janeinbama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,202 
Location: Alabama
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Post by janeinbama on Feb 15, 2022 17:02:37 GMT
I need a few travel recommendations. I have been on Trip Advisor and gotten some advice. The Peas know everything! We are planning to fly to Portland Saturday, 9/24 rent a car and stay in Portland or Freeport overnight - I want to go out on an oyster boat and eat fresh oysters  I had originally looked at Nonesuch for oyster boat trips, but they have had no reviews since 2019, a tour came up in Freeport in the afternoons. We will then drive to NH to the White Mountains for 2 nights. Driving the scenic drives. Should we stay in Lincoln or Conway? Drive to Acadia via Hwy 2 to see a bit more scenery, staying 3 days in Bar Harbor at Mira Monte B & B. Then driving down the coast back to Portland to fly home. The only hotel booked is Bar Harbor for Tues, Wed & Thurs. We are in our 60's and want to see the area, our first trip to Maine. DH is not interested in hiking or musuems. He will humor me though:) What would be a good area to stop on the coast headed back to Portland? We can fly out Saturday or Sunday, either day the flights are very early am. I know this is peak season and the hotels reflect it. After leaving Acadia, I can't decide how far down the coast we can drive and still get the most out of our stop. Top things we want to do on this trip: eat lobster, go to LL Bean outlet and flagship stores, eat oysters, visit Acadia, see lighthouses, eat lobster. We are not foodies, however, we do appreciate good food. I would like to eat at Highroller Lobster and perhaps The Holy Donut in Portland (we watch Man vs Food) Thanks! |
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Post by Merge on Feb 15, 2022 17:10:21 GMT
Camden/Rockland area is a good stopping point between Bar Harbor and Portland. Plenty to do and see. No shortage of good food. Rockland is known for its museums and "foodie" destinations, but Camden has the more beautiful harbor IMO.
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Post by paperaddictedpea on Feb 15, 2022 17:26:32 GMT
I second Merge's suggestion on Camden/Rockland. I took a Maine coasts and harbors cruise a few years ago and these were two of the stops. I had less than a day to spend in each but would love to go back to both. I think that Camden Harbor is the prettiest of all the harbors I've seen in Maine. You could stop in Boothbay Harbor as well - it's about an hour outside of Portland.
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,791
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Feb 15, 2022 17:26:34 GMT
Freeport is less than half an hour from Portland, so you'll easily be able to visit there. Lots of outlet shops in town -- the LL Bean flagship store is very nice. I go up there a couple times a year.
Holy donuts in Portland is yummy -- it's in an area with lots of restaurants and shops. There are a ton of restaurants and breweries in Portland. It's really hard to go wrong with food there. The Old Town area is full of shops and restaurants and is right next to the waterfront. This spring, my son took a drive and walk out to the Portland Head lighthouse out there and said it was gorgeous (we had to leave earlier.) There's also Bass Harbor Light in Acadia (near southwest Harbor.)
I think September is the nicest time of year in Acadia -- it's so beautiful there. There are so many places to walk and enjoy the views -- you don't have to make it a big hike. One year we went on a ride around Frenchman's Bay on a schooner (I think the name was the Mary Todd) and really enjoyed sailing around for a couple hours. Last year we had a nice lunch sitting on the patio of the Bar Harbor Inn - the view can't be beat. I like Beal's Lobster pier in Southwest Harbor, but my mom always liked Thurston's in Bernard best.
Have a great trip!!!!
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,891
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Feb 15, 2022 17:36:27 GMT
Camden/Rockland area is a good stopping point between Bar Harbor and Portland. Plenty to do and see. No shortage of good food. Rockland is known for its museums and "foodie" destinations, but Camden has the more beautiful harbor IMO. That's what I was going to recommend. If you want that quintessential Maine scenery, Camden/Rockland is your place. |
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compeateropeator
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,260
Member is Online
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Post by compeateropeator on Feb 15, 2022 19:06:23 GMT
I would suggest Congdon’s in Wells Maine for donuts. A long time family business and great donuts. Good breakfast also.
I would suggest York (less/around than an hour south of Portland) to see the Nubble lighthouse. It is one of the most photographed lighthouse in Maine. The Portland Head Lighthouse is also a must see as long as you are there…but the Nubble is my favorite.
You can drive by and see the Bush compound in Kennebunkport.
In the York area you can get beautiful views from Mount Agamenticus. You can hike up or you can drive up to the summit.
The Goldenrod in York for taffy. You can see them make it.
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my3freaks
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,206
Location: NH girl living in Colorado
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Post by my3freaks on Feb 16, 2022 4:21:13 GMT
Cape Elizabeth is one of my favorite places. It has stunning views, lighthouses (Portland Head & Two Lights) and Fort Williams. Definitely worth the visit. I'm obsessed with lighthouses, and have done multiple road trips in New England (mostly Cape Cod & Maine) to look at them and learn their history. I'd love to go see them in other areas some day. I ordered the 2 pack of build your own lobster rolls from McLoons Lobster Shack for my mom this past Christmas and she gave them rave reviews. She's hoping to take a day trip to their "shack" this summer. I spent a ton of time in a small town called Harpswell while growing up. One of my dad's sisters lived there (my uncle was a lobster fisherman.) It was a fun place to go as a kid, for sure. I mostly remember running amok with my cousins, looking for sea glass on the beach (the water is so cold that far north no matter what time of year) and picking blueberries.  Enjoy your trip. New England is so pretty in September. You really can't go wrong in Maine if your driving up Route 1. |
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I had originally looked at Nonesuch for oyster boat trips, but they have had no reviews since 2019, a tour came up in Freeport in the afternoons. We will then drive to NH to the White Mountains for 2 nights. Driving the scenic drives. Should we stay in Lincoln or Conway? Drive to Acadia via Hwy 2 to see a bit more scenery, staying 3 days in Bar Harbor at Mira Monte B & B. Then driving down the coast back to Portland to fly home. The only hotel booked is Bar Harbor for Tues, Wed & Thurs. 
