Thinking of taking a drive with the hound to Portland Maine staying at Eastland Park - pet friendly.

Any thoughts on things to do, sites to see, places to eat. I have Fore street, the Front Room and Hugos on the radar.

What would be a nice drive for a few hours - Camden?

I've spent nearly no time in either Portland, Camden or Rockport area, so all ideas on walks, shops, beaches etc would be appreciated.

Thanks
g'lou

What time of year? York would give you some great beach to walk plus the popular walk up to Nubble Light. We recently attended a seacoast chefs' demo and were impressed by the chef from Union Bluff Hotel in York. They have a restaurant and relatives said it was very good. In the Rockland area I've heard good things about Primo but we usually only eat at lobster shacks when we are visiting. Near the Owls Head Transportation Museum there's a great short walk to the owls Head Light. Nice views from there. You can also take a different path to a little rocky beach.
I always recommend the auto road up Mt Battie in Camden. We usually take a picnic lunch, binnoculars and bag chairs. Check rules to see if pets are permitted since it's a state park (I think). The view is spectacular. If you get that far north, the Cellar Door Winery is only a little further in Lincolnville. Look for signs and check hours for wine tasting. They're out of the way but easy to find. In Camden there is also a small park, Merry Hills?, check to see of pets are permitted. Camden downtown is a nice little shopping area.
Another idea would be Boothbay Harbor. As you are driving into town you will see a sign for Barters Island. The new Maine Coastal Gardens are there. Lovely trails thru piney woods.

thanks so much dfnh

it is this coming weekend and we have decided to book both nights in Portland. I've also added DuckFat on my dining list. Hugo's is closed for spring break.

I've visited York/Og/Kbport every year of my life. Nubble is filled with memories of friends and family at every age!!!

Further north is less familiar! So all ideas are surely appreciated!

Forecast is rain? Oh well! Rainy days by the ocean work too!

anyone? bueller?

So looking forward to this. If the weather forecast is correct I will be driving I95 singing

"The Rain in Maine stays Plainly in My Lane"

By george I think I've got it!

Any and all suggestions appreciated.

Rain ... at least not more snow I hope. How about the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. Nice collection of work by Maine artists including all three Wyeths. I haven't been to museums in Portland so maybe you don't have to go for a drive. Chowder will probably taste esp good on a rainy day.

I like Mims Brasserie for breakfast/brunch -
www.mimsportland.com

If you like music there are some great spots in Portland for jazz/blues/acoustic depending on the night - we always seemed to find one that worked - usually by asking around when we arrived or in the restaurant -for some reason I think Market/India Street had a good one - my husband might remember the name, but if you ask up there, they will know-

The Portland Museum of Art usually has some fabulous exhibitions - maybe see if there is something that interests you online -

It always seems to rain when I am in Portland - but that's what those New England rain jackets are for !
Have a wonderful time

I live in Portland (well, at least half the time). It is supposed to be rainy and cold this weekend, so bring your woolies.

It will take a couple hours to drive to Rockland but the Farnsworth Museum is definately worth it. If you go, Cafe Miranda is a funky restaurant that's worth the visit.

If you don't want to drive that far, the Portland Museum of Art is really wonderful.

Duckfat is wonderful but it doesn't have many tables; it has mostly counters running around the outside of the restaurant and a few high tables. Not very conducive for "intimate" dining. But the food is yummy. Lunch there is a treat.

You are also in luck -- The Lobster Shack at Two Lights (in Cape Elizabeth) has opened for the season. It's right on the rocks with a fabulous view. Even if it's raining, the view from the cozy indoor dining room will be spectacular. If there's any wind, the waves crashing up on the rocks will be dramatic. Combine a drive along Ocean Avenue to Portland Headlight (another great place for wave crashing) with lunch at the Lobster Shack -- my idea of the perfect rainy day. And if you're really adventurous and have warm rain gear on, stop in at Two Lights State Park (you'll pass it on the way to the Lobster Shack) for a walk along the cliffs.

If you like theater, think about getting tickets to the Portland Stage Company (a professional theater). The theater is also just behind the Eastland. The current production is Magnetic North, which is a world premier of the Clauder Cup contest for play writing. The other half of my time I live in Boston and I honestly have to say that Portland Stage productions continue to impress me far more than any of local professional theaters in Boston.

As for other restaurants, I would definitely add Street & Company to your list if you like fish. (That's all they have.) Owned in partnership with Fore Street (which I think is over-rated), the keep 1/3 of their tables available for walk-ins. Go at 5:30 when they open, put your name on the list, and then go across the lane to the Wine Bar for a lovely glass of wine. We also just ate a Cinque Terra, which is right across of Street & Co on Saturday -- and had a wonderful meal. For brunch, I'd recommend Bintliff's, again within walking distance of the Eastland (across from the main Post Office).

The Front Room is great but they don't take reservations -- you can wait a long time and there's not a lot of space to wait inside, so if it's raining, you might have a damp wait. Another of my favorites which reminds me of Front Room is Caiola's up on the West End. The chef there is the former chef at Street & Co but the menu is more diverse. It's a wonderful small space with fabulous food.

One last recommendation -- since you're staying at the Eastland, don't forget to go up to the "Top of the East" ... the lounge at the top of the hotel -- stunning views of the city, especially at night. Unfortunately, sounds like the weather will prohibit any sunsets.

Have a good weekend.

Thanks everyone for all the great ideas.

Thanks for all the advice!!!!

We love Portland!!!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35123608

Excellent trip report so far..when does Max the pup have something to say? ((&))