Southern Coastal Maine suggestions
Jun 1st, 2010, 01:26 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,036
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When are you going? After July 1, the traffic in some towns is terrible. We've avoided southern Maine because of that but we're headed to Ogunquit in mid-June and staying at a place on the trolley route. I understand the trolley only runs on weekends in June but also connects to the one in Wells. There's a lot to see and do in Portsmouth NH area so I would include that as well.
Get a really good map. Our favorite drive is Rt 1B thru New Castle NH. At one point on a narrow causeway you can see the Portsmouth Navy Prison in one direction (actually in Kittery ME) and the historic Wentworth hotel in the other. Rt 1B takes you past the Wentworth. New Castle is very old and very quaint with nary a t shirt shop. It's mostly residential. Also the coast route thru Rye will take you past mansions.
Avoid Rt 1 thru Kittery ME unless you want to go outlet shopping but you can follow the signs for Kittery Point and then plot the route to York. It's more of a country road.
Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport etc are all very popular tourist destinations and you will find the downtown areas and Rt 1 to be very congested with traffic even mid-week after July 1 until Labor Day. I think places lose their charm when traffic is bad.
Get a really good map. Our favorite drive is Rt 1B thru New Castle NH. At one point on a narrow causeway you can see the Portsmouth Navy Prison in one direction (actually in Kittery ME) and the historic Wentworth hotel in the other. Rt 1B takes you past the Wentworth. New Castle is very old and very quaint with nary a t shirt shop. It's mostly residential. Also the coast route thru Rye will take you past mansions.
Avoid Rt 1 thru Kittery ME unless you want to go outlet shopping but you can follow the signs for Kittery Point and then plot the route to York. It's more of a country road.
Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport etc are all very popular tourist destinations and you will find the downtown areas and Rt 1 to be very congested with traffic even mid-week after July 1 until Labor Day. I think places lose their charm when traffic is bad.
Jun 1st, 2010, 07:19 AM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Schools are not out that early in June, so you should be good, especially since you're going mid-week. York Center is pretty, and I would include it on your drive...there are two beaches in York, Long Sands and Short Sands, with Short Sands being the prettier. The Stonewall Farm headquarters is in York and worth a visit...You can continue on that route through Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport...
Jun 1st, 2010, 10:01 AM
#6
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I know Kennebunkport better than the other towns; I would Google places to stay in KPT and in Kennebunk because I don't know your budget; but I know most places and can tell you a little bit about them (I think!). If you want to go as far as Portland, there are many little inns and B&Bs there; it's a great little city, walkable, excellent restaurants, museum.
Jun 2nd, 2010, 06:51 AM
#7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From today's Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/travel/explore...es/coastalGPS/
http://www.boston.com/travel/explore...es/coastalGPS/
Jun 2nd, 2010, 12:33 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it just the two of you -- or a family?
As I have recommended elsewhere, check out the York Harbor Inn in southern Maine, unless you want to drive farther north. This is across the street from the ocean, has various rooms and rates, etc. See their web site.
As I have recommended elsewhere, check out the York Harbor Inn in southern Maine, unless you want to drive farther north. This is across the street from the ocean, has various rooms and rates, etc. See their web site.
Jun 3rd, 2010, 01:31 PM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bnbtraveler:
Ah yes...
And, of course, you know about Chapman Cottage, also a lovely place to stay and a great place to dine! (Not cheap, but great.)
And that neat little ice cream shop around the corner in the center of town?
Lovely.
Ah yes...
And, of course, you know about Chapman Cottage, also a lovely place to stay and a great place to dine! (Not cheap, but great.)
And that neat little ice cream shop around the corner in the center of town?
Lovely.
