A Complete Maine Travel Guide

Birthdays are something I’ve started to hide from, like pull the covers over your head and turn on Love Actually kind of hide from…side note I just can’t resist that movie, but THIS year was far from any ordinary birthday.  For my 35th birthday….(yes I feel old typing that…sigh, I’ll have you know I am still 24 at heart), Justin surprised me with a bon voyage birthday getaway!!  He planned out the entire shindig by himself, giving me various clues all week long, totally stumping me.  In fact he did not even tell me where we were going until we arrived at the airport.  And even then, we had a layover so I still couldn’t find out until we arrived at Washington Dulles and my oldest daughter asked him if she could spill the beans over the phone….nice touch Justin!

Maine Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do

Maine Travel Guide: Ports in Portland

Once we arrived to our first stop in Portland, Maine, we decided to splurge and rented a jeep so we could fully enjoy the weather and take in the craggy coastal scenery.   The master plan was to drive down the coast, hitting various harbors and towns, ultimately landing us in Boston.  One of the most important things if you are wanting to visit Maine is choosing the perfect time of year to visit!   We visited the last weekend in August and the weather could not have been better, much like the beloved Joe Nichols song “Sunny and 75”.  Obviously we can’t dictate Mother Nature, but we have been told this is one of the prettiest times of the year to visit Maine and my weekend was just that.  Warm sunny days, but cool cozy nights.

Portland is full of funky Hipsters, fantastic breweries (there are more than 20) and eclectic coffee shops.  The city will enchant you as you stroll down its cobblestone streets and window shop until your hearts content.  We even hit up a street art fair while we were sauntering around.  If you want to take in all of the action, be sure to visit the thriving Old Port District, the unique shops are never ending and situated so close to the Port you can smell the fresh ocean breeze.   If the beer and shopping isn’t enough for you, the food in this town is so delectable, it was voted Restaurant City of the Year by Bon Appètite.

• Favorite Restaurant- Back Bay Grill
• Favorite Brewery/Pub- Novare Res
• Best after dinner drink spot-The Portland Hunt & Alpine Club
• Favorite Coffee Shop- Speckled Ax (Honorable Mention: Tandem Coffee Roasters)

Maine Travel Guide: Coasts of Kennebunkport

If I could wrap up our next stop and put it in my pocket, I would do just that! Kennebunkport is one of the most charming coastal towns that I have ever been too.  In the center of town sits a mast ship now turned pub; yes I said pub, if that doesn’t knock your socks off I’m not sure what will!!!  This town is called “the place to be all year,”  because honestly you won’t want to leave.  Not even George Bush does, that’s why he has called this place home for many years so it must be that good!  The narrow streets are lined with one of kind shops, the most mouth watering lobster you could even dream of, and restaurants to make even grandma’s cooking seem mediocre.  Justin and I literally ate our entire bodyweight in lob-stah here and I ain’t mad about it…..except for the acid reflux I endured 2 days later…..now my old age is showing through lol.

There are cozy bed and breakfasts on every corner, all full of historic charm.  The best part is everything is within walkable distance so you can simply park your car and meander through town.   One of our favorite vacation traditions is to go a bit off the beaten path and try to go where the locals go.  We often use Trip Advisor, Yelp and Expedia.   Many of you have asked if we use a specific travel company, no, we use my husband!  Honestly we find that we get much better deals using those sites online.  You just have to do your research and not be afraid to ask the locals their favorite spots too, chances are it’s better than the place you thought you wanted to go.

• Favorite Lobstah Dinnah- Nunan’s Lobster Hut, Clam Shack,
• Favorite Kids Boutique- Daytrip Jr.
• Favorite Ice Cream Shop- Rococo Icecream
• Favorite Bar-Ryan’s Corner House Irish Pub
• Favorite Happy Hour- Old Vines
• Favorite Hangout Spot- The Spirit of Massachusetts 
• Favorite Hotel- Steal: Maine Stay Inn Bed and Breakfast, Splurge: Cape Arundel Inn and Resort
• Favorite Restarant- On The Marsh
• Favorite Coffee- Dock Square Coffee

Maine Travel Guide: Ogunquit, The Seaside Village

If romantic scenery is your thing, be sure to take in the breathtaking rocky cliffs and Walk the Marginal Way path.   Then be sure to head over to the bridge at Perkins Cove to people watch, take a boat ride or just simply stare in awe at the vast array of anchored sailboats.

Lobster Shack,  This tiny little staple did not disappoint.  The intimate rustic setting was once a lobstermen’s storage shack in the early 1900’s, it immediately sets you back in time once you walk through its doors.  This no frills hidden gem knows what they are good at.  You order right at the counter, choose between all the favorites freshly caught that day, lobstah, chowdah, steamers, you name it.  Many establishments throughout Maine have this deal where you can buy one lobster for $21.99 or 2 for $24.99.  Why buy one lobster when they are basically begging you to buy two? lol  Seems like a no brainer to me…..my stomach is talking to me right as I type this.

Maine Travel Guide: B is for Boston

Only an hour and forty-five minute drive from Portland, is the great city of Boston.  My only regret about this iconic town, was that we didn’t get to spend more time here so that we could brush up on much of our nations revolutionizing history.

Neptune Oyster,  This well known Boston staple is jam packed with people much like sardines, but well worth the wait and ironically elegantly cozy as heck.  You can almost taste the salt of the sea on your tongue the moment you sit down!  It is situtated in the bustling Italian North End neighborhood and has a fancy diner kind of feel.  The kitchen receives fish deliveries all throughout the day so if a fresh catch is your cup of tea, be sure and head on in and try one of the countless selections of oysters.

Liberty Hotel,  Have you ever wondered what it felt like to spend the night in jail?  Well now you can and without it actually going on your record.  This iconic Boston landmark was originally built as a prison in 1851 and has now transformed into a unique luxury hotel.  It boasts super stylish, elegant rooms without losing that jailhouse rock vibe.  The incarceration theme is carried much throughout the entirety of the hotel, even into the swanky contemporary restaurants attached.  My favorite urban dweller hot spot Clink, (pretty good huh?) features vestiges of original jail cells with iron clad walls and lots of exposed brick making up the setting.  Let’s just say you don’t have to handcuff me to come back!!!

And that’s a wrap, it was one heck of a trip.  The perfect weekend getaway.  Maine, you are one of the prettiest, most breathtaking places our country has to offer.  If you want charm and eternal coziness nestled around each and every corner, this northern state is calling your name.

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