On the road again, to Maine - any recommendations?

Karie

This time DH, Cosmo Edward (our dog) and I are headed on a road trip up the coast of Maine. Our final destination is Acadia National Park for some hiking, biking, and sightseeing. Does anyone have any suggestions for me - any favorite places to stop along the Maine coast?

9 years ago

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12 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

MsMary

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Oh my gosh! I was briefly in Maine many years ago and I LOVED it!! Portland, for sure! Super cute little town and all the lobster you can eat! The Portland Head Light is a famous lighthouse and well worth a visit. Also the Farnworth Art Museum in Rockland has a fantastic collection of the three Wyeths -- N.C., Andrew, and Jamie. Just amazing.

9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I really like Ogunquit. It has beautiful beaches, great seafood restaurants, and cute shops and art galleries. If you just pass by for an afternoon, I'd definitely do the Marginal Way, which is a walking trail that goes right along the shoreline, along the cliffs and past the lighthouse. It's absolutely gorgeous. I bet Cosmo Edward would love the beach there!

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Boothbay Harbour and the village of Boothbay. And Kennebunk Beach.

Plus Portland.

9 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Rockport was a beautiful little village on the way up to Acadia.

Since it's summer, duh, I know, but also make sure to have some blueberry pie, or pancakes. Something with blueberries.

Jealous!

9 years ago

viva

Veteran

Definitely have blueberries, although they are just going out of season. Still, you will probably get lucky.

If you have time right when you enter Maine, let me know! I live right at the Southern tip, in South Berwick, which is by York and Kittery.

If you are coming up through NH, stop at Jenness Beach in Rye, or Odiorne Point (beautiful) and also stroll through Portsmouth NH (have coffee or lunch at an outside table at Popovers, and Cosmo Edward can sit right with you. (Portsmouth is a very dog-friendly town.)

Kittery outlets: If you want to shop you can stop here. The best outlet is probably JCrew, but the most popular store is the Kittery Trading Post which sells everything from guns and tents to flannel pajamas and running shorts. Like a local LL Bean.

York: Stop at Stonewall Kitchen, right off I-95. Excellent local (but sold nationally) store for jams, marinades, sweets, cooking utensils, with an attached cafe. Tastings throughout the store. Worth a stop.

Ogunquit or Perkins Cove: Continue from Stonewall Kitchen right up Route One. I agree with Diana: park and walk the Marginal Way, a super gorgeous walk right along the ocean. The path is bascically carved into the rocks that line the coast. Perfect for Cosmo Edward.

Portland: Get back on I-95 and drive to Portand. There are fantastic restaurants (I can give you some suggestions if you have special requests), great walking along the water so another nice place to stop with Cosmo Edward, cute shops (I can give you more detail here) -- let me know.

Freeport: A little farther along from Portland, definitely stop at LL Bean (open 24 hours). Freeport is a whole outlet town, so you can go crazy (Northface, Cole Haan, etc.) but LL Bean is the place to go.

I hope this is helpful, Karen!!! Please message me for more, and I would love to see you if that works out!

Vivian

9 years ago

viva

Veteran

PS Agree with Mary about Rockland and the Farnsworth. Also Camden is a great town. You can take Cosmo Edward and climb Mt Battie.

I <3 Maine.

9 years ago

kkards

Veteran

another vote for walking the Marginal Way. it's a family favorite in all seasons.

9 years ago

Neelie

Veteran

We used to go to Ogunquit every summer when I was a kid (easy drive from Montreal). Great town, Marginal Way is beautiful, awesome lobster! Have fun, I am so jealous...!

9 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

yes, definitely Freeport! Even my husband, who hates shopping, spent a few hours there shopping at LLBean (AND ON HIS OWN!!!)

9 years ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I am looking back at my travel notes, and I remembered a few things. We had the most delicious blueberry french toast at Cove Cafe in Perkins Cove. Then a walk at Marginal way is a must in order to burn the calories.

9 years ago

JamC

Veteran

I love Acadia! I was going to suggest you "hike" the Beehive if you are not afraid of heights, but you might not be able to with Cosmo Edward (look at images on line to get an idea)! I also like the Great Head trail for ocean vistas.
In Bar Harbor, I would recommend Mache Bistro; it is expensive but delicious! Have a great trip. Wish I was going!

9 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! And an extra thanks to you, Viva, for some things to do in NH - as yes, we will be traveling up through that area. In fact, DH just told me he has gotten a few more days off so I was going to start a new thread about places to go in NH - we are looking to extend our vacation.

9 years ago

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