Castaway

Cape Neddick Light

Doug Gaudette

Hi Greg,
Maine is indeed a beautiful state and I'm lucky to live here. Just a head's-up, the Nubble lighthouse is undergoing a restoration and will not be a great photo op. There are still many other great things to see and photograph in the York area. Enjoy.
Doug

blue-ultra Loc: New Hampshire

Jon, I would be careful about just going to An area around Acadia NP or even Camden without a solid reservation. They book pretty solid during their tourist season, which is fairly short. There are a lot of open rooms along the way but not the highest of quality. Last year I was up in the Acadia NP area could not find a room anywhere. Ended up spending $300 for a one night stay in a Bed and Breakfast.

Another issue is pets many of them do not allow them and if the do they charge extra for them two place quoted me $100 extra.

Best to get reservations early and if you are traveling with pets make sure you mention it.

Good luck and have fun. Maine is a beautiful state, some of the best seafood around. Of course we also have excellent views here in NH and great food to choose from. Portsmouth have over 250 food establishments... Most are high end...

Bob

ERoutten Loc: Raleigh, NC

The key to going up the coast of Maine is getting off of US 1 and driving out onto the peninsulas. Go to the end of any of them and you won't regret it. My favorite is the Pemaquid Peninsula. At the end of it you will find the Pemaquid lighthouse. This is the lighthouse that is on the back of the Maine state quarter. It is also on at least half of the lighthouse calendars that are produced. Go there at sunrise and it is magical for photography. Then hit the Seagull Shop (right next door) for the best blueberry pancakes anywhere. What a way to start the day! ;-)

Cheese

Be sure to post a few pictures of lobster rolls.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Holy cow! I must be the only person on UHH who hasn't been there yet. All of your suggestions are so useful (if almost overwhelming). And your passion for Maine and its neighbors shines as bright as a lighthouse.
Special thanks for all the food suggestions - one of the great joys of traveling. Also a shout-out thanks to those who shared their photos and links. Susan from Vermont, you have some amazing photos.
Now I gotta sort this out right away. I know the best places fill up early.
Thanks again.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Stunning. Thank you.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Guyserman Loc: Benton, AR

Pemaquid was a favorite of mine when I went there in 2003. With a little scrambling around you can get some get some great scenes of the lighthouse and rocky coast.

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Don't miss the Schoodic peninsula - about 45 minutes east of Acadia. And as long as you are going to Acadia - grab lunch in Bar Harbor. Many of the trails in Acadia are crowded during peak season but the Ocean trail can still be worth it if you go really early. Has some some great views. Otter trail a little less traveled but not by much.

NH_Howie

The Moosehead Lake area is gorgeous! Stop in at the Northwoods Outfitters in the center of Greenville and chat with the folks there for ideas of where to go, or to hire a guide. For some unusual shots, go to Elephant Mountain to the B-52 crash site. It's a very short walk from the side of a dirt road. Be respectful and take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints. You can get info on line or at the Outfitters. If you stay the night, you can choose all the way from rustic ("we shut off the generators at 10:00 PM") to a few elegant inns, and much in between.

By the way, Portsmouth is on the coast in New Hampshire. Portland is on the coast in Maine.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Bring a gallon of DEET - black Flies, Mosquitoes biting Gnats and No-See-Ums are going to eat you alive. Also bring some disposable rubber gloves - because DEET will melt the rubber coverings on lenses and cameras. Aside from that you'll have an amazing time.

Portland ME is a great little town with a old section that has become quite trendy, with lots of micro breweries, GastroPubs, and excellent Lobsta rolls. But for the best lobster roll go to the lunch truck named Bite Into Maine, which you'll find at 1000 Shore Rd in Cape Elizabeth - they do a Connecticut style roll - lobster chunks poached in butter and served warm, on a toasted, split-top hot dog bun. Plus it's blueberry season. You'll find lots of shore towns and villages featuring lobster festivals - where you can get a nice deal on a large lobster, ear of corn and a wedge of homemade blueberry pie. Did I mention that lobster is available in abundance in Maine in July?

You're outta luck, as you have found out, getting to Machias Seal Island is only possible from two cruise operators, and they book a year ahead of time. The worst part is if you book and the seas are rough, the operators will not land you on the island, or even go out, cancelling the trip. Most people will book two days a few days apart, just in case. You'll only get 90 mins or so in the blind, BTW. You can sign up on a waiting list, just in case a person booked two days and got lucky the first day and cancelled the second day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CcR783bxZ8

But there are lots of lighthouses, miles of gorgeous rocky shoreline, and lots of silly tourists with cellphone and ipad cameras that will get in your way wherever you go.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

About Lobster Rolls, at Red's, supoposed to be the best in Maine, 45min wait the day we were there, you can have it 3 ways, cold ( with mayo) hot ( with butter) , or NAKED, all on a roll that who cares about, my preference is Naked nothing but lobster.