rinsav

My husband won a trip through work for a long (3-day) weekend anywhere on the east coast and we're thinking about using it this Fall to celebrate our first anniversary. We would be going from October 9-12 (or we may take the Monday off instead and go the 10-13). We're thinking of using this trip to go up to Maine and spend a beautiful weekend on the coast looking at the foliage. Neither of us has ever been to Maine and we don't know where to go and would love your suggestions. I've done a little research and the following areas seem like the best spots (but please tell me if I'm wrong) - Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay Harbor. I need to focus a bit since we only have three days. What do you recommend?

LoisL

I would not miss Acadia Nat'l Park. It is spectacular, and if you rush, you still need one full day! If possible, stay in that vicinity, and plan for two of the days in that area. We enjoyed Camden, as another area to consider. Maine is one of the few destinations I've been to that I intend to get back to as much as possible. The time you're going is perfect for fall foliage. I loved the craggy coastline, and of course, the fresh lobster!

rinsav

Thanks so much, LoisL! So, I'm guessing Camden and Acadia Nat.Park aren't too close to one another, huh? What cities are close to Acadia that might be nice to stay in? Also, we're willing to do some driving (not too much though) so how far are Camden and Acadia by car? Thanks for the help!

dwooddon

Get a copy of the book "Charles Kuralt's America" and read the chapter on Maine. BTW - it's also a great book for vicarious travel to an even dozen wonderful places around the country.

maryann

Bar Harbor is the town for Acadia NP- the time you are thinking of going is a holiday- the town is packed (mostly with Mass. license plates). If you like crowds, do it.

If not pick another-but all the seaside towns will be packed- We loved Eastport, no crowds but North of the 'action' - good restaurants, fishing village and great views.

djkbooks

I disagree that "all the seaside towns will be packed". Other than Bar Harbor - and that's a big maybe - seaside towns are NOT a Columbus Day (October 13) Weekend destination in Maine. Actually, that weekend is usually a bit late for the foliage, even though the colors change last along the ocean. Actually, the coast is not a good destination at all for enjoying the fall foliage. The best foliage is in the mountains.

It may a bit challenging to find accomodations for the Columbus Day weekend at the foliage destinations.

Are you flying into Portland? Portland, Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, York Harbor, are all terrific destinations, even though you may not see a lot of foliage.

Check out the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

Blair9535

We were in Maine for the first time last New Years...LOVED Camden.It is very"New England East Coast Town".We also adored where we stayed thereand it would be perfect for an anniversary.Its called"A Little Dream B&B" and although the name sounds a little corny it is spectacular.We stayed in a suite awway from the main house called "Idlewatch" and had a spectacular view(this view includes the ocean).It is probably the most romantic place I have ever stayed and Im not normally the romantic type.The atmosphere was so perfect my fiance proposed right there in our suite in front of a roaring fire.I really cant say enough about this place and the Fall would be spectacular.You really want to check out this place..but the fall books up fast.I cant wait to go back...Camden is sensational!

rinsav

That Little Dream place sounds so gorgeous and Camden seems like a good central area if I want to check out both Boothbay and Bar Harbor, right? I'll definitely give them a call. Thanks for the recommendation!! Here's a question for you...which airport should we fly into? Thanks so much for all the help!

Blair9535

We flew into Portland and drove about an hour I guess until we got to Rockland/Rockport.Some good places to eat here..Camden is about 10 minutes north of Rockland/Rockport.Its not a bad drive at all and you will love Camden and A Little Dream(especially if you are lucky enough to get Idlewatch).I know they have a website but they only book over the phone or in person.Be sure to eat at Cappy's in Camden...very cool little joint.Have fun..wish I was going back this fall.

clarkgriswold

Best is fly INTO Bangor and return OUT OF Portland. This qualifies as a round trip. The one-way car rental will be expensive but if the company is paying for it.......

Spend a night in Bar Harbor then head down to Camden or Boothbay for a couple nights, or the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth(a half-hour drive to Portland airport).

You'll probably miss the peak fall foliage since there was lots of rain this year, late September will probably bring the peak colors.

rinsav

Thanks so much for all the replies! Now I'm thinking that maybe I need 4 nights. Perhaps we'll fly in on Thursday night and stay through Monday night. I think we'll fly into Bangor, hang out in Bar Harbor/Acadia for two nights and then head down to Camden for two nights (we'll check out the Annual Fall Foliage Festival in Boothbay Harbor on that Sunday!), then head back to Bangor. What do you think? Any more suggestions on where to stay? Is there any town I'm missing that I need to see? Will we be doing too much driving. Sounds like the driving will be beautiful so I'm thinking it's okay. Thanks for your thoughts!

djkbooks

The foliage starts in the farthest northeast and moves south and west. Note also that Bar Harbor and Camden could very well be completely fogged in that time of year.

My recommendation would be to go no farther north (for staying) than Boothbay Harbor. There are any number of fabulous places to stay right on the harbor, along with Ocean Point and Five Gables in East Boothbay.

The farther south you stay, the more likely you'll have nicer weather and see some foliage.

You could have someone where you're staying phone Rockland/Camden for a report on the foliage and weather. From Boothbay to Camden is just over an hour. Otherwise, there's lots to explore in the Boothbay area.

One fabulous way to enjoy the coast of Maine is to visit lighthouses. There are any number of guides on the web with photos and driving directions.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/maritime/light/me.htm

If you can stay four nights, all the better. If it were me, I'd plan two nights in Boothbay and the other two in either York Harbor, Kennebunkport, or Ogunquit - with a stop at the Portland Headlight and Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth along the way. Once you finalize your dates, you could switch these destinations around to attend the Boothbar Harbor Fall Foliage Festival.

It's probably best not to obsess over towns you're missing you need to see. All the seaside towns are unique and wonderful to visit.

rinsav

Okay, another question for you guys....Should we go to Bar Harbor first or Camden? Does it matter foliage-wise (not that it would really change too much in a few days)? I'm thinking we'll go from either Thursday - Monday or Friday - Tuesday. I'm definitely planning to go to the Boothbay Folidage Festival whenever we're in Camden (either Sat. or Sun.). What do you think? Sorry to be a pain with all these questions...you all are very helpful!

djkbooks

You may want to visit the official Maine foliage website. Study the map. Zone 2 is along the coast north of Bangor. Zone 1 is along the coast south of Bangor. Some years, these two areas reach peak about the same time. Other years, could be as long as a week apart. If you take a look at the historical peak foliage dates, you'll see that peak has occurred over the last ten years in Zone 2 as early as 10/4 and as late as 10/16, in Zone 1 as early as 10/6 and as late as 10/15. (I'm sure that's a typo for Zone 1 under 1996.) All of that is just a guess for this year, though.

Either which way, Bar Harbor is in Zone 2, Camden and Boothbay are in Zone 1.

A few days often makes a HUGE difference. Sometimes not. But, an all day or night rainstorm could remove nearly all the leaves from nearly all the trees.

Generally speaking, during optimal dates, you'd want to go as far north as you plan to visit, then travel south and west with the foliage.

Note also than a half hour or hour's drive can often also make a huge difference.

Since your dates are rather late, however, destinations in Zone 1 are the better bet. Peak on Mount Desert Island most often occurs by the first weekend in October.

If it's more important to you to see Bar Harbor than foliage, go there.

Note also that just because there is a Fall Foliage Festival in Boothbay Harbor does not mean they are promising beautiful fall foliage those dates. These festivals are dreamed up the Chambers of Commerce to "extend" the season. The dates are deliberately set to coincide with Columbus Day weekend. We've been to Boothbay Harbor many times over Columbus Day weekend. Before that "festival" was invented, the place was nearly deserted (and why we liked to spend that weekend there) with everything just about to wind down for the season. The earlier Columbus Day happens to fall on the calendar, the more likely there will be beautiful leaves.

rinsav

Thanks for your reply, djkbooks! I think we'd like to go to that fall foliage festival just for fun, not because we're planning to see tons of leaves there. I see what you're saying about how the chamber of commerce just made it up to attract visitors. I guess, if we want to see both areas, we should start in Bar Harbor and work our way down to Camden/Boothbay Harbor(since the foliage still has a chance of being around later down there). Now I'm researching what B&B to stay at. Here are my options. Any opinions on any of these? I've searched other posts already but didn't read much on some of the places so I'd love any extra opinions. Thanks!

Bar Harbor - Castlemaine Inn, Maples Inn, Mira Monte Inn

Camden - A Little Dream (Blair 9535 already made this one sound wonderful but we're trying to decide if we can afford it), Hartstone Inn, Camden Windward House, Hawthorn Inn

Blair9535

We toured several b&b's in the area before we picked Little Dream...its worth the money.

rinsav

Blair, if you're still reading this thread....I called A Little Dream and we can't get Idlewatch but we could get Castleview. I'm guessing all the rooms are nice and so is the main building itself, right? Also, how close to town is it? Is it in walking distance or would we need to get in our car? Thanks!

djkbooks

Check out their website, which mentions they are 1/2 mile from town and harbor. There are photos and descriptions of all the rooms.

Blair9535

Rinsav,
We looked at all the rooms in the main house and they are all nice...its just idlewatch is in a seperate building and is much more private...castleview may very well be in the same seperate building as idlewatch..there are only a few suites there.Ask them.If it is..book it.If it isnt, the rooms are still very nice...and the homemade muffins are to die for.Have fun!

Candace

Just returned from a trip to the Camden area. We stayed at the Cedarholm Garden Bay Inn, which is a really lovely collection of 6 cottages set on several acres stretching from Route 1 down to the rocky beach. Check out their website at www.cedarholm.com. Our cabin was "Tern", which is the closest to the beach. The setting was beautiful, the accommodations immaculate and really comfortable, with a small sink, microwave and refrigerator. We hated to leave. Barry and Joyce, our hosts, couldn't have been more welcoming - full of good tips for sightseeing in the area and so warm and genuine. Lincolnville Beach is close by, and has two good restaurants - The Lobster Pound and Chez Michel. Totally a wonderful weekend get-away.