Forum Discussion

RedLionCookie's avatar
May 23, 2018

Maine Vacation

My wife (in our 50's) are planning a summer trip to Maine. Going to spend the 4th of July in Boston and then head north on Route 1 with our final destination being Bar Harbor. I'm looking for recommendations of things to see and do. It's just my wife and I. The kids won't be along so we aren't looking for things like amusement parks and such.



We'd camp at/near the following:
Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Camden, Boothbay

Here's my initial itinerary. Any suggestions or modifications are appreciated.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018 Boston
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 Boston
Thursday, July 5, 2018 Wells Beach
Friday, July 6, 2018 Kennebunkport
Saturday, July 7, 2018 Old Orchard/Portland (Old Port)
Sunday, July 8, 2018 Bar Harbor
Monday, July 9, 2018 Bar Harbor
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 Bar Harbor
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Camden
Thursday, July 12, 2018 Camden
Friday, July 13, 2018 Boothbay Harbor
Saturday, July 14, 2018 Boothbay Harbor
Sunday, July 15, 2018 Home
  • We like to stop in Freeport ME., the home of LL Bean. It's a nice town.
    The last I knew they still allow overnighting in the town parking lot.
    We also like the Sea Dog Brewery/Restaurant in Bangor.
  • Yarmouth, Maine has the world's largest globe -- Eartha. It is a fun stop, especially with kids, but won't take long.

    L.L. Bean is an interesting stop.

    Joyce
  • Boston has all sorts of stuff to see and do--many excellent museums, Old Ironsides and other historical sites, etc. You should have no trouble filling a day and a half. I've enjoyed the Museum of Fine Art and (though it's been a long time) the Science Museum and the Aquarium. The Van de Graf generator in the Science Museum is impressive.

    If you like Mongolian barbecue/create your own stir fry sorts of places, Fire + Ice is quite decent, though a bit cramped.

    Avoid if at all possible driving in Boston proper, doubly so with the trailer. It's not a fun city to attempt to navigate by surface street, to mention nothing of the fun of parking (and paying for the privilege). Public transit works well; the subway is not too hard to figure out. The tunnels in the area (which mainly means I-93 and I-90 under the city proper) do not permit propane. Apologies if you're already well aware of these things.

    Your last day's drive home looks very long. I might think about splitting it up, and I don't mind fairly long drives. You know your own limits better than any of us.
  • Wells, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach are all within about a half hour. You can stay in one place for three nights and see everything in that area. Ogunquit and Perkins Cove are nice but be aware it gets VERY busy in summer with bumper to bumper traffic at times.
  • I'm sure Acadia National Park is on your itinerary, but plan on a couple of days if you really want to see the park. Bike riding was fun on the carriage roads.

    Doug