what is mid coast Maine(Rockport) like the first part of May? Are restaurants & tourist sites open? Weather?
Thanks!

Restaurants are open for the most part, lobster shack type places are not. Tourist sites? Well Mt. Battie is open for hikes, the ocean is there, and shops are beginning to open but for the most part don't really come alive until Memorial weekend. Weather - can't really tell, probably still cold at night, warming up during the day into the low 60's? Could be rainy. End of may much nicer.

I checked Five Islands lobster's website and they don't open until Mother's Day and then it's weekends only. (Not really Rockport area but I knew they had a website.) I would not go to Maine before the lobster "shacks" open. If you wait until mid-June the lupines are blooming.

Hey bwg!
I was in Maine this year the first week of May and enjoyed the weather. My hubby and I wanted to go before it got hot and/or to avoid the tourists. We only had a day and a half of rainy cloudy icky weather and the other days were mid-60s/lower 70s and sunny and beautiful. We found for the most part everything open except for the lobster shacks and a couple lighthouses that you were able to tour weren't open. We didn't encounter any traffic or crowds, which is what we were trying to avoid. Oh and we didn't make any reservations ahead of time for lodging - just stopped along the way and had no trouble finding places to stay.

thanks everyone!I was definitley going to pass until I got Buffy9297's message... now still considering it. As we've never been there really didn't know what to call things to see in the area that's why I said tourist sites.By the way, what's a lobster shack? Will there be lobster in May or is there a season for it?
Thanks again!!

You'll find lobsters all year but where they come from and the price will vary. Lobster shacks are small weathered buildings on a dock where they will steam a lobster for you which can then be eaten at a nearby picnic table. Generally you will only get chips and melted butter with the lobster but a really good shack also has pie on the menu. You might opt for a lobster roll but only larger places, usually inland, also offer fried seafood.
We have visited in mid-June which is pretty much before tourist season but this year spent the first week of July in Wiscasset. Nearby Bath had a wonderful 4th of July parade and nice craft fair behind the library, etc. We were surprised at how little traffic there was except during commuting hours when the only bridge in Wiscasset caused a long backup. Friends who drove up late Friday afternoon said traffic was heavy all the way up Rt 95. Probably the Friday night before 4th of July is extra busy. Now, keep in mind that there was stop and go traffic in places like Boothbay Harbor but we could still visit a restaurant in other places and not see a crowd. People were lined up out the door to the lobster place on Bailey's Island but there was hardly anybody at Este's in Harpswell. Downtown Boothbay was mobbed but there weren't many people enjoying the lovely trails at the nearby new Maine Coastal Gardens. If you want to go on any boat trips, some of these might not be operating or will be on a different schedule. It was freezing on a mid-June boat ride - the crew passed out blankets but very nice during July for the ride to Monhegan Island. There are plenty of places to go in the mid-coast area that are not crowded. If you want to enjoy a picnic lunch on the top of Mt Battie (take the auto road) mid-June can be fine. If you lucked out, early May would be ok. The view is fantastic.
But if you are planning on doing some of your own cooking, the farmers markets had a wonderful selection in July. Strawberries were still available but blueberries not quite ready. Great to buy some fresh homemade biscuits for strawberry shortcake. Rhubarb pie was on many menus. The museums are open all year but there is nothing like eating fresh lobster by the water and topping off the meal with homemade pie.
However, I also think spring is a very beautiful time of the year when trees are just greening up and flowering shrubs abound.