Hi.
DH and I are planning a last minute trip to Maine for later this month. Our dates of travel are flexible as long as we leave and return between the 20th and return before July 2. We plan to spend 5 or 6 days plus travel days. We will let lodging availability determine our dates.

We prefer to stay busy on vacations but aren't enthusiast in any one area. We'd be up for a hike, shopping, gallery browsing, eating, sightseeing etc.

We were thinking of staying somewhere like Boothbay, Camden or Rockland for 3 or 4 nights and driving to explore the surrounding towns. Which do you think would make a better hub? Is this a good idea?

Then we thought we'd stay 2 nights in Bar Harbor. What exactly do people mean by "crowds"? Disney World? Fisherman's Wharf? or just busy? I don't mind being with other people--but I like to feel like I'm having an "original" vacation--not a canned experience. thoughts? advice?

Re: crowds in Bar Harbor.

I think June will be better than later in the summer, but even in August you can do OK if you avoid BH proper during the day, and try to avoid the loop road throught the park mid-day. Weekdays are probably better, too. We've been to Acadia in August a number of times, and truly enjoy our time there. We get out on a trail fairly early, and don't go back to town till dinner-time. Works for us.

Bar Harbor would suit you well! It is crowded, but more busy-crowded, not Disney-crowded. I loathe crowds, and Bar Harbor doesn't bother me at all. The only problem is parking, but we usually stay right in town so we can walk everywhere.

Plus you have Acadia Natl Park at your doorstep, plenty of great sights to see and hikes (the Beehive is the best!).

Camden is the prettiest town. We stayed at a motel/cottage complex north of town which I liked. I can never remember the name but it had a Scottish theme and four of us stayed in a unit with a seperate living room area and deck. A continental breakfast was delivered to the door each morning. Pemaquid Point deserves a visit and there are at least two lobster places nearby. I think Camden had the nicest shopping plus I always recommend time spent on Mt Battie overlooking the harbor. Bring bag chairs and binoculars and take the auto road. The Owl's Head light required a short, easy hike and also looked like a good place to picnic. My husband liked the Owl's Head Transportation Museum, I prefered the Farnsworth esp the Wyeths' work. Boothbay for lunch is good. If you need reading material there is a great used book and antique place in an old chicken coop, Trenton, I think, that you would pass on your way to Acadia. We spent a late June weekend exploring Acadia and enjoyed the harbor cruise. I don't recall it being very busy even in Bar Harbor but we purposely try to get out early. You have chosen a great time to visit.

Our only trip to Maine was two summers ago - we fell in love with Belfast, in mid Maine. Acadia is spectacular, and Bar Harbor seemed to be too crowded for our family of four during an August day. Have a great time!

Thanks for your thoughts!

I LOVE Camden...its awesome. Stay at the Little Dream...wwwLittledream.com....its amazing.

I agree that Camden and Belfast are lovely. And closer if you are traveling from points south. Rockland is more of a working town than Camden and the art museum is very good. Camden is also nice, wealthier. Belfast is funkier and probably my favorite of the 3. Each year recently, they have sponsered a Belfast Bears exhibit where life-sized bears are created by artists and stashed all over the town. Fun!!
Bar Harbor/MDI/Acadia is a jewel. If you are interested in activity--hiking, kayaking, biking, swimming, there is far more to do on Mt Desert Island--MDI. Bar Harbor does get more crowded than in years past, but there are free buses run by the Nat'l park service. You can hike, swim, etc all day, then quickly reach a variety of eateries. Galleries in all of the places mentioned. And don't miss the back side of MDI--Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor.

Have a great trip!