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Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip #25681
03/05/2014 01:38 PM
03/05/2014 01:38 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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The wife and I will be celebrating our 1st anniversary in New England this October.

We are thinking of flying into Boston, hanging out there for the day and night, and the next day taking the Amtrak to Portland, Me where our home base will be for the trip.

Any recommendations for Portland?

Tentatively Oct 9-13th.

Thanks gang

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 03/05/2014 01:46 PM.
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Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25682
03/05/2014 01:47 PM
03/05/2014 01:47 PM
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Hi. I changed the title of your post and made it it's own thread. Enjoy and have fun!


Carol Hill
Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Carol_Hill] #25683
03/05/2014 01:52 PM
03/05/2014 01:52 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Whoops, thanks Carol!

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25684
06/08/2014 08:30 PM
06/08/2014 08:30 PM
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Lots of things close down after labor day. Our anniversary is in October and we have acces to a house in York Beach so we have been many times over our 25 years. Even though some restaurants close there are so many other sights to see. Ogunquit and Kennebeck are cool towns. Portland is a good base. The best thing we have done there is you can ride the mail boat every afternoon. It is about a 3 hour round trip and it goes to 11 islands. The views are great. You can bring refreshments on board. We did wine and cheese. I can't remember the price but it was cheap. Everyone I have told this to has really enjoyed as well.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25685
06/09/2014 11:40 AM
06/09/2014 11:40 AM
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swg Offline
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Hi,

We will be in Portland as a cruise stop. Do you have any recommendations for must see in Portland? Also would love to find a place that serves great lobster rolls.

Thanks, Sue

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: swg] #25686
06/10/2014 11:37 AM
06/10/2014 11:37 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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TravelHat,

The mail boat thing sounds awesome and I think she'd really like that. Is this it? http://www.cascobaylines.com/maine-boat-tours/scenic-harbor-cruises/mailboat/

We're going for our anniversary and here's the timeline:

Fly into Boston Tuesday evening 10/07 or as early as we can Wed 10/08. Spend Wednesday & Thursday in Boston and then in the late afternoon Thursday take the train to Portland (if we don't rent a car). Then have all day Friday and Saturday in Portland, fly back home Sunday.

Right now we don't even have any lodging reserved. Any recommendations for either city on lodging?

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25687
06/13/2014 08:57 AM
06/13/2014 08:57 AM
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Yes that is it. We took the 2:45 and caught the sunset on the way back. It is really a ferry of sorts. They off loaded a car on one island. It is a great way to see Casco Bay. There is a wine and beer store across the street.
In Boston I would look at hotels around the Copley/theater district. Close to common and easy to get around on the Green line.
We always stay in York Beach in Maine at family property so don't know much about lodging in the Portland area. I would recommend renting a car. Maine coast is beautiful and just driving around exploring is what I like to do. Portland is a great town with a good food scene but I don't know if it the kind of town to stay put in.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: swg] #25688
06/13/2014 09:01 AM
06/13/2014 09:01 AM
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Don't know a must do in Portland. My theory is always been the worst lobster roll in Maine is probably better than one anywhere else.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25689
06/13/2014 12:51 PM
06/13/2014 12:51 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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For the Casco Bay ferry, a car isn't necessary right? When we get off the boat at each island, are they small enough to check out on foot?

Thinking of the Copley House for Boston home base: http://www.copleyhouse.com/

and the Inn at St. John for Portland home base:
http://innatstjohn.com/

Thinking about a rental car, but probably won't know for sure until a month or so out.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25690
06/13/2014 06:45 PM
06/13/2014 06:45 PM
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The Copley House is exactly where you want to be and it looks like a good place.
IMO theInn atSt John is too far away from the city center. Portland is hilly and the walk from town to the Inn is not desirable. You will either have to cab or have a car. I would definitely stay Downtown near the docks.

You don't get off the boat. It makes a loop around the bay and drops the mail, passengers and maybe a car off. It stays there for ten minutes then it is off to the next one. I think it is eleven stops. You just cruise and watch the boats, lighthouses, and boats go by. Then cruise in to the sunset. Bring a jacket as it gets cool late afternoon.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25691
06/16/2014 09:07 AM
06/16/2014 09:07 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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TravelHat,

What do you think of the Portland Regency Inn?
http://www.theregency.com/

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: swg] #25692
06/17/2014 08:51 PM
06/17/2014 08:51 PM
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sxmBoston Offline
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Quote
swg said:
Hi,

We will be in Portland as a cruise stop. Do you have any recommendations for must see in Portland? Also would love to find a place that serves great lobster rolls.

Thanks, Sue


Try j's Oyster in Portland. Great local bar

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25693
06/18/2014 11:24 AM
06/18/2014 11:24 AM
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sxmBoston Offline
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I'm not sure how firm your dates are, but the Fryeburg Fair is Sept 28-Oct 5. The Fair is one of the largest in New England and may be the largest in Maine. It's a very unique take if you've never been to a country fair. Fryeburg is 45-60 minutes west of Portland.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25694
06/18/2014 03:14 PM
06/18/2014 03:14 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Yeah, due to our schedules our dates are set in stone so we will just miss the Fair.

It looks like Fore Play Sports Pub is a Cleveland Browns Backers bar...anyone been here? I need a place to watch the Browns/Steelers on 10/12!!!

We are renting a car as well, a little Chevy Spark or comparable haha.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25695
06/20/2014 06:30 PM
06/20/2014 06:30 PM
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Never been there but it rates very good on Tripadvisor. Try to get a room on the fourth floor with a deck. Sounds good.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25696
07/17/2014 03:20 PM
07/17/2014 03:20 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Confirmed home bases:

Boston 2 nights- http://www.copleyhouse.com/

Portland 2 nights- http://www.mercuryinn.com/

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25697
07/18/2014 07:14 AM
07/18/2014 07:14 AM
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which location in Boston?



You may also want to check the groupons in Boston. The Park Plaza has been running groupons pretty consistently for the past year. This hotel is centrally located to the Theater District, the Boston Common, Back Bay, and sits on the edge of the South End. Even though that hotel isn't what it used to be, it is an option We've purchased deals there for as little as $89.

Park Plaza Groupon

Last edited by sxmBoston; 07/18/2014 07:26 AM.
Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25698
07/18/2014 09:36 AM
07/18/2014 09:36 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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The Copley House is located right near the Theater District, we already put the res in :-/ The address is 239 West Newton Street.

I took a look at the Groupon and right now, the latest you can book is August. We're touching down Thursday 10/9.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25699
07/19/2014 06:36 PM
07/19/2014 06:36 PM
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All sounds good, enjoy your trip.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25700
07/21/2014 10:47 AM
07/21/2014 10:47 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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I think the majority of one day will be spent on the Freedom Trail and the majority of the other will be spent on Harvard's campus.

Lots of bars, restaurants, shops sprinkled in I hope!

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25701
07/26/2014 10:18 PM
07/26/2014 10:18 PM
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Posts: 553
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For a lobster roll or a lobster dinner in a truly spectacular location, head out to the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth, only about 7 miles away.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Nemos] #25702
07/28/2014 12:01 PM
07/28/2014 12:01 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Thanks Nemos, looks great!

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25703
07/31/2014 08:34 AM
07/31/2014 08:34 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Anyone know if there's any whale watching tours in Boston/Portland?

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25704
07/31/2014 08:58 AM
07/31/2014 08:58 AM
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You can get a whale watching boat out of Boston. We got one in Barnstable on Cape Cod. Best whale watching ever. I'm sure the boats out of Boston go to the same area as from Barnstable.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: rfrimmel] #25705
08/05/2014 09:31 AM
08/05/2014 09:31 AM
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Rfrimmel, do you think 10/9 10/10 or 10/11 is too late in the season for it?

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25706
08/05/2014 10:55 AM
08/05/2014 10:55 AM
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I dont think so. We did it in late August and it was great.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: rfrimmel] #25707
08/05/2014 11:53 AM
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Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25708
08/05/2014 12:36 PM
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I'd make sure your tickets are refundable. We can get some pretty raw temperatures early in October. The last place you want to be in 35 degree weather is on the ocean.

Id recommend to buy them as you get closer to the date.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25709
08/06/2014 07:25 AM
08/06/2014 07:25 AM
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It can get cool, but 35 in early October???


marge
Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: marge] #25710
08/06/2014 07:47 AM
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early morning, yes. we have had days like that.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25711
08/06/2014 08:42 AM
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it was chilly when we went on our whale watching trip and that was in August.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: rfrimmel] #25712
08/12/2014 06:50 PM
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Hey Brian 3000 I just stayed at a hotel called The Verb. I caught a 149.00 a night rate on a travel site called Secret Escapes. It was pretty cool and I think you would like it better than the place you found in Back Bay.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25713
08/13/2014 12:16 PM
08/13/2014 12:16 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Good looking out TravelHat, but I get this when I search for Boston on my firm dates: "We don't have anything exactly matching your search. Are your dates set in stone? "

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25714
08/13/2014 07:54 PM
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Try expedia or hotels.com

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: TravelHat] #25715
08/17/2014 10:10 AM
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The Verb is outside of Kenmore Square behind Fenway park. Much less to do in that area than the Back Bay.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25716
08/18/2014 12:13 PM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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So you think I'm all set at the Copley House?

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25717
08/20/2014 07:51 PM
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I liked the Verb for 149. I don' think I would stay there for over 175. There are good things to do in the Back Bay and in the Fenway. Either way you will probably be using the T and can get anywhere easily.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25718
09/23/2014 11:33 AM
09/23/2014 11:33 AM
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Brian3000 Offline OP
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Has anyone been to Salem in October? Fun/worth it? It would probably just be a few hours on the drive from Boston to Portland. I've heard mixed things.

Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: Brian3000] #25719
09/24/2014 09:13 PM
09/24/2014 09:13 PM
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Yes. Salem is a blast in October. People watching at its best. From Boston, you can take the Commuter Rail (MBTA) to get there. Depending upon the train times, you could also use Uber to get back

Last edited by sxmBoston; 09/24/2014 09:13 PM.
Re: Upcoming Boston and Portland ME trip [Re: sxmBoston] #25720
09/25/2014 11:21 AM
09/25/2014 11:21 AM
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sxmBoston, looks like we're making a stop, but we'll be leaving before it gets dark.

Here's what's shaping up:

10/9 get checked in and unpacked by about 3:30. Cab it to Harvard and hang out there for a bit and get some food and beers over there.

10/10 do the Freedom Trail and spend sometime down at the market, probably try the Union Oyster House, get back and dolled up and grab a drink at the Prudential Center, cab to a nice place for dinner.

10/11 do the 10am whale watch from the aquarium. get our rental, drive to Salem (this will be about 3:00/4:00) and check out the With House and the Witch Trials Memorial. Grab a sangwich at Red's. Head further north to Portland and check in/unpack before 9pm. Head somewhere casual for beers.

10/12 ??? until about 2:00. From 2:00-4:00 doing the fall foliage wine cruise, go out somewhere nice for dinner, maybe Grace?

10/13 can peruse Portland until about 3:30ish where we'll have to head back south and drop the car off and hang out at scenic Logan until our flight back home.

Need to fit in Cheers and Sam Adams in Boston, and doing more research for Portland stuff.

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