National Park if we have time.

Never been north of Rockport Mass.

Please advise of places not to miss.

Nice restaurants- good CLEAN motels Hotels.

History - Books- nature -sightseeing.

Not a lot of walking.

Please advise.

All advice deeply appreciated.

4 from Canada - Love USA !!!

Check out this recent trip report by dfrostnh: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...gunquit-me.cfm

I'm heading to Portland soon for a weekend. Look for my trip report when we return.

Here are some websites of Portland, and articles that I've bookmared:
http://www.portlandmuseum.org/
http://www.victoriamansion.org/index.htm
http://www.cascobaylines.com/cruises/scenic_cruises.htm

http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2...portland_maine
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/c...053101504.html
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/maine-course/1

Thank You yk.

This was my first post. Looking forward to more dialogue with forum members.

We like to camp in Wiscasset but I'm sure you won't have any trouble finding a good clean lodging. Wiscasset seems to be a good central location for easy day trips north to Camden and Rockland. Surprisingly we have not eaten at famous Reds Eats in downtown Wiscasset. We like the Seabasket on Rt 1. It's very casual, order at the counter type of place. Don't miss the view from the top of Mt Battie in Camden (take auto road). We like to picnic there. Owls Head Transportation Museum has some interesting events on weekends. If antique airplanes are on the event list, they really fly them. Nearby Owls Head light is an easy, short hike and then climb. Great view. Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland features Maine artists and has some works by all three Wyeths.
Boothbay is just north of Wiscasset. Maine Coastal Gardens offers a pleasant walk but maybe more than you want to do.
Just south of Wiscasset is Bath ME. Here's a link to the events at the Maritime Museum
http://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/
We had the best lighthouse cruise when we went several years ago. Great narration. Close-up look at the Iron Works. I don't think they offer a full day cruise anymore since the route had to change depending on the tide. We were told to bring a picnic lunch and docked at one of the small islands with a lighthouse to wander and have lunch. The current list of cruises all sound great.
Brunswick is a lovely college town with a great farmers market. From there you can head east down a point to some great lobster place. We've tried many, like them all but Waterman's near Rockland is our favorite lobster shack. Dolphin Marina in S Harpswell is a very nice full service restaurant with varied menu. We also liked Estes. Both have nice views and a wonderful drive to get there. Harpswell is surprisingly rural and quiet.
We take bag chairs and picnic supplies with us so we can take a driving break and just enjoy the scenery. Nice to read a book, have cold iced tea and a snack. It's quite possible to find very quiet areas that everyone else seems to overlook. DH likes to bring binnoculars.
If you do make it to Acadia, if you go up Rt 1 there's a huge used book store and antique shop called the Chicken Barn. Also on the way is a wonderful local restaurant called Just Barb's in Stockwell (just south of Ellsworth).
Although we liked our Ogunquit trip, we much prefer the mid-coast area north of Portland where there is less traffic. We don't usually go to Boothbay because of the crowds but the area is nice for a scenic drive. Just skip the congested downtown area.
You probably shouldn't miss Portsmouth NH and Strawbery Banke Historic area on your way. Our favorite drive is Rt 1B that starts in that area and goes thru Newcastle.

Thank You dfrostnh. The detailed information you provide is very much appreciated.

I'm somewhat surprised by the steep prices along the South coast. We have stayed at some really nice places in Atlantic Canada but not nearly as expensive as my initial research turns up for places along the south coast of Maine. It seems that we may have to settle for accomodations closer to the Maine Turnpike in order to get affordable rates. $250 a night is more than we are prepared to pay.

I realize that many motels are seasonal and they have a short summer so they have to charge a lot. But at the $150 to $200 range per night we have to consider going inland in order to stay within a budget and extend our stay.

For that very reason, the mid -coast is starting to feel like a more affordable vacation.

I'm also quite surprised that not all Hotels/ motels are smoke-free. The vast majority of places we travel to in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York State are non-smoking 100%.

I'm sort of revising our plans and hope to get nice clean rooms at some of our favorite chains like Best Western and Mariott.

Would like to hear your comments.

Portland has Residence Inn, Courtyard Marriott, Holiday Inn etc which should be within your budget. We're staying at the Marriott in South Portland (~ 10-min drive to Portland). Smaller inns and B&Bs within Portland are certainly more expensive.

Thanks yk.

We were in Maine last year for our first time and spent a week in Bar Harbor to visit Acadia National Park. It was by far my favorite place of our 10 week trip to the New England States. We have a motor home so can't help with lodging. If you like lobster, then there are lobster shacks everywhere and good eating for SO CHEAP!

Utahtea