Hi everyone! My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to Maine in late March for our 10 year anniversary. Neither one of us have been to Maine before and would like to see different scenery than we have here in the Midwest. I've been reading some posts and heard that Bar Harbor is a great place to visit? We'd love to do the whale watching thing too. Generally, we're just looking to stay in a nice place (not hotel like, more B&B), spend time together, sight-see, eat, maybe shop a little. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Can you delay your plans for mid to late spring or summer? The end of March is mud season in Maine. It will be very cold to be in Bar Harbor at that time of year, and too windy for whale watching, if the whale watching boats are out by then. You might see a little bit of snow for a change in season, but primarily, you'll be walking in mud and want to be indoor.

Thanks Leslie. I was just talking to a co-worker who used to live out East and she told me that time of year might not be the best. Thought maybe later in the spring - April or May - might be better. Is April too soon? We're really not picky about when we go. I'm pretty much flying blind about what to do, where to go and stay, etc. Any help from people who live in the area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Buffy, are you dead set on Maine? My husband and I absolutely love Mendocino California. It's very romantic, the roar of the ocean is ever present. There are fabulous B&Bs, small inns only, no chain anything.Not even cell phones. They have a whale watching festival in March, as does Ft Bragg up the coast. Great restaurants, shopping, hiking. For an anniversary, look at Alegria's Cove Cottage. Light a fire, jump in the hot tub with ocean view. Ahh. Can't think of a more romantic place.
http://www.mendocino.com/redirect.lasso?id=739

Last March 19-20, DH and I went to Kennebunkport and stayed at Captain Lord's Mansion, a beautiful B&B. The weather was cold Saturday, but Sunday it jumped up to 55 degrees and we took a drive up along the shore and stopped at the beach and sat for an hour, it was gorgeous. Though you never do know what the weather will be, you can make your own good time. We walked to Federal Jack's for dinner and had the most wonderful seafood feast overlooking the water. We are going to go back for our First Anniversary (happens to fall on St. Patrick's Day weekend)!

Hi Buffy,

Maine is gorgeous. You will love it. York Harbor is a nice place to stay, and it is convenient to Ogunquit and many other small shopping/eating areas. My husband and I stayed at the Stageneck Inn, and we really enjoyed it. It is more inn/hotel than B&B but it has beautiful views of the ocean and nice amenities. I agree with everyone else that you should move your travel dates as far into the spring as you can. It can get pretty miserable up there in early spring. Have fun!!

Thanks everyone for your input. We've decided to wait until mid-May. I think the weather will be better by then. I checked out tons of books at my library to 'beef up' on my Maine facts. I'm really looking forward to this. Any other suggestions on where to stay or what to do would be great! Thanks!

What's the weather like during that time of year?

Buffy, our friends live in Mt Desert Island and they say warmer weather doesn't really happen until June/July.
They can have late spring snows, in April.

Thanks Scarlett. I'm hoping by May the weather will be somewhat nicer. My husband and I don't mind the cold, rain or snow. Of course would prefer to avoid it, but we're pretty set on going before the big tourist season hits and I hear that starts right after Memorial Day.

Best B&B in Bar Harbor is The Manor on West St.--great place and conveniently located. If not available try the Maple Inn on Robert St. and don't forget Acadia Nat'l Park is here.
Ogunquit is beautiful--The Anchorage for a motel and the Nellie Littlefield for a B&B, both on Shore Rd. This is a "walking" town and is unique in every way!
Boothbay Harbor is a treat, as well. An economical, great location B&B is the Cap't Sawyer with a nice breakfast.
Anywhere along Maine's beautiful coast you will enjoy!