Looking for suggestions along the Maine coast

[Narnia_girl]

We have a vacation planned for Quebec City and Acadia/Bar Harbor. I sort of forgot that the last two days of our trip will basically be meandering down the Maine coast and I'm not entirely sure what we should do.

I'd love suggestions for places to pull over and see sights or do short walks. As our goal is to move southward, we can't spend a lot of time but we aren't terribly rushed.

Any suggestions for these two stretches coastline:

Monday: Leave Bar Harbor mid-morning. Maybe stop in Camden? Definitely at LL Bean in Freeport. Is there a promenade in Portland we should do? Then continue down the coast to Biddeford (Hotel).

Tuesday: From Biddeford we could backtrack a bit to Portland? East to Port Elizabeth? Go south to Kennebunkport, Rachel Carlson Wildlife Area or Portsmouth, NH. In mid-afternoon we have to head to Manchester, NH for our flight home.

I see all kinds of "must sees" on lists, but many involve several hours. We'd love some sightseeing options that are near the roads south as we travel the coast. And speaking of roads, are you actually able to see the coast from Hwy 1 or do you need to go to a closer shore road most of the way?

Thanks so much.

 

[piccolopat]

We go to Kennebunkport every year. Dock Square has some nice shops and restaurants. We like Alisson's there. The trolley ride is nice but a bit pricey. It does go along the water past Walkers Point (the Bush family compound) as well as the Kennebunk beaches and the Franciscan Monastery. You can get on and off all day from any of the stops, including Dock Square. I love walking the trail at Rachel Carson. We've been to LL Bean in Freeport but prefer the outlets down in Kittery. The Kittery Trading Post has the same sort of merchandise as LL Bean. We love Roberts restaurant in Kittery because the food is locally sourced and so fresh. I would also recommend Perkins Cove and Marginal Way down in Ogunquit. Marginal Way is about a mile walk along the ocean with benches here and there. It starts in Perkins Cove where there are a number of shops and restaurants and sightseeing boats that go to the lighthouse in York. There are also lobster boat and whale watching tours in Kennebunkport. You won't see the coast from Hwy 1 but there are roads that go down to the ocean from there. If you like museums and have time, I recommend the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, ME. Enjoy your trip!

 

[clutter]

A couple places I've gotten to know:

The big chicken barn in Ellsworth. Just a great place to wander around.

The Alpaca Experience in Northport - run by a wonderful couple of women with a farm in Unity and another store in Ellsworth.

Home Kitchen Cafe in Rockland. Love this place that's only open for breakfast and lunch.

Holy donuts in Portland and Scarborough. Holy is right. The blueberry ones are to die for. Although I usually go to the Bangor area, I generally time my trip(s) to make a stop, especially if it's blueberry season.

Visiting lighthouses is also an interesting time. Have a great trip! (Sorry, I'm all about the food....)

 

[PollyannaMom]

Tuesday: From Biddeford we could backtrack a bit to Portland? East to Port Elizabeth? Go south to Kennebunkport, Rachel Carlson Wildlife Area or Portsmouth, NH. In mid-afternoon we have to head to Manchester, NH for our flight home.

I definitely recommend Portsmouth! DH travels there frequently for work, and I have gone up with him a couple of times. There's a great downtown area with little shops, entertainment, restaurants, ice cream places, etc.

https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-hampshire/downtown-portsmouth-new-hampshire/

If you like history, we did the Moffatt-Ladd House last time, and the Strawbery Banke Museum is on our list. Both have gardens too.

Monday: Leave Bar Harbor mid-morning. Maybe stop in Camden? Definitely at LL Bean in Freeport. Is there a promenade in Portland we should do? Then continue down the coast to Biddeford (Hotel).

May I ask if you already have a favorite hotel in Biddeford? We will be traveling to U.N.E. there.

 

[Narnia_girl]

May I ask if you already have a favorite hotel in Biddeford? We will be traveling to U.N.E. there.

I have never been to Biddeford (or Maine) before, so I don't have a favorite hotel. We are staying free on points at a Holiday Inn Express. What is U.N.E.?

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have never been to Biddeford (or Maine) before, so I don't have a favorite hotel. We are staying free on points at a Holiday Inn Express. What is U.N.E.?

University of New England

 

[piccolopat]

I definitely recommend Portsmouth! DH travels there frequently for work, and I have gone up with him a couple of times. There's a great downtown area with little shops, entertainment, restaurants, ice cream places, etc.

https://newengland.com/today/travel/new-hampshire/downtown-portsmouth-new-hampshire/

If you like history, we did the Moffatt-Ladd House last time, and the Strawbery Banke Museum is on our list. Both have gardens too.




May I ask if you already have a favorite hotel in Biddeford? We will be traveling to U.N.E. there.

Strawberry Banke is very nice. We did this years ago and really enjoyed it.

 

[hsmamato2]

A couple places I've gotten to know:

The big chicken barn in Ellsworth. Just a great place to wander around.

The Alpaca Experience in Northport - run by a wonderful couple of women with a farm in Unity and another store in Ellsworth.

Home Kitchen Cafe in Rockland. Love this place that's only open for breakfast and lunch.

Holy donuts in Portland and Scarborough. Holy is right. The blueberry ones are to die for. Although I usually go to the Bangor area, I generally time my trip(s) to make a stop, especially if it's blueberry season.

Visiting lighthouses is also an interesting time. Have a great trip! (Sorry, I'm all about the food....)

I second holy donuts...even their gf ones are SO GOOD- the lighthouse area in Portland is so pretty too

 

[HeatherC]

Along the way from Camden down the coast I would also suggest stopping in Boothbay Harbor,Wiscasset and Bath. All are great little towns and well worth a stop.