elizabeth0133

My and husband and I are planning a trip to Maine, probably the first week of October 2011. This is our first time and plan to fly in to Portland and stay about 5 days. We are in our 30s and just want to relax and sight see and of course eat! We live on the Alabama Gulf Coast, so we are really not interested in touristy beach areas. I would prefer to see the bays/harbor areas. We were thinking of staying in York (at the York Harbor Inn) for a day or two and then moving on to Belfast (Belfast Bay Inn) for a day or two. We thought we could use these as our base to see the other places - Camden, Rockport, Bar Harbor, etc... Any suggestions about where we should go also or instead? Also, will things still be open early October? Thanks!

Littleman

I would spend a couple of days in Bar Harbor and a couple of days in Ogunquit or Kennebunkport. The Bar Harbor Inn is right on the water in the middle of town. The White Barn Inn is a really nice Inn and Restaurant. Beachmere is very nice on the water also. There are great restaurants in this area.

Bar Harbor Inn @ 7 Newport Drive, Bar Harbor, ME 207 - 288 - 3351.
http://www.barharborinn.com/
The White Barn Inn @ 37 Beach Ave., Kennebunk Beach, ME 207 - 967 - 2321.
http://www.whitebarninn.com/
Beachmere Inn @ 62 Beachmere Place, Ogunquit, ME 207 - 646 - 2021.
http://www.beachmereinn.com/

hpluss1

You should go to a Seadogs game in Portland, it's so fun! Here are some restaurant suggestions - http://beachesandpeaches.com/2011/01...nomic-weekend/

elberko

Early Oct. should be fine, most things are open till Columbus Day.

I don't think York will give you the Maine experience you are looking for-it's sand beach rather than rocky. I would recommend staying north of Portland. Will you be doing any hiking/biking/kayaking? Or are you looking to do car touring?

~Liz

elizabeth0133

Thanks everyone for the good info so far. Liz, we are really not interested in hiking/biking/kayaking--just car touring. When you say "north of Portland" what areas would you recommend?

dfrostnh

Many of the lobster shack places will be weekends only closing for the season after Columbus Day. A lot of these have outdoor seating on picnic benches. You will still find plenty of lobster places. We only sit outside if the weather is good.

I agree that York may not be the right part of Maine for you. I've read some good reports about dining in the Belfast area. We have stayed in Searsport. You'll be close enough for a day trip to Bar Harbor. Mid-coast Maine is more rural than south of Portland and is our favorite area. Owls Head Transportation Museum and Owls Head Light near Rockland are great places to visit. Camden got voted one of the best places in New England for foliage.
I would allow at least a full day in Portland to explore the downtown Old Port area, perhaps take the mail boat cruise, enjoy some great restaurants. When you drive south to Portland there is plenty to see. That could be the day you visit Rockland (Farnsworth Museum is wonderful) and head out to a lobster place like Five Islands or Dolphin Marina in South Harpswell. If you want old time Maine, this is a great area even though it is close to the college town of Brunswick. Don't miss Mount Desert Island ice cream in Bar Harbor or Portland (Exchange St in the Old Port Area). Really wicked weird flavors.

elberko

Since we're more interested in active stuff, we like Bar Harbor/Acadia, although there's plenty to interest the car-tourer, too!

The only other place we regularly spend time in ss Portland, an interesting/attractive little city.

~Liz

KarenE

I would stay in Boothbay Harbor, Camden and Bar harbor. With such a short amount of time like you have perhaps only in BBH and BH.

elizabeth0133

I had not looked at Boothbay Harbor-but it looks like what we were interested in. Do you have any suggestions of places to stay? From looking at various places, most are within walking distance to town, etc...that is what we would prefer.