Visiting Maine...questions!

[LoriKay]

We are thinking of Maine as next year's vacation destination and we have questions. I'm hoping that several of you have answers!! When is the best time of year to be there, where to go, what to see, recommendations for accomodations, etc. We have friends that visit Boothbay Harbor (?? not sure I have that quite right and I believe they fly into New Hampshire and then drive up from there). What other cities should we consider visiting? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Jen in MA]

Boothbay Harbor is very nice. My parents used to spend a week up there during the summer. There are lots of nice restaurants and shops. I have stayed at the Rocktide Inn once (nice) and the other times I've been my parents rented a condo within walking distance of the town (from Lewis and Potter (or Pottle) Realty, I think). Take a Puffin Tour... boat ride out to see the puffins! There are lots of nice little towns nearby to drive to. You could also check out the outlet stores in Freeport on your way up or back. Freeport is the home of LL Bean (open 24 hrs!).

 

[castleview]

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor itself is small but quaint. They have nice shops. The park is GORGEOUS and you just can't beat an early morning horseback ride or bike trip up Cadillac Mountain to catch the sunrise. (You can take the car too, if the others don't appeal to you).

There are several small towns in Maine that are worth visiting and can be done in a day. Kennebunk (some people like to go by the Bush's house) is a nice place, Belfast is cool - actually if you drive along Route 1 on any trips, you'll find that a nice scenic tour. The Freeport outlets can be fun but crowded. I really like the ones in Kittery.

 

[jamzots]

We vacationed in Maine about 4 years ago, we stayed in the Old Orchard Beach area as our home base and we traveled about Maine during the week. We went to Portland for 2 days, the boys loved it, on the harbor and we took a seal cruise. We also drove to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. We spent a night in a hotel in BAR Harbor which was easy to do since we were camping @ Old Orchard Beach and we just left our campsite ( we rented a camper @ the campground) for a night, since we did this in the middle of the trip. Cadillac Mountain is a must see @ Acadia National Park, try to do the sunrise there, it's supposed to be awesome, but we didn't get up in time to see it. We went the 3rd week in July, just be aware that the water there is ice cold even in July. The pools at the campground were always freezing as was the ocean. It never truly felt like summer when we were there, we wore pants on most days, but we had a wonderful time. Don't think I would go back again though, it's the type of "been there, done that" thing.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

There's only about a 2 week timeframe where it won't be snowing or freezing. Go within that 2 weeks.

The Old Port (Portland waterfront) is nice. I used to work there. However, if you want to go anywhere else (Old Orchard Beach, Boothbay Harbor, etc.), it can be a drive. Definitely make a trip to Caribou. You'll love how the highway all of a sudden turns into a dirt road and there are several outhouses along the side of said dirt road at your disposal. Okay, I'm just kidding about that last part. Well, I'm kidding about going there. I drove to Canada once and that part just cracked me up. There I was...5 months pregnant and forced to use an OUTHOUSE. Ummm...what were we talking about again?

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I'm not telling you...it's a secret!

No, really, my new favorite place is Bailey's Island, staying at the Driftwood Inn. It's close to many really neat places.

Or, maybe Belfast...but it's not the same since MBNA came in.

Portland is a wonderful city.

Then again, I like Cobscook for camping and quiet, or go all the way inland to Baxter State Park.

Camden is where I used to summer as a child, and I still love to climb Mt. Megunticook, or drive up Mt. Battie.

I could go on and on...

First week in August usually has the finest weather.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

Definatly go during the summer (even then, it can be chilly, especially in Aug.) I grew up going to Rockport every year since my parents own a timeshare ( I still go now and I am 27!) at Samoset Resort. It is a great resort (gold crown through RCI). They have hotel rooms and a timeshare section. Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness ctr, tennis, racketball, golf, on the ocean, etc..) It is near Camden also. Great area, very pretty. Mostly shopping, boat rides, scenery, etc. I still find it a very comforting and relaxing area. I love going there and I highly recommend the resort. My son who is 5 also loves it there.
Good luck!

 

[UrsulasShadow]

By the way, how long do you have for your vacation? There are many destinations in Maine, many different types of vacations that can be planned. Are you a rustic sort of family, or a shop-til-you-drop type? Fine dining or campfire fare? I've been doing Maine since I was a little girl, and have gotten all sorts of vacations out of the place. I've camped in Baxter amongst the bears and moose, I've lounged on squeaky white sand beaches and people-watched in Ogunquit, I've rented cottages in artist communities on the shore, I've been pampered in island inns, I've explored the city from upscale hotels...the possibilities are endless. Do you like the seashore, the forest, the mountains, the lakes? Do you like to sightsee, or stay in one place on your vacation?
There are many good guidebooks on Amazon.com. Pick up 2 or 3, start from there.

Geez, maybe I ought to start planning a summer vacation for MY family...

 

[wenbel]

I am in Maine and the best time to visit depends on your interests. If you come in the summer July is the best month. Let me know what your interests are and I'll tell you what part of Maine to visit. We do have more to offer than just the coast.

 

[Blondie]

There's only about a 2 week timeframe where it won't be snowing or freezing. Go within that 2 weeks.

LOL! I was going to post something similar!

If you are planning on doing lots of driving, don't leave out southern Maine, specifically York County. Ogunquit, York Beach, Kittery, all nice places to visit. Get a map and visit the lighthouses, eat at a lobster (pronounced "lobsta") shack, etc.

Have fun!

 

[jamzots]

Oh yeah and I forgot to tell you, you can check out Sebago Lake, rent boats, tubing, water skiing, ect., HUGE lake, and good fishing, supposedly they also have a salmon run a certain time of year, don't know when it is though. BTW Portland is about 20 minutes from Old Orchard Beach area.