Tips for budget friendy New England trip?

[billwendy]

Any last minute suggestions or advice?

Our plan is shaping up like this...

We leave tomorrow am for Mystic, CT to see the submarine museum.
Then we will drive as far as we can towards ME and stop at an inexpensive hotel (hoping we can get near Boothbay)

Spend Monday seeing boothbay and heading up to Arcadia on Rt 1 stopping at suggested places along the way.

Spend Tuesday in BarHarbor/Acadia.

Wednesday heading towards Mt Washington.

Thursday heading to Manchester where my conference is. Trying to see some of Boston and peeking at Cape Cod on the way home on Sunday.

What do you think - is this too much? not enough? Its just DH and I and our doggy.

Thanks!!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

LL Bean is not an outlet unfortunately. It's the main store - the big one the home one. It's sooo cool. Basically if they have it in one of their catalogs you can find it in that store. It's open 24 hours a day and there are three floors and countless things to see including live fish. There used to be a little building that was an outlet that also sold returns, etc. across the street and down behind the other stores in a kind of out of the way spot - I'm not sure if it's still there as I haven't looked for it on recent trips.

There most assuredly is an LLBean ~outlet~ in Freeport. Brand new one, in fact. It's across the street from the flagship store. (The former parking lot across the street has been totally redone into a parking garage/mall.) The outlet is returned and discontinued items. Sometimes better deals than others, but not lesser quality, cheaper items like some "outlets" sell. Everything there still 100% guarenteed.

Extra bonus bargain Beans tip, they donate alot of "not perfect" returns to the local Goodwills. As with any thrift shop experience, it can be hit or miss, but almost all of my family's outerwear is LLB from Goodwill.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Any last minute suggestions or advice?

Our plan is shaping up like this...

We leave tomorrow am for Mystic, CT to see the submarine museum.
Then we will drive as far as we can towards ME and stop at an inexpensive hotel (hoping we can get near Boothbay)

Spend Monday seeing boothbay and heading up to Acadia on Rt 1 stopping at suggested places along the way.

Spend Tuesday in BarHarbor/Acadia.

Wednesday heading towards Mt Washington.

Thursday heading to Manchester where my conference is. Trying to see some of Boston and peeking at Cape Cod on the way home on Sunday.

What do you think - is this too much? not enough? Its just DH and I and our doggy.

Thanks!!

Honestly, to me, that is alot of driving. Unless you're specificially stuck on seeing the national park, I'd spend that time you're planning to drive around Boothbay or Portland instead, even just around Portsmouth, NH and York, ME. Acadia's beautiful, but so is most of the southern Maine coastline as well! You're really not going to do Acadia justice in a day.

It's about two hours Portland> Mt Washington (though keep in mind they're predicting rain most of the week. Clouds and you can't see anything on Mt Washington but the top of the mtn. That can be an advantage when you can't see how far up you are on the road with no guardrails, though! And it is *cold*. Dress for winter if you do go up to the top.

Likewise, you can barely see Boston in a day. Driving another hour + (depending on where you want to get on the cape) is alot for one day. I'd do one or the other. (You could do Boston, or perhaps Plymouth if you'd rather not do the city, in day.)

I think you need to plan a longer New England vacation to see all you want to try to do in these few days!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Originally Posted by Evi
off the boat lobsters should be around 3-3.99 lb you can buy lobsters almost anywhere in maine for about 4-5 bucks a pound alot of markets will steam them for no additional cost.

Really, Evi? We paid through the nose getting a classic lobster bake at Stewman's when we were in the area last, and the meal was disappointing, to say the least. (The beer was the only satisfactory part of the meal, even the blueberry pie was strangely flavorless.) I think that might seal the idea to revisit New England Fall 2010 for my husband.

Yes, if you're looking for plain ol' boiled lobster, Evi's right on the mark. If you're looking for a full dinner with fancy sides and environment, you're going to more. General rule of thumb in Maine is that the most down home out of the way places are your best buy and best food.

I actually don't eat lobster- ha! But I know the place mentioned earlier (at Two Lights- which is in Cape Elizabeth, just outside of Portland- not far past Portland Head light, which is one of the icons everyone wants to see, lol) is very popular. There are also fish markets right on the Portland waterfront that sell lobster straight off the boat. My dad used to get them at Tiny's (on Commercial St near the drawbridge to South Portland), though I think that might be closed. Harbor Fish is at the other end of Commercial, by the Maine State Pier (where cruise liners dock.)

 

[MichelleinMaine]

The base in Brunswick has been closed for a very long time - not much to do in Brunswick. Coastal Route one is beautiful. The leaves might have already started changing by the time you take your trip.

Brunswick NAS's still open. Slated to close in 2011, but I assure you they're still signing my dad's paycheck, lol. Most of the planes are currently deployed, and will go to Florida upon their return, but the base is very much still there.


Leaves have definately started, though "they" say we're no where near peak yet. Going to be a rainy week though, I hope they don't all just drop!

 

[npmommie]

Clouds and you can't see anything on Mt Washington but the top of the mtn. That can be an advantage when you can't see how far up you are on the road with no guardrails, though!

OMG I about had a nervous breakdown on a clear sunny day when we drove up mt. washington a couple years ago!!!!!! I could never do it again. all I could think about when we were at the top was that I had to drive back down that road to get off the mountain,
if had some i would have downed a handful of Xanax

 

[MichelleinMaine]

OMG I about had a nervous breakdown on a clear sunny day when we drove up mt. washington a couple years ago!!!!!! I could never do it again. all I could think about when we were at the top was that I had to drive back down that road to get off the mountain,
if had some i would have downed a handful of Xanax

LOL, my feelings EXACTLY. I did it because we were up that way and I wanted my kids to experience it. (I gave them a pound bag of M&Ms at the bottom and told them they could eat them, but could NOT SAY ONE WORD the whole time I was on the road, lol.)

It was, um, empowering. Can check that off my list of accomplishments and don't need to drive it again. (It isn't any better riding, as I remember from childhood!) My boy scout son and I are contemplating hiking up some day. Maybe.

 

[momrek06]

So funny everyone mentioning ACADIA.

My M&D and two of my DSis' & family left this a.m. for a trip to Acadia for the weekend. M&D live in Maine on Drakes Island, Wells, all summer long. They leave for their winter home in FL on 10/14/09. They absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Maine and despite spending their summers there for over 20 years, they are still some of the state's biggest tourists.

I MISS MAINE SO MUCH.

 

[momrek06]

OOO one more thing...anyone looking for a FABULOUS breakfast....

STOP at THE MAINE DINER, Rte 1, WELLS, ME. It is amazing. The portions are huge, the service is awesome and the food is sooooo YUMMMMMY!! They also have a lovely gift shoppe.

 

[amyy]

I also we be staying in Manie in the next few weeks. I will be working in Bangor on a river project for 6 weeks starting on Oct.5. Any advice on places to eat and visit would be appreciated. also I will have weekends off, any good side trips would be helpful. Thanks, papagene

http://www.barharborinfo.com/dining/
Our favorites are Geddy's and Porcellie's

http://www.neoc.com/food-dining/river-drivers-restaurant.php
this would be a weekend trip. Maybe an 1 1/2 hours one way.

http://www.anglersseafoodrestaurant.com/
Where locals go for seafood. You can't go wrong here.

http://www.downtownbangor.com/index.php?area=eat
Favorites are Massimo's & Montes's & Bagel Central

Margaritas in Orono (one town over)

Muddy Rudder (right on the river on the Brewer side)
Good anytime but you have to try the brunch

Sea Dogs (on the water in Bangor)

Dysarts (a local truck stop and I love the breakfast)

Lucerne Inn in Dedham for brunch

http://www.mainemaven.com/
a great website/blog that covers it all

 

[amyy]

I also we be staying in Manie in the next few weeks. I will be working in Bangor on a river project for 6 weeks starting on Oct.5. Any advice on places to eat and visit would be appreciated. also I will have weekends off, any good side trips would be helpful. Thanks, papagene

http://www.mooseheadlake.org/

http://www.penobscotnarrowsbridge.com/bridge.html

Bar Harbor/Acadia of course

Boothbay area

http://www.town.ststephen.nb.ca/
if you have your passport (you could go to Quebec too-in a different direction)

Bangor and Ellsworth both have LL Bean outlets. Also check out Reny's and Mardens if you don't mind picking through stuff.

Freeport-just because. Favorite food places are The Corsican (fish chowder), Gritty McDuff's, and the Harraseeket. There is also a place that sells sticky buns but I can't remember the name, just the location.

drive by Stephen King's house

http://www.downeast.com/
a website to check out

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g28940-i175-k2159205-Red_s_Eats_in_Wiscasset-Maine.html

The Last Unicorn in Waterville is a good place to eat too.

http://www.collinscenterforthearts.com/

I could go on but I guess these lists are long enough. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

 

[sanapp]

Wished I had seen this earlier. I have lived in Maine for about 23 years now. I actually live about 20 minutes from Moody's Diner that was mentioned. Peronally don't like to eat breakfast there as it is really greasy, but they have nice seafood rolls for lunch and lots of great pies to choose from. The Lucerne Inn is a nice place to stay and it is between Bangor and Ellsworth and has a wonderful brunch on Sunday.

Truthfully I don't know if I would bother traveling all the way up to Acadia.

I would check out Kennebunk port/Wells which is very nice, Boothbay and go up to Camden.

Yes the leaves have started turning color, so it will be a very nice ride.

I just asked my DH and said that boat price is only about $2.55 right now. We NEVER eat lobster out because it is such a rip off to get it out. It is so messy anyhow that it is nice to eat it at home!! Hmmm might have to get some soon!!

Yes there is an LL Bean outlet in Freeport and one in Ellsworth. Of course I prefer the one in Freeport. I have never stayed in Freeport, but if you like to outlet shop then it would be a nice place to stay. I can get there in a little over an hour, so we just ride down for the day and do our shopping and ride home.

Being from the MidCoast area I have to tell you our absolutely favorite restaurant is Whales Tooth pub in Lincolnville Beach. They have an amazing seafood mornay. It is a little pricey, but worth it for a special meal. I hear that you can rent cabins at Point Look Out which would be a very nice place to stay. This use to be owned by MBNA and it was always amazing!!! You could get a cabin there and then go down to Whales Tooth Pub!!!!

If you go through Rockland yeah Wasses is okay, but right next to it is The Brown bag which has great sandwiches on homemade bread and a wonderful bakery too. The Gobbler is really good (fresh roasted turkey, stuffing and cranberry) and they also have a nice crab melt too!!

Enjoy your trips!!

 

[amyy]

sanapp-Oh, I love The Brown Bag. Do come back to Maine often? Another favorite we have in that area is Three Dogs. They have expanded and the quality isn't quite as good but we still like it.

A Sunday would be a great day for a Gobbler.