Sara

If you're looking for a good place to stop for a night between Acadia and Boston on your way back, you might consider Boothbay Harbor, it's about halfway, if you take the scenic route (route 1) instead of getting on 95 in Bangor. There is a detour of about 10 miles down route 27 to get there, but the Boothbay area is very scenic, and the wonderful Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is there, if that appeals to you. Here's their web site: www.mainegardens.org. I've stayed at the Five Gables Inn in East Boothbay, which is lovely, and a quiet location with a nice water view : www.fivegablesin.com. I've also stayed at another wonderful place, the Hodgdon Island Inn, just down the road from the botanical gardens, which also has a water view.: http://boothbaybb.com/.

On Mount Desert Island, if you want to stay in a location other than Bar Harbor, you might think about checking this place out: http://www.mooringsinn.com/. We were up there recently, and stopped by to see this inn - it's right on the water, and has a view to die for. I'm definitely thinking of trying to stay there sometime in the future. While you're on Mt. Desert Island, I highly recommend taking a scenic boat trip on the Sea Princess out of Northeast Harbor. I've taken the 2 & a half hour cruise twice, which goes past the Bear Island lighthouse out to the Cranberry Isles, gives you a stopover to walk around the fishing village on Little Cranberry Island, and goes up into Somes Sound - the scenery is spectacular! Here's their web site: http://www.barharborcruises.com. Northeast Harbor is lovely, and much less crowded than Bar Harbor; it has some nice shops and galleries, a picturesque harbor, and the beautiful Thuya Gardens there are worth a visit. Do try to get to the Jordan Pond House in Acadia for their yummy popovers!

turkpatterson

Thank you!!

LittleWing

Looking forward to hearing your final plans and report!

dreamtravelers

Hi There,

I stayed in Kennebunkport 2 years ago, going back this year. Captain Lord Mansion is a very nice B&B in Kennebunkport. Pretty and Large rooms. Good Breakfast. Went to Mable's Seafood which is older/ delicious - but no ocean view. Not sure this is where you want your kick off meal, but if you stay there, you should go.

Boston-- If you want a break from seafood go to the Italian section. Many places to choose from and so fun to just walk through the area.

Have fun!

turkpatterson

I am set on all parts of lodging except for the main part in Bar Harbor!! Having a terrible time finding something i like without spending major $$. And I am not thrifty.
What to do?

Kwoo

turkpatterson,
Have you tried the Inn at Southwest Harbor in Southwest Harbor in Acadia NP? We stayed there several years ago and really enjoyed it. Very pretty with delicious breakfasts. I recommend Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard at ANP. Southwest Harbor is much quieter than Bar Harbor, less commercialized.

clarkgriswold

I don't even think that Bar Harbor is exactly what you are looking for, SO crowded and touristy at this time of year.

You're trying to book just a few days in advance near one of our national parks. My advice would be to make a decision because you're lucky that you're seeing any availability AT ALL.

You might just spend two nights in BH and the entire 3rd day, taking a sunset drive for a couple of hours and staying somewhere on the way to Boston at half the price.

You DO have a car booked already, don't you? They are running around $600 a week without advance booking. Glad we booked ours in May at $270.

Bette

turkpatterson,
Here is the link to the BH Chamber of Commerce - maybe they will have a hotel / inn listed you haven't thought of yet.

http://www.barharborinfo.com/

It is very late for booking BH for next week, as I'm afraid you are finding out. Perhaps just book a room you can guarantee against a credit card and then cancel w/o penalty if you find something which appeals to you more.

Let us know how you are making out - good luck.

bandbt

We enjoyed a great view with lunch at the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth at Two Lights. Eat Outside on the ocean cliffs very casual, picnic tables look for their website to see the view.

turkpatterson

Thank you all for the tips. Yes, I do have my car and two nights booked of the 7 we are out for. I think that I will book one night in BH or that area just to have something once we get there and maybe wing it after that. I am finding one night here and there--not 3 all together--which may not be a good thing anyway? Not sure if would should have the same base throughout the stay in Acadia anyway--thoughts? BH does sound a little over run. I am not worried about lodging in Boston--only in this area. I really wanted something nice and cozy. So many of the places look tired and run down. Most of these places do require full payment on booking.

elberko

Nope, no good reason to stay in more than one place on MDI, it's not that big.

Others report a big gap in lodgings between cheap & cheerful, and expensive, but since we're happy with cheap & cheerful, I can't be of much help!

Good luck!

~Liz

Bette

I'm not sure if I would describe BH as a little over run, although I do sense some people have given you that impression. My husband & I are usually not in the downtown area during the day...we are usually out enjoying various aspects of Acadia or perhaps kayaking...things like that. We are intown in the evenings for dinner; many of the daytrippers have gone home and I have never found it terribly busy in the evenings (although if you have your eye on a particular restaurant I would book a table). There are cruise ships which occasionally call to Bar Harbor and that can make the shopping area during the day busy and perhaps a little over run!
One of the reasons we like being at the Bar Harbor Inn is we can park the car at the end of the day and walk to many fine restaurants and not worry about having to drive after having a few drinks - (besides the wonderful property and spectacular views).
Hope everything works out for you!
I don't think Mount Desert Island is large enough to move around to different lodgings....my preference would be to stay put in one place.

LittleWing

what bette said.

clarkgriswold

One place that you definitely don't want to "wing it" is Bar Harbor in August! Yikes! Nothing but 'no vacancy' signs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqhIxwujX6U