I would appreciate any advice on places to stay along the coast of Maine. We would like to stay somewhere with a great view....close to the water if possible. We are open about price. Willing to spend if the place is really special. Any tips will be greatly appreciated!!

There is no shortage of wonderful places to stay on the water on the Maine Coastline - or on an island, if you prefer - in all sorts of beautiful seaside villages and towns in every type accomodation and price range. Highly recommend that you pick up a book called "Maine, An Explorer's Guide". There are so many fabulous choices that you will want to review them all and decide what most appeals to you. If you have some time, you might want to start at one end or the other and spend a couple of nights or more all along the coast. If you are a lighthouse affectionado, there are gorgous ones along the Maine coast, nearly all of which are accessible by car. Excellent photo ops! This guide covers everything imaginable for planning a visit to Maine.

The best thing to do is stay in the east coast, going inward would get boring. Being from maine I think you should only go from june to august. This is the only time anything is open, after september most places close and that cuts down the options. Go right up the coast. Go from Ogunquit (Norseman hotel right on the beach) to Portland. If you like night life go to the Old Port (about 100 nite clubs all with music). Boothbay Harbor should definately be a stop. Durring the summer they always have festivals involving boats, and tours. Inbetween these places is up to you. I would stop on the highway (95 or 295) at any on the tourist information center. They are loaded with free maps and handouts. These places make any vacation easy. good luck and have fun.

Have to disagree about July and August. The rates are the very highest everywhere and the traffic (and mobs of tourists) can be truly discouraging. Everything is open between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. But, you will receive terrific rates before July 4 and after Labor Day. Also, many places are not air conditioned (including shops and restaurants) which can be brutal if the heat and humidity bothers you and you happen to be visiting during a heat wave (infrequent, but you never know!). If you plan to do any serious shopping, go after Labor Day when they are practically giving everything away to get rid of their inventories before closing for the season.

I don't know much about accommodations in Maine but the coast line is rocky and beautiful. My favorite area is Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We were up there in the May-June time frame and had a lot of problems with nats or black flies and mosquitos when you got away from the ocean breeze. They swarm around your face. Quite irritating. I walked on a trail for about 10 or 15 minutes and came back with 17 mosquito bites. Please don't let this deter you from going to Maine. Maine is beautiful and I want to go back sometime just not in the spring or early summer.

When are the mosquitos worst in Maine? How is the climate in late August? thanks!

Robin, it's not the mosquitos you have to worry about, although they do get big.. It's the black flies. These are nasty little critters that are the size of a house fly but have a bite like a pit bull. The good news is that they only come out for a short period of time every year, depending on the weather. Usually is late May or early June for a few weeks. I lived in Maine (Downeast portion -- up by Bar Harbor) off and on for 6 years and my wife is a Bangor native. I also would recommend not going to Maine in July/August. It is the absolute most crowded time of the year and you can have just as much fun scheduling around those times. Have fun!

gotta go to acadia/ bar harbor. Tons of great bed and breakfasts, I stayed at the ledgelawn inn, which was walking distance to all of Bar harbor, breakfast was ok, but the rooms were nice, ours had a jacuzzi, and porch, each room is different. If you goto maine acadia/bar harbor is a must.

No see'ums and black flies in mid-May to mid-June. The are carnivorous. Stay out of the state then. March is mud season. July and August - tourist mania, but the best time to go. Fun, fun, fun. Kennebunkport Inn, Ogunquit eat at Barnacle Billy's for lobster and steamers. Spend the whole day at Ogunquit beach. Boothbay Harbor, Acadia National Park, Camden, Castine. Portland, Freeport for shopping and LL Bean's for 24hours-a-day shopping. Get your hiking boots out and hit the trails at Acadia, climb along a rocky beach and kick back against a warm bolder and watch and listen to the surf. That is what Maine is.