Thinking of taking a trip in Sept to Maine to get a Lobster Roll @ Red's Eats. (we saw a special featuring the sandwich and my whole family wants to go now) Does anyone have any details of the town and surrounding area? Should we stop in Mass. or drive straight thru? Any hotels/ motels/ B&B's?

pbs? i just saw the same special! now i want to go to ALL of those places! ;-)

You'll love the lobster rolls at Red's--simply fabulous! Wiscasset, the town it's in, seems to be very nice small town. Have never stayed in it, but have walked about a bit. We've stopped at Reds to and from trips to Boothebay Harbor, ME.

Where are you coming from? Red's is about 3 to 3 1/4 hrs north of Boston without traffic. On weekends, the traffic gets way backed up for miles down Rt. 1 headed into Wiscasset. Would recommend staying in Boothbay Harbor, ME, about 20 min. from Red's. I didn't see the show but hopefully it showed that Red's is an outdoor, walk-up counter with a few tables outside.

Yes, it did show Red's as a walk up place. I am coming from Long Island. I was thinking of stopping over near Boston (seems like the drive is longer than I thought). Is it true Red's is closed from OCt. to April?

Red's is wonderful. A whole lobster on a roll. By the way, what tv program had the special? Was it Food TV?

I think it was called "Sandwiches you'll want to eat". It was on a PBS station here in NY. Had place from all over the US, mostly I remember alot from the East coast. Next time we are planning a trip to New Orleans for a muffaletta.

September is a great time to visit Maine, the weather is almost always perfect, and most of the tourists are gone.

Stay in Boothbay Harbor. Ocean Point Inn is a nice place for a family, and be sure to have a lobster feed at Robinson's Wharf.

I think I'd be disappointed if I drove all that way just for a lobster roll, it's just freshly-cooked lobster meat in a toasted bun after all......but the Boothbay/Wiscasset area is a nice place to getaway. I think if I stopped "on the way" with a family, it would be a night in the lakes region of New Hampshire...watch "On Golden Pond" before you go!

Are you doing this as a long weekend?

I think I'd spend the first night in southern Maine or the NH coast (Portsmouth area), the second night in Boothbay, and the third night around Boston or Newport, RI.

Sounds like a fun adventure!

Red's is ok, but stop across the street into Sarah's Cafe and order a Windjammer. It's basically a white pizza with lobster. Trust me - delicious!

I'm from New Jersey, but I've gone there so much I now have Sarah overnight them to me frozen. Yes, they're just that good!

And I have to say..if you are goin gto be around and love good local food...PLEASE dont skip Moody's Diner for pie.

It JUST up the road and worth the wait.

I think it's a 4 berry pie I normally get.

I stop on my way down to Mass. from Bangor on business and pick up a few slices to go...

To stay in Wiscasset proper I highly recommend the Snow Squall B&B. Lovely rooms, nice atmosphere. Under new management since my last time there, however.

Not really much to do in Wiscasset itself. Quaint little Main Street with shops. There's also the Musical Wonder House which exhibits over "two centuries of musical history" (if you're into that sort of stuff). Admission ranges from $2 to $30 based on the length of the tour you want. See http://www.musicalwonderhouse.com/

Also in Wiscasset is the 1811 Lincoln County Jail and Courthouse museum. Visit http://www.lincolncountyhistory.org/

The Sunken Garden is worth a 15 minute stroll (it's small) although August isn't a really good time for gardens. Most of the flowers will likely be past their bloom. It's on the corner of Rt. 1 and Federal St (I think) near the Nickels-Sortwell House (a historical landmark you can also tour). It's below street level (hence the "sunken" part) and is very easy to miss.

Not a long drive to Boothbay which is a bit too commercial and "touristy" for me, but if you're going to be that close, you probably should stop in.

Check out http://www.balmydayscruises.com/ for details on a variety of "cruises" you can take from Boothbay (e.g. whale watching). I recommend the sunset cruise. Very peaceful, but bring a light jacket.

Also, if you have about an hour you can spare, check out the aquarium (it's really small). The amazing part is the exhibit on the lifecycle of the lobster. They're so tiny when born!! http://www.state.me.us/dmr/rm/aquarium/
Traveling further north on Route 1, and then south, you'll come to Pemaquid Point. One of the most beautiful (in my opinion) and most photographed spots in Maine. I really love this spot, but it is definitely off the beaten path and it's a bit out of the way just to sit and relax. I just wouldn't want you to drive all the way there and say, "So what do we do now?" The answer is nothing. Just relax and savor. Great spot to just sit on the rocks and read or picnic. There's a lighthouse (photo op) whith a very small museum (including the preserved shell of a 28 lb. lobster).

Either on your way up or down to Pemaquid Pt. you might be interested in seeing Fort William Henry (if you're into historical/archeological stuff). For more details, check out http://www.state.me.us/doc/parks/pro...uid/fortwh.htm

Or you can go on a seal watching cruise or lighthouse tour cruise out of New Harbor, Maine (don't waste time with a Puffin cruise this time of year). Take Rt. 130 to Rt. 32 into New Castle for Hardy Boat Tours. http://www.hardyboat.com/ They leave from the same harbor where Shaw's Lobster Pound is located.

If you're going to continue north you must hit Camden. Lovely little town. The movie "In the Bedroom" was shot there and in Rockport.

I must agree with the other poster who said skip the Lobster Pound in Lincolnville north of Camden. Not the best example of Maine lobster. If it's a chilly evening, go 50 yards further north and stop at the Whale's Tooth. Popular with locals. Sit by the ENORMOUS fireplace.

You'll love the trip.

Sorry, my directions to Pemaquid made no sense. It's north on Rt. 1 then south on Rt. 130.

If you are going all the way to Camden, you should NOT miss Rockland, especially the Wyeth Museum. The whole town is a bit less touristy, and you can also stop at Owls Head Light, one of the best, or go down the St George peninsula for the wonderful fishing villages and Marshall Point Light in Port Clyde. Camden Harbor has a great little lunch trailer-- really good lobster rolls for about $6.00. Probably not a whole lobster, but otherwise a great deal.

YUM!
We're heading to Addison, ME in a few weeks...so many wonderful suggestions. Now we're going to have to check out the white lobster pizza and berry pies!