Which is the better time to visit the area ....the middle of August or the middle of September? We have never been to the New England area and are trying to plan a last minute trip. These are the only two times my husband can get away. Other areas we have visited have pretty much closed down after Labor Day. Thanks for any advice

Maine is packed in August. The beaches can be --- packed. Much less so in September, and the hotel rates fall markedly. Much less traffic on the roads.

Yet, we have only gone in Maine, the crowds don't bother us much and we always find a place on the beach.

A few years ago I spent a week on Mount Desert Island in late September, and the weather was perfect - sunny, clear, mild - and no crowds! I think most places are still open in September, so that's what I'd choose.

About the only major closing that I would worry about in Sept are the lobster shacks with picnic table dining. A lot of these are open weekends only after Labor Day and close after Columbus Day. You can still get lobster dinners are regular restaurants but the shacks are usually at the end of a pier with a nice view of the water.

I've heard that traffic in southern Maine is horrendous in summer. We visited Ogunquit in June and it was fine. We usually go to mid-coast Maine in summer and don't have any problems with crowds but we don't try to go to a Camden restaurant for dinner and we generally avoid downtown Boothbay (if you go, just park in the public parking lot and walk). I would check some of the things you would like to do. For example, there might be less boat trips scheduled or perhaps none at all during the week in a certain location.

Thank you so much. I need all the help I can get. I'm such a planner and this just feels like a rush tome

bookmarking

Mid Sept is usually gorgeous in Maine , the crowds are gone and the hotel rates almost half. No contest.

Wow, Clark, I've been browsing coastal lodgings online for about a month for the middle 2 weeks of September, and I have not found that the rates drop anywhere near 50%, if at all!

We like mid-september, too. I think most things stay open till after Columbus Day. I agree that lodging can be almost 50% cheaper after Labor Day.

~Liz

Would love to see a list of these, Liz, as I am not finding this to be the case at all.

Well, I don't have a list, but here's a for-instance:

http://www.hutchinscottages.com/

The lemings all go to the MDI, if you exit left before the MDI you can see the other down east coast.