Restaurants

I posted this in the Southwest Harbor forum before realizing I should post it here. I am traveling to Bar Harbor in June with husband and 4 adult children. We are staying near Southwest Harbor.

Can anyone recommend restaurants? We love all types of foods. I would appreciate any recommendations for good, fun places. Since we will be 6, I was hoping for some moderate priced places; maybe one or two special places. Anything only locals know about?

Thanks for your help,

Poppyny

Restaurants

One of our visitors--Vatripster--last summer put together a substantial list of restaurants that they tried:

http://tinyurl.com/6469oy

If you search on Vatripster in this forum, you will see what others said as well.

There aren%26#39;t any places that ';only locals'; know about. Our two favorites for dinner are Town Hill Bistro in Town Hill and Red Sky in Southwest Harbor. We also are partial to Geddy%26#39;s in Bar Harbor for burgers (they also do very good pizzas).

Ls Bella Vita has great salads and a killer Sicilian pizza---part of a diverse menu.

See also the lists that people have contributed under Restaurants (left side of this page).

Paflyfisher, who well may answer you shortly, likes Jeannie%26#39;s for breakfast and among other places, Cafe This Way for dinner.

Poor Boy%26#39;s Gourmet has a diverse seafood menu, including lobster done several different ways, and great cheesecake.

Finally, check out:

http://www.ouracadia.com

a web page maintained by a frequent visitor to the island.

Restaurants

That should be ';La Bella Vita';

cwvoight is right on with his suggestions... we love the Town Hill Bistro and Cafe This Way...there is another good Italian place in Southwest Harbor called La Bella Vista (not to confuse you with the one here in Bar Harbor) and we also have a decent Thai food restaurant in Bar Harbor. Lots of good choices, so little time! Enjoy!

Thanks for your recommendations. I will check out all your referrals.

For fun in Bar Harbor...Geddy%26#39;s. The food is good (especially the pizza) and the atmosphere light and casual. In Southwest Harbor we like Eat-A-Pita for lunch. Great selection of Pitas and dressings. Turns into Cafe 2 at nite. We%26#39;ve had amazing dinners and deserts there. Plus if it%26#39;s warm they have outside seating and an outside bar. It%26#39;s right in Southwest Harbor on the main road.

Hey, innstitches. Isn%26#39;t the SWH restaurant called Bella Mare? In any case, I see it%26#39;s on the market. Of course, that doesn%26#39;t mean that it won%26#39;t be open this summer.

create seamless digital textures

NYC to Boston / Maine

We intend traveling from New York City north east to the Boston and or Maine areas, probably along the coastal road. We will rent a car in NYC and driving long(ish) distances isn%26#39;t an issue. We have about a week and were hoping for some ideas. We are open to any suggestions. Thanks.

NYC to Boston / Maine

A few thoughts about the southern end of your itinerary...then more specific information about Maine if you decide to come this far...

New York City is a long single-day drive from Maine if you stick to the major, limited-access, divided highways we call Interstate%26#39;s -- designated in our route numbering system by the prefix ';I';.... for example, I-95 runs from Maine to Florida along the east coast of the United States, passing through the northern edges of New York City on its way between New Jersey and Connecticut, then taking you through COnnecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire to get to Maine. That%26#39;s the long way though and probably would be better split into two days -- the natives tend to cut north from I-95 in Connecticut to pick up I-84 to I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike, to I-495, rejoining I-95 north of Boston -- avoiding the congested sections of I-95 along the Connecticut coastline, and around Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts.

For the most part, I-95 runs close to, but not actually along the coast, so if you%26#39;re looking for coastal views, you%26#39;ll need to get off the Interstate onto something more local.

A note of caution as you head north....Boston is an old, old city and the streets of the inner city follow no logical pattern. It can be very tough to drive in unless you have some very good maps and some sense of where you%26#39;re headed.... But it%26#39;s a great city to visit...my suggestion: if you want to see the sights of Boston, book a good hotel in or on the outskirts of the city and get assistance from the hotel staff on using public transportation to get around. Much easier on the nerves.

As far as Maine goes, you could spend your entire week here and not see it all.... It%26#39;s the largest state in the northeast and offers everything from ocean beaches to nearly mile-high mountains. The more congested parts of the state are in the south, nearest New Hampshire. The further north you go, the more rural it gets, with more forests, lakes, ponds and undeveloped areas.

Interstate 95 (also known as the Maine Turnpike (a toll higheay) for the southernmost 50 miles, is the major transportation spine of the state -- and the best way to get from one part of the state to another most quickly.

For the first sixty miles or so, it and US Route 1 are parallel to one another. I-95 carries the through traffic, with US Route 1 offering access to the businesses, beaches, and other attractions along the way. You don%26#39;t say what time of year you%26#39;re coming, but US Route 1 can get very congested in June, July and August -- our summer season months. On the other hand, many of the coastal businesses (restaurants, shops, and even motels) are seasonal and close for the winter months -- reopening in April and May in time for the summer tourist influx.

Maine has few long expanses of beach areas - with the coast getting more rocky in nature as you go north. In fact, the state is noted for our ';rockbound'; coast and some visitors prefer sitting on the rocks and watching the ocean to wading on sandy beaches.

South of Portland, major tourism concentrations occupy mose of the coastal area -- motels, hotels, restaurants, gift shops, etc. North of Portland, development becomes a bit more spread out....with increasing opportunities to get to coastal areas that haven%26#39;t been developed yet.

And as you get north of Portland, the nature of the geography changes a bit....instead of a contiguous, relatively straight coastline, the lay-of-the-land becomes more ragged -- with peninsulas jutting into the ocean. US Route 1 tends to connect the peninusulas without going down to the ocean at the end of each one. If you look at the palm of your hand, the points of land are like your fingers, with Route 1 running along the line of knuckles closest to your palm -- meaning to see some of the best coastal areas, you need to get off Route 1 and drive down onto some of the peninsulas.

With limited time to spend in the state, I%26#39;d suggest you pick one or two destinations to concentrate on and leave the rest for a later visit.

Portland is our largest city, with great restaurants, great shopping in a redeveloped commercial area called the Old Port (lots of smaller shops and botiques as opposed to the national chain stores), and opportunities to get to some sections of the Maine coast fairly quickly. If you get good weather, you can even take a short boat ride to one (or more) of the islands in Portland harbor... just ask your hotel about the Casco Bay Island mail boat...

Further north, the coastal towns of Boothbay Harbor, Rockland and Camden can give you an even better feel for Maine coastal living -- lots of opportunity to get to the ocean, feast on great seafood, and talk to the Maine ';natives'; that make our state unique. Plus, they offer fairly easy access back to I-95 when it%26#39;s time to head south at the end of your trip.

Lots more that could be said -- but it will be much easier to give you more detailed advice when you have a better idea of how long you want to spend in Maine and perhaps even what part of the state you%26#39;re most interested in seeing.

NYC to Boston / Maine

Thank you so much for the effort you have put into the reply. The information is just what we needed. I will discuss with the other half and come back to you with more questions most likely. By the way we are thinking of being there mid to late September. I believe Autumn (Fall) is supposed to be beautiful.

Thanks again.

Depending on the timing of the foliage (totally unpredictable from one year to the next), it could be a fantastic time to be here....my favorite time of year...

Lots of Maine ';TA Destination Experts'; ready to help once you get your trip a bit more refined.

Check out my travel list for Southern Maine coast area. I hilighted some of my favorite stops.

So much to do in this area. Enjoy your trip and the lobsters!

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i19191-South_Co鈥?/a>

HI,

I%26#39;m also planning on driving from NYC to Maine early June for a few days with a couple of friends. We were thinking of staying in the Bar Harbor or Brass Harbor area, depending on the accommodation.

The plan for Maine is to eat a lot of good food and to of course enjoy the peacefulness of Acadia NP, maybe take the Cat to Nova Scotia for the day and get some hiking in.

There are so many harbors around the area - Bar, Brass, South, etc what areas would you guys recommend we stay in? We%26#39;re in our late 20%26#39;s so while we%26#39;re looking to relax we%26#39;re also interested in activities.

Please help!

Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, and York are very nice. Each has a different flavor. Definitely take Rt. 1 thru this area. I would recommend switching to the highway at Kennebunk and continuing to Portland. It depends on what you like. Biddeford is not much to see (a bit industrial). Old Orchard Beach is a love-it or hate-it kind of place...a bit like Coney Island plus lots of bikers. The further you get north in Maine, the more stunning the scenery. I hope that you love Maine as much as we do!

Best Maine Vacation Guides

Any suggestions on web sites to provide suggestions on places to visit in Maine?

Best Maine Vacation Guides

www.gatewaytomaine.org for Southern Maine stuff.

Best Maine Vacation Guides

http://www.travelinmaine.com

provides links to web sites for eight regions of Maine

http://www.visitmaine.com/

Check out the travel packages...there%26#39;s often great deals to be had.

Thanks for the links. I also found www.mainecoastlife.com.

Thanks for the links. I also found http://www.mainecoastlife.com.

Thanks for the suggestion. I also found %26lt;a href=';http://www.mainecoastlife.com/';%26gt;MaineCoastLife .com - Home%26lt;/a%26gt; and %26lt;a href=';http://www.mainetourism.com/';%26gt;Maine Tourism Association%26lt;/a%26gt;

Boothbay Harbor / Camden / Bar Harbor

I am planning on 5 days driving around Maine in late June and am trying to plan my itinerary

I would like to do all of Portland, Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor and Camden

I am thinking this may be too much in that time and am wondering if all of Bat Harbor, Boothbay Harbor and Camden may be too similar?

What do you think? Can I do all this in 5 days? If not, what would you recommend to miss out? Or what do you think is very similar to each other?

Thanks

Tim

Boothbay Harbor / Camden / Bar Harbor

Also, i%26#39;d like to see Castine if possible

Boothbay Harbor / Camden / Bar Harbor

In five days time, that%26#39;s too much driving and not enough enjoying. What do you have in mind when you think about Maine? Portland and Acadia are very different, so perhaps just those two, with a stop in the midcoast area (Boothbay or Camden) on your way to or from those destinations. Castine, other than being the home to Maine Maritime Academy, really doesn%26#39;t offer anything unique enough to add time to go there. (It%26#39;s very pretty, but not more so than others on your list.)

skin

Book accomodation in late June?

Hi

I am on a 5 day trip of Maine towards the end of June, travelling up the coast between Portland and Bar Harbor.

Will I need to book ahead for accomodation? I%26#39;d prefer not to so we can stay places as short as long as we want to, but i also dont want to find myself with nowhere to stay.

The trip is in the week, and not the weekend, which I am hoping will mean it%26#39;ll be quieter?

Thanks for your advice

Tim

Book accomodation in late June?

I think you%26#39;re okay, especially during the week, but you could always book a couple of ';safety'; stops that can be canceled without penalty. If your end of June is right before 4th of July, that%26#39;s a little riskier.

Book accomodation in late June?

Thanks, its between 21st and 25th June so far enough away from 4th july hopefully!

We are going to Bar harbor.

Arriving 8/14 for nine nights.

Two places we tried to book were already filled.

The place that we did book had only a few locations left.

You may have better luck with motel,hotels.

April Maine

Whats the weather like/things to do in first two weeks of April. We would arrive/depart from Boston and look to do our own self drive. This would be for 2010 - already going to California this year and cant afford two trips!!

April Maine

It could be cold, rainy, snowing, sunny, warm, hot...

Sorry, but that%26#39;s spring in Maine. The saying is, ';If you don%26#39;t like the weather in Maine, wait a minute.';

Some of the more touristy places like Old Orchard Beach and Boothbay Harbor won%26#39;t be fully open, but there will be plenty to see and do.

April Maine

One thing you can be sure of is that there will be no leaves on the trees yet. Days in the 50s, nights in the 40s or 30s. Rain and fog are likely. Most lodging and restaurants won%26#39;t yet be open, although one can always find some place to eat and sleep.

If you can, I would postpone my trip till at least May, June would be even better...the later into the Spring you go, the better the weather as far as no snow or ice and not as chilly...today, Monday,March 30 it is about 40 degrees, still lots of snow on the ground but not enough to ski or snow shoe on, muddy, rainy and raw. There are a few restaurants open and a few shops open and a couple of B%26amp;Bs are open...on a day like this there is not much to do if you don%26#39;t like the cold and that is what you can find here within the first two weeks or more of April.

parameter order

Accommodations with a Pool

I know there aren%26#39;t too many places that have a pool in the area but we are looking for a place that has one. I see Flagship Inn, Rocktide Inn, Beach Cove Hotel %26amp; Resort and Smuggler%26#39;s Cove Inn. Can anyone suggest one of these or even somewhere else.

Accommodations with a Pool

Hi Yackswife,

I would suggest staying at the Rocktide Inn. It%26#39;s just a short walk over the footbridge from town, has beautiful sunset views, a nice restaurant and is well run. The pool is inside which can be a real asset on foggy and rainy days!

Another place you might like is the Ocean Pt. Inn. They have a pool, tennis courts, a nice choice of accomodations, a wonderful restaurant and their location is excellent with beautiful views of open ocean, islands, lighthouses, etc. They are located about a 10 to 15 minute drive from town on Linekin Neck.

Good luck and don%26#39;t forget to post back and let us know how your trip turned out :).

cozyharbor

Accommodations with a Pool

Let me suggest a place that people love or hate -- http://www.linekinbayresort.com/ for your consideration. This place does not bill itself as a world-class resort ala Hawaiian style.

Notice the photo of the saltwater pool on their home web page. It is critically important that you check the status of their redevelopment project as part of your research.

The times I stayed there, meals were family style, sailboats use included, and a couple of clay tennis courts to enjoy. There was a sailing instructor. Over a one-week period, standard activities such as a lobster bake on the rocks and a guest’s only sailboat race took full advantage of an excellent location on Linekin Bay.

offbeattravel.com wrote “… an unpretentious place in an unspoiled and secluded waterfront setting. While not for those seeking glitz or luxurious amenities …”

Accommodations included a large dining room, a lodge, an indoor recreation room, and cabins scattered in woods. I strongly urge you to read other people%26#39;s comments about the accommodations before making a choice. There are critical comments.

Many guests come back annually, the same week. We now own a cottage on Lobster Cove and I pass this ';resort'; with its mostly delighted guests each time I set forth or return home from fishing or sailing. From the water, I see the staff prepare for the season and close up at season’s end. Seeing the place, its guests, and staff always brings back wonderful memories. IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. Do your research!

You can walk to town and there are enjoyable local walks too.

Glen Mary Road

We are thinking about renting a house for a week on Glen Mary Road. Does anyone know if this is a good area to rent a home. We have a 3 year old and a 7 year old. I would like to walk around town as well as spend a lot of time in Acadia. I heard there is a wading pool near this street. I thought it might be good for a 3 year old. We will be traveling in July.

Glen Mary Road

Yes, it would be, and yes, there is a very large wading pool nearby. That is a very quiet neighborhood, yet not too far from Mt. Desert Street, which is one of the main streets that lead into the village center. The Island Explorer Shuttle%26#39;s main terminal is at the Village Green, which is bordered on one side by Mt. Desert St. For more on the IE Shuttle, see:

http://www.exploreacadia.com

Glen Mary Road

Glen Mary Road would be perfect: very quiet but close enough to the center of things.

Yes, the Glen Mary area will be fun for your family. We used to go to the Glen Mary wading pool when the kids were little and had a great time. The area is fenced off, there are bathrooms and there is a lawn area for chairs. If your kids are adventurous, they will love the crashing surf and brisk saltwater swimming at Sand Beach in Acadia. Enjoy your vacation - Flying Mountain, Ship Harbor, and Wonderland are great trails for your family and Echo Lake offers freshwater swimming (lifeguards and bathrooms, too) if you have the opportunity to visit our quiet, westerly side of Mount Desert.

Thank you for all the great input. We have been to Bar Harbor before and really enjoyed it. This is our first time back since we have had children. Last time we camped in Acadia. We thought a house would be easier with kids.

Ocean Point Inn

Has anyone recently stayed there? I checked reviews and they%26#39;re not recent. It seems to be a beautiful area but the reviews weren%26#39;t very favorable for the Inn.

Ocean Point Inn

I haven%26#39;t stayed there recently so I can%26#39;t comment on the Inn.. but we were in Boothbay Harbor this weekend and noticed that it is up for sale. It appears the owners are retiring. Not sure if all that matters...just an FYI.

Ocean Point Inn

Hi Yackswife,

I can%26#39;t speak for the actual accomodations at the Ocean Pt Inn since I haven%26#39;t stayed there recently. But the location is excellent, the views breathtaking and the owners (yes it is up for sale) were wonderful.

I%26#39;ve dined at the restaurant and have been inside the lobby and both are charming and well maintained, as well as the outside grounds. I would imagine the rooms would be as well maintained as the public areas. Consequently, you might want to take a chance as again, the location can%26#39;t be beat.

Good luck and let us know what you decide :).

cozyharbor

Thanks for your input. I was concerned about the reviews. I%26#39;m getting so frustrated trying to decide on a place to stay. If it was for one night it wouldn%26#39;t matter too much but we%26#39;re planning on staying 4 or 5 nights. I want a place that%26#39;s not too expensive, yet has a nice view and has a pool. I was also looking at the Rocktide. I%26#39;ll have to decide soon.

We stayed there in Auugust 2007.

We had such a great time and we recommend it to you.

We do not know if it has changed a lot in 2 years, but it should still be a great place, and the location is one of their assets.

We enjoyed the hotel itself, because it was clean and very well maintained. There is a pool and a very good restaurant/breakfast.

We also enjoyed the fact that it on the ocean, in a remote part of Boothbay Harbor.

Boothbay Harbor is a beautiful little town in Maine, so typical of the area.

We liked it so much, that we may return there this year.

Hi Yackswife,

I don%26#39;t think you could go wrong staying at either the Ocean Pt Inn or the Rocktide. Both are well regarded in the area, have pools, great views and good restaurants with nice views. The Ocean Pt.Inn also offers courts.

If you prefer to stay close to town where all the action is, then the Rocktide might be the best choice. Its on the east side of the harbor and about a 10 minute walk to town over the scenic footbridge. It also has great sunsets and views of all the boating activity and fireworks during July 4th and the Windjammers Festival.

If you prefer a more remote feeling with rocky coast, crashing waves, open ocean, islands and views to several lighthouses, then the Ocean Pt. might suit you. Though its only about a 10 to 15 minute drive from downtown BBH, it feels a million miles away. Ocean Pt. has been a summer colony of cottages for over a 100 years and has tons of charm, pretty gardens, neat old houses and is a great walking and picnicing spot. Here you can sit out on the rocks, watch the sunset, and then the lighthouses turn on, one by one.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

cozyharbor

Both sound like what we%26#39;re looking for. We%26#39;ll have to make a decision soon. Thanks for your help.

up up in my yellow baloon?

Any one know of balloon rides?

How about zip lines?

Thank You

up up in my yellow baloon?

No balloon rides. No zip lines. Just the simplicity of nature and good food.

up up in my yellow baloon?

In the portland area http://www.hotfunballoons.com

Here%26#39;s a link to ballooning in Maine:

partypop.com/Categories/…Maine.htm

Since you posted your inquiry to the Bar Harbor Forum, I%26#39;m guessing you%26#39;re interested in that part of Maine.

Haven%26#39;t checked recently, but there used to be a company operating out of the Trenton, ME airport (about five miles from Bar Harbor) that used to do glider flights over Mt Desert Island and Acadia National Park.

Anyone from Bar Harbor familiar???

';Haven%26#39;t checked recently, but there used to be a company operating out of the Trenton, ME airport (about five miles from Bar Harbor) that used to do glider flights over Mt Desert Island and Acadia National Park.

Anyone from Bar Harbor familiar???';

There are small plane and glider rides available from there but I don%26#39;t have any details in terms of price, etc.

skin

Would Bethel make a sensible one night stopover?

Greetings from England.

In October we will be touring New England, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick by car and plan to make our way back to Boston via Vermont. On the 17th we plan to drive from Saint Andrews in New Brunswick but I guess we will need a stopover both to avoid a really long drive and to allow us to take the Mount Washington cog railway on the morning of the 18th.

Back in 1997 we stopped briefly for lunch in Bethel (at Mothers?) and thought it a village we might like to come back to one day. Would this October by that day or should we be looking somewhere else on this occasion?

We enjoy staying in B%26amp;Bs but for one night would also consider a nice motel should anyone have some suggestions.

Many thanks in advance.

Would Bethel make a sensible one night stopover?

As far as time and distance are concerned, you should be able to make it from St Andrews to Bethel in an easy day%26#39;s drive assuming you%26#39;re planning on crossing the US-Canadian border between St Stephen, New Brunswick and Calais, ME and then taking Maine Rt 9 to Bangor, with time to see a few things along the way.

US Route 1 and US Route 1A are an alternative for getting from Calais to Bangor, but will take you an hour to two hours longer than the Rt 9 route, depending on traffic.

A couple of things to keep in mind....

1. You%26#39;re going to gain an hour%26#39;s time when you cross from New Brunswick into Maine -- New Brunswick is in the Canadian Atlantic Time Zone and Maine is in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. When it%26#39;s 2:00PM in New Brunswick, it%26#39;s 1:00PM in Maine. Gives you an extra hour to explore or travel.

2. If you stay overnight in Bethel, you still have over an hour%26#39;s drive to get to the Cog Railroad. Cerrtainly do-able, depending on how long you want to spend on Mt. Washington, what time of day you want to get to Vermont, etc. But you might also think about pushing on a bit longer before stopping for the night -- not that Bethel isn%26#39;t a great little community and a fine place to stay overnight -- it is....we love it there. But if you%26#39;re willing to put in another hour to hour and a half of driving, you can get to the Jackson-Bartlett-North Conway area of New Hampshire, putting you much closer to the Cog Railway base station the next morning.

Sorry I can%26#39;t help much with lodging in Bethel other than giving you two places to check out on the web... the Bethel Inn is a legend for lodging in that part of Maine....has been there a long, long time and is highly regarded. The Grand Summit Hotel at Sunday River is high on one of the mountains of the Sunday River Ski Area....supposedly has some very nice rooms (predumably with some great views) and October will be an off-peak season for them (too late for fall foliage and too early for skiing) so you might get a great rate there. The Bethel Inn is right in the village, just off the village green....but Sunday River is actually about ten miles out of town....might be a consideration for you.

Would Bethel make a sensible one night stopover?

Thanks for your help.

We have booked the Rivendell House B%26amp;B. An hour to the cog railway will be fine and we plan to stay the following night in Woodstock which is only a couple of hours from Bretton Woods.

If we have a decent run through from the Canadian border then hopefully we will have time to drive up towards Grafton Notch on our arrival afternoon.

Would say that particular itinerary should work out very well for you. Have a great trip !!

Friends of ours own the Rivendell House in Bethel! Ten years ago they left their big-city life, bought a B%26amp;B, and have loved it ever since! I have not been there yet but there are very nice folks; I hope you enjoy your stay there.

Thanks kattbird. They have been very pleasant and helpful in their online dealings with us. Just wish we could stay longer.

prove residency

What to do in Stonington?

Am seriously considering renting a cottage for a week in Stonginton. Would love to hear what others suggest for activities in the area....

What to do in Stonington?

Hi Michele,

Stonington is one of my most favorite places in Maine :). Are you familiar with it at all?If not, it%26#39;s very small and sits at the southern tip of Deer Isle, overlookig a beautiful harbor dotted with tons of islands. It has a few shops and galleries along the waterfront, with a maybe 4 or 5 restaurants and that%26#39;s about it.

The attraction of the area is it%26#39;s stunning beauty. I%26#39;m a photographer and Deer Isle along with Stongington is right up there with Monhegan Island for creative inspiration. Guess that%26#39;s why it seems that more and more artists are opening galleries and painting there (plus there%26#39;s Haystack which you%26#39;ll definitely want to visit).

Anyway, it%26#39;s a great place to walk around, hike, and/or explore by foot or car. Or to just chill, read a good book, drink in the beauty, and enjoy a starry night.

A good website to check out is www.deerisle.com/. It%26#39;ll provide you with almost everything you%26#39;d need or want to know to have a nice vacation.

cozyharbor

What to do in Stonington?

P.S. to Michele,

Forgot to mention the Stonington Opera House which offers movies, plays, concerts, etc. Again check the deerisle website for listings :).

cozyharbor

Michele,

One last addition! You can take the mailboat out to Isle Haute or rent a kayak. I think there are even other boat tours offered during the summer. Definitely get out on the water while there as that is definitely part of it%26#39;s beauty.

cozyharbor

I%26#39;m actually fairly familiar with Stonington, and the veg, chill out, etc. part is very attractive to me. I%26#39;m a bit worried, tho, that others in my party will want more ';activity'; so that%26#39;s why I posted, hoping that folks could suggest specific things for folks who feel the need to stay ';busy.';

Got specific places to visit, restaurants to eat at, galleries to cruise? I feel obligated to present a slate of potential activities for folks, including three teenagers.

MicheleS, I%26#39;ve been to Stonington twice, both as day trips. We had rented a house in Sunset which turned into a nightmare, but that%26#39;s another story!! We had planned to have a lobster bake on the beach but I can%26#39;t remember who it was with, maybe someone else has done this. I thought it would be a nice thing for family, but because of the above nightmare we had to cancel. We found the the town not to be very ';tourist friendly';, completely different from the 1st. visit I did. They had gone through alot, with town people leaving, empty stores, and I had even planned to get my groceries for the week there only to find it closed down. We had my 3 yr. old grandson with us and we needed to change him, there were no restrooms, so we went into one of the 2 restaruants there and they refused to let us do this unless we were going to eat. We were told there were ';port-o-lets down by the old grocery, which were totally gisgusting. We walked back to where we were parked and did the best we could. My daughter-in-law was very upset over this and went back to the restaruant and gave the owner a few choice words from an irate mother. So, I guess what I%26#39;m saying is I hope the ';facilities'; have improved!!

That%26#39;s too bad. Sorry to hear it.

Deer Isle is one of my very favorite places (in Maine or anywhere)! Here are some thoughts:

Hike at Barred Island Preserve (if you go at the right time of day you can cross a sand bar to a smaller island...but don%26#39;t be late on your return!)Spend an afternoon driving from gallery to gallery. Have lunch at Lily%26#39;s Cafe when you see the flag out front (they open when they want to!) Have dinner at The Cockatoo (Brazilian paella with a whole lobster!) Be aware of the tides (it affects many activities). Take a boat trip with Old Quarry Tours to see the puffins (you can arrange lobster dinner on the dock on your return if they still do it). Take the mail boat/ferry from Stonington to Isle Au Haut to walk or paddle (as the others mentioned above). Grill the local halibut and scallops. Go antiquing. Try the organic ice cream shop in Stonington if it is still there. Sit on your adirondack chair with a glass of wine and enjoy the unbelievable view.

PS: Although Stonington is charming, I would rent a cottage in a quieter part of the island on the waterfront and enjoy coming into civilization when you feel the urge. But it all depends on what you like to do. Good luck!

I just realized this topic was posted in 2006! Oh well, maybe someone else will find it useful.

Suggestions for Family Vacation through the Northeast

Trying to outline an itinerary for a family vacation (kids 12 %26amp; 15) starting in Maine/Vermont/or New Hampshire and traveling down- perhaps ending in Boston or Philly. We like outdoor activites and history. Any suggestions. Thanks for your input.

Suggestions for Family Vacation through the Northeast

At what time of year? For how many days?

Suggestions for Family Vacation through the Northeast

Hi,

Thanks for your prompt reply. We would travel for a week to 10 days..some time this summer. Either mid/late June or mid July. Any suggestions would be very much welcome!!!! thanks!

First off, June tends to be less crowded (at least until the last weekend). The weather can be more unpredictable, i.e., fog, rain, cool weather. Mid-July is smack in the midst of our busiest season; lots of people, lots of activity.

As to what is going on/is available, you might want to check with:

http://www.acadiamagic.com

which provides links to the National Park as well as to lodging, restaurants, and other activities.

Also,

http://www.ouracadia.com

is a web site maintained by a frequent visitor to the island; it has a lot of ideas on places to eat and things to do.

You might also scan the Bar Harbor forum for ideas and as always, there will be several here to help you with questions and advice.

Will you be flying into the area? If so, which airport are you thinking of flying into?

Driving to Boston and driving to Philly is a big difference. With your timeframe, I would definitely suggest ending in Boston. Concentrate on New England.

If you fly into, say, Manchester NH, you could take I-93 to I-89 into Vermont. Stop at Quechee Gorge and Woodstock, spend a day or two exploring the Green Mountains.

Continue on to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Check out Franconia Notch State Park, Crawford Notch State Park, go to the summit of Mt. Washington (via the Auto Road or the Cog Railway), and drive along the Kancamagus Highway. There%26#39;s an infinite supply of outdoor activities in the area (some ideas: swim in the Pemigewassett River, hike Artists%26#39; Bluff, visit the Flume Gorge)

Take the long drive across Maine to Bar Harbor and spend at least a full day in Acadia National Park. Then drive back down the coast, stopping in Camden to climb Mt. Megunticook or drive up Mt. Battie. Check out Damariscotta, Pemaquid Point, Wiscasset, Portland Head Light and Nubble Light.

Continuing down the coast, make sure to stop in Portsmouth, NH and see the Strawberry Banke museum. From there, head to Newburyport, MA; follow the coast through Ipswich, Gloucester, Rockport, and back towards Salem.

From Salem, go to Boston and enjoy all the historic attractions. Take a trip to Concord/Lexington and/or Plymouth if you have the time. If you want to book a round-trip plane ticket, you can just drive back up to Manchester in no time.

If you are in Boston for a day rent bikes and peddle down the Minuteman Trail in Concord/Lexington area. There are historic houses, some with reenactors (sp?), historic battlefields and pretty scenery. If you have girls, the Alcott House (of ';Little Women'; fame) in Concord has one of the best tours I%26#39;ve been on.

The Maine coast is a lot of fun and very beautiful. Look for an indoor pool for the kids in Maine...it%26#39;s a little chilly in June...but my favorite time of year in Maine.

I would avoid Salem unless you are really really interested. It is very touristy and the traffic is awful (though far worse at Halloween!).

Hello,

Thank you to everyone for your responses! Fantastic ideas and exactly what I was looking for! I do appreciate your input in helping me plan my trip. THANKS!!!!!!

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...

Bar Harbor experts please help!

Two couples (ages 35-45) travelling to BH in June...we%26#39;d like waterfront accomodations in or close to town...where do you recommend we stay and what other things should we be sure to see/do there during our 5 days in the area? Thanks!

Bar Harbor experts please help!

If you want to be on the waterfront in Bar Harbor and would like a B%26amp;B, check out Saltair Inn...it is beautiful and the couple who own it are great with good breakfast and great service...That is where I would stay.

You, of course, will spend most or all of your time in beautiful Acadia National Park, depending on your activity level, there is hiking, walking, biking etc. You can also do a boat ride/tour of some type...depending on what week in June, the Sea Princess in Northeast Harbor is a great ride and you get to see other parts of our island by sea...I also would try and kayak while here, weather depending and make sure that you leave time to have tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond house...a great place after a long hike in the park...have a great time!

Cot bed duvet covers

Woodland Park Cabins - advice

I just posted ';Woodland Partk Cottages'; 2 days ago and did not get any responses, so I thought I might try reposting with the correct name (although, slightly different). Cannot find any reviews and I am just curious. Place looks great - just want to be sure this is the best we can do. Thx!

Woodland Park Cabins - advice

Since no one has responded, I%26#39;ll give you my .02. Let me just preface my post by stating I have never stayed at Woodland Park Cabins nor have I ever seen the place.

Location: The site says they are 6 miles north of town on Rte 3. Depending on when you visit, Rte 3 might be busy. Its the main route from Acadia and BH to the mainland. If you think you might be going to town a lot that 6 mile trip may get annoying if there is traffic to fight.

Rates: You said you are interested in the Bay View Cabin. You didnt say what time you were going but the typical season price is $928/week. That seems appropriate for the busy season considering the accomodations.

Have you tried looking for a vacation rental through an agency?

Woodland Park Cabins - advice

Thanks Acadiafan for being helpful. Ya, i found a couple reviews, but not the typical ';soup to nuts'; that you can find in Trip Advisor. The place is fully booked (and always gets this way) the property looks great - supposed to be very secluded - we decided to go here. I know that it isnt right in town, but we are planning on doing a 50/50 mix of outdoorsy and towny type stuff, so it should be alright. we are going during 4th of july, so i know it will be busy - thats not a problem. Just wanted to see if anyone could give me some hidden pointers on this place and location. All in all, we are pleased with our choice. Appreciate you answering me (guess noone has heard of this place - its been here for 38 years the guys said- LOL!

Hi,

We have stayed at Woodland Park for years, usually for the week that includes the 4th of July, and we love it there. The owners are very friendly and knowledgeable. The cottages are clean and homey, though there are no TVs (we consider this a definite plus). The location--right on the water--is wonderful, there%26#39;s a nice dock for sitting and reading, and there are rowboats and kayaks you can use. But even better is the fact that the cottages are down in the woods, away from the road. It%26#39;s so peaceful and not at all like the typical vacation cottage rental. Woodland Park is close to the Acadia Park entrance, and it%26#39;s not a long drive into Bar Harbor. We have two teenage daughters, and we rent a cottage with three bedrooms, so everyone gets some privacy. For a cottage that size with a full kitchen, I think the rates are extremely reasonable.

The 4th of July is really fun in Bar Harbor as well---nice fire works over the bay. My advice is to get to town early for parking, eat dinner at one of the restaurants, and then head over to the ';green'; for a viewing spot. We%26#39;ve never had trouble squeezing into a nice place on the lawn, but one or twice it was quite chilly after dark, so take blankets and coats, even though it%26#39;s July! Also, be prepared to be stuck in traffic for a bit after the fire works are over.

Hope this information is helpful!

My family and I have stayed at Woodland Park Cottages since they opened. The area is beautiful. The cabins are tucked away in the woods, but are next to the water. The cabins are a good mix of rustic and modern. The cottages are off the road, and traffic can not be heard at all. The views are amzaing. We have seen everything from bald eagles to seals from the dock at the cottages. The location is perfect. It is far enough from town that you do not get the traffic, but close enough that within 10 minutes you can be everywhere, including Acadia.

9 day Northeast tour: Maine summary

Hi All,

Well, we just completed a trip to the NE area and had a great time. The tripadvisor boards were greatly helpful and I wanted to post our thanks and a wrap-up summary to hopefully help others in the future.

Since this post is focused on Maine I%26#39;ll cover that here and post the rest in the appropriate forums.

Our trip was a bit of a whirlwind but a ton of fun... We%26#39;re not huge spenders and not big fans of the B%26amp;B scene since it%26#39;s a bit restricting. (Love to hike, explore and admire nature)

Itn: Landed in Boston, got the car and went onwards to: Cape Cod, MA; Acadia NP, ME; Baxter statepark, ME; Greenville, ME; Gorham, NH; through Vermont via 91; New Hope, PA; Valley Forge, PA; Washington DC; Lavalette, NJ; back to Boston.

Acadia was beautiful in Fall. We wished we%26#39;d spent more time hiking, you%26#39;d need at least 4 days to really get to explore much of the park.

Starting out on the one way loop road we stoped to visit all the spots including the Jordan Pond House. The Jordan Pond House was nice, a bit expensive (10$ for a bowl of chowder), but it%26#39;s a great stopping point to use facilities, and to start hiking around (or bike riding) on the Carrige Roads.

Wonderland was a great (20min in) hike, and the beaches were amazing (starfish, crabs, 100% shell and boulders beach covered in seaweed - pull back seaweed for fun). The tidepools and wandering around the lighthouse just down the road from Wonderland was also fun.

After Acadia we went up north to visit Baxter State Park.

We arrived in the later afternoon and were only able to hike 5mi before sunset. The lakes and surrounding area were very similar to what I would expect of a rainforest. 4in of moss covering the ground, mushrooms and fungi everywhere... beautiful. Great hiking spots! we passed grassy pond and some others.

After Baxter we decided to stay in Greenville as we really really wanted to see a moose ;)... no luck it was rainy and they hide in the thick forest to keep dry.

Of all the locations we visited the only one we would skip would be Greenville, ME. Why? Because there really wasn%26#39;t anything there that made it special... you can see moose everywhere up in that part of the country. I%26#39;d give Millenocket or one of the other towns a try for lodging. BUT if you%26#39;re going to go to greenville Antie M%26#39;s was a great quaint local diner that we stopped at (good food, huge portions, low prices, lots of locals eating there).

If you%26#39;re staying in Greenville, I wouldn%26#39;t recommend staying at the Moosehead Chalet. Mainly it just wasn%26#39;t worth it... since we arrived late we decided to stay in the ';economy'; motel room for 90$ a night vs. the lakefront motel for $130.

Our room had the absolute minimum. Which I guess just surprised us since we%26#39;ve stayed in many many more hotel rooms that cost less and provded more... especially given that it was far from the hight of the season.

After we left I realized I had left a pair of pants and thinking it would be easy to have it returned... I called, the woman said she woud check with her housecleaning staff. But never called back.

From Greenville we headed onto Gorham NH.

I would highly recommend staying at the Top Notch Inn, very clean, tidy, and great (helpful and cheery) staff, for only $50.

Gorham is the gate to the White Mountains and it seems like there really is a ton of things to do around that area, of course including Moose Watching.

9 day Northeast tour: Maine summary

Forgot to mention, our hotel for Acadia was the Mariott Fairfield. Great location (5min from Acadia entrance), friendly staff, great room, best rate of the entire trip from their website(89$)! :) and for 2 nights earned 50,000 mariott points! :))

Fishing

For anyone that has traveled in and around Ogunquit, my family is looking for places to go fishing.

We%26#39;d like to stay along the coastline and not fish inland. Does anyone know of public piers or other fishing spots?

Fishing

Most people fish right off the bridge at the main beach. You can also do a charter trip out of Perkins Cove.

Fishing

We have fished off the bridge at Main Beach ourselves, and had a few bites! We have also fished off/near the Wiggly Bridge in York. We have rented poles from Eldridge Lumber in the past (we live in CA so don%26#39;t fly with our own poles to OGT), so you may want to check with them about some good public fishing spots.

Striped bass are what folks are likely to be after in the river (bridge at main beach). Make sure you know what the size regulations are for keepers if that%26#39;s your idea.

secluded cabin to rent

We are arriving the weekend after labor day. I have looked at hundreds of cabins and cottages on line. Hard to choose with out actually seeing in person just thought somebody may have stayed in a cabin at one time or another that was what we are looking for.A clean remote cabin in the woods no close neighbors. any recommendations?

secluded cabin to rent

Most of what we call cabins or cottages here are small little things, built in clusters. It sounds like what you want is a home, by itself in the woods. Those usually rent by the week and are often found through a real estate agent or a site like this one: http://www.cyberrentals.com/search/keywords:Bar+harbor+maine

secluded cabin to rent

Try one of the nearby islands off the coast of MDI. There are a fair amount of rentals in the middle of nowhere.

microsoft

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?

Fall Trip 2009

Looking to celebrate our 40th anniversary and the coast of New England, specifically Maine. We are planning on a Saturday to Saturday around the 19th-26th of September.

Flying into Boston (which we have visited before)and looking for comments on:

- crowds this time of year

- itenary suggestion, thinking Portland, Camden, Bar Harbor

- interests are general sight seeing, food, nature

Thanks for the replies...........

Fall Trip 2009

We did New England last fall from Oct 4-12 (although we included NH%26#39;s White Mtns and Woodstock, VT) and had a delightful time. Lots of great seafood and beautiful sights. You%26#39;ll likely be a little early for the fall foilage, esp in Maine, but you never know. I would recommend 1-2 days in Wells/Ogunquit/Kennebunkport. Don%26#39;t forget to walk the Marginal Way in Ogunquit. Maybe 1 day in Portland, including a visit to the Portland Head Light House in Cape Elizabeth. Then, proceeding further north spending maybe a day in the quaint Boothsbay Harbor waterfront area. Next, would be Camden...take a trip up Mt Battie while there...it%26#39;s a short but nice excursion. Then I would do at least 2 days in Bar Harbor. Acadia Park there will take at least one day and is worth it. We even took a photo of Stephen King%26#39;s house in Bangor on our way over to NH.

Have a great time..and congrats on the 40th.

Fall Trip 2009

What were your feelings about traffic? A lot of what I read indicates the weekends are brutal, even at that time of year, with the locals and Bostonians making the trip.

So you feel the timinng is doable? Not too hectic?

Any places to stay suggestions? We have done B%26amp;B%26#39;s and they can be iffy.

Thanks for the congrats.

I definitely think it%26#39;s doable. We were there for 9 nights and visited NH, VT, CT and MA.

We flew into Portland, so I can%26#39;t speak to Boston. However, the traffic in Maine was minimal. In fact, it was rather dead with a little bit of activity in Bar Harbor.

We stayed at budget hotels and all were acceptable. In Wells (near Ogunquit) we stayed at The Garrison.

http://www.garrisonsuites.com/index-2.html

In Boothbay Harbor, we stayed at the Flagship Inn.

http://www.boothbaylodging.com/

And in Bar Harbor, we lodged at Bar Harbor Motel. The latter has a beautiful grounds and great locale. You%26#39;ll notice that it gets great reviews here at TA in the Bar Harbor Lodging reviews. I would only add that I thought the bed was hard, otherwise a swell place to stay.

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

In Ogunquit, walk the scenic 1.25 mile Marginal Way which starts at Perkins Cove and goes to Ogunquit Beach. It%26#39;s an easy walk and you want find a prettier mile of coast to view. Ogunquit also has the only real sand beach that I saw while in ME. Lots of quaint shops in Ogunquit and in nearby Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. Someone can direct you to Bush 41%26#39;s summer %26#39;home%26#39; there. Good restaurants in Kennebunkport, too.

Next, I would go north to Portland. The lighthouse I mentioned earlier is beautiful in Cape Elizabeth near P%26#39;land. We ate in the Portland Old Town area where there are many good eateries and shops.

We headed for the evening to Boothsbay Harbor, stopping to see the LL Bean Outlet frenzy in Freeport. Boothsbay is so quaint. Again, good eateries and a neat bridge to walk over and check out the harbor. We found good prices at the gift shops there as they were about to close down for the season.

Next, in Camden, you can hike and take in the outdoors at Mt Battie. Here you can view Penobscot Bay and Camden Harbor from high above. We hit this area en route to Bar Harbor and it was a little congested, but nothing major. Lots of eateries/shops, too.

state.me.us/cgi-bin/…

In Bar Harbor, we spent a day touring Acadia Nat%26#39;l Park. It is fantastic. Take your time...maybe even spend 2 days. You can procure a CD for a self-guided tour. The nie lady at our hotel let us borrow hers. Plenty of photo opportunites on the way to cold Cadillac Mtn. Plenty of places to get out and hike along the rocky shores where there are many marked paths. You could drive the course one day and find an area to return the following day and hike. Also, visit Jordon Pond Restaurant (the only full service rest. in the park) because a) there are several cool walking trails near it, and the beauty of the pond is stunning and b) the rest. is very good and the popovers were fantastic.

Bar Harbor also overs whale-watching tours and the Kitty will take you to Nova Scotia.

I do not think the traffic should be bad at all. It as usually only crazy July and August and then when leaf peeping season starts. You will be just before that so it should be quite nice. It really is a great drive up the coast from Boston.

skin

Help for planning a trip to Bar Harbor

My hubby and I are planning a trip to Cooperstown for the Baseball Hall of Fame; we%26#39;re so close that we decided that we%26#39;d go ahead and head on over to the Bar Harbor/Acadia Natl Park area while we%26#39;re ';so close';. We%26#39;ve gotten such excellent advice before from the TA forums, so here we are for more. ;-)

We prefer to travel just past the peak season; we%26#39;re looking at making this trip some time between mid-September to mid-October; we%26#39;re retired (mid-50%26#39;s) so we can be flexible with our dates. We are beach-lovers, so that is a priority; we do not have to stay *on* the beach as long as we have a fairly easy/convenient walk to the beach (or short drive if there%26#39;s no waterfront lodging). We aren%26#39;t interested in water sports/swimming; we just enjoy walking along the beach. We also enjoy biking and easy hiking. We prefer a little more isolation -- i.e., we aren%26#39;t big fans of the busy, carnival-ish, touristy kinds of destinations. By the same token, we don%26#39;t want to be too isolated; we like to be conveniently located (i.e., a short drive) to restaurants, shops, etc.

We%26#39;re always on the lookout for ';budget'; lodging; while we want something clean and nice, we would rather pay less for lodging and spend more time at our destinations than to pay more and have to cut our trip a little short -- we don%26#39;t spend THAT much time in our room, so we certainly don%26#39;t need anything plush or luxurious. We don%26#39;t intend to do any cooking, so a simple, clean room is all we need.

Forgive me for the lengthy post -- I just wanted to try to give you all an idea of what we%26#39;re looking for ... so you all can point us in the right direction. Thanks so much for your help!fall; since we%26#39;re that far, we want to continue on over to Bar Harbor. We%26#39;ve never been to Maine before, so we%26#39;d like some help/advice.

Help for planning a trip to Bar Harbor

First of all, there really isn%26#39;t much in the way of beaches here. Probably the largest one is Sand Beach; it is in Acadia National Park and they frown on people trying to camp there. Once you get here and see the shore, you will understand the phrase ';the rock-bound coast of Maine.';

The time you identify is a good time to be here. The busiest time of the season is past. The tourist population largely has changed from families with children to couples---except perhaps for the Columbus Day holiday, which usually coincides with the peak of autumn foliage and thus is a popular time.

Acadia National Park is very user friendly, with about 45 miles of carriage roads upon which to bicycle or walk (no motorized vehicles) and over 100 miles of hiking paths and trails.

The area has a diverse lodging industry. As an introduction to the area, activities, lodging, etc., see:

http://www.acadiamagic.com

If bed and breakfast inns interest you, see:

http://www.sleepbarharbor.com

Also, there is a private web site operated by a frequent visitor; it has a lot of suggestions about things to do, places to eat, and so forth:

http://www.ouracadia.com

Finally, my photo albums of the park are at:

http://tinyurl.com/2w873s and a blog at:

http://cwvoigt.wordpress.com

Happy planning

Help for planning a trip to Bar Harbor

I agree with cwvoight, people don%26#39;t generally come here to walk on a ';beach';. Even Sand Beach is only about 10 minutes across and our water will be very chilly by the time you get to town. But, if you do like biking and hiking of any kind, then do come...our beautiful Acadia National Park offers great biking and the hiking can be anything from a wonderful walk on a carriage road to a great hike up the mountains...the choice is yours... as far as lodging, we have everything here for every budget, check out the links he provided you with. Have a great time while you are here.

cwvoigt wrote: Probably the largest one is Sand Beach; it is in Acadia National Park and they frown on people trying to camp there.

My question: I understand that Sand Beach is beautiful, but it appears, per tripadvisor%26#39;s map (tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g143010-d5…), that it%26#39;s on Branch Lake, which looks to be quite a bit inland. Is this correct?

Perhaps the beaches further south (Wells area) would have beaches that would be more what we%26#39;re looking for. Thanks for your help so far.

SWIllinoisBeachLover:

';My question: I understand that Sand Beach is beautiful, but it appears, per tripadvisor%26#39;s map (tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g143010-d5…), that it%26#39;s on Branch Lake, which looks to be quite a bit inland. Is this correct?

Perhaps the beaches further south (Wells area) would have beaches that would be more what we%26#39;re looking for. Thanks for your help so far.';

Well, either you or TripAdvisor is very confused. As I said, the Sand Beach here is in Acadia National Park, and is on the ocean.

If what you are looking for is large extents of sand beaches, then yes, the answer is to concentrate on the southern areas of Wells, Old Orchard Beach, etc.

cwvoigt wrote: Well, either you or TripAdvisor is very confused. As I said, the Sand Beach here is in Acadia National Park, and is on the ocean.

Thanks. I included a link to TripAdvisor%26#39;s map, showing (by the star) the location of Sand Beach. It sure didn%26#39;t appear to be in Acadia National Park, as you had indicated, which surely didn%26#39;t make sense -- which is why I asked for clarification. ;-) If Sand Beach is on the ocean, that sounds like it would be quite adequate for us (we prefer oceanfront beaches). Add in the biking %26amp; hiking, and it sounds more like Bar Harbor would be an ideal destination. Again, thanks so much for your help! I%26#39;ll go check out the links you provided. ;-)

Hi SWIllinoisBeachLover,

After reading your post, I think you and your hubby will love Mt Desert Island and Acadia. If you are like us, you will not spend much time in your room, for there is much to see and do.

First, here is a link to a NPS map of Acadia that will help you: nps.gov/acad/…ACADmap2005.pdf

Next is a great place to start your planning: tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60709-s1/…Inside.html

For walks along the beach there is the Shore Path: tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60709-d66…

Something new that I have only read about is the Schooner Head Path: tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60709-i381-k23948…

We also like Ship Harbor trail and Wonderland down by Bass Harbor.

As for biking, there are companies that rent bikes in Bar Harbor.

Remember to stop by the Hannaford supper market to pick up supplies for a picnic or two. There are many great places for one in the park.

I have found that the members of this forum helped us plan a great vacation to Maine. I know they will for you to.

Here is a link to our travel pictures. Just scroll down to 2007: http://picasaweb.google.com/rwdwTA

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks, fellow Illinoisan!

(BTW, I thoroughly loved your photo albums!)

I am glad you enjoyed the pictures. They only give you a taste of all there is to see.

BTW, I got this idea from cwvoigt sharing his pictures. Thanks cw

RWDW provided a number of good ideas for hikes and walks.

The Shore Path is one of our favorites for a short walk. For a longer walk with a bit ';wilder'; scenery, there is the Ocean Path that runs from the Sand Beach Parking lot above the ocean to Otter Cliffs.

Schooner Head Path is a new path, still under some construction at one end, than runs from the village out to the Schooner Head overlook in the park.

Ship Harbor and Wonderland are on the south end of the island. Both are relatively short, low-impact walks. If you are willing to walk on the rock and pebble beach that lies between the two areas, you can make a loop.

These and one more are described in a bit more detail in ';Bar Harbor Easy Hikes'; in the Things to Do section on the left side of this page.

Another question: it looks like our trip may need to be moved up -- to June. The upside is that the average temperature in June is 5 degrees warmer than in September (and we might be able to save a couple of bucks on lodging). Is June a good time to visit Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park? Is it terribly crowded (since schools are no longer in session)? Again, thanks so much for all your help!

Acadia National park in Easter Weekend 2009

Need some help for the coming April 10 to April 12, 2009 weekend.

I notice on the national parks website that the park is officially closed till April 15. But the temperature forecast for this weekend seems fine. So is it worth going to Acadia now and if yes, what would be the suggested itinerary? Or is it very different a month from now and I should save Acadia for then?

Thanks a lot.

Rgds

Acadia National park in Easter Weekend 2009

Although the park is not officially open, this weekend is an excellent time for Acadia, especially if you like to bike. The Park Loop Road is open to bikes. Now is the perfect time to tour around the Loop Road without any fear of traffic. It%26#39;s a 20-27 mile ride and it has a few steep hills. It%26#39;s very doable even for a person that hasn%26#39;t biked for a while. You can take your time and enjoy the day.

The carriage roads and hiking trails are also open. Many of the hiking trails are accessed by main roads rather than the Park Loop Road so you%26#39;ll have no trouble reaching those. A small portion of the Loop Road is open to traffic via the Schooner Head Road.

Old Orchard beach week of June 6

Thinking of going to Old Orchard beach the week of June 6. I was wondering about the weather. I seen where some people were going in May and were encouraged not to go for it would still be chilly. I really don%26#39;t mind if the water is cold. Am more interested in if we can sit on the beach and not freeze our butts off. Thanks for the advice in advance it is gteatly appreciated.

Old Orchard beach week of June 6

Hard to tell. It could be nice or you could ';freeze your butts off.'; Early June is pretty unpredictable as far as beach weather.

Old Orchard beach week of June 6

Impossible to say for sure as you know, but it%26#39;s safe to say you%26#39;ll probably see a variety of weather in early June. I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll freeze your butts off and I do think you%26#39;re likely to have some very nice days. There%26#39;s plenty to do in the area so a day or two of chilly weather shouldn%26#39;t put a damper on your trip.

I think that%26#39;s a great time to go to OOB myself. It won%26#39;t be as crowded as it is mid-summer but most everything will be opening up by then.

I was there last year at that time and the weather was beautiful. The year before that was a bit rainy if I recall. Be sure to head over to Pine Point and eat at Salty Bay Take-out!

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young woman driving

Motorcycle trip to Caribou Maine

My husband and I, along with 4 family members are planning a bike trip in June to Madawaska Lake, Caribou, Freeport etc. Any ideas/tips about traveling,shopping, eating,and events. We are still in the planning stages so any information would be helpful. We already have family to stay with but would like to know more about what the locals call a ';loggers'; rode, suppose to be a very scenic route to take on motorcycles. Thanks in advance. JC

Motorcycle trip to Caribou Maine

Not sure what kind of bikes you are bringing, but I wouldn%26#39;t put my cruiser on a logging road ever. Maybe if you had an on/off road BMW or something of that nature. If you do take the loggers roads, amke sure you have a gps, because maps won%26#39;t be that useful if they are not up to date...

Motorcycle trip to Caribou Maine

I can%26#39;t help you with the logging roads except to note that those roads belong to the loggers---and they can prove it. So be careful.

In Freeport, we enjoy eating at Azure Cafe. We only have had lunch there, but if dinner is anything like lunch, it%26#39;s worth the stop.

Rt. 11 is scenic. In the town of Portage Lake, stop in at Deans for lunch or dinner. Only about 30-45 minutes away from Fort Kent on the US/Canada border.

Be alert for loggin trucks on Rt. 11. The logging roads, ';in the woods'; are owned/maintained by the logging companies (North Maine Woods). Bikes/atv not permitted. Stick to Rt. 11 or other local roads.

Art Barn in NE Harbor?

Does anyone know if the Art Barn in NE harbor area is still open? I%26#39;m not sure if that%26#39;s the name. It is a creative arts open studio for kids/adults that lets you work with their materials/facilities in return for a donation. The studio%26#39;s proper name/location phone # would also be helpful.

Art Barn in NE Harbor?

Would this be the Acadia Workshop Center at the Seawall Motel near Southwest Harbor? Last year when we were there in September they had students painting on the beach and there was a dinner and ';show'; afterwards. Teachers come from all over the US to conduct classes in various media. They have a brochure with a calendar of teachers and classes. The studio is where the restaurant used to be. Check out their website. Seawallmotel.com

Art Barn in NE Harbor?

The Acadia Workshop Center has it%26#39;s own website... www.acadiaworkshopcenter.com and is located in Bernard. There%26#39;s also an art supply store.

Rehersal Dinner

Looking for a place to hold a wedding rehersal dinner. It will be in August and there will be forty people. Looking for something sea side . Doesn%26#39;t have to be in Kennebunkport but must be near by. Considering serving a lobster bake. Thanks.

Rehersal Dinner

Not seaside, but nearby K%26#39;port and able to serve a clam bake:

http://www.rhumblinemaine.com/kportcater.htm

Rehersal Dinner

You might be interested in trying the Kennebunkport Inn- great place for a rehersal or Pier 77 in Cape Porpoise. Let me know if you need any help, I am an innkeeper in Kennebunkport at Cabot Cove Cottages:)

windows xp

Boothbay Harbor - drive time

Hi - We%26#39;re from Australia, looking to visit Maine in September. Can anyone advise the time to drive from Boothbay Harbor to Portland Airport on a Saturday morning (I%26#39;m assuming no peak hour!). Cheers.

Boothbay Harbor - drive time

Hi CassowarySAS,

September%26#39;s the perfect time to visit Maine as the weather is great, the crowds are smaller and everything is still open! It is my favorite time of year here.

Give yourself between an hour and 20 minutes to an hour and a half. You could possibly make the trip in an hour going the speed limit, or you could get stuck behind someone going 10 mph below the speed limit, with a trail of cars behind them making it almost impossible to pass. This happens often on single lane highway Route 1 which you%26#39;ll be on for almost half of the drive. Route 295 is the other highway and it has several lanes, so that%26#39;s not an issue.

It would only take longer if there was an accident or roadwork being done.

Good luck and don%26#39;t forget to post and tell us about your visit :).

cozyharbor