Going to Maine: Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive...

AVG Loc: Pittsburgh

Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive North, that's the plan. Now we have to fill in the gaps of what to do. My previous request about such a trip was bountiful from the Hogs. Please bless me with your personal ideas about Maine.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well, not knowing your interests.....
Lighthouses are usually a hit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lighthouses_in_Maine.
US 1 has a lot of neat little towns along the way. It goes up to Lubec.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

AVG wrote:

Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive North, that's the plan. Now we have to fill in the gaps of what to do. My previous request about such a trip was bountiful from the Hogs. Please bless me with your personal ideas about Maine.

Maine is a gorgeous state. Whether you explore the coast (highly recommended) or the interior, you'll find plenty to stoke your creativity. The coast is more developed for tourism. From Boothbay harbor to the eastern-most point in the USA, you'll find color, a swift, cold ocean, lighthouses abd B&B joints. You can cross into Canada and watch the huge tides in the area come and go. A photographer's dream! Good luck. Get a good map.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Coincidence, my wife and I are going to Maine in September also, hitting a Moose Safari first then down to Wells for a few days, Doing Kittery as far as Freeport or maybe a little further. Suggestions , google lighthouses, 4 in Portland if I remember right, Miss Portland diner had good eats every time we stopped there, Boothbay Harbor is a nice stop or to stay, Gardens by the Sea is there, Bar Harbor and Acadia are great photo ops, Your going to enjoy the trip, oh south of Portland but consider Nubble (Cape Neddick Light) and a stop at Maine Diner, more good eats!

AVG Loc: Pittsburgh

I think rrm0605 and his/her map idea matches Longshadow's Rte 1 idea very nicely. Just like you can only eat so much lobster, you can't make a week out of lighthouses (unless you're doing a coffee table book).

Thanks

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

The Maine coastline is longer than that of California! Lighthouses are a must, of course. Don’t stay on main;0) roads. You have to see Acadia National Park. Try the Wonderview for breakfast in Bar Harbor, the place is aptly named and the food is excellent. Castine and Rockland are charming. Do stop in Freeport to visit the mother ship of L L Bean. Robert’s Grill is superb for lunch or dinner.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

mizzee wrote:

The Maine coastline is longer than that of California! Lighthouses are a must, of course. Don’t stay on main;0) roads. You have to see Acadia National Park. Try the Wonderview for breakfast in Bar Harbor, the place is aptly named and the food is excellent. Castine and Rockland are charming. Do stop in Freeport to visit the mother ship of L L Bean. Robert’s Grill is superb for lunch or dinner.

Recommendation for Bar Harbor food, The Thirsty Whale, lot of other good places but that's the name I remember.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Looking at favorite tourist destinations is a good place to start; they are popular for a reason. If you prefer something unique that hasn't already been photographed thousands of times by other people, then try exploring areas which are somewhat off the beaten path - discovery is half the fun.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

AVG wrote:

Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive North, that's the plan. Now we have to fill in the gaps of what to do. My previous request about such a trip was bountiful from the Hogs. Please bless me with your personal ideas about Maine.

Avoid Bar Harbor on any days when cruise ships are in port (if cruise lines are operating again by the time of your trip). It is far too crowded. Southwest Harbor is a tiny berg with a couple of good food spots and there is one lighthouse nearby.

MDI Mainer

BobHartung wrote:

Avoid Bar Harbor on any days when cruise ships are in port (if cruise lines are operating again by the time of your trip). It is far too crowded. Southwest Harbor is a tiny berg with a couple of good food spots and there is one lighthouse nearby.

No mega cruise ships this year. Only a few American Cruise Lines 100 passenger landings.

MDI Mainer

If visiting Acadia check out this thread: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-686349-1.html

Best tip is to buy Colleen Miniuk's photo guide: https://www.photographingacadia.com/

Wolf's Neck Woods State Park and Owls Head Lighthouse are often less crowded Southern Maine destinations and are within easy striking distance of Portland:

https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/parks-natural-attractions/wolfes-neck-woods-state-park

https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/lighthouses-sightseeing/owls-head

Ditto for the Rachel Carson NWR and Laudholm Reserve:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel_carson/

https://www.wellsreserve.org/

Up north West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and Roque Bluffs State Park are worth the slog:

https://westquoddy.com/

https://www.stateparks.com/roque_bluffs_state_park_in_maine.html

If you want a special treat, take the ferry out to Monhegan Island, for a day or even better a few nights:

https://monheganwelcome.com/

https://islandinnmonhegan.com/

Last tip -- make your reservations early. With the pent up demand and heightened interest in outdoor activities stemming from the pandemic, the tourist season this year is exceptionally busy!

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

AVG wrote:

Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive North, that's the plan. Now we have to fill in the gaps of what to do. My previous request about such a trip was bountiful from the Hogs. Please bless me with your personal ideas about Maine.

My Lady and I stayed in Maine for a week in October of 2015 during the turning of the leaves. One of the unexpected fun things we did was the Steven King tour in Bangor. Being a fan of his writing, I was quite pleased with the informative guide Stu and his knowledge of all things King. Here’s a link to a an article on SK Tours: https://bangordailynews.com/2021/06/13/news/bangor/bangors-sk-tours-featured-in-stephen-king-segment-on-cbs-sunday-morning/

Steven Kings house is all you’d expect it to be too. Creepy and cool all at once.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BobHartung wrote:

Avoid Bar Harbor on any days when cruise ships are in port (if cruise lines are operating again by the time of your trip). It is far too crowded. Southwest Harbor is a tiny berg with a couple of good food spots and there is one lighthouse nearby.

Sips in Southwest Harbor.

MDI Mainer

rmm0605 wrote:

You can cross into Canada and watch the huge tides in the area come and go. . . Get a good map.

As of this writing border with Canada is closed to non-essential crossings.

The best map is the DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer:

https://www.amazon.com/Delorme-Maine-Atlas-Gazetteer-dp-1946494186/dp/1946494186/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

AVG wrote:

Two amateur photographers and our wives are headed to Maine in September. It's a coastline trip because we're not hikers or woodlands people. Land in Portland and drive North, that's the plan. Now we have to fill in the gaps of what to do. My previous request about such a trip was bountiful from the Hogs. Please bless me with your personal ideas about Maine.

A must is a lobster roll and steamed clams.