Haven't been to Maine in 11 years! (Portland, Rockland: school, low cost, bus)

[Easybreezy]

But I'm coming for a vacation this year. Some things in my life have changed and I basically have from August 6 to August 23 absolutely free in terms of obligations,etc. I'm giddy about this, to the point of ecstatic.

I usually come via New Hampshire, using Route 25 into Portland, then pick up Coastal Route 1, enjoying all the villages, Wiscasset, Damariscotta, a quick jog down to Pemaquid Point, and eventually stay in the Bar Harbor area for 3-5 days, although this trip may be a little longer, thinking maybe 5-7 days in Bar Harbor to get my Acadia fix.

My questions are:

1. What sort of changes am I going to see? Growth? More traffic? More silly tourists? (Yes, even though I'm from away, I find a lot of my fellow travelers, silly to the point of downright amusing. It's probably because Upstate NY is a little like Maine in some respects, only without an ocean.

2. Island Explorer bus service at Acadia. When I was last in Bar Harbor the Island Explorer bus was still in the talking stages. How is the Island Explorer actually working out? How convenient, do they leave you off where you want? Crowded? On time? Does it reduce traffic in the park? It's gotta reduce vehicles in downtown Bar Harbor where there is minimal parking.

3. Lobster festival at Winter Harbor. I'm going to try to make it over to the Winter Harbor Lobster fest on Aug 8th. The last time I went to it, it was still being held at Frazer Point, while which was beautiful, there wasn't a lot of facilities, ie bathrooms. How's the crowds, traffic, and parking? I know that there is a water ferry, but at $30/person, it's still cheaper to drive.

4. Wild Blueberry festival at Machias. I saw this the other day, think it was around Aug 17th. Is this event worth attending? Parking/traffic/crowds? Cost?

Anybody who has attending/visited this places and events and has any input I would love to hear from.

[tankratt]

Well I had no idea Winter Harbor had a lobster fest, I will be at the one in Rockland the week before that. But that is good to know I will File that one away for the future. Sounds like you will have a wicked good time. Good Luck and have a blast.

[deerislesmile]

As far as I know.. the festivities at Winter Harbor are based close to the grammar school, including the lobster bake. Except for the boat races, which are in the harbor .

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by Easybreezy

But I'm coming for a vacation this year. Some things in my life have changed and I basically have from August 6 to August 23 absolutely free in terms of obligations,etc. I'm giddy about this, to the point of ecstatic.

I usually come via New Hampshire, using Route 25 into Portland, then pick up Coastal Route 1, enjoying all the villages, Wiscasset, Damariscotta, a quick jog down to Pemaquid Point, and eventually stay in the Bar Harbor area for 3-5 days, although this trip may be a little longer, thinking maybe 5-7 days in Bar Harbor to get my Acadia fix.

My questions are:

1. What sort of changes am I going to see? Growth? More traffic? More silly tourists? (Yes, even though I'm from away, I find a lot of my fellow travelers, silly to the point of downright amusing. It's probably because Upstate NY is a little like Maine in some respects, only without an ocean.

2. Island Explorer bus service at Acadia. When I was last in Bar Harbor the Island Explorer bus was still in the talking stages. How is the Island Explorer actually working out? How convenient, do they leave you off where you want? Crowded? On time? Does it reduce traffic in the park? It's gotta reduce vehicles in downtown Bar Harbor where there is minimal parking.

3. Lobster festival at Winter Harbor. I'm going to try to make it over to the Winter Harbor Lobster fest on Aug 8th. The last time I went to it, it was still being held at Frazer Point, while which was beautiful, there wasn't a lot of facilities, ie bathrooms. How's the crowds, traffic, and parking? I know that there is a water ferry, but at $30/person, it's still cheaper to drive.

4. Wild Blueberry festival at Machias. I saw this the other day, think it was around Aug 17th. Is this event worth attending? Parking/traffic/crowds? Cost?

Anybody who has attending/visited this places and events and has any input I would love to hear from.

The events at the Machais blueberry fest appear to be over several days.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

1. What sort of changes am I going to see? More traffic?

Probably less traffic than 11 years ago.


2. Island Explorer bus service at Acadia. When I was last in Bar Harbor the Island Explorer bus was still in the talking stages.

It is up and running. They run on swamp gas or something.

3. Lobster festival at Winter Harbor. The last time I went to it, it was still being held at Frazer Point, while which was beautiful, there wasn't a lot of facilities, ie bathrooms.

There are many small lobster festivals, clam bakes and seafood dinners along the coast. Granges, fire departments, churches and Masonic lodges hold them all summer.

Maine is rural enough that we all know what to do when there are not "a lot of facilities".

4. Wild Blueberry festival at Machias. I saw this the other day, think it was around Aug 17th. Is this event worth attending? Parking/traffic/crowds? Cost?

It is definitely worth attending. Not too crowded. Low cost, but you may have to walk a ways from where you park.

[Newdaawn]

Several Septembers ago we rode the free bus from the park in Bar Harbor to the Jordan Pond house. Then after an hour or so picked up another one that swung over to Northeast Harbor and back to Bar Harbor. It was nice that my husband, who usually is driving when we do that loop, had a chance to take in more of the scenery. I believe the day we did that the Queen Mary 2 was in the harbor so it was very busy everywhere.