huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,262 
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Post by huskergal on May 23, 2022 1:26:18 GMT
Dh and I are thinking about going to Portland, Maine this summer. I want to go to the beach and see lighthouses. Has anyone been there and can make recommendations about where to stay and what else there is to do?
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Post by Neisey on May 23, 2022 2:05:50 GMT
You will see beaches and light houses. The entire Maine Coast is full of quaint communities and beautiful scenery. Are you set on staying in Portland? The Bar Harbour/Acadia National Park area is wonderful.
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Post by finsup on May 23, 2022 3:08:54 GMT
I’m a local. This site has some good info about nearby lighthouses and beaches as well as other things to do. You can visit plenty of lighthouses and beaches without venturing far from Portland. If you’re interested in swimming at the beaches, keep in mind the water is cold even in the middle of summer! Portland is also a great food city. It was Bon Appetit’s Restaurant City of the Year a few years ago. Tons of craft breweries too. Freeport is only about 30 minutes away if you want to go to LL Bean’s flagship store. www.visitportland.com/ |
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Post by Merge on May 23, 2022 3:13:49 GMT
Yeah, if you want to swim, the area has some lovely lakes that are much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean up there.
I do love a rocky beach for exploring and relaxing, though. We loved Reid State Park last year. Popham Beach is another nice one. The Maine Botanical Gardens are not too far and worth a visit.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 23, 2022 5:59:16 GMT
We love Maine - when you say go to the beach what do you mean? There are many picturesque wonderful communities and as non-sunbathing folks it’s truly wonderful. But we learned with our kids - if you want a nice beach where you can swim Maine isn’t your friend - but if you want amazing lobster I can hook you up.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on May 23, 2022 9:38:38 GMT
Yeah, if you want to swim, the area has some lovely lakes that are much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean up there. I do love a rocky beach for exploring and relaxing, though. We loved Reid State Park last year. Popham Beach is another nice one. The Maine Botanical Gardens are not too far and worth a visit. I really enjoyed the gardens last summer. They have a gorgeous, unique site for a botanical garden. The Old Port area of Portland is nice to wander through. Tons of great restaurants in Portland. We've not had a bad meal. |
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Post by magoosangel on May 23, 2022 11:36:45 GMT
Very nice area. Foodie town. I’ve used airbnb both times and been happy. Uber around to walkable downtown. Driving was pleasant. Loved the beaches, etc… went up the coast to Canada (Arcadia for a few days) and once to NH for fall colors. Both great times.
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Post by bearmom on May 23, 2022 15:20:05 GMT
Dh and I went last September and had a great time! We stayed at the Aloft (it had just opened) which was slightly out of the way, but we didn’t mind the extra walking. On our first night there we did a rum tasting Shooner cruise which was a lot of fun, and found out the owner of the distillery (Three of Strong) was one of DD’s roommates uncle - small world.
We also took the ferry out to one of the islands and rode a bike around - we spent most of the day exploring around. After we rented bikes, we went to the grocery store where they made deli sandwiches and got a picnic lunch. The island had some WW II bunkers and some neat coastline to explore.
I have to go back to work and don’t have time right now to look at where we are, a few really good places and one that was highly recommended on Trip Advisor, but we didn’t really care for. I can look later tonight.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by pilcas on May 23, 2022 15:24:50 GMT
Definitely try to visit Bar Harbour and Acadia National Park.
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casii
Drama Llama
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Post by casii on May 23, 2022 15:38:30 GMT
My cousin's in laws own a big place about an hour north of Portland on the water and this will be our first year that our schedule is free to visit when they're there. I'm excited from all the photos he's been tempting us with!
So, I have nothing to add, but that I'm looking forward to going up there too. LOL
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by huskergal on May 23, 2022 15:46:26 GMT
We love Maine - when you say go to the beach what do you mean? There are many picturesque wonderful communities and as non-sunbathing folks it’s truly wonderful. But we learned with our kids - if you want a nice beach where you can swim Maine isn’t your friend - but if you want amazing lobster I can hook you up. I have no desire to swim. Just see the ocean. Walk the beach. Maybe wade in up to my knees. I live in the middle of the country. I just want to experience ocean. |
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Post by ~summer~ on May 23, 2022 16:18:02 GMT
Portland has been on my list for a while and I’m hoping to finally go this September. A while back Sockmonkey gave me a lot of great advice with specific recommendations if you want to message her.
She mentioned an amazing lighthouse at Fort Williams Park.
Are you flying into Boston? Or driving? I would go through Portsmouth and have lunch there - I love that little town.
I would also eat lots of lobster, do a boat ride and visit Acadia NP.
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Post by newfcathy on May 23, 2022 16:33:50 GMT
I second that last comment, a stop in Portsmouth or Newburyport ( in MA), is a great idea.
Maine is so lovely, the food in Portland is amazing!
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Post by Mel on May 23, 2022 16:36:11 GMT
We went to the Portland Head Light Lighthouse. It was beautiful, lots of breathtaking views of the ocean/beach. We were there in November and it was breezy but not too cold. It was a really great day!
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Post by compeateropeator on May 23, 2022 16:49:34 GMT
I agree with Portland Head light house (I think it is called?) and Fort Williams Park. I think Portland is a great place to wander around and enjoy. It has good food, unique places and some good music and arts. We are usually only there for the day but have friends that live there.
Lots of good craft beer. You could actually start in Portsmouth and follow a great craft brew trail all the way up to Portland. 😄
We typically stay in Wells or lower so not much help there. I will say if you do pass through lower Maine the Nubble light house is my favorite. I have 100s of pictures of it in all seasons and weather. Not sure why I am so obsessed with it but have been since I was a kid. So that is a lot of years of taking pictures of it. 😳😆 It is in York, so probably 45-60 minutes South of Portland.
We also have done great boat trips, and we alway drive a good section of the coast. I hope you get some good information and enjoy your trip if you go.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 23, 2022 17:01:03 GMT
We love Maine - when you say go to the beach what do you mean? There are many picturesque wonderful communities and as non-sunbathing folks it’s truly wonderful. But we learned with our kids - if you want a nice beach where you can swim Maine isn’t your friend - but if you want amazing lobster I can hook you up. I have no desire to swim. Just see the ocean. Walk the beach. Maybe wade in up to my knees. I live in the middle of the country. I just want to experience ocean. Then you’ll love it - just gorgeous! We usually stay north of Portland but the whole coastline is beautiful- truly one of my favorite places. I actually think fall is best - but maybe that’s just cause I got engaged there a 142 years ago |
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huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by huskergal on May 23, 2022 17:08:58 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions!
I am thinking this for itinerary.
We will drive the first 2 days. Spend 2 days in New Hampshire with my cousin
3 days in Bay Harbor/Acadian National Park.
2 days in Portland.
For those of you who have been or live there, is it better to do more time in Bay Harbor/Acadian than Portland. I am flexible with the day.
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maryannscraps
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Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on May 23, 2022 19:46:21 GMT
I'd say spend 3 days in Bar Harbor/Acadia -- it's my favorite place on Earth. There is also Bass Harbor lighthouse there. Not much beach there, but tons of trails and carriage roads with gorgeous views of the ocean. Rent bikes or try a kayaking expedition. Eat lots of lobster!
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on May 23, 2022 21:08:32 GMT
We are going in September and I am so excited!!! We are flying in and out of Portland.
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quiltz
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on May 24, 2022 1:23:30 GMT
Definitely try to visit Bar Harbour and Acadia National Park. The Acadia National Park is lovely. I only spent a day in this town, while on a cruise of the East Coast. I found that the town of Bar Harbour was very touristy, almost worse than Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls (which I am local to). So many tourist junky stores and almost every diner selling lobster rolls, which are delicious. |
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Post by Merge on May 24, 2022 1:32:14 GMT
I agree that the town of Bar Harbor is super touristy. I’d stay elsewhere and spend your time in the park. Then drive down the coast toward Portland and maybe stop in Camden/Rockland, Bath/Brunswick, or Wiscasset. I also love Boothbay Harbor which is the town nearest the botanical gardens.
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melrandamom
Junior Member
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Post by melrandamom on May 24, 2022 2:08:40 GMT
We are heading to Portland/Acadia/Bar Harbor next month. Flying into Bangor and home from Boston. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned hooking a girl up on some lobster rolls??? I'd love to know this.
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Jili
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Post by Jili on May 24, 2022 2:52:36 GMT
About an hour north of Portland there is a State park with a fantastic sandy beach— Popham Beach State Park. There is a sandbar you can walk in, and when we went (in July or August several years ago) the water was amazingly warm. We really enjoyed ourselves there.
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Post by finsup on May 24, 2022 3:00:44 GMT
We are heading to Portland/Acadia/Bar Harbor next month. Flying into Bangor and home from Boston. Someone earlier in this thread mentioned hooking a girl up on some lobster rolls??? I'd love to know this. You have to try both a mayonnaise-based and a butter-based one! You can go to so many places and get a fresh lobster roll as big as your head and rarely go wrong but I do have a couple of recommendations. In the Portland area I recommend The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth for the mayo one. It’s right near Two Lights State Park for beautiful scenery and lighthouses. Nearby is Fort Williams Park/Portland Head Light, which is one of our iconic lighthouses. Eventide in downtown Portland has my favorite butter-based lobster roll. The drawback is it’s pricy and small, but it’s so good! Going here gives you a chance to explore the Old Port. If any visitors want more Portland restaurant recommendations for particular things, feel free to hit me up! |
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Post by MichyM on May 24, 2022 19:42:01 GMT
This thread has me super intrigued and I'm tempted to go this fall either before or after I go to NYC again. I keep saying that I'm going to explore more of New England and the northeast, and then when push comes to shove I just book my trips to visit my son without any added extras.
For those in the know, if you could pick whenever you wanted to visit from mid September to mid October, when would that be? I'm from Seattle, don't need hot weather, but dry would be nice. And also, will there be any fall color then, or is it too early?
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Post by Merge on May 24, 2022 19:54:51 GMT
This thread has me super intrigued and I'm tempted to go this fall either before or after I go to NYC again. I keep saying that I'm going to explore more of New England and the northeast, and then when push comes to shove I just book my trips to visit my son without any added extras. For those in the know, if you could pick whenever you wanted to visit from mid September to mid October, when would that be? I'm from Seattle, don't need hot weather, but dry would be nice. And also, will there be any fall color then, or is it too early? Weather should be gorgeous at that time of year. Leaves depend where/when you want to go. This should help: www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/whenandwhere/ |
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Post by finsup on May 24, 2022 21:00:55 GMT
This thread has me super intrigued and I'm tempted to go this fall either before or after I go to NYC again. I keep saying that I'm going to explore more of New England and the northeast, and then when push comes to shove I just book my trips to visit my son without any added extras. For those in the know, if you could pick whenever you wanted to visit from mid September to mid October, when would that be? I'm from Seattle, don't need hot weather, but dry would be nice. And also, will there be any fall color then, or is it too early? When you come we definitely have to get together! I’ll bore you with stories about my little granddaughter 😊. September and October are my absolute favorite months here. We could be past peak by mid October so I’d recommend early October for leaf peeping. |
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Post by MichyM on May 24, 2022 21:23:21 GMT
This thread has me super intrigued and I'm tempted to go this fall either before or after I go to NYC again. I keep saying that I'm going to explore more of New England and the northeast, and then when push comes to shove I just book my trips to visit my son without any added extras. For those in the know, if you could pick whenever you wanted to visit from mid September to mid October, when would that be? I'm from Seattle, don't need hot weather, but dry would be nice. And also, will there be any fall color then, or is it too early? When you come we definitely have to get together! I’ll bore you with stories about my little granddaughter 😊. September and October are my absolute favorite months here. We could be past peak by mid October so I’d recommend early October for leaf peeping. Well, to me, you and I meeting is a given  Early October would be nice. And the first half of October is a really nice time to be in NYC too. |
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melrandamom
Junior Member
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Post by melrandamom on May 25, 2022 1:40:42 GMT
You have to try both a mayonnaise-based and a butter-based one! You can go to so many places and get a fresh lobster roll as big as your head and rarely go wrong but I do have a couple of recommendations. In the Portland area I recommend The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth for the mayo one. It’s right near Two Lights State Park for beautiful scenery and lighthouses. Nearby is Fort Williams Park/Portland Head Light, which is one of our iconic lighthouses. Thank you! I had no idea there was multiple types. I am in the midwest and they are all mayo based |
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Post by myboysnme on May 25, 2022 14:08:45 GMT
Old Orchard Beach is fun. I grew up going to Ferry Beach, Fortunes Rocks, York Beach and Kennebunk Beach. Old Orchard has a pier with all kinds of activities.
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Early October would be nice. And the first half of October is a really nice time to be in NYC too.
