Maine vacaition spot needed.

[Big Cuddly Bear]

I posted something about this before but can't find the thread. So, sorry to post again, but I need a place to stay within 45 minutes of Portland. Looking to be on or really close to a beach, and in close proximity to Acadia.

Looking for a place that is not too remote so that kids can't find something to do. I called a few places on VRBO today, but no call backs yet.

 

[tweety38]

Portland and Acadia are about 3 hours apart. Popham Beach is close to Portland.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

You cannot be within 45 minutes of Portland and in close proximity to Acadia National Park, as they are about three hours apart on a good day with no traffic (and far more on holiday weekends).

Assuming you are willing to compromise on location, Damariscotta is very quaint and beautiful, as is Boothbay Harbor. Portland itself is also quite cool, and if you can stay on Cape Elizabeth, you get the proximity to Portland with a more "beachy" feeling.

Keep in mind the ocean that far north in Maine are cold pretty much all the time, so while it's beautiful to look at, it's not that useful for swimming and so you may want to look for a place with a pool.

 

[DaisyLynn]

I posted something about this before but can't find the thread. So, sorry to post again, but I need a place to stay within 45 minutes of Portland. Looking to be on or really close to a beach, and in close proximity to Acadia.

Looking for a place that is not too remote so that kids can't find something to do. I called a few places on VRBO today, but no call backs yet.

Well, as PP have told you, Acadia is a 3 hour drive (or more) from Portland. I'm not sure how old your kids are...but when I was a young teen, I LOVED Old Orchard Beach. Funtown/Splashtown USA is nearby, in Saco. But, there are more beautiful, scenic areas for you to visit. I mention OOB because there is lots to do right there.

http://www.visitmaine.com/region/beaches/

Also, even though it is a longer drive, the Bar Harbor and Acadia NP region is gorgeous and there are many activities and sights to be seen. If you have a chance to make the trip, you must!

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

OK, I thought they were closer, but if I go in between them.... maybe I can do that.

Anyway, I saw an ad on TV today for Bar Harbor and it looked AWESOME.... I just thought it was much closer to Portland.

Thank you.

 

[momrek06]

I will give you a hidden gem!!! Drakes Island in Wells, Me!!! My parents summer home is on DI!!! It is a beautiful area!!! Very private and a beautiful beach!!! Lots of rentals are available BUT you have to call now.

You can google Drakes Island and I am sure you will find tons of RE agents with listings for summer rentals. And yes you are 30 minutes to Portland.

 

[Mermaid02]

OK, I thought they were closer, but if I go in between them.... maybe I can do that.

Anyway, I saw an ad on TV today for Bar Harbor and it looked AWESOME.... I just thought it was much closer to Portland.

Thank you.

Bar Harbor IS AWESOME! One of our favorite places in the world. I should be there right now as a matter of fact and I'm a bit bitter that we aren't camping... hiking, swimming, biking, whale watching, beachcombing, shopping, dining, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world!

 

[englishteacha]

Yeah...Portland and Acadia are far apart. Why do you "need" to be near Portland?

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

Yeah...Portland and Acadia are far apart. Why do you "need" to be near Portland?

So my wife can shop.

 

[englishteacha]

Ummm...Portland isn't really a shopping "mecca" by any means. There's a mall, just like any mall in any small city in the country. The Old Port has little shops, but you can find similar small shops (very quaint, often themed) in Bar Harbor. I live in a very rural part of Maine. I go to Augusta, Auburn, and Portland to shop when I need something I can't get locally or online or just need to get out of my tiny little town for a day. If I want to SHOP, I head to Freeport, or to Kittery to the outlets, or into NH where it's tax free.

If I were you, I'd plan most of your vacation in Bar Harbor, spend time in Acadia, wife can do some shopping at the cute touristy shops, and on your way home stop in Freeport, home of LL Bean, and loads of outlets. If you really want to shop in Portland, then stop there on the way to/from Bar Harbor.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

So my wife can shop.

Portland, and pretty much all of Maine, is not a shopping Mecca by a long shot...With the exception of L.L. Bean, possibly, and that is primarily sporting goods.

Boston is where the good shopping is located.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Ummm...Portland isn't really a shopping "mecca" by any means.

Portland, and pretty much all of Maine, is not a shopping Mecca by a long shot...With the exception of L.L. Bean, possibly, and that is primarily sporting goods.

Wow, great minds think alike! I still remember my first trip to the "Maine Mall" as a child; all I could think was "wait a minute, it's just a small mall". I was expecting the "Main Mall" apparently (at the age of about 10, as I recall).

 

[luvflorida]

I agree with previous posters about Portland not being a shopping hub. South Portland has the Maine Mall and quite a few restaurants, but nothing out of the ordinary. The best shopping, IMO, is at the outlets in Freeport and Kittery.

It sounds like you want to stay north of Portland, so Kittery wouldn't work for you, unless you stop there on your way in or out of Maine. Kittery is the first town you hit as you enter Maine.

Kennebunkport is a beautiful little town (used to live in Kennebunk ) that has quite a few shops and a lot of restaurants. Everything is easy to walk to and there are beautiful views of the harbor and ocean. However, it's also south of Portland, so maybe not what you're looking for.

Everywhere along the Maine coast you're sure to find spectacular views. The best beaches (again, IMO) are in Southern Maine and the best of the rocky coast is further north. The Bar Harbor area is breathtaking and probably looks the most like what people from away think of when they think of the rocky coast of Maine.

As others have said, Boston is where the "real" shopping is! Although Maine does have a ton of wonderful, small "touristry" type of shops. And a trip to Maine wouldn't be complete without a stop at LL Bean's in Freeport.

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

My wife loves those little arsty kind of places if that matters. I recall someone telling me that there were a fair amount of those in Portland. But if that isn't really the case, then I can go anywhere, I guess.

Drakes Island looked AWESOME, but for this year, too expensive. We bought a home and had to add lots of new stuff, so funds are limited this summer, and bar Harbor seemed to be less expensive. At least what I saw on VRBO, which is how we usually roll.

 

[momrek06]

My wife loves those little arsty kind of places if that matters. I recall someone telling me that there were a fair amount of those in Portland. But if that isn't really the case, then I can go anywhere, I guess.

Drakes Island looked AWESOME, but for this year, too expensive. We bought a home and had to add lots of new stuff, so funds are limited this summer, and bar Harbor seemed to be less expensive. At least what I saw on VRBO, which is how we usually roll.

Ya, ok, I was wondering about the rents. Glad you loved our "little piece of heaven"! While I am in SoCal, I make it back every summer to spend some quality time with M&D on the Island!

I think if your DW loves artsy and tons of shopping, she will love Kennebunkport!!! And then there is also Ogunquit!!! Oh my, tons of arts and tons of shopping as well! Check out those two towns for rentals.

 

[luvflorida]

My wife loves those little arsty kind of places if that matters. I recall someone telling me that there were a fair amount of those in Portland. But if that isn't really the case, then I can go anywhere, I guess.

Sounds like your wife would really like the Old Port area in Portland. I'm not good with adding links, but if you google "Old Port in Portland" I bet you'll find helpful info on the area. The Old Port is loaded with small, one-of-a-kind type of shops. It's located near the waterfront. The area also has a lot of non-commercial/chain restaurants. Some of the walking is uphill, depending on where you park, and most of the streets and sidewalks are cobblestone, so I suggest comfortable footwear.

If you're interested in a beach that is only twenty minutes south of Portland, I highly recommend Old Orchard Beach. It is probably one of the widest strands of beaches in Southern Maine. There are a lot of not too expensive motels that line the beach area from about a mile or so on either side of the main street. There is a small amusement park, arcade and plenty of eating stands at the bottom of the main street.

The beach can get quite crowded around the pier area in the summer, but the further you head away from the main street, the less crowded the beach gets. In one direction you have Pine Point and in the other direction there is Ocean Park. Both are smaller, quieter areas, but are also on the gorgeous seven mile stretch of beach.

 

[aprilvaca04]

Sounds like your wife would really like the Old Port area in Portland. I'm not good with adding links, but if you google "Old Port in Portland" I bet you'll find helpful info on the area. The Old Port is loaded with small, one-of-a-kind type of shops. It's located near the waterfront. The area also has a lot of non-commercial/chain restaurants. Some of the walking is uphill, depending on where you park, and most of the streets and sidewalks are cobblestone, so I suggest comfortable footwear.

If you're interested in a beach that is only twenty minutes south of Portland, I highly recommend Old Orchard Beach. It is probably one of the widest strands of beaches in Southern Maine. There are a lot of not too expensive motels that line the beach area from about a mile or so on either side of the main street. There is a small amusement park, arcade and plenty of eating stands at the bottom of the main street.

The beach can get quite crowded around the pier area in the summer, but the further you head away from the main street, the less crowded the beach gets. In one direction you have Pine Point and in the other direction there is Ocean Park. Both are smaller, quieter areas, but are also on the gorgeous seven mile stretch of beach.

Pine Point is a great beach. Unfortunately the Ocean Park side of the pier has gotten so steep from errosion from the jetty it gets so deep at high tide and there is less good beach to sit on. But I love the area, that's why we live here It's hard to find a part of coastal Maine that is not truly beautiful!