My wife and I are taking a trip to explore the coast of Maine in a week or so. Just wondering if there's anyone here who has been there, and has any "must see" suggestions. We are spending a couple of days in Portland, and including a day trip south to York, Orchard Beach, and Kennebunkport. Then moving up to Bar Harbor for a few days to do Acadia National Park and a trip to Roosevelt Campobello (Canada). Thanks for any ideas.

If you are into Lighthouses there is a ton of them. Llbeans original store is in Yarmouth and is open 24X7. Camden is also a great area. I second the rest of your itinerary. For me Campobello was outstanding. Eastport another picturesque Village is across the bay, well worth your time.
Delray

Thanks Delray. I figured we would make it by the LL Beans store sometime. And given the lighthouses appear to be pretty much everywhere, I thought we would have plenty of opportunities. In particular, the Portland head light. This site (http://gonewengland.about.com/od/melighthouses/ht/htmelighthouses.htm) notes 6 of them within 20 minutes of Portland.

Then, since we are going to Roosevelt Campobello, we will for sure go by the Quoddy head light there.

As for Eastport, do you know if there is a ferry from Campobello straight to Eastport? Or do you have to take the ferry to Deer Island, and then another one to Eastport?

I'll have to take a closer look at Camden. I searched a couple of sites, and I see what you mean. We may have to adjust the schedule to spend some time there. Many thanks for that suggestion.

Oh, and another itinerary item. We are flying into Boston for this trip, but instead of driving straight to Portland, we are spending the first day driving down to Providence, RI for a quick tour, then driving to Cabot, VT to the Goodrich Maple Farm for a tour. Spending the first night at the Maple Leaf Inn in Littleton, NH. The next morning we will drive through the White Mountain National Forest on the way to Portland. I have never been in RI, VT, NH, or Maine, so this little trip will add those 4 states to my total. I will only have 9 left that I haven't set foot in.

I'm not sure of your timetable, but you can drive across the Kancamagus highway. It's a much prettier ride than driving straight down 16 to 302 and into Portland.

I did, but it was over 40 years ago, so I'm no help! We drove from the DC area and took every A1A exit off of I95. Camped in a pup tent the entire trip, including a few nights in Acadia. It was a wonderful trip; such a beautiful coastline.

If you can squeeze in time for Newport, RI you won't be sorry. The "Mansions" are a sight to see. Takes one back to the "Great Gatsby" era.

I've been to all the locations on your itinerary (I'm guessing many New Englanders probably have as well). We've also visited Campobello. Big Roosevelt fan. We also enjoyed golfing nearby; beautiful course. If you have time, I'd add Ogunquit to your Kennebunkport trip and perhaps Boothbay Harbor when you're further north.

Coincidentally, I was just reading someone's Maine trip report on a website I occasionally read. I've read some of this person's reports in the past and although he tends to be more food oriented, he has included a number of pictures and links you might find useful.

http://blonde4ever.yuku.com/topic/27671/Mainely-Mojitos#.Uf7XkKxdCaQ

ps I'll 2nd the Kangamangee suggestion. Lots of beautiful spots to stop for pictures and short (or long) hikes.

Great suggestions from everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

Kancamagus it is then. From what I can tell from the map, that is the southern route through the White Mountain National Forest.

So I'm definitely adding Camden and Ogunquit to the itinerary. As for Boothbay Harbor, we actually considered staying there for a night or two before arriving at our final locations. Newport may be a little stretch, only because we were trying to stay close to the coast most of time, and it's a long coast. But I'll keep that one in mind too.

SandyAndBill, thanks for the link. Lots of things to consider there.

Latbrat, my apologies. You were referring to Newport, RI. I was looking up Newport, ME. I will take another look. We may very well have time to drive through Newport, RI.

I got some tourist info from Bar Harbor that contained a really nice historical DVD, and it made mention of the mansions in Newport, RI.

Hi,
I have read your very ambitious itinerary for your first day in New England. You arrive @ Logan, get bags and car, and head to Providence 53 miles away. Given the time you get started, this could take anywhere from an hour to 1 1/2 hours. I don't know what a quick tour is, but lets say you never leave the car, gives you an hour before heading to Cabot VT. which is over 250 miles north. If lucky, you can get there in 4 hours. A tour of the Maple Farm might take you another hour before heading to Littleton, NH to your hotel. Littleton is 40 miles from Cabot. Lets give you another hour for this trip.
So, the first day, you have traveled over 340 miles, and been in the car for at least 7 hours. (not including any stops) That does not include a "side trip" to Newport, RI, that would add another hour if you never got out of the car. That is a lot in one day.

You are right. But one item I failed to mention is that we are taking the Spirit Airlines flight that arrives at Logan at 5:50am. Assuming the short night's sleep doesn't kill us, we at least get a very early start. The more I thought about, Newport is not possible. Another our and a half just to drive there and back. So here's what I'm thinking.

We are out of Logan by 7am, in Providence by 8:30. In Providence, say 2 hours. Headed to Cabot, VT by 11am. Should make it by 4 at least. Tours go till 5pm. After that, we have no schedule, so whenever we get to Littleton is not a problem. We are late nighters.

I think we can do it, but you are right, we will have to keep an eye on the time. If it doesn't go that well, we will skip Cabot and drive straight to Littleton.

Oh, one other thought. As for the 340 miles, we are from Texas, and used to driving a long way on a day trip. We have done day trips from Dallas to Houston (480 round trip) and San Antonio (560 round trip) more than once. However, I'll admit those trips are all interstate driving at 70mph. I get the feeling these routes are going to be slower.

The mansions are incredible. We will be doing a Fall Foliage pilgrimage in October. I had to squeeze Newport in to the itinerary with the excuse that I wanted the Hubby to see them. In truth I wanted to visit again. You will love the Main coast line. I visited the area about 10 years ago and fell in love. Actually, I feel in love with New England. So different from California.

I live in Western Maine, and have family in the general Acadia Region.

I'll offer up the suggestion that you ditch the Kancamagus, drive from Littleton to Twin Mountain NH, NOT go south to Lincoln, and then go north on 3-115 to US 2 and continue on into Maine headed for Acadia. Make this the northern part of the loop, when you leave Acadia, head south on the coastal route through Bucksport, Belfast, Northport and on into Camden. THEN decide with your time remaining where else to stop on the coast of Maine while you are headed south to Portland, Old Orchard, York, Ogunquit and then back to Boston.

The Kanc will take you to the Conways, and if you plan to stop in FREEPORT ( where LL Bean is --its not Yarmouth) there is no sense in replicating a shopping spree with the same outlet stores twice, not to mention the attendant traffic. That northern Route from Twin Mountain is the western side of the Northern Presidential Mtns of the White Mountain National Forest, beautiful and just as scenic as the Kanc, IMHO.

I have no idea from your OP how long you have for this trip, but if you are at all time limited or on an airline schedule, you'll save the better part of a day by doing a straight forward loop and catching the South coast of Maine on the far end rather than in the middle.


Breeze

Shadows of Night I don't know about Campobello ,but the Ferry goes from Lube, Maine straight to Eastport. Lubec is the town in Maine where you cross to Campobello. There may be one from Campobello too. I don't remember if we see one. Hope you have a great trip. Delray

OK, that's the answer. we just need to backtrack to Lubec and cross there. We might make it, depending on the time, and how much the ferries cost. From what we are reading, they are generally not cheap.

Latbrat, my wife was really wanting to see those mansions, but I know from past vacations, if you attempt too much, you don't really get enough time to enjoy anything. Maybe we will take a another trip to do Boston sometime, and we can do Newport then.

Breeze, wish I had posted the original question and gotten your comment sooner. Unfortunately we are pretty much locked into lodging agreements now, and don't have much flexibility in where we stay. So we pretty much have to do South first. But I will take a look at that north route through White Mountain.

Incidentally, we are staying from Saturday to Saturday, so basically 8 days.

Just looked it up on AAA. They advise to take the Deer Island and Campobello ferry, It leaves from CAmpobello Island. There is a stop or change on the way. If you want to save the cost of a ferry,the land route is 38 miles and takes 1hour and 10 minutes one way.
Delray

Shadows, I was away from home and computer access over the weekend ( actually looking at Bar Harbor from across the Bay). I, too am sorry that I couldn't get to you sooner.

Worst case scenario is that you'll be able to say you've seen most of the Coast of Maine at least twice.

Breeze

Delray, I noticed the same on Google. They give two routes, the ferry route to Deer Island and then to Eastport, and the driving route all the way around the bays. Interesting that they show close to the same time for either route, a little over an hour.

So here's another question for anyone who has been to Campobello. I don't know much time is needed to give Campobello justice. I don't want to cut it too short in order to drive to Eastport. Too aggressive I'm thinking. Eastport looks to be a long way in, and a long way back out. Comments?

Breeze, so I'm guessing you were somewhere on Schoodic peninsula? Winter Harbor maybe?

For FDR's summer home. I think 2 hours to tour the home and grounds. The have guides in the house to explain things and answer questions. The Island is very picturesque and you could spend most of the day sightseeing.
Delray

Shadows, not quite Schoodic, I was in Hancock, west side of Hancock Point.

Breeze

the change ferry added time for us as the 2nd ferry was over 1 hour late

Yeah that's what I was concerned about. If we do go to Eastport, I suspect we will just drive around.

Well, the time has come. We are leaving at 1:15am on a Spirit Airlines flight (odd flight time, huh?), so this will likely be my last post before the trip. I wanted to say once again how much I appreciate all the advice and comments on this thread. Much appreciated. Hopefully the conversation here will prove useful to someone else making a trip to the Maine coast.

I'll do a followup on how it went when I return.

Bon voyage!

I realize that you're from TX but still that's a lot of driving. Unless you like going 100mph or spending 6+ hours/day in the saddle you should map out your plans and go for it. I'm from NH so my sense of open road and driving distance is different than yours.

When you are in Ogunquit, walk down to the nearby Perkins Cove - a small fishing village - and walk back via the Marginal Way. It's a deligtful and easy hike along the coast.