I wanted to get some feedback and advise on a tentitive itinerary for an August roadtrip trip to Maine for my wife and I.

We have wedding in Danbury, Ct Friday, August 17, so will be leaving from Danbury Saturday, August 18. Our first stop will be Portland, checking in Saturday with a checkout Monday, August 20. On Monday, we will visit the the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Community in New Gloucester enroute to Camden. We will have a two night stay in Camden and leave Wednesday, August 22. We may stop in Castine for a couple of hours entroute to Bar Harbor (for Arcadia and to see the island) where will stay for three nights (checking in Wednesday, August 22 and checking out Saturday August 25.) We will leave Bar Harbor Saturday morning to travel to either, York Beach, Ogunquit or Old Orchard Beach. (I'd appreciate input as to which of these to choose.) We wanted the last few days to be relaxing in a beach town. We will next leave Monday morning to drive home (New York City).

I wanted to get feedback on whether the trip is a good use of time and whether time is allocated appropriately and as to which beach town to stay in at the end of the trip.

Sounds like a nice trip to me, though you need to recognize that going to the beach in Maine in August may not mean going in the water, which can be pretty cold. I will be interested to see what you hear about Old Orchard Beach, Ogunquit, and York Beach. I have no first hand experience with the first two, but they have wildly different reputations.

Sounds like a nice trip though you'll have to book accomodations early since August fills up on the Maine coast. Some places require a 3 night or even a 7 night minimum for bookings.
I would think the beach areas would be more frenetic than relaxing since it's the last big tourist week of the season, but you might consider Ocean Park which is about a mile south of Old Orchard and is much quieter. Take a look at www.billowhouse.com, its one of only 2 or 3 places available in tiny Ocean Park.

I went to Sabbathday Lake last summer. Since the 4 remaining Shaker's live there, volunteers give a very nice tour of 5 or 6 of the buildings. The two gift shops are WONDERFUL, with yarns made from the villages sheep and herbs grown and packed on site. There is also a nice section of authentic antique Shaker items to purchase. You can easily tour the village in 3-4 hours. There is no restaurant available on site.
Have you been to Hancock Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts? Also nice and only a few miles down the road is the Mt. Lebanon Village- not restored but interesting to drive through. A museum is open on weekends.

On your way to Camden---We liked Maine's Prison Gift Shop on Hwy 1 in Tomaston, the light houses in Rockland and Port Clyde , Mt Batty and walking along the beach in Camden Hills State Park. The Olson House in Crushing is interesting if you like Andrew Wyeth's works. The ticket comes paired with admission to the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland. It's a smaller museum and very nice.

I agree with wilbur that a visit to the top of Mt Battie (take the auto road) is a highlight of a visit to Camden and visit to Owls Head Lighthouse (very short hike) in Rockland is a must. York Beach is the only beach we have spent time at. Great beaches, walk to Nubble lighthouse is fun and it is very family oriented area. We've never been to the other parts of York. If you want great restaurants and more upscale shopping, my guess is Ogunquit would be better. (Our walk on the Marginal Way was eons ago but I remember it as being a wonderful walk.) I loved the Farnsworth Museum since it has examples of all three Wyeth's work plus other Maine artists. My husband preferred the Transportation Museum in Rockland. Overall, I think you have a nice itinerary planned but I'm not sure you have planned time to search for the best view and lobster roll. We usually plan a good portion of the day which includes a lobster lunch to explore a finger of land. It could be when you are in Camden and visit Owls Head Lighthouse. Our favorite place is nearby, Waterman's Beach. Look for very simple signs. Get a copy of the Maine Farmers Markets guide so you know when and where they are held. The one in Brunswick is Friday mornings and was a wonderful opportunity to pick up a small pie and local bread. The guide is available at highway information booths/visitors centers.
Keep in mind that travel on Monday morning is going to be in commuter traffic. If you are interested in another Shaker setting, Canterbury Shaker Village is just north of Concord NH and could be included on your trip heading to Maine or leaving. Although check their website to see if they are open 7 days a week.

Thank you for the advise. My wife and I were looking for a beach town to relax at the end of the vacation, but also some place where there are things to see and do, we still feel touristy or the weather turns out to not be beach weather.

I've never been to Hancock, but it sounds like fun. We are looking forward to Sabbathday.

Any other things that we should see or do around the Camden area?

Just realize that traffic will be horrendous on 95 on a saturday since most vacation rentals are from sat/sat everyone is coming and going. Goodluck

Castine is actually a very sweet town. We did stop there on our way up the coast and thought we'd like to return and stay for a few days. Check out the Castine Inn.

I would recommend staying someplace other than Bar Harbor. There are smaller towns. Bar Harbor (IMO) was disappointing. There were an excess of t shirt shops.

I might recommend Ogunquit of all the places you mentioned. Although, it's not a "beach town".

Ogunquit not a beach town???? It's home to the perfect 3 mile walking beach - Moody Beach??? What is it then?! LOL!!!

sorry sistahlou~what I meant to say is it's not a "sleepy" beach town. I would still recommend it over the other 2.

Funny Pam.

Mailman just came and I heard from seachambers.com a favorite of ours. Nothing grand, but great pool and views and people, and the rates are great for the area and short season.
Cheers!

I really like York Beach, it has a nice
50's or 60's beach town feeling. We go there because we love the Union Bluff Hotel-although I'd ONLY stay there with one of the front waterview rooms with a balcony.You won't get a better deal and view in Maine than room 407. Nothing like an early morning walk by the ocean, looking at the old Maine houses over the rocks. Post Card perfect. Not to mention the classic Nubile Lighthouse.