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Maine
The Pine Tree State
Go for the shellfish, stay for the sunrise.
Why
The Why, When & How to visit...
Maine is a magical state embraced for its stunning coastline, forests filled with pine trees, incredible sunrises, and of course lobsters (and some blueberries too). It's a great place to unwind and return refreshed!
When
How
The main airports in Maine are in Portland (PWM) and Bangor (BGR). The closest airport to Acadia National Park is Bar Harbor (BHB) and then Bangor. There are connecting flights from Boston (BOS) on Cape Air to Bar Harbor (BHB).
The best time to visit Maine is in the Summer when avg high temperatures are in the 70 degrees F or Fall to see the leaves changing colors. *Fun Fact: Almost 90% of Maine is forested.
Where
to stay...
1) Portland - In Portland, look no further than the Blind Tiger Portland. The Blind Tiger Portland is so beautifully decorated, you'll feel like you've stepped into an Architectural Digest magazine. Owned & operated by the same group as my favorite Block Island hotel - Lark Hotels, this beautifully restored Victorian B&B is located in the West End area, a 12 min drive from the Portland airport. There are just 6 rooms for an intimate stay with a communal sitting area, and breakfast room serving a daily breakfast buffet. For more information and the ability to book, click here.
2) Kennebunkport - There are lots of nice accommodations to choose from in Kennebunkport, including two more Lark Hotel sensations - the Kennebunkport Captains Collection and AWOL Kennebunkport. The Kennebunkport Captains Collection is a collection of 4 former sea Captains' homes beautifully restored with 45 immaculate rooms, breakfast room, sitting area, and terrace available here.
AWOL has a more earthy vibe to its decor. Another renovated Victorian home, with the addition of cabin-like studios on the grounds, with some rooms that have a fireplace and soaking tub available here. For a full-service option, there's White Barn Inn & Spa, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection. The inn has 26 cozy, spacious rooms, along with two restaurants, bar, spa, and outdoor pool for a relaxing retreat here.
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For two waterfront options, there are Yachtsman Hotel & Marina Club on a marina and The Colony Hotel on the ocean. Yachtsman Hotel & Marina Club has cheerful, airy vibes with rooms with high-ceilings, high-end marble bathrooms, and sliding doors leading to Adirondack chairs to relax outdoors. The hotel also has an outdoor pool & bar right on the marina, and bikes available here. Built in 1914, The Colony Hotel is a beautiful, historic hotel featuring 110 rooms with Victorian decor with an ocean, river or garden view, an outdoor pool, putting green, outdoor games, and restaurant & bar. The hotel has been owned and operated by the same family since 1947 and is Maine’s first green hotel available here.
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3) Cape Neddick - 35 min drive south of Kennebunkport is Cape Neddick where the Cliff House resides. The Cliff House is a nautical themed, waterfront, luxury full-service resort on a cliff overlooking the ocean. It has multiple F&B options, outdoor pools, spa, live music, event space, and firepits for roasting marshmellows. Most rooms face the ocean with balconies to enjoy the ocean air and watch the sunrise (pictured above) available here.
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4) Bar Harbor - For accommodations near Acadia National Park, there's Little Fig Hotel and Terramor Outdoor Resort. The Little Fig Hotel is a traditional inn with simple, but cute decor with splashes of fun within walking distance to restaurants & bars, whale watching and park entrance available here. Terramor Outdoor Resort is a wilderness resort with camp vibes a short drive from the park. It has cabin-like tents with nice bathrooms, firepits, outdoor pool, and dining hall with a bar serving an included continental breakfast available here.
What
Do
to...
1) Enjoy the Great Outdoors - With almost 90% of the state covered by forests and a vast coastline, Maine is best enjoyed outdoors. Whether that's boating and hiking or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter, Maine has an incredible landscape to enjoy. Lighthouses are also prevalent along the coast to check one out for a good photo op, like the Portland Head Light in Fort Williams State Park, a 15 min drive from downtown Portland.
Be sure to enjoy the sunrise, especially if staying on the coast. It's probably the best sunrise I've ever seen (pictured above). If staying in Portland, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit or the surrounding area, Portmouth, NH is less than an hour drive away to check out another state and town.
For a boating option, this Tall Ship Sail departs from the Maine State Pier in Portland for a 2 hour sail on a tall ship schooner across the Casco Bay to enjoy views of the shoreline available here. Or kayak across the Casco Bay from Brunswick to an oyster farm to learn about oysters and sample some here. There is also a seaplane tour from Rangeley available here and including dinner here.
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2) Eat Lots of Lobster - When in Maine, eat lobster. Maine Lobster fishery is one of the oldest continually operated industries in North America dating back to at least the 1600's. Maine is the largest lobster-producing state in the nation catching 100+ million pounds of lobster annually. ​The places I enjoyed eating lobster for the ambiance and of course the lobster were: Barnacle Billy's in Ogunquit and the Cape Neddick Lobster Pound (pictured above) both on harbors.
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Lobster boat tours are also available to learn more about lobsters and the industry, like Lulu's from Bar Harbor, Lucky Catch from Portland, Rugosa from Kennebuckport, Finest Kind from Ogunquit (right next to Barnacle Billy's) and others here and here. Acadia Lobster Cruise from the Northwest Harbor near Bar Harbor includes eating the freshly caught lobsters for a meal right on the boat.
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3) Experience Acadia National Park - Guided tours are available providing transportation from Bar Harbor to the main sites in the park, including Cadillac Mountain summit, Sieur de Monts Spring, and the scenic Ocean Drive of Thunder Hole. Acadia National Park Tours operates two tours - one for 2.5 hours and another for 3.5 hours both limited to 22 attendees.
Alternatively, See Sight Tours USA operates a 4 hour tour limited to 7 attendees with a few more stops in the park and Parson's Lobster and Seafood Shop with a live lobster demonstration and lobster roll available here. If visiting independently, park entrance passes along with the ability to make a reservation to access Cadillac Mountain are available here.
Eat
Lobster, lobster and more lobster with some shrimp, oysters, and clams too. Favorite spots to enjoy lobster are listed above.
Drink
Allen's Coffee Brandy or beer from a local brewery like Allagash or Maine Beer Company. *If of legal drinking age to drink responsibly
For a non-alcoholic option, Moxie is the official soft drink Maine. It was created in 1884 by a Maine doctor and is the oldest continually produced soft drink made in the US.
Wear
Nautical or
Wilderness
Watch
Welcome to Mooseport
by Donald Petrie
Listen
"Coastline"
by Hollow Coves
Gift
Click here for Gift ideas