Is Maine a feasible option?
Jul 8th, 2007, 08:50 PM
#1
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Is Maine a feasible option?
We have four nights free the 2nd week of August. Is it worth it for us to make a trip to Bar Harbor from NYC? We'll be travelling with our 12 and 10 year old children. If not Bar Harbour, what cute town or family-friendly resort would you suggest?
Jul 9th, 2007, 03:22 AM
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It's a long drive for 4 nights which will be even longer with children in the backseat. We really like the mid-coast area of Maine but if you're thinking of some beach time you might choose York which is very popular with families. One of the simple family traditions is watching the saltwater taffy machine at the Goldenrod and walking up to Nubble Light.
Portsmouth NH would give you a good combination of family and adult activities. Spend a day at Water Country on Rt 1, see if there are any musical performances in Prescott Park, visit historical Strawbery Banke or the science center at Odiorne Point. Get some beach time at Rye or Hampton. Portsmouth has a wonderful downtown area. Take a harbor or inland rivers cruise. I'm sure you will also find places that offer sea kayaking. Restaurant options range from family casual to upscale.
Portsmouth NH would give you a good combination of family and adult activities. Spend a day at Water Country on Rt 1, see if there are any musical performances in Prescott Park, visit historical Strawbery Banke or the science center at Odiorne Point. Get some beach time at Rye or Hampton. Portsmouth has a wonderful downtown area. Take a harbor or inland rivers cruise. I'm sure you will also find places that offer sea kayaking. Restaurant options range from family casual to upscale.
Jul 9th, 2007, 04:04 AM
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I definately agree that Bar Harbor is just too far for that short of a trip. York is perfect and your kids will love it there. The Funorama in York Beach is a great place for kids that age, and right across from where the Goldenrod is. The Anchorage Motel is right across from Long Sands Beach and has indoor and outdoor pools. You may have a problem with availability though. Things book up for August months in advance. We found out last year when a nephew got married in August. Everything was booked up. We have a place there so OK but everyone else had quite a challenge finding rooms.
Jul 9th, 2007, 05:08 AM
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I agree that Bar Harbor is too far to drive for 4 nights, and I agree with the activities mentioned. But I would stay in either Portsmouth or Ogunquit. Lots of lodging options in more convenient/prettier areas (hoping not to offend anyone, just another opinion). The SparHawk in Ogunquit is particularly popular with families, and there are many great restaurants in town, as there are in Portsmouth. The kids would definitely love Water Country! (But save your feet, and wear flipflops or water shoes.)
Jul 16th, 2007, 12:00 PM
#7
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Thanks, I'll look into these. Also, I just realized it would be great to go to golf school at one of these places. Does anyine know if they have one? Perhaps I should post another message.
Jul 16th, 2007, 12:34 PM
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Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Short Sands beach is the one closer to the Goldenrod, right?? That's the beach I would stay at. Sometimes they have live music and dancing at the gazebo. The beach is lovely. And Goldenrod is great...only restaurant I've been to that offers a cream cheese and jelly sandwich on the menu...yummy!
Jul 16th, 2007, 03:36 PM
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Hey Misha2,
I agree with those who recommended Hampton Beach, NH. I think the kids would love it (arcades, cool boarwalk, live shows, souvenir shops etc etc etc). The beach there is clean and large.
There is also Old Orchard Beach, Maine which offers a similar vibe, very family and children oriented. They have a great pier, and an amusement park in the center of the downtown area. Fireworks once a week which you might catch, lots of yummy fried dough
Good luck planning!
Have a great time, I love both of the places I mentioned above and would really recommend them, I went as a child and I am still going!
Layla
I agree with those who recommended Hampton Beach, NH. I think the kids would love it (arcades, cool boarwalk, live shows, souvenir shops etc etc etc). The beach there is clean and large.
There is also Old Orchard Beach, Maine which offers a similar vibe, very family and children oriented. They have a great pier, and an amusement park in the center of the downtown area. Fireworks once a week which you might catch, lots of yummy fried dough
Good luck planning!
Have a great time, I love both of the places I mentioned above and would really recommend them, I went as a child and I am still going!
Layla
Jul 16th, 2007, 04:04 PM
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Depends on what you like. Hampton Beach and Old Orchard are very, very honky-tonk. ME towns of Ogunquit, Kennebunkport are lovely butmay be boring for kids. Portsmouth, NH is probably a good compromise. You can take a wonderful day boat trip out to the Isles of Shoals from there. Our kids love it when they were little. Also Strawberre Banke (sp?) if you're into historic preservation.
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