Portland ME

Hello, my husband and I will be celebrating our 30th this year and we are planning our trip to Maine beginning Sept 26th. What we had thought about doing was arriving in Portland and driving the Interstate to Bar Harbor for a few nights and then driving the coastline back to Portland stopping at Boothbay for one stop. Can you tell me approxiamately how long if you drove it straight it takes driving the coast line from Bar Harbor to Portland and about how long it takes by using the interstate. We appreciate your help.

Also I am an avid fan of light houses and whale watching, any suggestions there would be much appreciated and if you know of cheap places to stay along the way that would be great we are on a budget.

Thanks so much...

Portland ME

It takes about two hours to drive the interstate from Portland to Bangor. Then it%26#39;s another hour and ten minutes on two lane highways from Bangor to Bar Harbor.

Following Highway 1 in late September from Portland to Bar Harbor, without stops, would take just under four hours.

There are two lighthouses just south of Portland: Portland Head light and Two Lights. Portland Head is very picturesque and accessible. Very near Two Lights is a great lobster pound, on the shore.

I%26#39;ll let someone else answer about the several lighthouses that one can visit between Portland and Bar Harbor.

If you were going to break your stay along Route 1, Camden would be a very pleasant village with good food and accommodation.

Timing of trip to Bar Harbor

We are starting to plan a trip to Bar Harbor this fall and I%26#39;m wondering if mid to late October will see some of the facilities and attractions closed? I know many inns and hotels are open throughout October, though.

Any advice on timing a trip the week of Oct 12 or 19? We%26#39;re thinking four or five days in the area, with sidetrips? Thanks.

Timing of trip to Bar Harbor

We regularly visit Bar Harbor during Columbus

Day weekend and tend to stay the rest of the week. Most places and attractions stay open throughout the week but start to close immediately thereafter. I think the week of October 12th to the 18th will be fine but don%26#39;t be surprised if some lobster pounds are closed for the season.

Timing of trip to Bar Harbor

As vinny... noted, there may be some lobster pounds and some attractions, e.g., boat rides, that will close down or reduce their schedules after Columbus Day. The Island Explorer shuttle typically shuts down then as well, but I haven%26#39;t seen the 2009 schedule yet. Everything else should still be open. Generally, our autumn foliage peaks very near Columbus Day.

Thank you, good to know. Appreciated.

for 1 night is better to stay in Kennebunk or Ogunquit?

goodmorning...

next september I %26#39;ll stay 1 night in maine before going to Boston.

I need a suggestion: is better have teh hotel in Kennebunk or in Ogunquit?? which is the difference??

thakns a lot in advance

eva

for 1 night is better to stay in Kennebunk or Ogunquit?

Motel in Ogunquit will be in walking distance to Perkins Cove for dinner, a lovely walk on the Maginal Way or shopping. Or walk the other direction into the little town with restaurants, theatre, shopping and bar/clubs.

for 1 night is better to stay in Kennebunk or Ogunquit?

Both Kennebunk and Ogunquit are special. Kennebunk has great beaches and is close to Kennebunkport with it%26#39;s quaint shops overlooking the water, and beautiful old buildings and churches in both Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Kennebunk beach has one beach that is named Mother%26#39;s Beach because it has a playground for the kids. Ogunquit has quaint shops and more down by the docks and the famous Marginal way(path along the cliffs overlooking the ocean. Don%26#39;t forget your camera, the water crashing against the rock is spectacular. I would say Oqunquit is the nicest to stay at, but both very pricey.

Beach and shopping are more accessible in Kennebunkport as opposed to Kennebunk. Kennebunkport is very charming, but there is more to do on foot in Ogunquit; walk the beach, Marginal Way, Perkins Cove etc. If I had to choose between the 2 for a one night stay, my pick would be Ogunquit.

I like Ogunquit too for the quaintness and shops, plus you can drive easily to York. However, we stayed in a rental apartment in Kennebunk last summer and really liked it. We saved a lot of money that way and did a lot around Kennebunk (the beach, Tom%26#39;s) and then did a day trip to Onguit. We stayed at a place called ne%26#39;r enough. It had everything we needed like a dvd player and movies, flat screen tv, a bed plus a sofabed for our sons and a full kitchen with dished and stuff. We really liked that since it is rare in hotels in the area and we needed it for our kids. We had our own deck and a grill. I probably still have their number if you are interested.

When going to Maine, even when I was little, we always did Stadig%26#39;s Campground , motels , cabins, but never thought of rental apartments. What a great idea.

You probably can%26#39;t go wrong with either; it is off-peak season so there won%26#39;t be crowds. In fact Kennebunkport may be too quiet depending on what you like. Sometimes really quiet is a good thing!

It can get pretty busy during peak season on the streets in Kennebunkport. Last summer , seeing we walked from the Franciscan Monestary Guest House.....we avoided bumper to bumper and parking. We saw a horse drawn carriage giving people rides. I can%26#39;t imagine handling those horses to come to a stop in that traffic. We do love the quaint little shops there though and Ben %26amp; Jerry%26#39;s Icecream.

Is Kennebunkport still so busy in September?

I%26#39;ve never been that time of year. Usually my family planned mid July when it got warmer up there. We never chose August because you get the fall nip in the air at night. It must be kinda chilly in September.

skin

Birthday Cakes

Coming to Boothbay Harbor in August of this year. We actually arrive on my wife%26#39;s birthday (8-12). Looking for a place to order a birthday cake. Can you help a Texan out?

Birthday Cakes

I was married in BBH last summer and we used Sweet Sensations in Rockland. I realize that may seem a bit far, but it%26#39;s absolutely wonderful. Give them a call...Steve does a number of weddings in the BBH area and may be able to drop something off to you.

P.S. Our wedding cake was actually cupcakes: yellow with raspberry filling and a chocolate buttercream frosting. Our guests RAVED about them!

Birthday Cakes

Forgot to include contact info:

Located in heart of Midcoast Maine at

309 Commercial Street, Rockport, Maine 04856

Call us at 207-230-0955

or email: info@threedogscafe.com

www.mainesweets.com

Thanks for the information. I%26#39;ll give it a try. Congradulations on the marriage.

Planning Trip for Memorial weekend.... Need Help

Hi

I am looking at plannig a trip to maine for May 21st until the 26th. My boyfried and I are thinking of flying into Portland early in the morning, renting a car and driving up the coast. I have only been to Maine to snowboard. I have a couple of questions.

Will most places be open by this time of year and is it a good time to go?

How long would it take to drive up to Acadia along the coast from Portland, stopping and sightseeing along the way?

Can we find places to stay along the way or do we need to book rooms in advance?

Also, any recommendations of really nice places to see. I am big into photography and my boyfriend loves lighthouses.

Thanks!

Planning Trip for Memorial weekend.... Need Help

It is a very wavy (so some spots take a while to get to)and stunning coast so you will need to be selective! My husband and I did a day of ';lighthousing'; so here are some lighthouse tips anyway!... My favorite lighthouse is Owl%26#39;s Head (perched on lovely wooded cliffs...great for photos). Have lunch in the Owl%26#39;s Head General Store while you are there. Marshall Island light (seen in the movie ';Forest Gump';) is lovely but a bit of a drive. The Rockland Breakwater lighthouse is not a pretty light in itself, but an interesting walk as it is a half mile out on the breakwater. People say that Pemaquid Point Light is not to be missed, but I have not been there. Plan to spend more than a day in Acadia; it is stunning!

Are you looking for quiet natural beauty or fun towns or a bit of both?

Planning Trip for Memorial weekend.... Need Help

See also the forum topic ';Stop on the midcoast';. MicheleS posted an interesting side trip to Pemaquid Peninsula for my husband and my trip this June.

Many things will be open for the season. It%26#39;s a good time to come. The trees will just have leafed-out; the tourist season will not yet have become busy.

How long it will take you to travel from Portland to Acadia will, of course, depend on how many detours you take from Route 1. But I would guess that if you left Portland around 9 a.m. and took your time traveling north, you would get into the Acadia region by late afternoon or early evening.

Camden would be a good place to stop for lunch. Be sure to drive the auto road to the top of Mount Battie, just as you leave Camden village. The view is spectacular.

You would have time to detour down the peninsular where Pemaquid Light is located. It is an oft-photographed light house.

The bridge over the Penobscot River at Bucksport is worth a stop. You can go up the elevator to the top of one of the bridge pilings. Again, great view.

Boston-Freeport - Lighthouses - Next Week

Hello,

We will be taking a day of our trip to drive up to the Freeport area. Was wondering if you could recommend a couple of stops along the way that would offer some great pictures of Lighthouses? Weather permitting of course!

Thanks so much!

Boston-Freeport - Lighthouses - Next Week

Two opportunities come immediately to mind....

1. The Nubble lighthouse in York -- easily accessible for photos (but not to walk around) off US Route 1 in York. Google ';The Nubble Lighthouse'; for details and more accurate driving directions.

2. Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, a Portland suburb. Great photo and walking access. The oldest, continuously operating lighthouse in the United States. Google ';Portland Head Lighthouse'; for exact driving directions.

And remember, sometimes less than ideal weather still yields great photos!

Enjoy your visit.

Boston-Freeport - Lighthouses - Next Week

Thanks so much for this suggestion...it looks like a really nice lighthouse too! Was wondering..once we get to Cape Elizabeth...are there road signs to help us locate the light house?

Don%26#39;t remember for sure if there are signs specifically to Portland Head Light Lighthouse along Rt 77. But as you follow Rt 77 south, you definitely will see a large entrance sign on your left for Fort Williams Park. Turn left into that entrance, go a quarter mile or so, and the road to the lighthouse will be to your right....think there%26#39;s a sign at that intersection. If not, it%26#39;s not that large a park, so five minutes or less of looking around should get you to the right place...

fresh water fishing

Traveling from southern indiana 2nd week in sept. love to fish since we are flying ,I was going to pack a telescopic spin out fit 6 lb. test line. what kind of lures or bait do you recommend and what ponds or lakes have the best fishing and what are some of the fish species you catch? we have blue gill, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish back home with crappie being the best tasting fish how about up there?

Wanderbird

Has anybody gone on any trips on a ship called the ';Wanderbird';? We would like to hear about the quality of your experiences. Thank you.

Wanderbird

My husband and I went on one of the first trips that were offered on the Wanderbird. It was the ';trip from Hell';!

Since you posted your inquiry in April, you may have already been on a trip. Hope it was better than the one we endured.

cstrimple@hotmail.com

Wanderbird

Capt.Rick here from the Wanderbird. I hope that you would seek more than just Carol%26#39;s opininion. We are proud of our ship and of our business. We have been carrying guests on expedition cruises for over 25 years. One%26#39;s opininion is one%26#39;s opininion and mine is that evry now and again we have

passengers from hell'; as well and that would not include Mr. Strimple who wasa woderful gentleman. Carol and her travelling companions were a different story. Thank you, Capt. Rick Miles

skin

Two nights on the Maine coast

Help! I am driving from Boston to North Conway next week. I have planned two nights stay along the Maine coast, originally thinking of Portland and Bar Harbor (to see Acadia NP) however i am unsure whether it is worth the extra driving to see it at this time of year - your thoughts please. I%26#39;m from the UK so this is probably a once in a lifetime trip. What areas would you recommend we stay in, I%26#39;ve looked at Brunswick and southwest harbor too. Should I only do one night on the Maine coast and hurry on to the white mountains putting the extra night on at Stowe VT?

Many thanks

Two nights on the Maine coast

What is it you most want to see while here? And, unless you%26#39;re skiing, why Stowe, VT?

Acadia would be pretty far out of your way, that%26#39;s why I%26#39;m asking what you hope to experience. Then we%26#39;ll know if it%26#39;s ';worth the extra driving.';

Two nights on the Maine coast

Definitely consider a stop in the southern coast area; Ogunquit /Kennybunport area. Portland is a nice town but I think the coastal countryside offers more interest if you are visiting just once! Check out the Owls Head and/or Marshall Point lighthouse. Stay at a quaint B%26amp;B by the geogeous coast.

The Acadia area is quite georgeous and really something to see, but a long way for just a day. You might consider one of the small midcoast islands or Pemaquid Penninsula or Deer Isle. Or you might drive straight up to Acadia from Boston without a stop and stay for two days. You may not want to leave!

Thanks for your replies

I just really want to get a feel for the area. I found out about Acadia National Park through %26#39;1000 places to visit before you die%26#39;. We tend to use it as a starting point when we visit somewhere new although I do realise the weather might make it a less than fabulous sight and it is quite far up the coast.

We tend to drive around stop wnhen we see something that catches out eyes etc -it might be a view, a village/small town or tourist point. We%26#39;re not overly sportly but happy to walk a couple of miles in the right spot.

I was looking at Camden last night and it looks like the sort of thing we like.

In answer to the question about Stowe, we won%26#39;t be skiing though maybe snowshoeing, but it seemed to be in a good spot to vist lakes and the border.

Once agin all comments gratefully recieved.

Acadia%26#39;s loop road and main visitor center is not open until April 15th. The park is still open, but you may experience a few spots you can%26#39;t get to yet. You can go to the website and check out what is open for you to do.

If you go to Portland, check out the waterfront shopping and dining. You can also go to the Portland Headlight lighthouse. If you don%26#39;t want to go all the way to Bar Harbor, you can get the ';seacoast'; town feeling in Camden, or Boothbay Harbor.

I hope you make a Mt. Washington summit trip part of your Conway adventure! Have fun...

Manchester to Bethel

My family is taking a vacation in Bethel in June. I am thinking about flying into Manchester and driving through the white mountains to get to Bethel. Does anybody know a cool route to take? Also, if you know of any interesting places to eat along the way it would be greatly appreciate.

Manchester to Bethel

Route 93/3 is the best route, and an extremely scenic one as well. A really cool stop would be the beautiful and historic Mount Washington Hotel, just 5 miles off your route to Bethel. Especially if you%26#39;d have enough time to wander the hotel a little and see some of the photos from important events held there.

mountwashingtonresort.com/general/about_us/l…

Then 115 to 2, right into Bethel.

Hope this map link works for you:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d%26amp;source=s_d%26amp;saddr=mht%26amp;daddr=310+Mount+Washington+Hotel+Rd,+Bretton+Woods,+NH%E2%80%8E+to:bethel,+me%26amp;hl=en%26amp;geocode=%26amp;mra=ls%26amp;sll=44.264379,-71.462631%26amp;sspn=0.223243,0.617981%26amp;ie=UTF8%26amp;z=8

Manchester to Bethel

I%26#39;m not sure how much time you want to allocate to get from Manchester to Bethel, but have a couple of ideas for you. If you haven%26#39;t already done so, you might also post your question on the New Hamshire Forum, since most of your trip will be there instead of Maine. That said, based on numerous vacations and trips to central New Hampshire, I offer the following two major options:

Option 1. Take I-93 north from Manchester for about 80 miles to Exit 32 in Lincoln. Then go east on Rt 112 for 35 miles to Conway, via what is known as the Kancamagus Highway (or, as the locals say, ';The Kanc';). It%26#39;s a narrow, winding, scenic two-lane road through the heart of the White Mountains National Forest....good views of the mountains, water rushing over the rocks in the Swift River alongside the road -- a great New England mountains drive. Caution: there%26#39;s no opportunity to buy gas or much to eat between Lincoln and Conway so plan accordingly.

From Conway, you have two choices:

1A: Take US 302 east for 10-12 miles to Fryeburg, ME, then go north on Rt 113. Route 113 winds back and forth across the Maine-New Hampshire border through the eastern end of the White Mountains National Forest for about 40 miles to Gilead, ME. It%26#39;e even narrower that ';The Kanc'; but is a paved road all the way. If offers great chances to see forested and rocky mountainsides and maybe even some wildlife. From Gilead, it%26#39;s about 8 miles on US Route 2 to Bethel. No strong recommendations for food along this route -- we often take a picnic....

2A: From Conway, take Rt 16 north through North Conway -- which is very commercial to the south of town, but gives way to the original New England village with its village green, old-time railroad station which is home to the seasonally-operating Conway Scenic Railroad -- google it for times and schedules if you want to ride an old-time train -- with multiple good restaurant choices. Our favorite North Conway eateries, assuming you%26#39;ll be passing through about lunchtime, would be Banners (not fancy but good basic food), Horsefeathers opposite the village green in North Conway, Flatbread and Company flatbread pizzas inside the Eastern Slope Inn, and Moat Mountain Brewery -- microbrews and great sandwiches. From North Conway, continue north on Rt 16 thru Glen (home to Storyland theme park for the younger kids -- google it for details), and on to Gorham, NH (about 31 miles from Glen). ALong the way, some of the attractions include: a wooden, covered bridge (you can actually drive through it) in Jackson, a zip-line at Wildcat Ski Resort, the Mount Washington Auto Road (drive yourself or ride with a professional van driver) to the top of the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi River (6,200 feet), the Appalachian Mountain Club headquarters in Pinkham Notch, and numerous scenic turnouts in this section of the National Forest. This section of Rt 16 is well maintained and an easy drive. From Gorham, it%26#39;s about 20 miles east on US 2 to Bethel.

Option 2. If you have even more time, stay on I-93 to Exit 35 (about 95 miles from Manchester) -- taking you through Franconia Notch State Park north of Lincoln. Attractions include views of the Presidential Mountain range on both sides of the road; a chance to hike The Flume, a natural chasm carved out of rocky cliffs; the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to the top of Cannon Mountain for a great view from its 4000 foot summit. From Exit 35, take Route 3 east to Twin Mountain (about 10 miles) then Rt 302 east to and through Crawford Notch (more great views.) Between Twim Mountain and Glen on 302 watch for: the Mt Washington Cog Railroad -- a trule unique way to to the top of Mt Washington (Google Mt Washington Cog Railroad for details); the Mount Washington Hotel, home of a famous United National financial conference in 1944 and still offering a great view of Mt Washington (can Google the hotel for more info); a roadside waterfall on the left just beyond Fabyan (where there%26#39;s a great natural history museum in an old railroad station); and some more great views coming downhill through the notch. In Glen, turn left on Rt 16 toward Gorham. See Option 1 for description of Glen to Bethel options.

Once you get to Bethel, ask for directions to Grafton Notch State Park, off Rt 26 in Newry. Screw Auger Falls (adjacent to the roadway) is a fun visit and the Park also offers some good hiking opportunities. Also ask for directions to the intersection of Maine Routes 5 and 35 in Lynchville, home to a now, world-famous sign showing the mileages to numerous towns/cities in Maine which all have foreign place-names. Google: Maine signpost for more info.

Sorry for the length, but wanted to give you a real feel for your options. Have a great trip.

Thank you so much for both of your replies. Unfortunately, based on rental car rates and not being able to get more days off from work, I am flying into Portland and driving from there. I am disappointed because I thought driving through the White Mountains would be awesome. On a side note, my sister is driving up from Philadelphia and I sent her all of the information you guys supplied me with, so all of your hard work was not done in vain. Thanks again and I am going to post a similar question about the drive from Portland on the Portland forum, so if you guys have any info on that it would be greatly appreciated.

Black Flies?

We%26#39;re coming to Bar Harbor on June 15 and we%26#39;re wondering how bad the bugs will be then. I see a previous request for a black flies status update, but was wondering if you%26#39;ve had warmer weather since then so that the black flies will be about gone when we come. We%26#39;re from Michigan, so used to mosquitos, but it would be nicer to have fewer bugs. Anyway, can%26#39;t wait to get there!

Black Flies?

That they will be gone by the 15th is, alas, a vain hope. They are out now; we wear bug nets when doing any extended yard work. I haven%26#39;t been in the potentially more buggy parts of the park recently, so I really can%26#39;t tell how how bad they are now. Perhaps others can.

Generally, they stick around (some of them, anyway) until about the last week of June/first week of July.

Black Flies?

don%26#39;t know how it will be next week, but I just returned and didn%26#39;t see any black flies at all. It was a wonderful trip!!!

Do bug sprays work to help keep them away?

Insect repellent works. I know that the DEET-based stuff works; I have no experience with the other forumulations. Considerable has been written that clothes dried with Bounce (or presumably, other fabric-softener sheets) tend to repel the little beasts.

In all the years my husband and I visited Bar Harbor, we never knew about black flies. It%26#39;s only since we bought a rental property in Winter Harbor and do gardening work out in the lawn that we know about black flies. You should be fine when in town - the black flies are a bother when you%26#39;re in the woods and lawns, not right next to the ocean and not in Bar Harbor village.

Insect sprays with DEET do work, but read the label before applying to children%26#39;s skin.

Have fun!

Thanks everyone! We actually will be hiking or biking at Acadia most of the time. We do have bug spray with DEET already, for the mosquitos here in Michigan. I%26#39;ll try using the dryer sheets also. By the way, I haven%26#39;t heard one bad thing about Bar Harbor from anyone who%26#39;s been there, so I know it%26#39;ll be a great trip.

You won%26#39;t have a problem biking. The only ones that can bug ya will be late july/august the giant horse/deer/moose flys. Generally the wind keeps them down pretty good. Just for ';scouts sake'; always be prepared and get a can of the good ';super deet'; stuff that%26#39;s like 70% deet. you may grow an extra toe but the bugs won%26#39;t bite it!

We will be visiting May 10 through May 16. When do you have Black Flies? We are from the midwest and have never been out east, so if this is a stupid question, I appologize in advance. Thanks

Trina-David---

It%26#39;s not a stupid question---but there is not a really good answer.

Black fly larvae principally live in streams; they develop into adults (think mosquitoes with jaws) and emerge from the water as the streams begin to warm, sometime (usually) in mid to late May. A lot depends on what kind of spring we have. Right now, I would say that the emergence will be late this year, but a couple of weeks of really warm weather could change that.

Generally, the peak of black fly season is in June, but it%26#39;s not unusual to see a few in mid-May, especially near streams or in other lowland habitats.

Don%26#39;t be alarmed. A good insect repellant will fend them off. Moreover, because they emerge from streams, if you are hiking/walking at higher elevations, you shouldn%26#39;t be bothered. Also, they aren%26#39;t very good at negotiating wind, so open or wind-swept spaces tend to be black-fly free. (Here at our home, they congregate in the shrubbery, not in the open spaces.)

If you do happen to get bit, the anti-itch gels or the ';itch sticks'; do a good job.

Random info: in all my years growing up in Maine there is one thing that has repelled black flies better than anything else. Avon Skin-so-soft! I know, it sounds wierd, but try it.

skin

Augusta area (lakes?) for a night in June

Never been to Maine, but we%26#39;re excited to get as well-rounded an experience as we can in one week.

We%26#39;ll be passing through Augusta for a night and wondered if anyone can recommend either a hotel/B%26amp;B or a lake house in the area?

The Augusta forum is a little sparse, and we%26#39;re trying to find a nice way to spend about 24 hours there. Thanks so much for any advice!!

Augusta area (lakes?) for a night in June

Guess I should add:

We%26#39;ll be driving from Bar Harbor to Portland. Is Augusta worth a day-long trip, or would this be better spent in Bar Harbor/Acadia? We%26#39;ll already be there for two days. Thanks again!

Augusta area (lakes?) for a night in June

Here%26#39;s the link for the Augusta area from Maine%26#39;s tourism site:

www.visitmaine.com/region/kennebec/augusta/

a nice lake area is Belgrade Lakes about 10 min from Augusta and you will find B%26amp;B%26#39;s here and many of the famous actually have homes hear...low key and beautiful...China lake is another option although not my pic...but if you are driving the coastal route back you will pass through this area as well...Brunswick another great restaurant coastal area has B%26amp;B%26#39;s as well and you will be 10 min from LL.Bean,.,.if this is a plan as well....

I think a whole day in Augusta is too much. The drive from Acadia to Portland is only about 3 and a half to 4 hours. You could easily get up and drive to Augusta in the morning, get there for lunch and see the Maine State museum. Then you could head your way down to Portland and be there before supper.

To get to Augusta, be sure to go on Rt 1 through Bucksport. There is a new bridge observatory in one of the Waldo-Hancock bridge towers. I have yet to go, but have heard you can see great views... of course this depends on the weather!

Have fun...

Wing%26#39;s Hill Inn in Belgrade

I agree w/ those mentioning Belgrade Lakes area as a good way to experience the ';inland'; lakes of Maine.

In Augusta is the State Museum and the Capitol.

Very nearby (1-2 miles south of Capitol) is Hallowell, charming small town on Kennebec River for antiquing, window shopping, good lunch/dinner options.

Also Fort Western in Augusta is worth a visit.

An authentic fort from the 1600 / 1700%26#39;s

Stop on the midcoast

My husband and I are driving to Deer Isle in June and are looking for an interesting stopover for a day midway. We stopped in Camden and Ogunquit last time, and would like to try something new this time...perhaps somewhere we can do some birding.What are your favorite midcoast spots?

Stop on the midcoast

I don%26#39;t know about birding, but there aren%26#39;t any bad choices for overnight stops in MidCoast, Maine.

For a cool place to stop that is a total contrast to Camden and Oqunquit, consider the Pemaquid Penninsula.

Leave Route 1 at Newcastle, drive down through Damariscotta (stop and shop in the little stores if you want), eat supper outside on the deck at Shaw%26#39;s Wharf in picture-postcard New Harbor, get back to the lighthouse for sunset. Spend the night in the Hotel Pemaquid right there is walking distance to the lighthouse and then the next morning drive back up the other other side of the Peninsula on route 32 through Round Pond.

This is a very quiet area of beautiful fishing villages, quaint country stores (don%26#39;t miss the little store in Round Pond), lovely saltwater farms, antique stores, and natural beauty.

It%26#39;s hard to find a lighthouse that compares to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.

Stop on the midcoast

Moody%26#39;s Diner in Waldoboro (where you%26#39;d pick up Route 1 the next morning) is a Maine tradition. Great pies.

Thank you MicheleS! Pemaquid sounds wonderful and I will look into it. We will keep a look out for Moody%26#39;s Diner too! What are your thoughts on Boothbay Harbor? I have not been there since I was a kid.

I think Boothbay would be tough for such a short visit. There is so much to see there, I%26#39;d save it for when I could spend more time and not feel rushed.

A note about birding, you can catch a puffin watching tour from New Harbor. Check out the Hardy Boat cruise, see http://www.hardyboat.com/

You might want to check and see if the part of June you%26#39;re visiting is a good time for Puffin spotting.

For birding, you might be interested in the Boothbay Region Land Trust. Here%26#39;s their website:

http://www.bbrlt.org/bbrlt_activities.html

For more general Maine birding info: www.birdingmaine.com

Have a great visit.

Thanks for the link!

We took a trip with Old Quarry Tours from Deer Isle two years ago to see the puffins. I would definitely recommend it and may go again!

Now I am torn about stopping in Boothbay or Pemaquid. I realize both have a bit of a different appeal. Ordinarily we would choose the less developed Pemaquid, but since we will be in Acadia for a week I might go with Boothbay for variety...and since it is not yet busy season. We may have two nights to spend.

Michele, I looked up all the stops on your side trip to Pemaquid and they sound just great. Thank you for taking the time...we will definitely visit all those spots either this time or next.

Has anyone else been to Hotel Pemaquid?

Thanks for the advice Michele. I think we will take the Pemaquid side trip. We%26#39;ll let you all know how it goes!

hotels in Bar Harbor close to the ferry terminal

Can anyone tell us a great place to stay for one night in Bar Harbor that is close to the Cat ferry terminal and also food, bar etc. Can walk around a little ?? Thanks ahead of time for any answers!

hotels in Bar Harbor close to the ferry terminal

http://www.barharbormotel.com/welcome.htm

check out reviews. no restaurant on site but close by. great staff.

hotels in Bar Harbor close to the ferry terminal

will check it out , Thanks

10 days in Maine area

We are in Charleston, SC and are planning to come to Maine this fall. Probably the Wednesday or Thursday before Labor Day. We just like to drive around and find interesting places. We are a 55+ couple and will be flying into the area. We are not sure if we want to fly to Boston which may be too far away or fly into Bangor. One thing we want to do is go to Acadia National Park. We are not into fancy hotels, we prefer small B%26amp;Bs. We are not resort types and are fairly frugal. I would like some suggestions of what to do beside eat lots of fresh Blueberry pies. Any suggestions.

10 days in Maine area

As to access, Boston is about a 5 to 6 hour drive from Mount Desert Island (Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, etc.); Bangor is about an hour%26#39;s drive.

In terms of B%26amp;Bs, you might want to look at:

http://www.sleepbarharbor.com

which provides links to most of our B%26amp;Bs and usually includes availability and links to on-line reservations.

As to what is available in the area, try:

http://www.acadiamagic.com

As you firm up your plans, there are several here who will be happy to help with questions and advice.

10 days in Maine area

I live in Boston and I think that drive up the Maine coast is not to be missed; and you will be in Maine in less than an hour and a half from Boston. There are lots of wonderful little towns, quaint shops, beautiful lighthouses, great B%26amp;B%26#39;s and nature to see.

From your description I would recommend:

visit or stay in Kennebunkport, visit East Point Sanctuary in Biddeford Pool (tricky to find but worth it), see the Owl%26#39;s Head Lighthouse and have lunch in the Owl%26#39;s Head General Store, visit Damariscotta/Newcastle and the Pemaquid Peninsula (another forum writer sold me on this), take a boat trip to see the puffins when you are in Acadia, have some lobster with your blueberry pie.

I am from south of boston and like logan (it is crazy, but it is central and big). If you do not like hotels, there is a private apartment in kennebunk we rented last summer called ne%26#39;r enough. It had everything we needed like a dvd player and movies, flat screen tv, a bed plus a sofabed for our sons and a full kitchen with dished and stuff. We really liked that since it is rare in hotels in the area and we needed it for our kids. We had our own deck and a grill. I have their number - they were very nice owners and gave us total privacy (we had our own entrance and everything). We drove to the beach and then down the coast to ogunquit,

Why not check into flying into Portland. Last Oct, we flew from Atlanta to Portland on Delta. It was the exact same price as flying into Boston, but without all the stress and hassle associated with a large airport and big city traffic. You could then take a nice drive northward toward Bar Harbor making overnight stops perhaps in Boothbay and Camden. Acadia is awesome!

Try not to miss all that oppressive humidity that blankets Charleston in August/September :)

from Bangor to Bar

What%26#39;s to stop and see traveling from Bangor

To Bar Harbor.

from Bangor to Bar

Not much. It%26#39;s only an hour%26#39;s drive. You could stop at the L.L. Bean outlet in Ellsworth. There%26#39;s a small zoo between Ellsworth and Bar Harbor. Once on Mount Desert Island, you could drive through Acadia National Park before you drive into the village of Bar Harbor. You could take a slightly longer route than the usual from Bangor to Bar Harbor and see the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.

from Bangor to Bar

Would concur -- it%26#39;s not the most interesting drive in the world....but the destination is worth it.

Would suggest, after you get onto Mt Desert Island that you stop at the Acadia National Park Visitor%26#39;s Center.... good chance to pick up some great info on things to do during the rest of your stay....

If you want to check out the Penobscot Narrows Observatory (google it for more info), take Rt 1A south out of Bangor....watch for signs for Ft Knox State Park (or if you miss those, look for US Rt 1 north toward Bucksport). After you leave the observatory, it%26#39;s US 1 north to Ellsworth and Maine Rt 3 to Bar Harbor.

The Observatory is a recommended diversion. From there on your way to Bar Harbor and if you are interested in antiques and old books, the Chicken Barn is on Route 1 in Ellsworth. You can have lunch or dinner at Cleonice (Mediterranean) on Maine Street. Local information is available at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce on High Street and the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Thompson Island Information Center (for Park passes) on the Bar Harbor Road (Route 3). Have a nice time and enjoy the commute.

oops...Cleonice is on Main Street in Ellsworth.

You could do taste tests of lobster rolls!

…wordpress.com/2008/…

skin

Help for planning 2-day trip

Our family is planning a trip from Boston to Maine in mid July. We will be driving from Cambridge to Maine on Friday at 10 AM (after the rush hour of Boston??). My plan is to spend Friday night in a motel or inn in Ogunquit. Then on Saturday drive to Portland to go to Portland Headlight (??) lighthouse for lunch, and then on to Boothbay Harbor to spend the night there. Where should I stop for a lobster feast? Clam chowder? Clam bake? We are not going to any beaches. Instead, we would like to see rocky shores and may be one or two lighthouses. In late Sunday morning, we will drive from Boothbay Harbor to the airport at Manchester, NH, to catch a mid afternoon flight home. Is our plan realistic in terms of being able reach all the destinations by driving and yet have enough time for sightseeing and eating?

Help for planning 2-day trip

Since we are not going to the beach, should we skip Ogunquit? May be we should stay at Boothbay Harbor for two nights (Friday and Saturday)?

Help for planning 2-day trip

This is a great drive and you will have plenty of time for sightseeing especially if you stay in Ogunquit. My husband and live in Boston and this is one of our favorite excursions. We generally start almost any trip to Maine with a night in Ogunquit. It is a nice overnight. For kids there are some nice places with a pool. However, July will be VERY busy in Ogunquit. If you stay there try to find an inn walking distance to the center of town and marginal way, but not right on the main drag, as parking and driving will be tough. We like the roadside clam/lobster shacks better than the sit-down places. The Lobster Barn in York and Mike%26#39;s Clam Shack in Wells are our favorite stops. For lighthouses the Owl%26#39;s Head light is quite beautiful. Boothbay will be VERY busy in July as well.

If you%26#39;re not ';doing'; the beach, I would skip Ogunquit. I would go straight to Portland Headlight and grab a lobster roll nearby. I would then head up to Boothbay Harbor. If Portland Headlight isn%26#39;t an absolute must, I%26#39;d go straight to Boothbay Harbor. Friday tourist traffic combined with the work shift letting out at Bath Ironworks around 3:30ish makes route one north a frustrating drive on a Friday afternoon.

Two nights in Boothbay Harbor gives you a chance to see the lighthouses there, plus take a spin over to Pemaquid Point. Grab your lobster feast at one of the co-ops or at Small Brothers in New Harbor.

If your visit coincides with the Yarmouth Clam Festival, I would swing off 295 and grab some seafood there. Just get out before the parade starts on Friday, or you%26#39;ll be stuck until it%26#39;s over. (Or stay - it%26#39;s a lot of fun!):

http://www.clamfestival.com/home.php

Thanks for the information everybody. What would be the estimated length of time to drive from Boothbay to the airport at Manchester, NH, starting around 10:30 AM on a Sunday in mid July? About 3 hours? Would the drive be better on Monday around the same departure time?

Traveling from Acadia to White Mountains

My husband and I will be staying in Acadia for several days and then driving to the White Mountain National forest. We are trying to figure out the best route. We thought about driving up to Bangor and then across the state using Highway 2. We want to find a scenic route. Is this a good route or should we consider doing something else?

If this is a good option then what are some good stopping points?

Thanks so much!

Place with Kitchen and Pool?

We are hoping to stay in the Bar Harbor area in August. There are a total of 5 adults and 3 children, ages 7, 5, and 2, in our party. We have vacationed the past couple years at a resort in Door County, Wisconsin that had full apartments (vacation condos) with living rooms, kitchens, and 2 bedrooms; plus a pool on the grounds. I am looking for something similar in the Bar Harbor area but haven%26#39;t come up with anything. Does this exist? Or is it all hotels with pools, and cottages/house rentals without pools?

thanks for your guidance!

Place with Kitchen and Pool?

The BayView has some condos set back from the regular inn...the pool here is pretty small however.

In Northeast Harbor, the Asticou has a nice pool and some kitchenette cottage units, including a 2bdrm 2 bath suite in the Cranberry Lodge that sleeps 6. www.asticou.com

Midway Motel

I am planning our summer vacation to Ogunquit/Wells in July. we want to rent a cottage for a week, but hope to arrive a few days before that to be by the ocean. I have looked into motels in the area, and am interested in Midway Motel. Anyone stayed there? Their rates seem quite reasonable compared to others.

Midway Motel

Rates are reasonable but the motel is a bit far from the main beaches. Suggest that you use the trolley - parking lot is full at 10:00 AM.

Midway Motel

The great thing about Ogunquit is the ability to walk to the Beach or walk into town. I don%26#39;t think you can walk to either from the Midway Motel. You probably would want to try to find something further south on Route 1. Otherwise you will depend upon the trolley schedule because driving around is not really a good option.

I realize it is not that close to the beach – we dont mind driving. I was mainly interested in whether the motel was decent, clean etc. Some of the motels are $200 a night! which is way too much for us.

We have been there (Midway) few years ago and it was clean and comfortable. You say that you don%26#39;t mind using your car but it is important to consider that daily traffic jams can become frustrating. Anyways, you will love Ogunquit!

thanks marguerite39. I tried to check out reviews of motels in the area and some have really bad ones along with good ones, so I%26#39;m never sure which ones to believe!

Staying in Lubec or Eastport

I have just read the reviews posted about the Lubec area and am looking forward to my upcoming trip to Lubec/Eastport in early September. We will be driving north from Delaware to spend the first week of September in the Lubec area. We are considering renting a house for the stay and have found two interesting possibilities - one in Lubec and one in Eastport. The one in Lubec is on the main road going into town. How busy does that road get? We will have three dogs with us and I really don%26#39;t want to have to worry about them running out and directly into a major highway! Does anyone have any recommendations of whether to stay in Lubec or Eastport? We plan to spend most of our time hiking and exploring the area. Thanks!

Staying in Lubec or Eastport

For ';hiking and exploring'; I would probably choose Lubec. Unless you wanted to explore into New Brunswick then Lubec would be closer to most of the hiking opportunities. There are three great places to hike and explore near Lubec; West Quoddy Head state park in Lubec, Roosevelt International Park on Campobello Island, and The Bold Coast Trails in Cutler. You could still take a day trip into Eastport if you wanted to. If you should happen to still be here September 7-9 Eastport will be having their annual Salmon Festival.

As for the ';main road'; into Lubec it is a State Highway and I am not sure what you would qualify as ';busy';. For our area I would say that it is a busy road but compared to Mid coast US RT1 it is not busy at all. I guess one of the main factors that would come into play is how close to the road the rental house sits. Another thing is how behaved your dogs are, if they have a tendancy to run off then they very likely may get hit by a car. I am surprised that you haven%26#39;t found other rentals that are off the main road as there are several in the area. I believe there are some on both the North and South Lubec roads but sorry I can not give you specific info on them.

Staying in Lubec or Eastport

If you want a hike lubec is best. Eastport would be a good day trip to check out the shops and such. The main road probably wouldn%26#39;t be busy, especially after labor day. One concern though that you should have told to you is that people do some major speeding on that road. For exploring i would choose lubec as well. You can take a ride just on the back roads here and in trescott/whiting.

Have fun with your trip!!!

I moved to Lubec 13 years ago from NJ and I%26#39;ve never had more than 10 cars in front of me - so don%26#39;t worry to much about traffic. Of course I have a dog and my yard is fenced - so I would keep them on a leash. The weather in September is beautiful, but the nights are cool, bring a coat, especially if you will be ';in-town';. Water is all around you and the temp does drop - great sleeping weather. This is a small fishing village - bring your camera, paint brush, and walking shoes. Lots to see, 4 light houses in the area 2 in Lubec %26amp; 2 on Campobello, NB Canada. NY TIMES rates Monica%26#39;s chocolates the BEST!! Stop in to see her she came here from Peru and stayed.

Love the area and I hope you will to. ENJOY!

Barbara

peaches3@midmaine.com

Family hotel in Bar Harbor (June 27 - July 1st)

Hi..we are a family of 5 (3 kids 8,7 and 5) looking for a ';family friendly'; hotel/resort in Bar Harbor. Looking for a nice-sized room or suite and a pool (indoor and outdoor would be great). Close to downtown. Any suggestions or recommendations? Thanks!

Family hotel in Bar Harbor (June 27 - July 1st)

I would suggest the Bar Harbor Motel. It%26#39;s family owned and operated. Great people and good location. They don%26#39;t serve breakfast, but there are lots of breakfast options at that time of year (jeanne%26#39;s, cafe this way, and jordans to name a few). It%26#39;s a bit far to walk into town (a mile or so).

Right in town is the Harborside Hotel. It%26#39;s on the water so it%26#39;s pretty expensive, but they have a nice pool. You can walk to everything from there.

Bar Harbor Inn is also right in town and on the water.

I don%26#39;t think they have a pool.

Atlantic Oakes is outside of town (about 1 mile) and they have a pool, and are on the water. Also the Bayview has a pool. Right next to Atlantic Oakes.

Fall trip to NE

planning first trip to the NE for fall. Airfare and hotels are taken care of, so just looking for the must see spots along the way.

Night 1-Flying into Buffalo-Niagara Falls

driving north around Lake Ontario

Night 2 Watertown,NY drop back down into NY, through the Adirondacks

Night 3 - Plattsburgh, across Lake Champ into Vermont to Littleton,NH

Night 4 - Leave Littleton down to Conway

Night 5 - Conway down to Saco,ME

Night 6 - Saco down to Gloucester for whale watching

Night 7 - Peadbody,MA-back to airport, flying out of Manchester

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Fall trip to NE

Where are you staying in Saco? What most interests you about Maine?

Fall trip to NE

would love to spend more time there, next trip for sure. when we drop down out of Conway, we are looking for covered bridges, apple orchards, maybe even an herb farm for my wife.

Staying at the Hampton in Saco, using Hilton honors points for this trip.

Love the old seaside towns, harbors, etc.

green shuttle

I%26#39;m just wondering if anyone have used green shuttle to go from/to airport before? We need transfer between airport and riverplace. Is it a reliable company? If we have two people, would it be the same to just take a taxi?they charge $14 flat fee for each person.

Thanks ahead for your help!

green shuttle

Oops.. sorry, I post in the wrong Portland forum.. please ignore the post

driving distance/time portland to bar harbor

how long would it take to drive from portland to bar barbor via route 1, along the coastline for a scenic drive?

driving distance/time portland to bar harbor

It takes about 4 hours vs 3 hours if you took the interstate.

driving distance/time portland to bar harbor

It also depends on the time of year you%26#39;re considereing making the trip....

This time of year, there%26#39;s little tourist traffic and you can move right along.

By early June, tourist traffic has started to build and you%26#39;ll see seasonal slow-downs at some places along US Route 1 -- downtown Wiscasset is probably the worst, where you could see bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go traffic for two to three miles -- not bad by some standards, but considered ';bad'; for Maine. Other places where Rt 1 can get ';backed up'; would include downtown Freeport, perhaps Bath, and to lesser degrees, downtown Bucksport and downtown Ellsworth.

Not suggesting you stay away from Rt 1....only that if you%26#39;re traveling it between early June and late September, you probably want to add half an hour or so to allow for traffic congestion (Maine style).

Portland/Monhegan queries

How long is the drive from Portland to New Harbor (if that is where we would catch the ferry to Monhegan Island)?

How long is the drive from Boston to Portland?

Portland/Monhegan queries

The drive is about 1 1/2 hours. But here is the information for catching a boat to Monhegan. You should call for their schedule. And Boothbay Harbor is the closest harbor from Portland for catching the boat.

Monhegan Boat Line from Port Clyde (207-372-8848).

Hardy Boat Cruises from New Harbor (207-677-2026 or 800-278-3346/800-2-PUFFIN).

Balmy Days Cruises from Boothbay Harbor (207-633-2284 or 800-298-2284).

The drive from Boston to Portland is a little under 2 hours.

Portland/Monhegan queries

Thank you, Mindy!

I was thinking New Harbor to Monhegan b/c I%26#39;d heard that it is nearest Pemaquid Point, and that Pemaquid is worth a visit. I thought we%26#39;d go to Pemaquid and then over to Monhegan.

Please let me know if you have a different perspective!

Details on the three ferries, including schedules (which generally don%26#39;t change from year to year) are at the Island Inn%26#39;s home page; see:

www.islandinnmonhegan.com/directions.php

I would definitely suggest New Harbor - it%26#39;s a neat place (great lobster shack right there) and less touristy than Boothbay.

Should we take family vacation to Old Orchard Beach?

Hi,

We live in Alabama and normally take family (wife, kids - 12,8,6 and, now, 5 months)beach vacation to Destin, FL every summer. Due to some airline credits, we are looking to fly somewhere as a family this summer and are considering Old Orchard Beach. Is there enough to do for kids for a week? I have read good things and seen some good things on the town%26#39;s website. The Pier%26#39;s website made me a little nervous as the pier seemed to be one big Hoolihans and another pub type place rather than having young kid activities? What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance,

David

Should we take family vacation to Old Orchard Beach?

There is plenty for kids to do in OOB and the surrounding areas. First of all there%26#39;s the beach - sand and surf. Then there%26#39;s Palace Playland with rides and games. The pier is definitely a bar atmosphere at night, but not so much earlier in the day. There%26#39;s also a fun mini-golf nearby with a pirate theme.

Down the road a bit is Camp Ellis. They can fish off the jetty. Head up to Saco for a day at Funtown/Splashtown USA, or go bowling or see a movie.

Should we take family vacation to Old Orchard Beach?

You would want to avoid the Pier with the kids on weekend nights but otherwise, OOB has really cleaned itself up and is definitely family friendly. There%26#39;s the beach, amusement park, mini-golf, arcarde and games and plenty of options for dining. 10 minutes away on Route 1 in Saco there%26#39;s Funtown/Splashtown, an amusement and water park, Aquaboggan water park, a drive in theater, a regular theater. Plenty to do.

You can also take easy day trips up and down the coast. In addition, there%26#39;s a train station in OOB and you can hop the train for a day trip to Boston if that%26#39;s interesting to you.

The water will be much colder than you%26#39;re used to!

Thanks much. I am sold and am booking the trip today.

Thanks to you as well. Where do I find info about the train times, details, etc. I may try to take them one day to see the Red Sox at Fenway.

My husband and I have been going there for years with our 14 year old daughter and a friend of hers.We have fun every year,and wouldnt miss a year going there.We normally go in july so its pretty busy.There should be plenty for the kids to do the beach,amusement park,arcade all in one general area.Everything is in walking distance.I really havent been out on the town at night,but where we stayed it was fairly quiet considering it was only 2 blocks from the pier.Hope you like it we love it,and wouldnt give up a year of not going!

Thanks much. We are looking forward to experiencing a different area for the beach trip. If you ever get the chance to go to Destin, do so, the beaches there are great as well.

Thanks again.

Here%26#39;s the link for the train:

http://www.amtrakdowneaster.com/

If you want to see a Sox game, you may want to get tickets ASAP (and it will probably be on a re-sale site like Ace tickets or Stubhub).

Thanks!

My two favorite places to vacation in New England are Old Orchard Beach and the middle region of Cape Cod near the National Seashore Beaches.

For a vacation with young children I probably prefer OOB since you can rent a motel room directly on the beach which is a blessing with kids in tow.

If you go to Old Orchard and get tired of the fast food down at the Pier area the Maine Mall is only about 20 minutes north of the beach and has just about every typical chain restaurant you can think of including IHOP, Country Buffet, On the Border, Longhorn Steakhouse, McDonalds etc...

Also wanted to mention you may want to pack a picnic lunch and head over to Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth for the day for a change of scenery. It is a very scenic area with lots of rocks to climb and tidepools to investigate.

As mentioned before it is a short ride to Kennebunkport, Freeport, Ogunquit but OOB will be a lot more economical and more fun for the kids.

Thanks for the info!

David

lakefront cottage rental recommendations

Hi-

My fiance and I (along with our yellow lab) are looking to rent a cottage this summer. We%26#39;re looking for something that is very secluded and quiet, with a private dock and/or a deck with a view. Ideally we%26#39;d love a place that%26#39;s in the mid-coast area, within a half hour or so of the ocean (although we%26#39;re flexible on that!).

I%26#39;ve been doing a lot of searching on Craigslist and some other vacation rental sites, but I was wondering if anyone here had places that they%26#39;d recommend. Swan Lake seemed like a nice spot and I was wondering if anyone had stayed there and would recommend it. I%26#39;m open to all suggestions!

Thanks in advance...

Jessica

Best time to see Fall Colors

We would like to visit Maine in mid October. Is this the best time to see the fall colors? When do the leaves change?

Best time to see Fall Colors

Peak fall foliage is variable each year due to weather. Also not uniform throughout Maine (a big state).

*Usually* peak is plus/minus Columbus Day (or at least this is peak visiting time).

You can get specific foliage reports by zone on the Maine Tourism dept. website (don%26#39;t have link handy right now).

Best time to see Fall Colors

The link is:

http://www.mainefoliage.com

The ';close to Columbus Day'; rule of thumb holds pretty well here; peak foliage could be earlier well inland.

skin

In Bar Harbor On Crusie ship June 14 8am-3pm

Hi- We will be in on a cruise ship,and it%26#39;s not for much time. Can you rent a car in town? Will I have enough time to drive the loop in a rental car? My wife is an avid photographer and I fear that if I%26#39;m stuck on a ships/excursion tour bus we%26#39;ll only stop 2 or 3 times and not get many photo opportunities.

I%26#39;ve read about Ollies tour,but it%26#39;s ony fo 2 1/2 hours.

Is this enough time to see the whole loop?

Am I missing something. Is there a better way to see more of the park. Thanks so much

In Bar Harbor On Crusie ship June 14 8am-3pm

There are no auto rental places in Bar Harbor. There are taxi/limo services that might serve your purposes more than would Oli%26#39;s. Your cruise ship ought to have information on the taxi/limo services.

In Bar Harbor On Crusie ship June 14 8am-3pm

You can get on the free Island Explorer bus at the Village Green. Take the bus to the Park Visitor%26#39;s Center. There you can transfer to the bus that circles the Park Loop Road. You can get on and off the bus anywhere you want along the road. If you%26#39;re not at a designated stop, just flag down the next bus. If it%26#39;s a safe place to stop, they will stop and pick you up. This is the best way to make sure you have the time you want at each stop. I would recommend getting off at Sand Beach. There you can walk across the beach, hike the Great Head Trail (awesome photo opportunities), then walk down the Loop Road along the Ocean Trail until you get to Otter Cliffs (it%26#39;s a mile or two). If you%26#39;re not up to long walks, just catch the next bus. After Otter Cliffs, you can ride around to the Jordan Pond House, have popovers and tea on the lawn and then walk around the pond (3 miles - easy walk - more great pictures). Another great spot after Jordan Pond House is Bubble Pond. The only downside to this plan is that the Island Explorer buses don%26#39;t go to the top of Cadillac Mountain and you would probably really enjoy the views from up there. You can always hike up to the top from the Loop Road. The North Face Trail is a moderate trail that%26#39;s not too steep. You would start that trail from the Loop Road before getting to Sand Beach.

Anyway, lots of options.

Also consider renting a bike. You can take the Bicycle Express to the carriage road trail at Eagle Lake and ride around the lake. It%26#39;s about 6 miles around. You can take a longer trip and ride to the Jordan Pond House.

I%26#39;m not at all sure that the Island Explorer will be operating by 14 June---it typically starts operation about the end of third week of June. Their web site doesn%26#39;t seem to be current. I have emailed them and will post their answer.

Good point. I didn%26#39;t see the dates on the top. I was figuring you were on a Sept/Oct cruise.

You could still think about the biking option to see the most of the park and have unlimited time at each location.

Hopefully the buses will be running.

Another option might be for you to take the Ollies tour and then take a boat tour like LuLu%26#39;s Lobster Boat or the Acadia Nature Cruise. Both boat rides are really great and you get to see some great views of the Maine Coastline and both go out to Egg Rock Lighthouse where there are seals and often eagles.

Weekly beachfront condo rentals

Does anyone have any suggestions for renting a beachfront condo on OOB? I%26#39;ve seen them as I walked the beach and would like to know more.

Weekly beachfront condo rentals

Hi,

I%26#39;m not sure if you%26#39;re referring to a specific condo building, but here%26#39;s a little info. The new building right downtown (by the Pier) is called the Grand Victorian and they do offer weekly condo rentals. The website provides listings and prices: http://www.grandvictorianwaterfront.com/

Also, here%26#39;s some info on apartment and condo rentals in OOB. Looks like there is some info on rental agents: http://www.oldorchardbeachmaine.com/apts.htm

Need help planning trip to Maine for senior hikers

Hello everyone

I have been asked to organize a trip to Maine for a hiking group I belong to in mid September 2008. Can you help me with an itinerary? We will be flying from Calif to sight see Boston. Now we have to decide what route to take for a two week trip into Maine that is half coast and half inland. Hopefully, it is possible to stay in no more than four or so places and do day trips. I was thinking White Mountains to Portland, Acadia and then Baxter Park. Or White mountains to Baxter and then down the coast. Or we could skip NH and enjoy Maine

for two weeks. So far about 8 people are interested and I%26#39;m sure they will all want to do something different. Our first planning meeting is soon and I could sure use your help. Oh, by the way, our hikes are usually 6-10 miles but we won%26#39;t be doing that everyday.

Thanks alot,

Meha

Need help planning trip to Maine for senior hikers

I%26#39;d skip New Hampshire and spend the bulk of the time in Acadia National Park where there is enough hiking for a month without ever repeating yourself, along with good lodging and food. From the Acadia region you could also do day trips to hike out on Isle au Haut and on Monhegan Island. Both have wonderful trails and involve ferries to get to these outer islands.

Need help planning trip to Maine for senior hikers

Thank you Bonnymaey

I%26#39;ll relay that to the group

Meha

I can%26#39;t help much with inland sites. You might want to look at:

%26lt;http://www.acadiamagic.com%26gt;

This site provides information on the general Bar Harbor area as well as links to the Acadia National Park web site.

Acadia National Park has some 120 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads. The carriage roads are reserved for walkers, cyclers, and in some areas, horses---no motorized vehicles.

Some popular walks and hikes have been described in the Overview section (top left of this page) in the Bar Harbor forum. There is a history and further description of the carriage road system in the ';Know Before You Go'; section; hikes and walks are in ';Things To Do.'; Other hikes have been discussed in the Acadia National Park forum.

A rather unique aspect of Acadia National Park is the free shuttle bus system (Island Explorer), which has its main terminus in Bar Harbor and reaches most parts of the park and Mount Desert Island. The important exception is that it does not go to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. The shuttle system allows you to plan ';walk through'; hikes. More information on the Island Explorer shuttle system, including maps and schedules, is available at:

%26lt;http://www.exploreacadia.com%26gt;

The Bethel/Newry area offers mountain scenery and hiking opportunities, particularly heading up through Grafton Notch - don%26#39;t miss Screwauger Falls and the surrounding trails. You could swing through there from the White Mountains.

Baxter State Park offers Mt. Katadin and unspoiled wilderness to explore.

If possible, I would urge you to get a ';Maine Atlas and Gazeteer'; published by DeLorme. It would help greatly with planning routes and checking out hiking choices.

If you get here about Sept 15th and stay until roughly October 1, you should definitely pay attention to the average peak foliage dates and try your best to hit peak foliage at least once. About October 1 Baxter State Park, the Moosehead Lake area, and maybe Bethel should be pretty close to peak, so maybe you should try to end up in one of those spots?

Kinneo in Moosehead would be a nice hike and there are some easier hikes in Baxter if Katahdin is a push for your seniors.

Peak foliage days can be found at maine.gov/doc/foliage/whenandwhere/index.html

Thank you everyone,

I am getting just the kind of advice I was hoping for. If we can be tere when the leaves turn--what a treat.

Meha

Also check the Trip Planner function at WeatherUnderground to see average temps. In October we could have frost, and it could be really chilly if you start your hike early in the morning. www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

More about Kinneo: www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Kineo_0000.asp

summitpost.org/mountain/鈥ount-kineo.html

http://www.moosehead.net/hiking/index.html

This is a good area for moose spotting, as is Baxter State Park.

Acadia, Acadia, Acadia. The carriage roads are fantastic for hiking and biking. Downtown Bar Harbor can get crowded but has some great places to eat. Come over to the quiet side (Southwest Harbor) and avoid the crowds (especially when the cruise ships come into B.H.) Lots of hiking and great B %26amp; B to choose from on the quiet side. Lobster doesn%26#39;t get any fresher than here ! Enjoy.

Don%26#39;t know if you are still planning or have finalized everything but I second the vote for Bethel/Newry area. Miles of hiking in Grafton Notch State Park -- could keep you buys for several days. But, after that, an easy trip over the border to Mt. Washington -- superb hiking on highest peak in the NE.

Depeding on the number in your group, check out www.SkiEsta.us for a place to stay.

Beware horrible innkeepers at cottages at cabot cove!!!!!

We visited these ';cottages'; last weekend and were GREATLY DISSATISFIED. Caroll, who calls herself an innkeeper is the most unprofessional woman I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. First of all these units have no air conditioning which is not mentioned on the website. When I mentioned this to Carol she said oh it will cool down tonight - yeah it was about 85 in the bedroom at 9:00 pm with NO FANS. Also the bed was so bad my husband spent the night in agony and I had to sleep on the floor in the living room under the ceiling fan. When this was brought to her attention the next morning she could not have been more rude. We cut our stay short and checked out. I had to phone her twice the following week to make sure we were credited for the night we didn%26#39;t stay and she refused to fax me a copy of my receipt telling me that ';she already put a stamp on an envelope and that was all I was going to get'; then she hung up on me. This woman obviously needs lessons in managing this establishment - she is also the former innkeeper of another hotel in Kennebunk The Ocean View Bed and Breakfast Inn and she apparantly has a reputation of being quite rude. If you would like to experience a first rate hotel in Kennebunk vist The Beach House - the staff is superb, Carol could learn alot from them!!

Beware horrible innkeepers at cottages at cabot cove!!!!!

I had the pleasure of visiting Cabot Cove cottages several times last summer and greatly enjoyed each of my stays. I am quite curious as to why Trip Advisors features a negative review when the positive responses far outnumber the negative ones. I believe all reviews should be published but when one googles Cabot Cove it is hard not to be influenced by the negative headline. As far as the inn keepers are concerned I found them to be great and quite helpful in making any reservation I needed. Anyone can have a bad day. In speaking with other guests, everyone had a great time and said they would return in 2007.

Beware horrible innkeepers at cottages at cabot cove!!!!!

I think my post speaks for itself - the ';inkeepers'; are obviously a very moody couple - We had a fourteen year old (extremely well behaved) the minute Carol saw him, she copped a very big attitude!! Let the negative posts speak for themselves and LISTEN - Carol was the rudest woman I ever had the displeasure of meeting!

I am so glad to have read your comment about Cabot Cove Cottages - but not that you had a bad experience there! Let me explain. I own a home at Goose Rocks Beach, also in Kennebunkport and have a cabin on the property that I would like to fix up to rent. I had seen an article in a magazine, Renovation Style, about the transformation of the cottages by designers and was quite anxious to take a look at them to see how they had been renovated. I stopped by one day last week, with a copy of the magazine, told Carol why I was interested in looking at them, and among other things was told that I was not to go near any of the cottages, because ';people spend a lot of money to stay here and don%26#39;t want their privacy invaded.'; I was shocked at being so rudely treated. After considering how to respond, I later called her and confronted her with her rudeness. She was immediately on the defensive, and realizing that I was not about to get an apology, took the opportunity to tell her that she didn%26#39;t have the skills to work in the hospitality industry.

As lovely as the cottages and setting look, I would not recommend people staying there as longs as Carol is the innkeeper. For $350+ a night, there are so many other lovely and hospitable places to stay in the Kennebunks, and for less.

First we%26#39;d like to say that as of November 2008 Cabot Cove Cottages is under new management. We deeply regret that this guest was treated in a manner that not meet her expectations. Our goal is, of course, to exceed every guests expectations and to facillitate a vacation that every one will remember. Cabot Cove is a magical place that captures the true essence of the Maine Summer Cottage community. Our location, nestled on a beautiful cove, only a short walk to the center of Kennebunkport, offers a truly unique opportunity for visitors to Kennebunkport.

We are aware that some guests found the style of the previous innkeepers to be somewhat abrasive. However, even those who ocassionally took exception with the Innkeepers often found the overall experience at the cottages to be exemplary. As the new Innkeepers at Cabot Cove, we are eagerly anticipating the coming season and hope that anyone who reads this review will call with questions and introduce yourself to the new Cabot Cove experience.

Did I miss anything?

We will be going to Boothbay Harbor in early July. It will be our fifth trip in seven years, so I was wondering if there was anything which I have missed. So far, we have visited/seen:

Damariscotta--Round Top Center for the Arts, Chapman Hall House, and Pemaquid beach and lighthouse. We%26#39;ve also driven along River Road.

Waldoboro--Fawcetts Antique Toy Museum

Thomaston--Knox mansion

Camden--Mount Battie

Wiscasset: The Nichols Sortwell House, Castle Tucker, and the Musical Wonder House. Along Rt. 218, towards Alna, the alpaca farm and the WW%26amp;F Railroad.

Brunswick--Joshua Chamberlain House and Bowdoin College and the art exhibits there.

To list everything we did in Boothbay/East Boothbay will take too much space.

The family decided that Bath would not be a place of interest and I would not be up to driving any further south than Brunswick, nor further north than Camden.

So that%26#39;s it. I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;m missing something. We love Boothbay Harbor; it%26#39;s our home away from home. If anyone can suggest anything not on this list, I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Did I miss anything?

Have you been to Monhegan Island?

Pick a clear day and plan to spend the entire day getting to, visiting, and coming back. It%26#39;s a beautiful island about 10 miles from the mainland. Pack a lunch, some decent shoes, and a camera (binoculars if you are a bird watcher). The island is about 1 square mile in area so you can cover a lot of ground during your visit.

You can catch a boat from Boothbay Harbor: http://www.balmydayscruises.com/ or from Port Clyde as we%26#39;ve always done.

Did I miss anything?

Hi. Thanks for replying so quickly. Yes, we went to Monhegan Island back in 2003. Unfortunately, no one enjoyed the trip as my wife got seasick and the kids got bored. Myself, I could have stayed there for weeks. Nothing but the ocean and peace and quiet.

Forgot to mention in the original post: We went to Burnt Island several times. Thoroughly enjoyed it each time.

I don%26#39;t have that much experience in that area, but I would suggest the Rockland area, centered around a visit to the Farnsworth Museum and the Olsen House.

The Farnsworth has an excellent collection of art, most if not all of which is associated with Maine. The Farnsworth includes the Wyeth Center, dedicated to the works of N.C., Andrew, and James Wyeth. The Olsen House---the image in ';Christina%26#39;s World'; is maintained by the Farnsworth and is well worth the visit. We just recently learned that Andrew has been buried in the nearby family plot, next to Christina and Alvaro.

You could try a rail excursion, catching the train in Wiscasset:

http://www.maineeasternrailroad.com/

I haven%26#39;t done this particular trip, but rode on an earlier company%26#39;s train, and the route is very nice. We%26#39;ve seen the train come through when we%26#39;ve had lunch at LeGarage in Wiscasset.

Thanks very much for the suggestions. Cwvoigt, looks like that%26#39;s another item I failed to list in my OP. We%26#39;ve visited Rockland, seeing the Farnsworth Museum and the Owls Head Transportation Museum. But the Olsen House is a good idea. I never heard of it and will definitely check it out. Thanks much.

CB48, I always wondered what that train was as I looked out of the window at Sarah%26#39;s. Thanks for the link to the railroad. Wherever we go, we always try to take a railroad trip of some sort. I%26#39;ll check it out as well and definitely make it part of our itinerary.

Have you been to the Owl%26#39;s Head Lighthouse. It is up on wooded cliffs and quite stunning. You can have lunch in the quaint Owl%26#39;s Head General Store next to the post office.

Excellent idea. While we have visited the Owl%26#39;s Head Transportation Museum several times, we have never visited the lighthouse. Thanks very much. (Sorry I didn%26#39;t reply earlier; very busy at work.)

Hi Familyof4,

Wow, sounds like you%26#39;re really done alot in your area of interest. But I have a few suggestions you might try (IF you haven%26#39;t done them already!).

First, have you gone to Marshall Pt. Light near Port Clyde and Christina%26#39;s house on the same peninsula? Both are well worth a daytrip.

Also, have you been to Reid State Park and Popham beaches? Both are beautiful regardless of the weather.

What about any of the trails of the Boothbay Region Land Trust? There are dozens and most are worth the time.

How about taking a boat out to Damariscove Island for the day? Circumnavigating/hiking the island with wild flowers everywhere and spectacuar 380 degree views is a real treat.

Have you been to the little Aquarium at McKnown Pt?

Have you been to the lighthouse museum in Rockland?

Taken a ride out to Lake Megunticook near Camden and then a drive to the local winery in the same area? A drive through Union is also very pretty.

Have you driven the Bayview Ave loop in Camden to Rockport with a stop to see Andre the Seal%26#39;s statue in Rockport Harbor? The Bayview St. loop has beautiful homes and estates, a farm with belted calloway cows, a golf course and is just a pretty winding street to drive. It%26#39;ll only take you about 20 minutes or so to navigate, depending on how slowly you drive, etc.

I%26#39;m sure you%26#39;ve visited the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. If not, its well a worth a trip. Plus they offer guides talks, lectures, workshops about everything outdoors, plants, etc.

A trip down to Freeport or Portland might well be worth it. Portland takes about the same amount of time to drive as Camden. You could do the Old Port, take ferries/mailboats out to Casco Bay, visit Portland Headlight and enjoy lunch/dinner at the Two Lights Lobster Shack (one of my fav spots) where the views are spectacular, high above a bluff looking out to sea. The lighthouse is also a great area for kite flying.

Think that%26#39;s all I can come up with for now. If I think of anything else, I%26#39;ll post again!

Good luck with your trip and enjoy BBH. Its really starting to come to life now with people out scraping and painting their homes and shops, the parking lots beginning to fill, stores opening one by one for the season. The weather%26#39;s been up and down, but regardless is beautiful and I%26#39;m ready for spring!

cozyharbor

P.S. If you%26#39;re into art at all, stop by the Boothbay Region Art Foundation at 1 Townsend Ave and check out their exhibits and their schedule for their workshops and artist demo%26#39;s. Classes offer everything from scrapbooking to felting, to watercolor painting, etc.

Thanks so much for your wonderful suggestions! If I could, I would change the name of this post from, ';Did I Miss anything?'; to, ';I Think I Missed Everything!';

Regarding Marshall Point, the Boothbay Land Trust, and Christina%26#39;s House: Where are they, please? They are musts for our itinerary this year, but I haven%26#39;t the foggiest clue where they are.

We have been to the Aquarium, the Botanical Gardens, and the Lighthouse Museum and plan to visit each of these again this year. Thoroughly relaxing for all of us.

Regarding Portland, we were there in 2001 and it reminded us all of New York City. Inasmuch as that%26#39;s where we are from, we%26#39;ll give it a miss.

With regard to the Bayville Loop, can I access that from Route 1? That sounds like a great drive; we%26#39;ll will fit that in on this trip, as well.

Damariscove Island, Lake Megunticook, and Reid State Park/Popham Beach will have to wait until next year, as there%26#39;s just too much to do for this, our 5th trip to BBH.

Now, a silly question for you, no doubt. How long has the Boothbay Regional Art Foundation been there? We%26#39;ve been going to BBH since 2003, walked up and down Townsend Avenue and never noticed it. My sons love art and will be very pleased to visit the Foundation and see what it has to offer.

Again, thank you so much for your helpful suggestions. We adore BBH and am looking forward to our 5th stay at the Tugboat Inn. It%26#39;s always the Tugboat Inn, always the Clipper Suite, and always a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing visit.

The Marshall Point Lighthouse is at Port Clyde which is on the same peninsula (St. George I think?)as Owl%26#39;s Head and south of Rockland. It is not as spectacular as the Owl%26#39;s Head light, but very picturesque. The Marshall Point Light was in the movie Forest Gump (the part where he is running all over the country). We visited these two as well as the Rockland Breakwater Light on a rainy day.

I have copied everyone%26#39;s great suggestions for our upcoming Maine trip!

Day trip to Nova Scotia

Hi,

We, my husband and 4 adult children, are all set for our June trip to Bar Harbor. We have our house and your great restaurant recommendations. We will be there 7 nights.

Any opinions on a day trip to Nova Scotia?

We are also planning a kayak tour? Any opinions on Acadia Park Kayak Tours? It seems to be a one man operation who will take out just the six of us.

Thanks for your input,

Poppyny

Day trip to Nova Scotia

RE: the day trip to Nova Scotia. Save your money. Nova Scotia is worth a vacation trip in itself. You won%26#39;t see enough in one day to justify the $$$.

I haven%26#39;t heard anything one way or the other about Acadia Park Kayak.

The two oldest tours are Coastal Kayaking Tours:

http://www.acadiafun.com

and National Park Sea Kayak Tours:

http://www.acadiakayak.com

Both have several guides and good transportation to take you to interesting areas.

Day trip to Nova Scotia

As a resident of Nova Scotia, I totally agree with cwvoight. After the ferry ride, you are in Yarmouth, located in the southwestern part of Nova Scotia. Not much to see or do there, and I do think you%26#39;d be disappointed in your day trip.

Stay in Bar Harbor, relax and enjoy and come visit Nova Scotia next year. There are direct flights from all 3 NYC airports that will get you here in 2 hours.

...and Mahone Bay is a very picturesque part of Nova Scotia. I still can remember the three churches reflected in the waters of the bay.

Whalewatching

Greetings from Denmark,

My wife and I will spent 3 weeks from end September to mid October in New England. We will drive from Boston up along the coast and have booked overnight stays in Portland and Camden.

There seems to be several ';oustanding'; whalewatch companies along the coast- but which one to chose.

Did any of you tried this and can recommend a good experience?

Kind regards from Jesper

Whalewatching

Whatever you do, if you will be going out near Kennebunk, make sure Bush isn%26#39;t vistiting the family vacation home at Walker Point. There tends to be submarine activity when he is in town, which drives the whales out to deep water (sonar). I used First Chance Whale Watches and I thought the captian of the boat made a great effort to show us a whale. He extended our cruise by about 20 minutes because we hadn%26#39;t seen a whale (due to the president being in town) and he was notified there was one near. Although I%26#39;m sure it made the next cruise mad he was late, I paid a good amount of money and I am glad I got to see a sleeping whale.

skin

CLOSEST Airport Hotel to Portland Me??

Hi everyone, hopefully someone out there will help. I see a list of hotels that are near the portland airport - what I%26#39;m looking for is the closest hotel. Would anyone know? I can%26#39;t seem to find any info. on this - I keep getting ';airport hotels'; - but not who is the closest.

Any help would be so very much appreciated!! :)

Thank you!

CLOSEST Airport Hotel to Portland Me??

Embassy Suites is right by the airport. It is listed as being 1/2 mile away, you can easily see the hotel when driving into or out of the airport.

CLOSEST Airport Hotel to Portland Me??

You looking for closest to Portland (what part of Portland?) or closest to airport? The Hilton Garden Inn (airport) is probably just a little closer to the terminal than Embassy Suites, but they%26#39;re both right there. Without knowing which hotels you%26#39;re getting from your search, we can%26#39;t comment on which is closest. There are a bunch of %26#39;em out there, all within a half mile of each other.

Thanks for the info. re: Hilton Inn and Embassy - yah I see that there are many listed but wanted the closest closest to the actual airport itself. I get the feeling that these two must be. I wished there was a hotel IN the actual aiport like a few of them have that. Maybe because its small.

Both are close enough to be like at the far end of the parking lot.

Embassy Suites IS in the airport, only about a 2-3 minute walk away from the baggage claim end of the terminal building. The Hilton Garden Inn is ';on the grounds'; of the airport property, something like a 10-15 minute easy walk to the terminal, but they have shuttle bus service too. Either one should be fine for you. A couple of miles away is one that used to be The Doubletree, now The Clarion, I think.

First time to Portland, Need Advice.

Hello,

I have booked my hotel at the Paramount Hotel in Portland on Southwest Taylor street. I was reading some topics on here and there%26#39;s a old portland and new portland? I%26#39;m not sure which part i am staying.

This is my first time going with my boyfriend. We will be staying for 2 days (the long easter weekend). Any recommendations to where to eat, see, and shop?

I did a bit of research online. But would like more feedback.

Also the hotel is charging $28 a night for parking. Is there anywhere else cheaper?

Please let me know, Thanks in advance.

First time to Portland, Need Advice.

You have posted this to the Portland, MAINE forum versus I assume the OREGON forum

First time to Portland, Need Advice.

Your boyfriend is going to Portland, Oregon - and you%26#39;re looking at Portland, Maine. There are easier, less expensive ways to achieve some degree of separation!

Acadia National Park--opening day

The full extent of the Loop Road, as well as the road to Cadillac summit, is open. I didn%26#39;t check, but the Hull%26#39;s Cove visitor center also was scheduled to being operation today.

The carriage roads are closed. They closed on or about 6 April and are expected to remain closed for two weeks in order to allow them to thaw and dry out.

July trip plan/ N. Country Moose tours?

Hi! Family of 4 ( 2 ';kids'; are 18 and 21) never been to Maine. We will have 7 full days. Trying to figure out how to see ample (not just 1 or 2) moose 3rd week of July and get to Acadia National Park for a few days as well as stick some sea kayaking, seals and puffins in there. Anyone with recommendations for North Country Rivers moose or Maine Kayaking tours, or Aquaterra Adventure kayaking tours? Probably flying into Portland.

I%26#39;m thinking....fly into Portland...see Portland Head light area, then maybe head to Bingham for moose, then to Bar Harbor area. Fitting in kayaking and puffins in there. Wanted to go on the island for the puffins, but may have to do Capt Fish%26#39;s Boothbay Harbor for time%26#39;s sake...Trying to figure out if I have to give up the moose and just head up the coast from Portland to Bar Harbor for Acadia. Am stuck, would appreciate any suggestions...

July trip plan/ N. Country Moose tours?

Been thru Bingham 5-6 times and never saw a moose there. Moosehead Lake (Greenville) and/or Baxter State Park (Millinocket) might offer higher probability moose sighting opportunities. Right around sunrise and sunset near streams and lakes seem the best times of day and locations.

July trip plan/ N. Country Moose tours?

Thanks so much. That%26#39;s why I was putting feelers out because the companies running out of Millinocket said more moose in May and June, and we%26#39;re headed there in July. I saw another one of your posts about the Pemaquid area. I%26#39;d like to try and work that in too. Do you suggest any specific outdoor adventures to do while in that area? Trying to figure out what to do in that area vs. the Acadia/Bar Harbor area.

Sure, you could do some easy but real fun sea kayaking in Pemaquid Harbor and/or Muscongus Bay, the latter having some nice small islands to paddle around and enjoy seeing cormorants, hawks, eagles, etc. Get in touch with ';Maine Kayak'; for more info on that.

In Acadia National Park, you%26#39;ll find a lot of interesting trails to hike/walk, varying from quite easy to a bit challenging. Get a trail map at the Visitor Center.

In both areas, I recommend rising before sunrise and enjoying the incredibly gorgeous colors of dawn and sunrise along the coast. In Acadia, I like to be out on the Loop Road near Thunder Hole or Otter Cliffs to enjoy that early grandeur. Near New Harbor %26amp; Pemaquid, the Rachel Carson Salt Pond is a great sunrise spot. Painful to rise that early but well worth it. A mid-day nap is then in order!

Do you prefer the Pemaquid area to Boothbay? Looks like we could do most of the same activities out of both. I liked the looks of The Gosnold Arms and contacted them. Our first house was on Gosnold Drive, so I%26#39;m thinking that%26#39;s where we are supposed to be!

To my way of thinking, Boothbay Harbor is ';tourist hell'; in July and August. New Harbor and Pemaquid get busy too, but the relative scarcity of lodging choices on the Pemaquid peninsula definitely tempers the crowds there (and I hope it stays that way too). The Gosnold Arms is a terrific place to stay, but get your reservation made early (now!) if you%26#39;ll be there in July!