Flying into Boston? Driving up coast into Maine?

[Antonia]

Just trying to think of a different 3 night/4 day trip for DH and me. Last year we drove to New Orleans and had a blast. This year this is all the time we have as I keep our grandchild each week.

We would fly into Boston on Friday and fly back home on the following Monday into Charlotte, NC.

What interesting things to see and do? We have always lived in the South. Of course, we would want to eat lobster in Maine!!!! LOL

P.s Is the coast along Maine scenic?????

 

[Silent1CB]

Could you fly home from Bangor, ME? You could see more of Maine & less time driving back to MA for the airport. Acadia National Park / Bar Harbor is very pretty but is much further up the coast & closer to Bangor than it is to Boston. Just a suggestion since that's a pretty short visit.

If you are only thinking of visiting Southern Maine, then the drive won't be as bad.

To me, the real Maine is further north though. Portland and north for sure.

 

[Evi]

depending on where your planning to go it can be a very nice drive I would plan as much ahead of time as you can. We do the drive up a few times during the year and love it. If you haven't been to Boston before there is alot to do here and the weather is getting nicer you may want to contain yourself a little close perhaps head to the Cape, Nantucket or Rockport. If you do go to Maine and your in Portland you have to hit the Great Lost Bear I love their burgers.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Driving the east coast of Maine is beautiful. Everyone does it in the summer.

Be prepared for heavy traffic in many places.

I tell visitors "don't stop until you get to Portland."

Belfast is a lovely little town and has one of the last working lobster pounds on the coast. Their lobster, clams, crab are as fresh as it gets.

I spent childhood years in Rockland, a working town with a working wharf, so I'll encourage you to visit there too. If you go in August be prepared for capacity crowds as that is when they have their festival.

Boston and the Cape are lovely, but they are not Maine.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It all depends on what you want out of your weekend. So far I've only been camping in Maine, and we drove up via New Hampshire, but a friend of mine loves Ogunquit along the coast. - She's been going there for years. There's Kittery if you want shopping, and I'm sure some people closer will recommend the best places for lobster.

There is tons to do right in Boston, too. I love the Science Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, and of course there's all the history. - The Freedom Trail is the Revolutionary War stuff, and you can take a trolley or a "duck" tour. There are lots of smaller museums and things, too, so if there's anything special you're interested in, post back.

 

[bicker]

If you're aiming for lobster, avoid all the chain restaurants. I'm normally a big defender of the better chains, but for lobster, specifically, they're typically rip-offs. The best New England lobster dining experiences can be had at local independents. Our favorite has been Lord's Lobster Inc Harborside Restaurant (LINK)

 

[Mermaid02]

The BEST lobster in Maine- you can watch the fisherman pull their boat up and unload- is Thurstons Lobster Pound on Mount Desert (as in "he is not an army deserter") Island.

MDI and Acadia National Park are really MUST do's if you are coming to Maine.

 

[bicker]

I've heard of Thurstons, too. MDI, though, is pretty far up the coast. I think most folks would be shocked about just how much further MDI is from Boston or even Portland, as compared to Wells Beach.

 

[Mermaid02]

I've heard of Thurstons, too. MDI, though, is pretty far up the coast. I think most folks would be shocked about just how much further MDI is from Boston or even Portland, as compared to Wells Beach.

That's what makes it great. The scenery on MDI is unbelievable- I encourage folks to go further up the coast than Portland.... there is a lot of Maine coastline to explore.

 

[JESW]

Unless you are planning on spending time in Boston I would fly into Maine instead. Boston, and the area surrounding Logan airport, is a nightmare to drive around if you are not used to it.

Jill

 

[anniemae]

You could do southern Maine, like Ogunquit & Kennebunk. A little touristy, but great places to spend a day!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Boothbay Harbor is touristy but absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy your trip. I haven't been to Maine in years but it is absolutely beautiful!!!

 

[castleview]

Acadia is wonderful as is Bar Harbor.

 

[aprilvaca04]

I happen to think it's all wonderfulThere are so many different things to do and places to see up here. I don't think that you will be disappointed in any area you decide to visit. I hope you decide to come and have a fantastic time. I happen to be in Southern Maine but love it all