In several weeks my husband and I are planning an eight day trip to Maine without our children. We have been to Maine before but only the area along Highway 1 from Portland to Camden.

So, this time we will land in Portland and take the highway up to Bangor and on to Calais. We plan to spend 4 days driving down the coast to Rockland (where we will spend the other 4 days with relatives- while with them I think we are going to Vinalhaven Island). Is this drive possible? Or is that too much in too few days. One or more of those days will be at Acadia. I guess the other possiblity is to just drive from Portland to Acadia, spending several days there and then on down to Rockland.

Where should we go and what should we do? We need ideas for antique stores, quilt and knitting shops, fun places to eat and spend the night.

What lighthouses should we see? Are there any boat trips we should go on? Is it a good time of year to see whales or puffins?

I know we will need reservations around Acadia but do we need hotel reservations north of Bar Harbor?

Any information will be greatly appreciate.

I'm not much help for north of Bar Harbor. When we went to Calais we took the "airline route" which was mostly blueberry farms. This is very rural Maine. We've stayed in Bangor at the motel next to Dysart's truck stop, a reliable good food place (nothing fancy). The Cole Transportation Museum is very interesting since it's more about the lumber industry as opposed to the museum in Rockland that's planes and autos.
You might try googling your favorite quilt and knitting manufacturers. Some have a list of retailers on their website.
South of Bar Harbor via Rt 1 we greatly enjoyed Just Barb's for local food (i.e. lobster rolls). It's south of Ellsworth. Also keep watch for the "chicken barn" which is a very large antique and used book store. It's a huge former chicken coop. In Rockland, do not miss lobster on a picnic table at Waterman's Beach. Watch for the signs near Owls Head. Also nice easy hike to Owls Head Light. Maybe some other poster will remember the name and location of the lighthouse with a keeper's family open as a museum. It's in the Wiscasset area. If in a few weeks means the July 4th time period, check out Bath's Heritage Days. Great parade and craft fair (also midway which we skipped). Also on your drive to Rockland don't miss the auto road up Mt Battie for the amazing view overlooking Camden Harbor. We like to picnic there. If you like wine, visit Cellar Door Winery in Lincolnville for a tasting. Several years ago we took a terrific light house viewing cruise from the Maritime Museum in Bath. Check to see if they still offer one. Last time I checked it was a half day cruise. Also great view of the Bath Iron Works shipbuilding.
I think you will find more things to see and do between Bar Harbor and Portland than north of Bar Harbor. Even north of Camden things start to get sparse. We liked a small group antique shop in Ellsworth.

Thank you so much dfnh for all your information. Your suggestions are just the kind of information we wanted. I am looking forward to Ellsworth, eating and "Just Barb's" and will check out the Bath cruise.

I have been to Rockland 2 times before and my daughter has never taken me to Waterman's Beach for a lobster roll! I will correct that this trip.

Still not sure if we should drive up the coast or stay around Bar Harbor for the first 4 days. If it is pretty I don't mind rural. But I would also like a place to sleep and eat too.

loftymaples - it's been 2 years since I've been to Maine, but my trip report is still available for viewing at: http://www.travelpod.com/members/buffy4444

My hubby and I packed a TON of sightseeing in the week we were there - we hope to go back and spend more time in our favorite places.

Have fun planning your trip!