Maine in late October?
 

We are considering our first trip to Maine the last week of October. We will probably do Acadia and points south. Will it be too cold? We just want to eat, relax and sightsee. Thanks.

Nights can be chilly in late October and the weather in general is unpredicable. Bring layers. We have been to the Camden area in mid-May and run into similar variable conditions. If you start in Acadia, visit Bar Harbor for restaurants and shops, and then head down Route l and take in all the sights on the way. The more southerly you head, the warmer (relatively) the weather. We love Camden and surrounding towns. The harbor is delightful and the town abounds with shops and restaurants. Bru;nswick, home of Bowdoin College is very interesting. There is a great museum on campus--Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum
highlighting their North Pole expedition. If you like typical seacoast areas, Port Clyde and Stonington were among our favorites.
You need to get off the highway to see the "real Maine". From that area (Brunswick), you can drive to the Harpswells, including Orr and Bailey Islands. For good lobster, try Young's Lobster Pound on Route l in Belfast and in Lincolnville, north of Camden, try the Lobster Pound Restaurant right on Lincolnville Beach. You did not indicate how long you were to be in Maine. There is so much to do all over the coast area down to Kittery, but don't try to "spread yourself too thin" and see and do too much. We have often made that error. We stayed at the Country Inn on the Camden-Rockport Line, which is a combination hotel and inn. We have been pleased each time we stayed. Continental breakfast is included. What is missing is a great view, but the ocean is everywhere in mid-coast Maine.

Thanks so much for your help. One more question - If we go in late October, do we have to make reservations ahead, or can we just stop where we like and wing it?

Because late October is past foliage peak time, I would guess that you'd be safe taking a chance. Route 1 from Acadia down is loaded with motels and inns. A couple of other places to see are Boothbay Harbor south of Camden and Bath, which is home to a rather large shipbuilding industry. I wish we were going back there soon. You will love it. Have a great trip.