My husband are planning on visiting Maine in early August. We've never been before and need ideas for a suggested trip/route, preferably up the coast.

We can leave Boston monday morning and need to be back in Boston Friday night.

We dont mind visiting a few places to accomplish what we'd like, but with only 5 days we dont want to be driving the whole time either.

This is what we are looking for:

- non touristy, not too crowded
- but not too desolate either
- relaxing, peaceful
- outdoorsy stuff to do (hiking, biking)
- nature oriented activities/sights
- cute/quaint towns
- antiques & shopping

Have been suggested Camden, but looking for a little more help.

Thank you !!

Did you try the text search yet? that might get you started.It seems to be a little late in the season to be making plans for some places in Maine,I know that MT Dessert Island is booked until the fall.Good luck.

beth,

I took a trip along the entire coast of Maine with my sister, in august, three summers ago. If you are looking for some cute shops and a great town with a ton of charcater and charm, don't pass Portland by! Having been raised in Philly, Boston, and Seattle (and traveled to over 14 countires), this was one town I was quick to fall in love with. I think it may be exactly what you are looking for. It is close to the southeastern corner of the state, just as you get in, and right along the coast. I described it to my friends as being an "east coast Seattle". And the seafood is great! Also, I HIGHLY suggest taking a ferry ride, esp. at sundown, along the Casco islands. It is beautiful and very relaxing. There are also several state parks all along the coast. If you are in to nature, many of them are worth checking out. We took Route 95 up the entire way and back, but just for times sake. After you get midway through the state, 95 can become rather boring, so you may want to research a sight-seeing coastal route. Oh - and the waether is perfect in August - not too unbearably hot, and not too cool. Have a blast!

There are a bunch of towns about 45 minutes from Portland that are nice. Bath, Damarascotta (sp?), Popham (nice beach!!)there are actually a couple nice beaches in this area, Reid State Park and Small Point which is a nice beach and last I knew not over crowded at all. If you do coastal route 1 it actually takes you through all the seaside towns. Most of which are touristy until you get up past Portland. Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are really nice.

Highly recommend "Maine, An Explorer's Guide", one terrific resource for planning a trip to Maine; covers all your stated interests, plus scenic drives, directions to all the lighthouses, etc. Also recommend that you plan to drive as far north from Boston as you care to go (Eastport is about seven hours from Boston, for example); then leisurely work your way south, staying a night or two here and there. All the best-known seacoast towns are popular destinations (Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, York Harbor, etc.) and will be busy in August. And, you may consider them "touristy", but they are the most fabulously charming and scenic destinations all the same; and are very popular and busy for just those reasons. Note that it is best to have overnight reservations, but you may be okay as you're traveling during the week.

Thomaston is quite near the touristy towns of Rockland and Camden, there are a couple of out-of-the-way b&b's in the town. Lincolnville, north of Camden, is not as crowded and Belfast is another great choice. Boothbay Harbor might be a little too crowded for your liking in August.

Stop at the Maine Diner on route 1 in Wells for breakfast on your way up. And on the way back you'll probably want to stop there again, for lobster stew and a piece of toll house pie.

The Maine Diner??? Tlak about "touristy"!!! Not to mention whopping CROWDED.

Visit your local bookstore, search the web, order up the multitude of literature available for free. Too funny...here on Fodor's you're going in early August, whereas overon the AOL boards you're going in late September. And, I haven't noticed any contributions from you either place. To the contrary, you've taken valuable advice and asked for more and better. You'll never, ever, "accompish what we'd like" without any contribution on your part.

marlene, forget to take on your Prozak?

to everyone who offered their suggestions...thanks you VERY much - they are extremely helpful.

to the others who sent sacrastic rants - i say, get a life.

We have been to Maine a few times. Our favorite spot is Booth Bay. Has it all. Shopping, eating and water. Have fun

jackie, we are going to Boothbay in 3 days. What was your favorite thing to do there, and to eat? Did you go on the clambake? Thanks for your input.....( we will be there 2 nights, and then off to Kennebunkport)

Go to Kennebunkport. Easy trip from Boston and great town. Book a room at the CAPTAIN LORD MANSION. Eat lobster at Mable's. This is a "joint" but a favorite of the Bush family. A fantastic 4 star restaurant there is the WHITE BARN INN. You will love it, but need reservations.

Try the area around Brunswick--bailey island. it is not super touristy. you are close enough to portland, bath even boothbay if you want to do day trips. Its hilly for biking. But you won't find the crowds you will find in boothbay--Baily is connected to the mainland by a bridge. It's quiet, not much to do-downtown brunswick has some stores and restaurants. it's about 2.5 hrs from boston area.

I just got back from Maine( Bar Harbor to Boothbay HArbor to the Yorks.

Even though it was a holiday week( JUly 4th) we saw many properties with vacancy signs.

I don't think you'll have any problem findind a place to stay. We are planning a trip in late August and almost every place I've called has an opening (from budget to expensive). I have been reading fodors book on new england and it has been very helpful.