Maine to New Hampshire
 

My husband and I will attend a wedding in Bar Harbor, Maine on August 4 and a wedding in Bethlehem, New Hampshire on August 11. We'd like to take the time in between to tour New England. Any recommendations as to areas, inns, activities, restaurants around that region? One option is to ferry over to Nova Scotia for some of those days.<BR>

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Do you and your husband like hiking/camping/outdoor activities? The White Mountains of NH would be a great place to spend a week. Lots of great hikes there. You could also take a canoe/camping trip along the Saco River on the NH/Maine border. I can't think of the name of the company that does this (it probably has Saco River in it's name), but is located in either Center Conway NH or Fryeburg, ME. If you're not into hiking, you can drive to the top of Mount Washington-pick a crystal clear day. You won't be disappointed. Also, you can take ski lifts to mountain tops for great views-Wildcat offers a gondola ride, and Cannon Mountain in Franconia Notch has it's Tramway operate in the summer. <BR>My gut feeling is that Nova Scotia may be a little too ambitious in such a short time, but hopefully someone else can help w/that possibility!

Definately stay several days in Arcadia. Then, too get from Arcadia to New Hampshire, you will probably go through the Lakes Region of Maine. Lots of hotels and efficiency cottages to stay at and the lake water will be swimable.

I would spend a few days in Bar Harbor and continue down the coast of Maine. We have been to the Newcastle Inn in Newcastle and the harraseekett Inn in Freeport (home of LL Bean's). Both are wonderful. If you are into white-water rafting and hiking, visit the Baxter State Park area. Portland is a great little city and you could easily spend a couple days there. We go to Maine every summer...I love it!

Since you are headed toward Bethlehem (very quaint town by the way), stop for a drink or stay the night at the Mount Washington Hotel. Its just up the road from Bethlehem a few miles. Its one of those grand old hotels and it has been completely renovated. There is a great golf course, horseback riding, fishing, swimming etc. But my favorite activity is to sit on the enormous porch in a white wicker rocker with a good drink and a good book. If the clouds cooperate you'll see a great view of the magnificent Mt. Washington. The room rates generally include breakfast and dinner. I love dinner there because they have a small band playing, jacket and tie is required and lots of daddies are dancing with their little girls in their best dresses and mommies dancing with little boys in chinos and navy blue blazers. (and the food is very good also).<BR><BR>Also in the area is the auto road to the top of Mt. Washington or the cog railroad to the top.

By the way, the canoeing company for the Saco River is SacoBound. I do this every year. Be warned though, there are a lot of immature & rowdy people on the river.