Scenic costal drives, Oct, 2010
 

We love long driving trips and and considering one from Atlanta to Maine around the middle of Oct. We are specifically interested in visiting a few coastal fishing villages and rugged coastal seascapes. We are young seniors and not big on shopping, or fine dining, but do love history and photography.
Any suggestions for a starting location (Portland?) and driving routes, specific overnight stopping locations, etc., would be appreciated. We will have approximately 8 days to spend in Maine or possiblly the southern New Brunswick area before heading back to Atlanta.

First, although coastal Maine is not at the top of leaf peepers' lists, it's a strong contender in mid October. Between leaf peeping and college parent weekends, be sure to make reservations early. We have vacationed a few times in Wiscasset ME and there abouts. Route 1 beginning in Kittery ME on the southern border is wall to wall shopping outlets but there are some nice drives on other roads esp out to Kittery Point. Beaches south of Portland ME tend to be sandy. Beaches north tend to be rocky. The reason why we like the Wiscasset area is that we can go in a different direction each day. Just south is the lovely college town of Brunswick and from there you can head to the coast. Figure a good half day to explore a point. Last summer we ate at Dolphin Marina in South Harpswell and found a nature preserve on a tiny road where we could enjoy a beach that was almost private. Bath is famous for its shipyard and great Maritime Museum. To the north there is Rockland and other towns where you can find the Owls Head Transportation Museum. They have some great events on summer weekends. Check their calendar for fall. Also Owls Head light, great short hike. Also to the north, Camden but by October I think the windjammers will be headed south. Beautiful harbor. Get a Delorme atlas and gazetteer so you can find interesting side roads. Across the bridge from Wiscasset/headed east, is Boothbay Harbor. See what kind of day cruises you might be able to take in October. Acadia is a litte too far from the Wiscasset area so you might consider going up for a couple of nights and enjoying that part of Maine - Ellsworth to Bar Harbor and vicinity.
I really don't think you will have time for southern New Brunswick unless you want to make a fast dash. I think you would do better to spend some time exploring southern coastal ME.
Keep in mind that the true lobster shacks where you eat outside or in an unheated building might be open Columbus Day weekend but not during the week. There are plenty of restaurants that serve lobster but some of the nicest views are from a picnic table by the water with a freshly steamed lobster in front of you.

We enjoyed the Maine coast north of Portland all the way to Campabello Is just over the bridge into NB. If you are from Atlanta and have viisted FDR's Little White House you would enjoy the history of FDR's Campabello Is estate which is where the family vacationed before he came down with polio at that house.

One don't miss area is Acadia NP. Be sure to take the ferry or drive around to the more remote Schoodlc Peninsula.If you have 8 days for Maine I would spend 3 here.

The coast is dotted with one picturest town after another. Just do a search on Maine and you will come up with lots of interesting stops. One of our favorites was the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. Enjoy!

I appreciate the information and suggestions. Both Boothbay Harbor and Acadia sound great. We still have plenty of time for the planning. How does flying into and overnighting in Portland, (only 1 direct flight a day getting to Portland at around 10pm), picking up a rental car the next day and driving to Saint John, via I95 and Hwy 9. Staying 2 nights in Saint John, then taking a nice slow drive down Hwy 1 to Bar Harbor for 4 nights, the Boothbay for 3 nights before catching the plane from Portland back to Atlanta. Still may decide to drive from Atl, but theres not that much diffence in driving or flying and flying may win out.

Sounds like a plan. I agree on the Farnsworth esp because it features Maine artists. Boothbay is beautiful. There's a fort history lovers should enjoy near Brunswick. We have never been to Peak's Island off the coast from Portland but heard it's wonderful. If you get a warm, sunny day, visit an island or check Martime Museum to see if they are doing any lighthouse cruises. Just remember it will be very cold on the water. We did a day trip to Monhegan from Boothbay but it was in July. I have Peaks Island on my to-do list. Get the local newspapers to see if there are any local events going on. On our last visit we happened on a benefit lobster dinner that was a good deal. Served under a tent to benefit the local volunteer fire dept. And do NOT miss the auto road up Mt Battie for the view overlooking Camden Harbor. It's our favorite place to picnic. I think whoopie pies might be the state dessert.

Thanks dfrostnh, I'll add these to my to-do list. My wife loves lighthouses and there appears to be several we'll be able to visit. Looks like this could be a fun trip.

This past summer, I picked up a Maine lighthouses map while at Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde. (A small part of the movie, "Forest Gump" was filmed here). If you'd like me to make you a copy, just let me know. There are many lighthouses in Maine.