Maine this summer

[Suz36]

I've just started looking into a trip to Maine this summer. We'll be driving, and are interested in seeing a lot of the coastal area, so a night or 2 in a few different places. We'll be traveling with our 5yo DS and 8yo DD. Any recommendations of things to do with the kids, places to go? We'd like to stay at some B&Bs, so any solid recommendations on those would be greatly appreciated as well. Restaurants, too! Thanks!

[2girlsmom]

We've traveled to Maine on 3 different occasions and had fabulous times! We spent time in Camden, which is lovely & close to several other coastal towns. We rented a house, but there were several nice looking B&Bs in and around town. Outside of Camden, there's a great seafood restaurant called (I believe) the Lobster Pot. It was great! Highly recommend it! We've also visited Portland, Kennebunkport, and Freeport (the pilgrimage to LL Bean is a must!). By far, our favorite spot is Bar Harbor - Acadia National Park is fabulous - tons to do! We stayed in a B&B in Southwest Harbor (very close to Bar Harbor) called "The Harbor Cottage Inn". Again, highly recommend it. There's plenty of whale watching in Bar Harbor, which I highly recommend for children - absolutely fascinating! And the loop road around Acadia has beautiful scenic stops - the rocky coast is amazing! Cadillac Mountain in Acadia has fabulous views and is an amazing place to watch sunrise/sunset. If you go to Acadia, you'll need to make a stop at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant for the popovers and strawberry jam - they are famous! Happy planning & enjoy your trip!!!

[DDuck66]

Years ago, while in the Navy, my best friend lived in Boothbay Harbor. I believe that they have a yearly festival with the fleet of sailing ships. I loved the area and the scenery and there are several good B&B located right along the coast.

[MNNHFLTX]

My husband and I did a lot of traveling up through Maine when we lived in New Hampshire and I absolutely loved it! Our favorite places tended to be mid-coast and northward (not quite as crowded in the summer). Bar Harbor is indeed a lovely area, with tons of hiking trails and wonderful lookouts just off of the loop road. Sandy Beach, located in a cove with cliffs rising on either side, is an amazingly beautiful place for swimming and picnicing, although it is more suited for quick dips as the water is very cold year-round! There is also a swimming beach (and much warmer water) on Echo Lake. There are stables (or at least there were when we there) in the park for guided carriage rides, and fishing and whale-watching excursions out of Bar Harbor. We've stayed both at The Birches Bed and Breakfast and the Seaside Cottages in Bar Harbor, and I would recommend them both.

Elsewhere, we loved the Belfast area. We stayed at the Colonial Gables cottage resort one summer. From here we visited Pemaquid Point lighthouse (very much worth the detour off of US 1--it was one of the most scenic places we have ever been) and took rented bikes over on the Lincolnville ferry to Islesboro for an afternoon of biking. Speaking of Lincolnville, there is a wonderful motel there called the Ducktrap Motel that we also stayed at one weekend. Very comfortable and well-kept and close to a quiet beach where we did some shelling.

Wherever you go, make sure and eat at least a couple of times at the lobster pounds you will see along the way. Lots of fresh seafood and very casual--perfect for the two boys!

[TooGoofy]

I'm from Maine, and Bar Harbor is one of our favorite places to vacation. We just found a little inn called the Seacroft Inn. It's very relaxed and casual and perfectly situated in Bar Harbor. You are within walking distance of the town (maybe 2 or 3 minutes to get downtown), and can easily hop the (free) Island Explorer bus.

I seccond the Jordan Pond House to get a nice meal, but go early...it gets very crowded later in the day. Another good spot is the Fish House Grill, on the town pier. And if you are tired of lobster, Rosalie's Pizza is fantastic!

I'd love to provide you with more information! PM me if you have any questions.

[SBETigg]

We love the Wells Beach area, past Kittery and the outlet shops (a great stop) near Ogunquit, York Beach and Kennebunkport. You can see Walker Point (as a drive-by) in Kennebunkport, plus lots of great shopping. York and Wells are very family friendly, with a York animal park (cheesy but looks fun- kiddie rides and things, we haven't been) and a York Beach boardwalk environment with all kinds of beachy shops, candy/ice cream shops and the Nubble Lighthouse.

[CleveSJM]

We (DW, DD15, DD13, DS5, DD3) did Bar Harbor and Acadia last summer. It was a great trip. We stayed just off island at little cottages in Trenton. Very affordable, a bit small and showing its age, but very comfy.

I'd recommend the puffin and whale cruise available in Bar Harbor. A little expensive but worth it. It can get choppy so take dramamine if you need it. Sitting outside at Jordan Pond House for a late lunch was a highlight of the trip. We had to wait about 1 hr for the table but it was no problem with the gift shop right there. Also, go tidepooling. My kids still talk about it and a Maine starfish was the "star" of our Christmas Cards this year. We did the ranger guided tidepool walk first and then did the Wonderland trail by ourselves. Great memories for the kids.

Try the lobster pounds sprinkled around. Lobster sold by the pound and fresh as can be. Very informal, very afforadble, very good!!!

Great trip idea, you will enjoy it!!!

[Suz36]

Thanks for all the great info! Planning for this seems much more complicated than a Disney trip.:confused:

[PAYROLL PRINCESS]

The planning is harder because Maine is so much bigger than Disney. I like the Ogonquit area, with Perkins Cove. Nice beaches and cute little shops too. And you can drive to Kittery to the Outlets and NH to Hampton Beach, it's only about 30 minutes away.

[SBETigg]

The planning is harder because Maine is so much bigger than Disney. I like the Ogonquit area, with Perkins Cove. Nice beaches and cute little shops too. And you can drive to Kittery to the Outlets and NH to Hampton Beach, it's only about 30 minutes away.

Yes, we love Perkins Cove, too. But oh, the weekend crowds! The beach walk in Ogunquit is incredibly lovely. On our last trip to Wells (near Ogunquit) we watched seals frolicking in the morning- what a treat! If you're looking for less driving, especially, you can stop in this area and have a great vacation without another hour or more in driving time. That's a big draw for us.

Once you know where you're staying, it's not a vacation you need to plan as much as relax, enjoy, and take as it comes.

[DisneyDog]

We went to Wells Beach a few years ago. We all really enjoyed it. Good luck with your planning!

[dolphinmickey9170]

Born and raised in Maine for 33 years. I grew up in the Oxford Hills Area. It isn't coastal, but beautiful nonetheless. However, I am a huge fan of Wells Beach, Ogunquit and Perkins Cove. I also wish to recommend going to Cape Elizabeth to see the Portland Headlight. It is a beautiful lighthouse. The Samoset is an awesome hotel as well with some really great walking paths out to another lighthouse. Have a great trip! Oh, don't forget Acadia National Park!! AWESOME!! Oh and Freeport. A trip to LL Bean is a fun detour for the kids and adults as well.

[tinkerbell98]

I am from Maine and agree it is a beautiful place to visit. Bar Harbor is a family favorite for us, DD10, DD9 and DD5 love camping in the Bar Harbor area where we can hike, bike ride, go to the beach. You just can't spend enough time there. We generally go for a week and still don't get to do everything that we would like. And the above are just the free or practically free things to do, then you also have the day cruises including seal watches, whale watches, puffin watches, etc. You can take the CAT to Canada and spend a day or more there to shop, etc. I would also recommend Portland Headlight and Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, there is history, trails, a beach. You just can't get enough of the beaches in the greater Portland area. Enjoy and if you have additional questions just ask.:D

[DNS]

Thanks for all the great info! Planning for this seems much more complicated than a Disney trip.:confused:

We are spending a week at Bar Harbor/Acadia NP this summer. I too have had a hard time planning. We will be driving our motorhome and I'm just not sure if we need to rent a car, or just take local transportation, etc. I'm glad you asked about Maine, I'm getting some good information here also.

[TooGoofy]

We are spending a week at Bar Harbor/Acadia NP this summer. I too have had a hard time planning. We will be driving our motorhome and I'm just not sure if we need to rent a car, or just take local transportation, etc. I'm glad you asked about Maine, I'm getting some good information here also.

We can totally help you with any questions you may have! Ask away...I love to talk about Bar Harbor and Acadia. We will be there this summer too. We are going from July 10 to the 15th.

By the way, you will probably be fine just taking the free Island Express buses, depending of course on where you park the motorhome.

[Walt Lucas]

Old Orchard beach can be nice. there's a small (very small) amusement center on the beach, but on the main road, Rt 1 i believe, there's funtown/splashtown amusement park. again, not a huge park, but a nice place to spend the day with the family

[IamBelle]

I don't live very far from ME, and I go there frequently. My favorite place is York. There are 2 beaches, Long Sands and Short Sands that are very clean. Around Short Sands is a playground and a little shopping square. It is also walking distance from York's Wild Kingdom, which is like a zoo and amusement park combined. Have fun, and maybe I'll see you there!

[Mousemates]

WE love the Bar Harbor/Mount Desert area...my wife has an aunt and uncle there and its always a great trip. Nothing like a stop at a lobster pound and trip to the top of Cadilac Mountain where (imho) the views cannot be topped anywhere on the east coast of the United States.

[emmatink]

I grew up in Maine also and there are lots of great suggestions here. I definitely would not miss out on Acadia National park if your family likes to hike. There is lots of shopping and a ton of restaurants in Bar Harbor. However, if you are looking for a more quiet beach I have always enjoyed Popham Beach. There are also a few forts there for a little bit of history and a great seafood restaurant called Spinneys. Old Orchard beach is a bit busier and attracks alot of Canadians and tourists. I guess it just depends on what kind of vacation you want:)

[WelshieLover]

My vote since you have children is Bar Harbor. They have ranger programs geared towards children that are fun and a great learning experience. There is the beautiful Oceanside Sand Beach (the water is really cold, but refreshing) for the kids to play at. There is also a sandy beach at Echo Lake. Bar Harbor is a great town. I don't think you can do wrong with Acadia National Park with children. I have some really great memories of camping at Blackwoods Campground when I was young (you won't see me camping anymore).

[5fromabove]

I I would also recommend Portland Headlight and Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, there is history, trails, a beach. :D

I was born in Maine and we still go visit family there every summer. :)

I just wanted to 2nd (or 3rd) Portland Head Light/Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. It is such a scenic, beautiful area. DH and I were actually married at Portland Head Light ... the view is breathtaking. There are wild sea roses (Ragusa) that bloom all around the area, they are so fragrant. Just up the coast a bit is another park called Two Lights State Park. Another lighthouse--you could search online for more info about it. There's a great little seafood restaurant near there-- The Lobster Shack.

Another great drive is further up the coast to Boothbay Harbor. There's a quaint town called Wiscasset that we love--it has so much charm. The Maine coast is gorgeous. Check out Acadia National Park too--so beautiful. If you have the time, take the CAT over to Nova Scotia. :)

[DisneyWhirled]

Some great ideas! We Mainer's are pretty laid back, so don't worry about going planning crazy. Hopefully you can do some wonderful things and then like it so much, that you'll come back.

If you are into shopping, and are into outlet shops, Freeport has LL Bean and all kinds of outlets as well as some great restaurants.

On that same token, they just opened a Cabella's in Scarborough that everyone is so excited about!

Lobster is a must have (not for me) as well as fresh clams. How about a "true" clambake at Cabbage Island in Boothbay Harbor? They take you on a boat out to the island where you have a old fashioned clambake. They have two tours daily.

It's funny...having lived here all my life, all my vacations are outside of Maine...I forget there are some fun things to do here!