hi again, so we are reconsidering some destinations in Maine since it looks like Bar Harbor is an extremely long drive from NYC (and we sadly don't have too many days off). Would we enjoy ourselves just as much if we visited Kennebunkport, Rockport and Camden (and stayed in Camden maybe?). Thanks!

Kennebunkport and Camden are lovely towns. I'm not that familar with Rockport. Ogunquit and Boothbay Harbor are 2 other options. Of course, none have Arcadia NP, but they are picturesque. If you go N of Kennebunkport up towards Boothbay Harbor and Camden, you could make a stop in Freeport for the outlet shopping and LL Bean's main store.

If you're pressed for time I wouldn't waste any by stopping in Freeport, it's just the ubiquitous outlet stores like the Gap and Ralph Lauren. I would get off of route 1, DEFINITELY take a drive out to the Pemaquid peninsula and/or the Harpswells forsome real Maine scenery. If you go to Boothbay drive out and around Ocean Point.

If you do those things you'll still get a good taste of Maine without going to Bar Harbor, and Kennebunkport and Camden are nice towns, but please try to get out to the Peninsulas.

I, personally, don't think it's worth the extra drive to Bar Harbor.

Camden is magnificent. Check out the Camden Harbour Inn. We loved that place. Camden is chock full of wonderful shopping and dining.

If you're going to split up your stay, my recommendation would be Camden, with a stop by Boothbay Harbor on your way south. The Lobster Dock is a magnificent spot for lunch (overlooking gorgeous Boothbay Harbor).

Kennebunkport and Ogunquit (you can stay in one, visit the other nearby) are both marvelous.

I agree with the post about visiting the penisulas. Those side trips to Ocean Point, Pemaquid Point, etc. were a highlight to my trip. I really enjoyed Popham Beach, too. Have fun!

Thanks all. So I think we will stay 2 nights in Camden and be sure to take a side trip to the Penninsula/Boonbay Habor, or include it along with a night in Ogunquit or Kennebunkport. (I still need to research these 2 spots). Can we do this all in 3-4 nights comfortable? How about recommended accomdations that are nice but reasonable. I've got Camden Harbor Inn on my list.
And lastly (not sure if anyone can assist), if we do a 3-4 night Maine trip, are we better off driving fron NYC (6-7hrs I'm told), or flying to Portland and renting a car. Thanks!!

We've stayed at Glenmoor by the Sea which is a bit north of Camden. Although right on Rt 1, the buildings are set back from the road. Four of us shared a unit that had a bedroom, sitting area and mini kitchenette area. www.glenmoorbythesea.com Although I think our view wasn't as good as described on the website.
If you consider flying you might check airfare to MHT Manchester NH which would be about 2 hours southwest of Portland. I understand fares are much cheaper. A lot of people from Maine choose MHT for price. I agree that the most beautiful part of Maine are the side roads out to the pennisulas. In Camden don't miss the auto rd up Mt Battie for a terrific view overlooking Camden Harbor. Bring binnoculars to watch boats coming along the coast. Bar Harbor area has a more remote feel but unless you wanted to do a lot of hiking I think you will be much happier in the Camden area. We carry bag chairs with us so we can spend time appreciating the view, maybe reading and picnicing. The top of Mt Battie is a great place but we also recently discovered a very nice short hike to Owls Head lighthouse. Looked like a nice picnicing site. Pemaquid Pt is great too but we just take a snack and then head to the nearby lobster place for lunch. We prefer Maine's mid-coast area and prefer to stay on Rt 95 until we get to Brunswick. Visit the great Farnsworth Museum in Rockland (art) or the Owls Head Transportation Museum.
From NYC you could have a fun drive to Camden. Choose a great spot for lunch coming and going with maybe a short break from driving. Does it matter if you add another hour or two to the drive? In fact, you might want to avoid the toll booth near Hampton NH Rt 95 if you are driving on Fri or Sat. You might even consider Portland ME to Conway NH for lunch in the White Mountains before heading home.

Hi Jacqui!

Not sure about your interests, but I think Kennebunkport and Ogungquit make a perfect destination for first time Maine visitors, especially if you have only 3 nights. It is very scenic, there are lots of lovely restaurants and lodging options, local shops, antiquing, boat tours, summer theatre, beaches, etc. You may want to try this website:
http://www.kennebunkport.org/
or the Chamber of Commerce site.

You could make a day trip (ALL day) to Camden from K-port, or a shorter day trip to Portsmouth, NH.

It would be an all day drive from NYC to K-port (6 hrs? ) ,but doable, as long as you do not head North on a Friday.

The other option is to fly into either Portland, or Manchester, NH (probably cheaper), and rent a car to explore.

Have fun!

Just to help you sort things out, Ogunquit and Kennebunkport are more 'beach' towns than Boothbay or Camden. Ogunquit and Kennebunkport and Wells are blessed with miles of white sand beaches, interespersed with rocky coves. Once you get further north, there is more rocky coast and cooler water (except for Old Orchard Beach, which is the Coney Island of Maine).

Thanks all (again!). So does it make sense to stay in Kennebunkport/Ogunquit and do a day trip to Camden, or vice versa. We love the beach, but will fit in a drive to the peninsula as well.

Dreamer2, why do you say avoid the 6hr drive on a Friday? It looks like we're going to drive, so wondering when the best day to tackle the drive there is. The way back would be mid week, so less traffic.

Also, any suggestions on places to stay in Kennebunkport/Ogunquit? Is one more expensive/scenic than the other?

Summer Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings always have incredible traffic heading North in Maine and NH. (Same as the heavy traffic heading south of Boston to Cape Cod.) I think it would take much more than six hours. Try to leave Thursday night, or very early Friday morning, if you are going for the weekend. Thurs to Monday would be a good 4 night plan, but you might end up having trouble getting up to Camden with all the weekend traffic. Maybe others can chime in with advice.

Kennebunkport is a bit more upscale than Ogunquit. Personally it would be my choice, but I would definitely want to visit Ogunquit to do the Cliff Walk, and perhaps the summer theatre or a restaurant (MC Perkins, PROVENCE, or the Oar Weed). Here's the CoC website:
http://www.ogunquit.org/index.cfm

What sort of places do you like to stay at? Inns or hotels? Downtown or on the beach? If I were staying in Kennebunkport, I'd opt for Cape Arundel Inn, Colony Resort, the Nonantum, or the Captain Jefferds Inn, but these are all on the expensive side. Ogunquit has many more reasonable hotels, but they are on Rt. 1, and not as scenic. If you are looking for a bargain in K-port, try the Lodge at Turbot's Creek.

Here are good websites for K-port:
http://www.kennebunkport.com/
or
http://www.kportinns.com/

My favorite restaurants there are:
Bandaloop - Funky, fun, organic, and creative
Luke's on Nine - Casual, Great food, Great prices
Hurricane - Wonderful Happy Hour on Fridays and a nice bar menu

By the way, my favorite beach in the area is Goose Rocks just beyond Cape Porpoise. But, sshhhh! Don't tell anybody.

I've just reread this and it's a bit disjointed. Just came back from NYC myself. Six hours in heavy rain and all kinds of traffic to NH. Had a great weekend though! Hope you do, too, and hope this information will help with your decisions.