Looking for suggestions. We will be in Camden on a Friday and Sat. night in Mid-August and then will be flying out of Portland Monday Evening so we have about 11/2 days to go and stay somewhere else in ME. Where should we go? Bar Harbor? Western Mountains? I think I am more apt to stay on the coast, but am looking for any suggestions. Thanks

That's a lot of time in the car. Why not go enjoy the Portland area? There's lots to do and see and, if you don't like the idea of staying in the city, you can opt for the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth or the Black Point Inn in Scarboro. If you post a price range for lodging and an idea of what you might like to do during that time it would help.

Driving to Bar Harbor and then back to Portland may be a little much. One idea might be to go to Boothbay Harbor, there's an inn/hotel that we stayed in called Spruce Point Inn (sprucepointinn.com) that's on the water and if you enjoy boating/hiking, there's a two hour boat ride to Monhegan Island, which has great hiking. You can also walk around and visit the shops on Monhegan and in Boothbay Harbor.

Another option is to go ahead into Portland, and you can take a ferry to a number of islands from anywhere from 30 mins to 1 1/2 hours ride. Then there's the old port area in Portland as well that's fun to shop/eat.

Portland is a nice place to spend a day or so. Go out to the lighthouse, take a harbor tour, try out a few restaurants. I agree that trying to rush up to Bar Harbor and then back to Portland is not a good idea. You'll end up more stressed out than relaxed - that's no way to be in Maine!

We traveled up the coast last year from Portland to Bar Harbor but we had 5 days. Boothbay Harbor is a good idea. We stayed at the Spruce Point Inn which was nice in the inn. When I called to make reservations they talked me into staying in one of the cottages. We were a bit disappointed. But it was only for one night. Others we talked to that stayed in the Inn thought it was very nice. It is a beautiful area. We also stayed at the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland before flying out the next afternoon. It was very nice and we went to take in our last lighthouse that morning before flying out that day. Bar Harbor is wonderful but I would plan more time as there is much to see and do.