Hello,

I'm trying to work out the details of an upcoming trip in mid August (2 adults and 2 boys ages 10 & 8). We fly into Boston Sunday morning....I have reserved a room at the Yachtsmans Lodge in Kennebunkport that night.

I was thinking of stopping in Marblehead for lunch. Does this make sense? It looks like it is sort of on the way...

I have reservations at the Bar Harbor Inn for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. That leaves Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday still to book (we leave Sunday morning from Boston).

Is there enough in Kennebunkport that I should add another night at the Yachtsman lodge? Or could someone suggest another stop on the way to Bar Harbor?

Any suggestions for Thursday through Saturday from Bar Harbor to Boston? This is our first trip to New England.

Thanks for any and all comments and suggestions!

I would add that extra night in Kennebunkport. Lots of places to eat, there are some nice beaches, and the boys and you might enjoy the Trolley museum nearby http://www.trolleymuseum.org/
There's also a car museum (I've never been) nearby/on the way in Wells http://www.seacoastnh.com/dct/wellsautomuseum.html

The drive from Boston to Wells or Kennebunkport is about 2 hours, so you don't really need to stop on the way

Marblehead is fabulous but IMO out of the way. You have to go through Salem (slowly) to get there. Plus it leaves most of the trip in front of you.

I might suggest Portsmouth, NH which is a cute town in itself with fun restaurants. Or any of the great lobster "shacks" if you get off the interstate and take Route 1 into Maine.

I also love Boothbay Harbor, ME; may not be as much for the (2) boys there; also Camden, ME is great.

Still thinking .....

I agree with the Porstsmouth suggestion. It is right off Rt#95. Also a bit further is York....very convenient to the highway.

It will really only be an hour and a half or so to Kennebunkport from Boston. Marblehead is a bit out of the way, I think Portsmouth is a great idea if you want to stop for lunch.

We stayed in Wiscasset last summer which is near Boothbay. Mid-coast Maine is a favorite area for us. It would be nice to get out on a boat. There's a boat to Monhegan island you can take from Boothbay. It gives you enough time there for some hiking and lunch. There's a very small museum, just big enough to encourage some conversation about what life must have been like on an island. The boys however may enjoy a nature cruise better. They also might like some beach time and time to explore the fort at Popham beach. It would be a bit of a drive (east of Brunswick). To the north, you might enjoy the Owls Head Transportation Museum. It's not large and there is more to do on a weekend when they have a special event. Last year when we went they had classic cars and antique airplanes. Nearby Owls Head lighthouse is a short hike to a great view. I also always recommend going up the auto road for Mt Battie which overlooks Camden Harbor. It will be a bit of a drive but well worth it. It is fascinating to watch the boats coming along the coast and entering the harbor. The windjammers are beautiful.
The beaches around Kennebunkport are more apt to have tide pools to explore and lots of sand. Most of the beaches are very rocky north of Portland. It's been ages since we walked the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. I can't remember the mini golf locations but that used to be family summer fun.

We returned about a week ago from a Boston to Maine trip. We also did a stop in Portsmouth, NH. 1 of the things we did there was go to the USS Albacore Park. Albacore is a submarine from the 1950's that you walk thru on your own, you can try to get into the bunks & actually do some hands on. It is on dry land. I would think that would be right up the boys' alley. There was a family entrance fee of $10. If you do that, probably allow about up to an hour. We also had lunch in Portsmouth at a place called Dinnerhorn. It was good.
We also spent a day in Camden. 1 of the things we did there was a 2 hr schooner, sailing cruise, on the Olad. There are 3 or 4 schooner choices, all day long for that. They have card tables setup at the harbor & you can go on any open cruise. The one we went on had 3 or 4 kids in the 8 - 10 yr old age & 1 even younger than that. My own 15 yr old son who is not very forthcoming with compliments, but that cruise was 1 thing that he couldn't & still can't, stop talking about. We also saw quite a few seals on that cruise. (They also had a head/toilet available on the boat. Which a couple of the kids used on the cruise we were on.) The Bayview Lobster Restaurant on the waterfront in Camden was decent for seafood, especially the deluxe lobster roll. Camden downtown & harbor area is quite picturesque, with a river going thru the middle of it, under some of the buildings & coming out in a nice bit of waterfall near the harbor. Camden is about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs north of Freeport. If you are hungry for seafound & happen to be in the Freeport area, go to Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster at the end of Main St in South Freeport. Seating outside or inside, right on the waterfront, & decent price for food, especially lobsters & whoopie pie. You may have to wait a few minutes to order depending on how many people are there, but it is worth it.
We also did visit a couple of historic houses in Portland, but I am not sure that younger boys would be interested in that. But 1 of the tour guides mentioned that Portland has a Duck Tour that goes out into the harbor, which you can pickup at the harbor area.

Another thing that I forgot to mention was the Maritime museum in Bath. I had it on my itinerary. But because we spent the whole day in Camden we didn't have time to stop in Bath. Next trip I will get there. I mention it because from the website it looked like there were some actual historical boats & buildings you could go on & thru. Seems it would be something the boys would like as well as adults. But not sure since didn't actually get there.

A fabulous place for lunch in Marblehead is the new Lime Rickey's right on Devereaux Beach. Giant wrap around deck with ocean views. Fantastic seafood (even a raw bar), ice cream, Sicilian pizza, fresh egg dishes on weekends, and 7 varieties of Lime Rickey's (cherry, mint...). Quality of food is exceptional for the very reasonable prices. One of the finest casual waterside places we've ever enjoyed. Highly recommend. Worth a detour!

PS http://www.limerickeys.com/Pages/menu.html

Marblehead is a beautiful little town if you have the time to spend. Lived in Boston for a year and we often drove up to have lunch or dinner at The Barnacle (141 Front Street). Everything is awesome...especially the clam chowder. It's nothing fancy, but worth a stop.

Kennebunkport is a nice town, but not much to do besides eat - so I suggest stopping in Marblehead. It is out of the way a little, but well worth it, if you have the time.