I am hoping to take the wife and two kids (8 and 10) for a one week trip to Maine in late June/early July. The early "plan" is to drive up along the coast with some time in Portland area and perhaps Boothbay? I'm looking for some suggestions on some "don't miss" sights or activities, good inexpensive lodging, etc. Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi Neal. A couple of years ago a friend and I flew into Boston and drove up the Maine coast. We used Frommer's New England guidebook and it never steered us wrong. Ours was a budget trip too. We loved the Lawnmeer Inn in Boothbay Harbor -- a great location on the water just outside of town with reasonable rates (www.lawnmeerinn.com). We also loved the town of Camden -- stayed at a budget motel just outside of town that was recommended in the guidebook -- but drove into town for shopping, restaurants, etc. It is a terrific place and I think your kids would love it. Also, I highly recommend a couple of nights in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Make sure you eat at some of the lobster pounds you will find all over -- they have the best, freshest lobster and it is very inexpensive (these are often just little places with seating at picnic tables -- perfect for a casual meal with the kids). Have a great trip.

I second the recommendation of Bar Harbor. Last summer, my wife and I spent about 4 days there and loved it! There are a lot of 'outdoorsy' things to do and Acadia is beautiful. We stayed at Cleftstone and Maples Inn. I would suggest the Maples Inn as it is right in the town (Cleftstone is further out) and the rooms were great. Reply if you have any questions.

Two years ago on our trip to Maine, my husband and I went to a Portland "Sea Dogs" (I think) minor league baseball game. It was a lot of fun, a new small stadium (probably the cleanest I've ever seen), and full of families. The tickets were also incredibly cheap. Might be a nice night out for you!

My other recommendation would be to stop in Ogunquit. It was crowded when we were there in August, but I bet your kids would love walking the Marginal Way and climbing over the rocks at the edge of the ocean. At the end of the Way, there's an incredibly quaint little village (sorry, I know someone wlse will remember the name) where there's a hand operated drawbridge for sailboat masts.

Our first stop in Maine was Bob's Clam Hut -- yummy fried clams by the side of the road in Kittery, in the crowded mess of the outlets, but so good!

Now I want to go back to Maine myself!

Take bug repellant. State bird of Maine--the black fly. Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are well worth the trip. Take layers of clothing--weather is extremely variable.

Neal,

From either Portland or if you get up to Bar Harbor or Northeast Harbor you can take ferry boats out to the harbor islands. Great trips for the kids to see how people travel to get "home" and what it's like to live on an island. I've taken one out to an Chebeague Island in Casco Bay near Portland that had an Inn on it. I bet it would be fun to explore by foot, have lunch, I think there was one shop, and the ferry stopped at few other islands first. We did the same with my children up near Bar Harbor out of Northeast harbor - the boat was the mail boat and it took you to a couple of different islands. A very nice way to spend the day - but dress warm it's cold on the water.
Enjoy your time in Maine.
Sandra

Neal--

I am in the midst of planning a Maine trip for August. I just wanted to warn you that things are booking up! You may want to make some fast decisions, even if you change your mind later.

I would highly recommend planning your trip for late June. Everything opens Memorial Day weekend and many places offer shoulder season rates between then and July 1st when the rates take a considerable hike. The first two weeks of July, for some reason, seem to be national vacation weeks, and traffic is horrendous. Also, if you're starting from the south (and we enter from the south as well), we've found it best to drive as far north as we plan to stay and work our way south. For some reason, this works out much better than the other way around (perhaps everyone else is going the opposite way?), and the "final leg" is a much shorter trip home. Bar Harbor is fabulous if you find Acadia National Park appealing. Otherwise, lodging and dining are much more expensive (as is Camden) that other seaside destinations. Among the more reasonably priced, with plenty of activities for kids, are Boothbay Harbor, Ogunquit and York Beach. The towns along the coast are rather close together, so it's possible to economize by staying in a nearby town (Ellsworth to visit Bar Harbor, Rockport to visit Camden, Wells to visit Kennebunkport and Ogunquit) and so forth. An "off" season is predicted in New England this summer due to excalating gasoline prices, but you never know. I, too, would recommend booking accomodations forthwith. Be sure to pick up the multitude of free literature everywhere you go and stop in each town along the coast along your way. One of the free booklets includes a list of all the lighthouses and driving directions to them. They're mostly all along the way and well worth a few miles off the main road to see. The "lobstering" boat tour leaving from Barnacle Billy's in Perkins Cove in Oguinquit is great fun. And, there are a number of boat tours leaving Boothbay Harbor several times a day. Anyway, go in June to beat the summer vacationers who head to the Coast in full force July 1st. I highly recommend "Maine, An Explorer's Guide". Everything imaginable is included for planning a fabulous trip.

just wanted to thank you all for your feedback... I've got a lot to decide - but we're looking forward to the trip.