Where to vacation in Southern Maine?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

In July my nephew is going to a week long sleep away camp in New Hampshire. My sister wants to pick him up (we will be driving from NJ) at the end of the week and go to Maine for a week. I think we don't want to travel any further than Portland. Neither of us know anything about Maine.

What we do know is that we want a house to rent, lots of lobster, water sports, boating, hiking and kid friendly. Oh, she didn't say this but I know she'll want to do some shopping.

So what do you think?

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Sueb20

8 years ago

We vacationed in Ogunquit for many years, so that would be my vote. However, you can drive easily from Ogunquit to Kennebunkport and vice versa, so you'd be able to see both places no matter where you stay.

I also love Portland but I don't know anything about the beaches around there. Again -- you could take a day trip from Kennebunkport to Portland. So maybe you could stay in Kennebunkport but spend a day in Portland and a day in Ogunquit while you're there...

Great shopping in all three places, too. And restaurants!

We used to stay at the Dunes in Ogunquit. It's a colony of little cottages on the Ogunquit river, with a pool and lots of green space. Shuffleboard, board games at the main office to borrow, really quaint. Haven't been there in many years but we loved it at the time. The only drawback is that you have to drive to the beach unless you go across the river -- in a boat at high tide or walking at low tide. Our kids were little at the time so we just drove to the beach.

I also suggest stopping in Portsmouth, NH on the way! More shopping and food. ;)

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Comments (12)

scone911
8 years ago
Kennebunkport. Lots of everything, extremely pretty, but not cheap. Accomodations book up very fast in summer, you might want to do it now.
User
8 years ago
I was also going to say kennebunkport. Portland is a really nice city, though,, down at the water.
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User
8 years ago
Check out Kennebunk. It might be a tad cheaper than Kennebunkport.

Kennebunk Beach
roarah
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I love the old sea village feel of York beach and the artsy community of Ogunquit Maine. There are also beautiful lakes near Portland as well.
User
8 years ago
Isn't Mtn's Maine house near Ogunquit & York?
Bonnie
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Look at Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, both of which are charming, as others have suggested. Our favorite of the two is Kennebunkport. It is just so lovely!
maire_cate
8 years ago
I know these are beyond Portland but you might consider Camden, Rockland, Rockport, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We're also in NJ and we've vacationed in those areas several times and have always enjoyed our stays.
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
My house! Seriously, you should come for lunch if you are in the area and we are up. I'd love to meet you.

Kennebunkport and Ogunquit are both nice (and I would not miss the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, a nice stroll with great views). I think Kennebunkport has nicer hotels if you are looking for high-end. Eg The White Barn Inn or the Tides.

When we went to Ogunquit for the first time we stayed at Sea Rose Suites. Very spacious suites with laundry and full kitchens, balconies. Centrally located. Nice,clean,new but not fancy.

I think you will find plenty to do between Portland, Me and the NH border (that is maybe 1-1.25 hr.s). Avoid coming or going on a weekend, if you can; traffic is no fun on weekends.

Just over the NH border are the Kittery outlets. I am not an outlet person (i might be if they were real outlets, but nowadays there is more sg footage of outlet retail than traditional retail in the US!) but it is a popular area. There are some fun boutiques in Portsmouth, NH, Ogunquit, the Kennebunks and Portland. Lots of really good places to eat.

You are wise to plan now. Things get booked up very very fast. Feel free to email me with any q!
nhbaskets
8 years ago
I think all of us in the southern ME/seacoast NH area should get together for lunch!

Be sure to spend an afternoon or evening in Portsmouth, NH. Many great restaurants and shops. Prescott Park (Link) has plays and music throughout the summer.
MagdalenaLee
Original Author
8 years ago
Your house? Well, Mtn, if you insist!

Thank you for all of the suggestions. Looks like we are looking too late! Most of the house rentals are booked up already. We'll have to look at hotels, thanks for all of the suggestions, I'll look into all of them.

I would love to go as far up as Acadia, but my sister is dead set on not going any further up than Portland. I think we'll be focusing on Kennebunkport. I think we want to keep the rate below $350/night, which might be a challenge during the summer.

Ugh, I do not want to go to an outlet mall. I live five minutes from a massive outlet so they do nothing for me. I would prefer small town quaint shopping.

I'll check out Portsmouth as well.

I would love a Maine meet up. Sounds like fun!
User
8 years ago
Eating lobster in Maine.

lobster

Where to vacation in Southern Maine?

Sueb20

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