I’ve always been intrigued by Maine. In high school I drooled over the brochures for the Bates Dance Festival, yet never made it there. As an adult I am still enamored with the idea of attending the festival some time but my interest also lies in just seeing Maine. It’s one of the few states in the U. S. that I haven’t stepped foot in yet (North Dakota, and possibly Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Delaware are the others).
Since returning to the East coast two years ago Tate and I have been daydreaming of a road trip to that northeast corner. He’s never been either and it’s the only state he’s ‘missing’.
We’re taking off this evening for a big ‘ol roadtrip of visiting friends and family, camping, and hiking.
Our path will lead us through Brooklyn (and to a March Fourth Marching Band show tonight!), on to Boston to see friends, then to Portland and eventually Acadia.
Any Maine readers out there? I would LOVE recommendations on hikes, restaurants, activities, coastal towns, campgrounds, or anything else!
glad you are making it to my home turf!!! Maine is gorgeous in the summer (winter, too, but it’s a bit cold). If you make your way North from Portland to Acadia via the coastal route (HW1) it’ll take you a while but all the good stuff is along that route — Boothbay Harbor, Rockland, Camden, Belfast, Castine (not on the direct route, but worth a visit, maybe combined with a day trip to Stonigton and Blue Hill), Ellsworth, and eventually Acadia.
Recommended restaurants:
Primo, Rockland (hard to get reservations, but they have a new, walk-in kind of section), best restaurant in the state, visit their garden and farm first, right next to the restaurant
Chase’s Daily, Belfast (vegetarian, they also grow their own produce, and sell it as an indoor FM in their restaur.)
Cleonice, Ellsworth
86 This! (sandwich and wrap place, Ellsworth)
Havanna, Bar Harbor
Mount Desert Ice Cream, Bar Harbor
Awesome! Thanks for the suggestions!
We went to Portland in June and really loved it. If you guys like baked goods or desserts, I can HIGHLY recommend Scratch Baking Co in South Portland. We bought a big box of stuff and enjoyed it for several days while we were on vacation. Then we bought another box of yumminess on our way out of town. Soooooo good and a really fun little place.
Maine is absolutely beautiful! I went during July last summer and I have been dreaming of going back ever since. I definitely recommend stopping in Kennebunkport. It is a cute little town right on the water with great food and cute shopping. It is in the south east corner of Maine, but it is definitely worth to stop if you have half a day to fill!!
That sounds delightful!! I have never been to Maine either, but it sounds like so much fun.
I live in Vermont but have been to Maine several times. If you go through Rockport, my friend works at Avena Botanicals which is a fabulous place. http://www.avenabotanicals.com/ Check it out. Also a little further south, is Roberts Grill, http://robertsmainegrill.com/, which has local delicious food! It is in Kittery, set among commercial outlet stores. Fun times!!!
When we lived in maine we loved alexias pizza in belfast, the camden deli in camden. This past summer we found a new local foods italian restaurant by the camden harbor, good, no idea if its still there. Mt. Battie in camden is a great hike, plus there is a whole network of trails there. Any of the acadia hikes are good from what i’ve heard. For food up there the jordon pond house is famous for their popovers and jam. Thurstons lobster pound is abit of a drive, not sure which town, but worth finding. Have fun, definitely recommend driving route 1 and enjoy the towns on the way!
I’m not from Maine, and it’s been a while since I’ve visited, but my family and I used to drive up there and we did that for a few summers. The town of York is just lovely and charming…so is Kennebunkport. And of course the lobsters can’t be beat! (back when I wasn’t vegetarian…) We used to go to a fishmonger and get lobsters by the pound, and have them cook the lobsters for us instead of eating out at a restaurant, so we can eat it the way we want to. (Plus we are such a big family, it was just cheaper to do it this way!) This reminds me to plan a trip up there… and I just might enjoy a lobster again… 😉
Here is a good link, the Maine Magazine, which is fabulous, great photos and articles. they have really awesome tips for things to do and where to eat for different destinations in Maine, mostly along the coast. They are called 48h in….. Check it out!
http://themainemag.com/travel/48-hours-in.html
Thanks!
Your trip sounds amazing, I want to head to Maine at some point as I’ve heard so many great stories about the area. Keep us all posted on your adventures!