Maine only 2 full days
 

Advice please? I am flying into Boston on Sat 10/19 departing on Tues 10/22. I'm renting a car to drive to Maine. I only have two full days (Sun and Mon) and would like to make the most of my time. My goals are scenic foliage drive and lighthouses. I land on Sat at 4:30 p.m. I've contemplated driving to Cape Cod first. Is it worth seeing for a short amount of time or would you suggest heading to Maine upon arrival and plan my itinerary from there? I've wanted to make this trip for a very long time but unfortunately don't have a lot of time to do it properly. I'm not interested in hotels as sleeping is not a priority :) Any advice/ must sees/suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you!

No, you don't have time for Cape Cod. Make Ogunquit/Wells/Kennebunkport/York your coastal destinations and for foliage you can take a nice drive around the Shapleigh/Acton lakes area or up around the Sebago Lakes area. You could also get out to Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth if time permits.

Agreed no time for Maine and the Cape. But Southern maine if very doable.

Nubble Light/Cape Neddick can be seen from York

Goat Island Light can be seen from the parking lot of Pier 77/Ramp restuarants in Cape Porpoise (Kennebunkport)

Wood Island Light can be seen from a spot in Biddeford Pool - see their website for directions. woodislandlighthouse.org

Cape Elizabeth for the iconic Portland Head Light )featured in the famous painting by Edward Hopper.

If you Google "Maine Lighthouses", you'll get plenty of maps of lighthouses.

There's an abundance all along the coast.

I'm going in September. Too soon for foliage, but plan to visit lighthouses till I get lighthoused-out.

I have read many threads regarding Camden. Is it worth the drive to see the area? Approx 90 mi from the Portland area?? I don't mind driving but I don't want to waste time in a car if I can get the short experience I'm looking for within the area suggested by clarkgriswold and bennnie. Keeping the coast, foliage, and lighthouses as priority.

What time will you be leaving Boston? When are you due back? Are you traveling from Maui? Seaside foliage is different then inland foliage - different growth and colors.

I fly into Boston at 4:30 pm on 10/19. I fly out on 10/22 early morn. I've heard the inland foilage is much more colorful.No Im not from Maui. Any recommendations?

The color might be past peak by the time you get here. You can check a foliage map before you arrive and base your route on where color is good. Camden was voted one of the best foliage places by Yankee magazine. We.'ve only visited. In summer and late. September. I think the view from the top of mt battle (take the auto road) is one of the best in Maine. Windjammer s may have already gone south by then but there still should be activity in the harbor. The ninety acre park where the Portland lights located is worth a visitor great view of Casco Bay.

I hate to say it but mid October weather can be. Great or it can be cold and rainy. I vote that you choose your route based on weather and color. You might have to go south like the Rhode Island coast.

That's a pretty tight schedule. Understand upon landing you will only have about an hour and half before sunset, which will be partially spent picking up a rental car. And how early is early Monday? You will need to be closer to Boston and deal with commuter traffic?

If Portland calls you, I would head there. It's a great food town, and you can enjoy strolling Old Portland and maybe take a boat taxi in the morning and explore the area. Lots of great parks, lighthouses, beaches to drive by, and then head south.

Then I would work my way south for Sunday night and spend Monday in the Kennebunkport/Wells/Ogunquit/York area. Lots of affordable motels can be had. I'd spend two nights there and head to the airport at 4am if that was necessary. Lots to take in from all of these communities, yet not too far away. Hug the coast and all the shore roads between towns. Stroll one of the beaches in the moonlight.

There are a lot of beautiful parks in both Portland and Southern Maine - Rachel Carson, Wells, The Marginal Walk in Ogunquit.

I think trying to get as far as Camden might be a stretch due to your late arrival and early departure. Or you could just book the three nights in the Southern area and daytrip up the coast to Portland.

It comes down to how best take advantage of sunlight hours and moon hours.

Oh my gosh all suggestions are fantastic I can't thank you enough!now I need to put it all together to make a plan for my short trip :( I love looking glass advice comment how to take advantage of day hours and moon hours. My flt out of Boston is 8:20 am on Tues :( please keep coming with advice its SO appreciated! I'm coming in blind

One more question. Based on your suggestions I will be staying around the coastal areas of Kennebunkport/York Sunday night. Suggestions on a quaint seaside hotel or cottage? I will have a rental car. Reminder my visit is mid October. Thanks