davidsphotos Loc: West Palm Beach

Some friends are going to spend 5 days in New Hampshire and Maine focused on Photography. Any recommendations for the best itinerary and photo stops. Leaving from Manchester and departing from Bangor.

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

Yes. Stay longer, and be near the coast........I used to live there and wish I were back.....sometimes.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

We have been in New Hampshire for the last 5 weeks looking for a house. We are in the Lakes Region. Where we are staying there is a lot of snow on the ground. The lake is still frozen. This time of year I would go from Manchester to Portsmouth, A lot of history and interesting homes and very good restaurants. If they lie Italian make a reservation at Ristorante Massimo. After that head to RT 1 and go up the coast of Maine.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

We moved to New Hampshire, and have been to a few places. I would recommend Kennibunctport, it is in Mass. But between Maine, Mass and New Hampshire, everything is only an hour or two distance. (I know the spelling isn't correct, but you get the picture...) and Rockport. Also, the Kannamangus Highway in the White Mountain area of N.H. If you like water, Flume Gorge is a must to see. It is also in the White Mountain area. The highway is world renowned for its beauty.
Hope this helps...
Rich...

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

When are they going? This time of year is not optimum. Many areas are closed. Winter snow is leaving and spring green hasn’t started.

Kennebunkport is in Maine. Freeport Maine has the flagship store for LLBean. Booth Bay Harbor Maine has the excellent Coastal Maine Botanical Garden.

Cog Railway up Mount Washington.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Thanks Jr... I forgot that K was in Maine...
Rich...

repleo Loc: Boston

For something different, 'discover' the Lowell National Historical Park in MA. Lowell, MA is an easy 40 minutes from Manchester. The 'park' is a large in-town campus dedicated to the Industrial Revolution and features mills, factories, trolley / rail museum and a network of canals and water walks. Travel around by tram or barge. Lots of other interesting re-purposed industrial era buildings and structures in Lowell also.

Work your way up Coastal Maine exploring the little harbors along the way, but leave a day or two for Bar Harbor and Acadia NP on Desert Island. Actually, you could spend the whole five days on Mount Desert Island and it wouldn't be enough. If weather permits have a delightful 'tea and pop-overs' looking out over Jordan Pond from relaxing Adirondack chairs on the lawn of the Jordan Pond House after your climb up Cadillac Mountain (actually you can drive up.).

In NH, I would suggest a 'loop' from Lincoln across the Kancamagus Highway (Rt 112) stopping at Rocky Gorge Scenic Area to North Conway (big factory outlet center). Then back along Crawford Notch Road (Rt 302) catching Mt Washington Hotel with Mt Washington in the background and then south on 93 through Franconia Notch. However, that route is a pretty long drive and far North of where you are headed. It may not be the best use of your time, although you could do it and get back to Manchester in a full day.

Jrhoffman75 Loc: Conway, New Hampshire

bird whisperer Loc: Massachusetts

If they would like to see Snowy Owls have them go to Rye Harbor, Rye, NH Rte. 1A or Salisbury Beach Reservation, Salisbury, MA Rte. 1A. Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Plum Island, MA is good for Snowy Owl, Short Eared Owl, Barred Owl and Osprey, Northern Harrier, American Bald Eagle. Enjoy!
Cliff 🇺🇸 😎

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

I would be careful of the northern routes and places recommended by some of the posters. It is still spring here many of the locations mentions are closed and will not reopen until the snow melts. If you are looking for snow capped mountian's by all means go to the White mountains and you will see skiers still enjoying the snow and Mt Washington the highest peak in the north-east. If you are looking for seascapes by all means travel to the coast . There you will find New Castle and Fort Constition where the first action of the Revolution occurred, then there is Hampton Beach noted as one of the top beaches in the country. Of course then there is Portsmouth where the ships were built for the revolution and the History around there is lenthy included the John Paul Jones house. A very short ride over the river and you will be in Maine and the Nubble Lighthouse is in York, The most photographed lighthouse in New England... There is so much to see, do and eat in the area you will not be disappointed. I can send you photos if you would like to see some of these place, of course you can goggle them and see for yourself... Welcome to my home state our moto is "Life Free or Die" from the famous General in the Revolution Gen John Stark. If you are interested, Concord is our capitol and the State House is the longest used in the original state house in America lots of photo oppertunties there also a 30 min drive from the Manchester airport.

Bob

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

Bear in mind... It has been a very cold spring.
I am in Mass near the NH border and it is 30 degrees right now. We just lost the last of the snow pretty much.
there will be a lot of snow and ice in a lot of places up that way.

That said... Portsmouth is a nice small city on the coast as well as Portland. Lot of great restaurants in both cities. Excellent art museum in Portland. Ogunquit is a nice small village on the coast. Quite scenic harbor there... and there wont be many tourists this time of year.
you could take a short ferry ride from Portland out to Peaks Island for a few hours or an adventure longer boat ride out to Monhegan Island
Monhegan is an artist colony a hour or so out from Boothbay Hbr.
Note, it will be cold as h out there. Bring it on the winter clothing.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

A short but fun trip! Two days in NH: around the Kacamangus Highway and go up the Mt. Washington cog railroad if the day is clear - otherwise visit more covered bridges. Down to Portland (only an hour) - South Portland to the Portland Head Light, then up the cost - Rt 1 to Pemaquid Peninsula and the beautiful Pemaquid Lighthouse. Visit Camden - just as pretty as Bar Harbor but less crowded - but you really do need to plan a day going to Bar Harbor and around Acadia. Have fun! Eat lahbstah!

jwm1944 Loc: Maryland

The Maryland state house is the oldest in continuous use.

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Crucial pieces of information: When are they going? What do they like to photograph? Notice every one of us who lives in New Hampshire is warning you, "Don't go north!" unless your friends want to shoot lots of snow shots. I agree with Jrhoffman's suggestions and I'll add the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath and the Pemaquid Point lighthouse just above Damariscotta. Camden is a great coastal town although it's lost a lot of its authentic charm in favor of catering to tourists. There's a nice mountain there (Mt Batty?) giving you a great view of Camden harbor. If you go to Portsmouth (NH; not to be confused with Portland, ME) you might check out the Strawberry Banke and Odiorne State Park has an interesting WW II gun bunker for massive cannons that protected the harbor. Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park in Maine offers the quintessential Maine coastline although it's a bit of a drive to get there.

OllieFCR

This time of year the Maine coast lighthouses are a solid bet. Portland has three good ones. My favorite is Portland Head, but there are two right in town (south) about a half mile from each other: Bug Light and Spring Light. Sunrise works better, perhaps, but sunset can also be good.