DebitNM

I am landing in Manchester NH, heading to Buck Harbor Maine, I need some ideas where to spend the first night. I will arrive around 5 pm. We will head east on 101 and pick up 95 north.

We would like to get some driving done this first day, so where would be a good spot to spend the night? Would Portsmouth be the best choice?

We will probably just want a chain motel for the night.

Thanks.

djkbooks

When are you going?

It's only 45 minutes to Portsmouth, which is chock full of fabulous restaurants. But, because it's a year-round destination, rates for accommodations tend to be high.

You may want to stop in Portsmouth for dinner and head a bit father north for better rates, depending on your travel dates.

dfrostnh

In about 2 hrs from MHT you can be in Portland ME, another place where you can find good restaurants and chain motels.

Or if you don't mind the drive, a chain hotel/motel in either Brunswick or Bath ME. That would be 2 1/2 hours according to Mapquest. We generally stay on Rt 95 until we get to Brunswick and then get off on Rt 1 for our visits to the mid-coast area. Brunswick is a college town with an interesting main street. Bath is home to the huge Iron Works where they build ships.

It just depends on how much you want to drive after a plane ride. If it's a Friday, expect very heavy traffic.

DebitNM

It will be a Saturday in July.

djkbooks

Your options may be limited in the seasonal areas - as many have minimum stay requirements and/or will not book a Saturday night only in July or it will be quite pricey.

If by "just a chain motel" you mean something as economical as possible, you may just want to spend the night in the Manchester area (where there are some very nice properties for lower rates) and terrific dining, get a good night's sleep and an early start, have a nice lunch along the way on Saturday.

Traffic may or may not be problematic. It depends on the Saturday. Sometimes, it's better to get the entire drive out of the way on Friday night. Other times, Saturday is not that bad at all.

If it were me, I'd figure on dinner in Portsmouth and check out chains along Route 1, but not in/near the seaside villages. But, do check TripAdvisor for reviews.

zootsi

Bucks Harbor is a long drive from Manchester. I would try and drive at least to Portland before looking for a place to stay. There are many chain motels near Portland.

DebitNM

My flight now gets in to Manchester at 8pm so it looks like we need to spend that first night in the area. Any suggestions for the night? We would prefer room to be around $100 or so.

We will head out the next morning and saw a thread here about Camden Maine. The Belmont Inn was recommended, so we thought that we might try spending 2 nights there and then head to Bucks Harbor from there.

Any input on this setup? Thanks~~

SharonG

There are several hotels right around the airport. I fly in there all the time to see family and have noticed more and more places popping up. Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly which ones are there!

divineMissM

Even though your flight arrives at 8pm, it will be 5pm New Mexico time and you'll have plenty of energy. I'd take the nice sunset drive and get 100 miles or so behind you.

Super 8 in Portland is just off I-95 and serviceable if you're not too picky. Best thing is the 6pm day-of-arrival cancellation policy which could come in handy. About $89 a night if you have AAA which is a good rate in Maine in summer. Motel 6 across the road is $75 but pretty dismal unless they are renovating this spring. Some of the Motel 6 chain have been nicely renovated but not this one.

DebitNM

@ MissM - Actually, it is a 2 hour difference I will have been traveling for 8 hours by the time I get to NH and don't think I will have much patience for 100 miles. I am also meeting up with friends who will have driven from Syracuse that day, so I think Manchester area is the best option.

Thanks Sharon, I will do a google search, might also try to do a priceline a bit closer to date.

wyatt92

I still think Portsmouth is a good idea, you'll get there by 9ish. Take a look at the Sheraton or Hilton Garden Inn, which are right downtown.

dfrostnh

It's been years since I've stayed in a Manchester hotel but maybe my description of the areas will help you choose. Google manchester nh lodging. These are all chain hotels without much in the way of amenities.

I stayed at one of the hotels on South Porter Avenue which is a side street off of South Willow Street, Manchester's busiest commercial area. It is convenient to Rt 101 for your trip to the coast in the morning and traffic might not be too bad at that time of night when you arrive. From the airport I usually take Brown Ave to home. From Brown Avenue, east on Rt 101 to S Willow St to S Porter means you have to get thru a confusing multi lane intersection on S Willow St. If you're hungry there is a variety of chain restaurants on S Willow St. There are a variety of chain hotels/motels tucked behind strip plazas on S Willow St so you need to have very clear directions.

Any hotel on Brown Avenue will be the easiest to get to except for the hotels like the Highlander which are near the terminal. Or on what is called Perimeter road that circles the airport. There isn't much on Brown Avenue except a couple of convenience stores and fast food places. Best chance for a decent meal would be the Airport Diner on Brown Ave, part of the Common Man chain. Nothing fancy at their diners but you should be able to find some decent comfort food.

I recently attended a meeting at the Comfort Inn on Queen City Ave which I think would be easier to find than anything on/off S Willow St. It's an old property, recently renovated. It's very near the south end of Manchester's main street which is Elm Street. If you want a soothing bowl of pho after a long trip, there's a hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant, The Golden Bowl, within a half mile and also a strip plaza almost across the street which has a Thai restaurant and sandwich place. Manchester has a lot of popular foodie places, many of them in the vicinity of Elm St. Just name your cuisine.

DebitNM

thanks so much,dfrost~ great info.

yestravel

Camden, Maine is a lovely coastal town, but likely will be pretty crowded in July. Less crowded and a nice town is Rockland. It's maybe 15 minutes South of Camden and a world of difference. The Farnsworth Art Museum is there and has a great collection Andrew Wyeths paintings.

We've driven up 95 many times on a Saturday and generally find that the traffic is heavy but moves along.

DebitNM

Any suggestions for nice places to stay in Rockland, yestravel? B&B's are of interest.

yestravel

I've not stayed here, but good friends did and thought it was very nice, Berry Manor Inn, http://www.berrymanorinn.com/
Our favorite place mid-coast is Coveside Inn
http://www.covesidebandb.com/. It's near Bath and it's wonderful-- fabulous setting and very relaxing, but it's a touch off the beaten path.

DebitNM

Well, I guess great minds think alike! I did some searching after reading your post and decided on Berry Mansion Inn! Looks wonderful and I got a AAA discount which makes it even better.

While googling I did see it was for sale - I hope that doesn't impact our stay in July. Sometimes when B&B owners are wanting out, it effects how their attitudes and I would hate to have new owner there, cause who knows how they will be. Well, you roll the dice...

yestravel

That's funny! Hope it works out 4 u-- we have stayed a couple times at B&B's on the market and it was fine with the current owner still there. And if it doesnt, u can drown your sorrows in lobster...Soeaking of which, Watermans in S. Thomaston has wonderful lobster and pie to die for. It's maybe 15 minutes outside Rockland and a nice drive there. Have a great trip - just love Maine!

DebitNM

I think it was the "pie pantry" at the Berry Mansion that sold me [free, unlimited, homemade pies].

dfrostnh

Waterman's is our favorite. It's a picnic table in the open sun kind of place although they now have a covered porch. You might want to wear a hat and sunglasses. Don't miss rhubarb pie if it's early summer.