judilie

I am trying to decide where to stay for the three nights of June 30 - July 2 in the White Mountains area. The nights don't necessarily all have to be in the same place, but it would be easier if they were. Before the first night we would be coming from Southwest Harbor, Maine. The last day before going to Portland, ME, I am thinking of spending at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center. I would appreciate recommendations of where we should consider staying in the White Mountains area -- e.g., Jackson, Bretton Woods, Franconia, others? Thanks.

travelbuff

You might take a look at The Inn in Meredith. It is right on Lake Winnepausake. There are some cute shops in town and a couple of good restaurants, and Harts Turkey Farm, a local legend (and restaurant). Also the Anna Lee doll factory is there and you HAVE to take one of the dolls home. Staying there you are close the The Flume, Old Man of the Mountain and Indian Head.

There are also tours you can take around the lake and if you can stay over the 4th, there are some great fireworks over the lake.

Ackislander

I like Jackson a lot. It is near the relative peace of Pinkham Notch in one direction and the madness of North Conway and its outlets in the other, in addition to being picturesque in itself.

I have not stayed there in some years so can't give you a current recommendation.

DonTopaz

It's a relatively long hike from the Bar Harbor area to the White Mountains. Especially if you're headed back to Portland, I'd suggest that you consider the Bridgton/Fryeburg area, which are close to the White Mountain area attractions and which have a bunch of pleasant places to stay. (Whether or not you can find space for just before July 4 is another question.)

I don't know about the Squam Lakes Science Center, but it is a bit out of the way if you're headed from the White Mtns to Portland. Not that it's necessarily a bad idea -- just that you'll be spending a few more hours in the car compared to focusing on areas such as Sebago, which are within the general corridor between the Wht Mtns and Portland.

judilie

Thanks very much for the suggestions; I will look into each of them.

It appears that the drive from the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center to Portland takes just over 2 hours, which we don't mind. I have just made a new posting asking whether the center is worthwhile to visit and noting that if we end up staying far from the science center before we go there, we could spend the night before we go there in Holderness. As I noted in that posting, we are particularly interested in hiking, boating, and flora and fauna (and history, but not in shopping).

I know that it's a long drive from Southwest Harbor to the White Mountains, but I have set aside a whole day for that. We may stop in Bangor along the way. I'd appreciate suggestions of other things we may want to see along the way.

Thanks.