Maine travel advice

[saint]

Wife and I getting out of town for a rare trip without the kids (3rd in 8 years).

Only have 4 days. Will fly into Boston on Sunday of Labor Day weekend, drive up to Maine. Leaving Boston Thurs likely, possibly Friday.

In a perfect world we'd love to hit the southern coastal part and also Bay Harbor/Acadia. Is it correct to assume we don't have enough time to do this? I'm thinking we might just come up and hit the coast now, and come back and do Acadia when we can stay there at least 2-3 days to take advantage of all it has to offer. We'd prefer not to spend the time staring at the windshield. Is that about right?

If so, help us with itinerary. Would it be best to pick 2-3 small towns to stay at vs. a new one every day.
Ie, Kennebunkport for 1-2 days, maybe Rockland for another 2? Would love some advice.

 

[Salty]

Wife and I getting out of town for a rare trip without the kids (3rd in 8 years).

Only have 4 days. Will fly into Boston on Sunday of Labor Day weekend, drive up to Maine. Leaving Boston Thurs likely, possibly Friday.

In a perfect world we'd love to hit the southern coastal part and also Bay Harbor/Acadia. Is it correct to assume we don't have enough time to do this? I'm thinking we might just come up and hit the coast now, and come back and do Acadia when we can stay there at least 2-3 days to take advantage of all it has to offer. We'd prefer not to spend the time staring at the windshield. Is that about right?

If so, help us with itinerary. Would it be best to pick 2-3 small towns to stay at vs. a new one every day.
Ie, Kennebunkport for 1-2 days, maybe Rockland for another 2? Would love some advice.

Ya pick another destination... ain't shit to do in Maine

 

[saint]

Ya pick another destination... ain't shit to do in Maine

Come on Mainers, I know you are out there :0074

 

[StevieD]

I do not know much about Maine but be careful on the Freeway. It seems that have only sort of gotten the concept of numbers. The exits do have numbers but they do not run in order.:mj07::mj07:

 

[vinnie]

Wife and I getting out of town for a rare trip without the kids (3rd in 8 years).

Only have 4 days. Will fly into Boston on Sunday of Labor Day weekend, drive up to Maine. Leaving Boston Thurs likely, possibly Friday.

In a perfect world we'd love to hit the southern coastal part and also Bay Harbor/Acadia. Is it correct to assume we don't have enough time to do this? I'm thinking we might just come up and hit the coast now, and come back and do Acadia when we can stay there at least 2-3 days to take advantage of all it has to offer. We'd prefer not to spend the time staring at the windshield. Is that about right?

If so, help us with itinerary. Would it be best to pick 2-3 small towns to stay at vs. a new one every day.
Ie, Kennebunkport for 1-2 days, maybe Rockland for another 2? Would love some advice.

That poor girl has only had 2 vacations in 8 years away from the kids & the best you can do is Maine. :shrug:

 

[saint]

That poor girl has only had 2 vacations in 8 years away from the kids & the best you can do is Maine. :shrug:

Damn good point. My dad and her dad are both deceased, my mom is 500 miles away, her mom doesn't love watching them for extended period of time = lack of trips.


We spend every weekend at the beach in the summer and take lots of family trips. But, yeah, you got a point.

 

[Redfish]

No flights to Bangor? Put you right where you want to be.....we've been there several times...just have a weakness for the maritime atmosphere I guess...once you're there...head to the nearest pub have a couple of beers...the barmaid's never fail to recommend must see things....GL

 

[Morris]

Sports is your go to guy here.

4 days doesn't give you much time. We've been to Bar Harbor, Kennebunkport and Kennebunk and always found things to do. Ogunquit is nice and spent many weekends in Boothbay Harbor and Rockport.

We like the smaller towns and always have had a good time there.

 

[Morris]

You'll find the best lobster, onion rings and fried clams at the road side shacks with outside seating only!!

 

[hawkeye]

Last time to Bar Harbor I flew in to Portland-short drive on the interstate. Had a great drive up the coast line once in Bar Harbor--many neat small harbor town,

 

[Sportsaholic]

Wife and I getting out of town for a rare trip without the kids (3rd in 8 years).

Only have 4 days. Will fly into Boston on Sunday of Labor Day weekend, drive up to Maine. Leaving Boston Thurs likely, possibly Friday.

In a perfect world we'd love to hit the southern coastal part and also Bay Harbor/Acadia. Is it correct to assume we don't have enough time to do this? I'm thinking we might just come up and hit the coast now, and come back and do Acadia when we can stay there at least 2-3 days to take advantage of all it has to offer. We'd prefer not to spend the time staring at the windshield. Is that about right?

If so, help us with itinerary. Would it be best to pick 2-3 small towns to stay at vs. a new one every day.
Ie, Kennebunkport for 1-2 days, maybe Rockland for another 2? Would love some advice.

Saint, if you only have four days to play with from Boston you'll piss away 2 days traveling to Acadia, I'd save that for another time.... As Redfish said fly into Bangor for that trip but do it during the summer, September and beyond can be a nightmare....

Right now Maine is suffering from a workforce shortage and many of the college students will have left for school by Labor Day weekend leaving many of the restaurants & hotels short handed....

That being said I'd drive to Portland and experience the Old Port to start with, a lot of great food and micro brew pubs....If you or your wife enjoy wines, Cellar Door Winery is a must stop.....The Maine Coast is beautiful from Kennebunk to Old Orchard, nice sandy beaches to walk, boat day trips plus nice shops and food....

Once you get past Portland north there a many nice areas to visit but you'll pay the price in time especially on Rt 1 to Rockland (and north), a lot of road construction going on and slow traffic (I travel from Rockland area to NH/Mass three times a week and you need to plan accordingly)....

Feel free to give me a call/email (grab either through Jack or pm) and we can chat about what you're interested in and I'll give you my opinion based on how much windshield time you're willing to sacrifice...

If you haven't locked in your tix into Boston yet check out the flights into Manchester NH, usually less expensive and an easier drive to the coast....Also don't discount the coastline in NH, Hampton Beach area is nice (some iffy spots) and the Mass coastline......:0008

 

[Sportsaholic]

Saint you can catch the season finally of the Portland Seadogs on Monday and a Sox/Jays game at Fenway Wednesday night.....A trip to Haymarket Square & Faneuil Hall would close out your trip with a smile on your face.....:0074.....Plenty of time to enjoy the coast from PTown--BeanTown in between......:0008

 

[saint]

Saint you can catch the season finally of the Portland Seadogs on Monday and a Sox/Jays game at Fenway Wednesday night.....A trip to Haymarket Square & Faneuil Hall would close out your trip with a smile on your face.....:0074.....Plenty of time to enjoy the coast from PTown--BeanTown in between......:0008

Sports, thanks for the great advice. With all the info I think we are going to wait until next year so we can carve out 7-10 days and not be rushed to take it all in. Thanks again-

 

[Salty]

Sports, thanks for the great advice. With all the info I think we are going to wait until next year so we can carve out 7-10 days and not be rushed to take it all in. Thanks again-

:0003

 

[Dr Feelgood]

Go get tattoos at the Mad Hatter Tattoo Parlor in Old Orchid Beach....brings back memories!!