Maine Coast in July
If in Bar Harbor you decide to take the puffin-viewing cruise and they tell you the sea is rough and you might want to reschedule for the next day, reschedule for the next day. We didn't (were leaving for Nova Scotia the next day) and it was the only time in my life I've ever gotten seasick - and I've been on lots of boats! But, we did see a lot of puffins.
I think we stayed at the Blue Nose Inn in Bar Harbor, but I'll have to go back and check the photo albums. It's been a while. Have fun!
eta: yes, it was the Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor. Has excellent food, a lovely indoor pool and nice views of Frenchman's Bay. We enjoyed it very much. Also, if you have time, a hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain is beautiful. Can be a bit windy, but the views are wonderful. I've been told watching sunrise from the summit is mesmerizing, but with two small kids at the time that just wasn't going to happen.
This place is pure class.............a bit pricey but worth it.
Also take in the more casual restaurant down the road named the Samoset
Damariscotta at the top of the Peninsula is a real nice Northern Exposure type town.
The entire Pemaquid Peninsula is priceless............and in passing through Wiscasset stop at Red's Lobster
left of the bridge. There might be a line but the best lobster roll in Maine
http://www.bradleyinn.com/
We highly recommend the Boothbay Harbor area. We rented a house just over the bridge in Southport Island, so can't recommend any hotels. 2/3 of my meals that week were either lobster rolls from little shacks or steamed lobster dinners at local dives - but almost all were excellent. That said, the lobster roll at Red's Eats in Wicasset is the best I've ever had and definitely worth the long lines.
Haven't been in 6 years but we had a lovely stay at the Acorn Cottage just outside of Bar Harbor and near the entrance to the park and Cadillac Mnt. It was a loft cabin, great for 2 people. The following email address was the owner's in 2008. acorncottagebh@yahoo.com Or if you are adventurous the national park has two lovely campgrounds.
Mostly we focused on getting up there, and spending the full week exploring the carriage paths by bike or hiking the trails. Precipice trail is one of my traiditonal favorites, but it was often closed due to nesting birds. Taking a ferry out to one of the smaller islands with a packed lunch is great. Take a day to bike the loop road, stopping in at Jordan Pond for tea and popovers. Sunset/rise on the mountain. Live lobster over a campfire from Parsons...so many fun things to do.
On the way up, its a nice stop in Freeport. And although its much more commercial than it was 30 years ago, still fun to see LLBean.
I maybe should mention the Outlets an exit or two after you cross over from New Hampshire.
I am not a shopper but the boss told me that there was some really good values in clothing.
Bought the only Jean Jacket that ever fit me there.
Oh, I forgot - On Mount Desert Island, you might want to visit Soames Sound (I think that's the spelling) - I read that it is the only true fjord in the eastern U.S. I remember hearing the calls of loons across the water and it was very special.
author said:
I maybe should mention the Outlets an exit or two after you cross over from New Hampshire.
I am not a shopper but the boss told me that there was some really good values in clothing.
Bought the only Jean Jacket that ever fit me there.
I am sure Mrs. Soda will be thrilled to go to the outlets and maybe even bring back an item or two for her cat sitter 
We're heading up to New England this weekend and yesterday I discovered our route take us through several towns with the LL Bean Outlets. Last time we were in Maine we scored big at the Bangor outlet. Shopping here we come!
Owls Head is another nice place to stay between Portland and Bar Harbor. There's this little place between Camden and Belfast that used to be a Methodist camp - charming victorians on the water. There's also Rockport just north of Camden. Then, there's the Blue Hill area right before Mt. Desert. So many beautiful little towns, you really can't go wrong anywhere along the coast in Maine. Whale watching from Bar Harbor is a must.
We always go to the Pemaquid lighthouse and to Shaw's Fish and Lobster in New Harbor. We also love Camden's harbor. If you have kids (or maybe even if not), look for Cedar Works in/near Rockport. Last time we were there, they had a whole playground of their wooden playsets, including some adult swings in a nice shady area. It was a great stop. And there are so many other great places to visit in Maine. We love it!
Got to Northeast Harbor and take the mailboat to Islesford (Little Cranberry). There's a great restaurant (The Dock) there and a nice island to explore.
Owners of The Dock are from SO.
If you are going in July...http://www.hermione2015.com/ The Hermione (Lafayette's boat - pivotal in winning the Revolutionary war) will be visiting Castine, ME on July 14 - its last stop in the US. In Castine, stay at Castine Inn, or The Pentagoet, or THe Manor Inn...just under an hour drive to Mt. Desert.
Best lobster rolls at Castine Variety, plus new town dock restaurant looks like it will be amazing called Dudley's Refresher (started by owners of El El Frijoles). Or go to Sargentville (also on Blue HIll peninsula) to El El Frijoles.
http://www.elelfrijoles.com/
Also, along route 175 in Penobscot try 'shack' dining at Bagaduce Lunch for lobster rolls or fried seafood.
Bagaduce Lunch shack is fantastic! But go early for lunch as they often run out of their lobster rolls. The fried fish sandwich is to die for. I believe they have a James Beard.
BOOTHBAY HARBOR!! My family has a home there (all booked up) so I am biassed but you must at least stop in BBH! It is lovely - great shops (not many trinket shops), tons of restaurants, lots of hotels and B&Bs (feel free to message me if you find availability and can't decide where to stay). Some recommendations:
Ocean Point Inn on Ocean Point, which is 15 minutes from the Harbor and is a pretty little inn (with a pool, beautiful view, and lovely restaurant)
Spruce Point Inn on Spruce Point, which is 5 minutes from the Harbor and has it ALL - it is considered the nicest resort in the region - 2 pools, hot tubs, excellent spa, delicious restaurants, kayaks, tennis courts, bikes, a s'mores bonfire on most nights (it is an upscale version of the Dirty Dancing hotel in the movie)
Tidal Transit is a great company to go kayaking with - they have several different tours
Many whale watching or coastal boat rides
The Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens are in Boothbay
A small aquarium for young children is also in BBH
The Harbor is a great spot for vacationers but it doesn't have that cheap souvenir feel.
Favorite restaurants: Thistle Inn, McSeagull's, Trevett Country Store (better lobster rolls than the crazy line at Red's Eats in Wiscasset), Spruce Point Inn, and more!
Other places to go as you drive north -
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (most beautiful lighthouse with crashing waves and rocks you can carefully walk on)
Camden - very pretty village (I personally prefer the stores in Boothbay Harbor though)
Other sites going south -
Freeport (home of LLBean and other outlets)
If you end up going to Boothbay Harbor, please feel free to message me and I will send you the pages I have on my computer from our "Tips" notebook with things to do and places to eat!!
Are lisat and kismet on this thread? (We need that '@' capability jamie!!!)
ffof said:
Owners of The Dock are from SO.
If you are going in July...http://www.hermione2015.com/ The Hermione (Lafayette's boat - pivotal in winning the Revolutionary war) will be visiting Castine, ME on July 14 - its last stop in the US.
How prescient! Just before we hit Maine, we'll be in Greenport on L.I.'s North Fork, where we're attending the Tall Ships Challenge!
http://greenporterhotel.com/tall-ships-2015
The Hermione will be there, as well as a ship we know well from our times in Lewes, DE: The Kalmar Nickel (pix attached...)
Thanks everyone, and keep the ideas coming! More is More...
-s.
From the grounds of the small restaurant near the Pemaquid Lighthouse. That is Monhegan Island
just barely visable on the horizon
Fort William Henry which protected the harbor from the British and Pirates
One of the best meals of my lifetime thus far....Have a wonderful trip!
http://primorestaurant.com
fastpitch73 said:
One of the best meals of my lifetime thus far....Have a wonderful trip!
http://primorestaurant.com
We're GOIN'!!!
-s.
BTW: Thanks to all for the generous input!
Since the last time we were in Maine as a family, it was 2000, I don't know if it's still there: Nunan's Lobster Hut, Route 9 in Cape Porpoise - The BEST boiled lobster dinners.
Speaking of Monhegan Island - we LOVED visiting there. The first time we went, we just did a day trip by taking the first ferry in the morning from New Harbor and returning on the last ferry in the afternoon. We liked it so much, and sensed that we were missing a lot by not staying over, so a few years later we made a reservation at a hotel on the island and stayed there a couple of nights. It was great!
There are also ferries from a couple of other locations, I believe, but we are big New Harbor fans, so that's where we went.
Hard to not find beauty any where up the coast. Have spent a good deal of time in Maine, coastal and inland; actually heading up next week.
Mt Desert Island is gorgeous but lots of traffic.
Wiscassett is lovely but stay off the main roads, very crowded.
On 95 north, a bit before Bangor, there is a huge rest stop with food and a large local (I.e. Maine) crafts shop. Cool bear sculptures outside.
The ocean water is cold.
Safe journey!
PS no LBI this summer?
What a great thread .. my teens and I are are going on vacation in Maine - boothbay area in 2nd week of August... looking forward to it.. making the list of things to do ..
Realized I should have added Fort Edgecomb. It is small - right by Wiscasset and not far from Boothbay Harbor. It is a nice, interesting little stop with pretty views and a nice surprise (we expected the fort to be hot on a really warm July day - it was just the opposite)!
Also, if you head out from Boothbay Harbor to Ocean Point to climb on the rocks (there are 2 areas to do this - 1) as you approach Ocean Point there is a cove with pebbles called Grimes Cove and to the left of the cove is a sign "Ocean Point Walk" 2) follow the point going past the little church on the right to the next set of parking spots and there are nice rocks there to sit on and enjoy the view, tidal pools to check out) - you can stop at the East Boothbay General Store on the way to get a picnic - their breakfast sandwiches are delicious, muffins are some of the best ever, lunch sandwiches are also delicious, and on weekends they have homemade donuts (but usually sell-out early as they are that good).
This thread is making me homesick---growing up my family spent part of every summer in Maine, mostly in the Cape Elizabeth (Biddeford) and the Prouts Neck (Scarborough) area. I haven't been back in a long time, but Maine is my heart home.
Soda, wherever you go,I am sure you will love it.
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From Portland to Bar Harbor there must be lots to see & eat, & a couple of nice places to stay, yes?
Suggestions appreciated!
-s.