My wife and I are 2000 miles from Maine, and have no clue where to go, but in my mind I picture a quaint seaside town, with charming shops, a historic romanitic inn with a fantastic view, lighthouse, and a crusty old man to take us out sailing. Does this place exist?
Eric

I'm surprised you haven't gotten any help yet. Prehaps if you reposted with Maine in the title? There are lots of towns that fit your criteria in Maine, but we travel fairly cheaply and it sounds like you want more, so I'm not sure I would be of much help. Have you done a search?

The southern Maine coast has a couple of towns that fit your description for shopping and lodging: Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. Do a search on those towns and see if you find any info to your liking! Try Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor also.

Haboure Town Inn on the Waterfront!!! Located in Boothbay Harbor. A link to their site along with a 10% discount can be found through their ad on www.LodgingDiscounts.com. You gotta check this place out! It is the perfect fit to what you described.

What a cute post!
The "historic romantic inn with a fantastic view" is the Lawnmeer Inn just outside of Boothbay Harbor. They have good food there too. www.lawnmeerinn.com You have to drive to town though.
But my favorite towns in Maine are Camden and Bar Harbor -- I liked them better than Boothbay Harbor. Check out www.visitmaine.com

Cape Elizabeth Me

I happen to find Maine to be romantic at any time of year, any weather. Not knowing when you are going or what your budget is, here are some suggestions (and you can get more info on each from the web or by doing a search here): The Black Point Inn in Prouts Neck (site of Winslow Homer's studio); The Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth; Arrow's Restaurant in Ogunquit (reservations mandatory and in advance)and the Marginal Way (a path along the ocean), also in Ogunquit; the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport; Tides Inn in Cape Porpoise (part of Kennebunkport); Nunan's for Lobster, also in Cape Porpoise; Biddeford Pool beach; exploring the Old Port section of Portland (which also has a good art museum); the Green Heron Inn for breakfast in Kennebunkport; just driving along the coast and exploring.

I agree with the poster who cited Camden and Bar Harbor. There are many b&b's and good restaurants.

Why don't you try the York Harbor Inn, in York Harbor. A romantic inn in a beautiful town, by the sea.
my wife and I stayed there last fall and can't wait to go back

they have a website - www.yorkharborinn.com

Camden, Maine. There is not a more beautiful spot. Did you know they outlawed franchises. That's right no McDonalds, Wallmart, Zellers. It's a slice of heaven. Truly a beautiful place and so romantic. Don't miss a drive or walk up Mt. Battie. The best place to stay is the Captain Swift Inn.
Check out this B&B at:
http://www.swiftinn.com

It is spotless and the people couldn't be nicer. The food is great and the location is walkable to everything.

You will have to drive to the lighthouse but they can give you directions.

The films: Peyton Place (the original) and Man Without A Face were filmed here.

One more vote for Boothbay Harbor. Or, more specifically, the Ocean Pont Inn. No, it isn't fancy, but it gave me one of the more romantic stays of my Maine trip. The rooms looked as if they had been decorated by "Aunt Bea" and the hostess at the dining room might as well have been her! Great mid-point for any Maine excursion. Ah, those clams, those lobsters, that sea air!

The Main Stay in Kennebunkport. Ask for the first floor suite.

Since the original post is from May 2000 I would hope Eric did go on his vacation.

My husband and I were planning the same thing this summer but have had to cancel. We had planned 3 nights at the Inn at Sunrise Point (www.sunrisepoint.com) as we heard the area was very romantic - 17-20 July, 2003. We had to cancel last minute so if you are interested you should give them a call - I know our room is open!!

Corky, I've gotta know: why did you top this old post by replying to it? I'm really curious!

We just returned from Maine and I would not recommend the Harbour Towne Inn. Try the Blue Heron Inn right next door to Harbour Towne, much nicer rooms for the same price. A few of the Harbour Towne rooms were OK, but you have to be careful in what you book. One queen room is postage stamp size with no space for anything -- others that were staying there mentioned their rooms being on the "tacky side". If you want a great motel with all of the amenities of a B&B try the Mount Battie Motel in Lincolnville. We stayed there 3 nights ($95 per nite) and the room was spotless, had a queen bed, refrigerator and full bath. The owners bent over backwards to please the guests. Price includes a continental breakfast. The grounds were lovely. Nice, convenient location -- minutes from Camden. We LOVED Camden and would definitely go back. The only downside to the Mount Battie is that it's right on Hwy. 1 which can be a bit noisy. Some of the rooms have a view of the ocean.

Being from SF I find the "old" of Maine so wonderful including the posts!

If you want to see the real, untouched little sea-side towns of Maine, make sure to go to Downeast Maine (Calais, Machias, Lubec, Eastport). It's very rural and beautiful, very relaxing.