Kennebunkport, Boothbay, or Bar Harbor

I am so confused! We plan to travel up from Georgia in early June to visit Maine%26#39;s coast. After much research online, I%26#39;m more confused about where to go.

I%26#39;m not so naive to think that places out of a Norman Rockwell painting still exist in Maine! But maybe they do! My wife and I would love great scenery, good (not necessarily expensive) local food, reasonable lodging (not high end), quaint villages, friendly folks (not prententious), neat nooks and crannies (shops, etc..), and a limited amount of tourist mobs. Is this to much to ask of one of the towns listed and of the first week in June? We%26#39;ll gladly take any other advice you can offer. Thanks.

Kennebunkport, Boothbay, or Bar Harbor

How much time do you want to spend in the car.kennebunkport is the closest ,some nice beaches in the area but rte 1 can be just one slow line of traffic and you will need the car to get around.Bar hbr ,acadia national park is beautiful but the ride could use up some of your time.go with boothbay hbr plenty to see you can get around the town without a car Nice shops boat cruises,deep seafishing.Still a working harbor,more blue collar thanthe other two.Contact the chamber of commerce they provide info on private cottage rentals .many good inns as well Also about 40 minutes from freeport%26amp;LL Bean More? Mr irresponsible

Kennebunkport, Boothbay, or Bar Harbor

In early June, none of those locations will be horrendously crowded. I think the area that most fits what you%26#39;re looking for is either Boothbay Harbor or the next peninsula up: the twin towns of Damariscotta and Newcastle which are the top of the peninsula leading down to Pemaquid Lighthouse. The surrounding villages like South Bristol, Bristol and Round Pond will give you scenery, friendly not pretentious people, fun shops, and good local food.

Hi Coolray,

Any of the places you mentioned would be fun. But of course I%26#39;d have to recommend Boothbay Harbor, as I think it has most of what you%26#39;re looking for.

Check out www.boothbayharbor.com. Its the Chamber of Commerce%26#39;s site and is a great source for tourist information.

You might also want to purchase a copy of Christina Tree%26#39;s %26#39;Maine: An Explorer%26#39;s Guide%26#39; for recommendations on accomodations, restaurants, site seeing trips, etc. I%26#39;ve used the guide for years when I travel outside of my area and its never steered me wrong :).

What%26#39;s also good about Boothbay Harbor is that its central to many other areas. You could take daytrips to Kennebunk (about 1 1/2 hour drive), Camden and Rockland (about a 1 hour drive), Portland (hour drive), Freeport (home to LL Bean and about 45 minute drive), or the Pemaquid peninsula which is beautiful and is the home to Pemaquid Light (about 45 minute drive).

If you%26#39;d like further or more detailed info, post again and I%26#39;ll help out if I can :).

cozyharbor

I travel from Houston Texas to Boothbay Harbor each April or May and truly appreciate the area. Early June is only for a subset of flexible travelers who have done their homework. For the vast majority of tourists, Windjammer Days toward the end of June kicks off tourist season.

See ';A Preseason Vacation in Boothbay Harbor'; at www.undergroundconsumer.com for very specific detailed information.

I like Camden, with day trips inland to the Maine State Museum in Augusta (lunching and shops in Hallowell)....day trip to Belfast and Searsport, day trip to Rockland and Thomaston (Amy%26#39;s Pies at the grocery!!!)................maybe stop a night at the york Harbor Inn in York, or in Ogunquit, on your way up to Camden or Boothbay.

How are you getting to Maine and how long are you staying?

Each of the three places are worthy of a visit. Each location has its own charm but generally speaking each should be able to fulfill your requirements. Depending on the time you have and if you want to drive a little, you might even consider visiting all three. Early June is before the busy season and you should be able to find lodging fairly easy.

The original post was from 1/2008. Something happened to bump it back up, but I%26#39;m guessing they%26#39;ve already come and gone :-)