Watching whales, moose & eating seafood (yep, I'm a tourist) (Bangor: for sale, 2009)

[CRFTony]

I'm planning my second trip to Maine and I want to do some things I missed out on last time. =)

I'll be vacationing in Maine from Oct. 16-22. On my "to do" list is go on a whale watching tour, see some moose and find a good all you can eat seafood buffet (if such a thing exists, haha). So, I have some questions.

First, is mid/late October too late to go on a whale watching tour? I'd hate to waste a few hundred dollars and half a day taking my family out to see whales only to not see anything. I understand that's always a possibility and I'm not against rolling the dice, but are the odds of not seeing any whales greater that time of year? And, can anyone recommend a company to deal with? There seem to be dozens online.

Second, do they offer "moose tours". I don't know if they do, but if there I'd love to sign up for a tour. Again, if anyone can recommend a business for me to check into, I'd appreciate it!

And finally, are there any all you can eat type of seafood buffets in Bangor or around that area? I guess it could really be anywhere in Maine (as long as it's not too far north east as I don't think we're planning on heading there otherwise). Again, if someone would like to recommend their favorite restaurant, that would be awesome.

Thanks in advance for any/all help and information!

Tony

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Oct 16 to 22 is approximately moose season. You wear an orange vest and orange hat. Your chances of seeing a moose on the hoof are good. Your chances of seeing one on a snowmobile trailer are even better.

You can get an all you can eat fisherman's platter at Captain Nick's in Bangor.

I don't know if they are still offering whale watching tours in October, but some here will know.

If you missed out on all this the first time, what were you doing?

[corgis]

There are still whales out there in October but the whale watching excursions here in Eastport close the 1st of October.

[CRFTony]

Our first trip up was just sort of general sightseeing. We went to a lot of Stephen King related locations and then just took in the foliage (we were there over Columbus day last year) and visited various small town stores (and bought pumpkins, haha!) and things like that. We were hoping to see a moose, but didn't have any luck.

So when we're up this year it'll be moose season? I'm used to Western PA where hunting season doesn't start until the week after Thanksgiving. I'd rather see a live one.

I noticed some whale watching companies have dates open through the end of Oct. They might have been down in Mass. though. We could always go further south if needed for that. Glad to know there are still whales around that time of year.

And thanks for the restaurant tip! I also read about a place in Brewer here on the forum that sounds wonderful. We're more of a "roadside diner" family than an upscale restaurant one. We're hoping to get a nice variety, lobster, clams, scallops, crabs, etc. Not a lot of any one item, just a mixture.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

OK; You want Nicky's Cruisin Diner on outer Union Street. It has a 1950s street rod theme and the food is excellent.

Nicky's Cruisin Diner, Bangor, ME 04401 | MenuPix Bangor

Just for you we'll cut off the moose hunt on October 17. You will have October 18,19,20,21 and 22 to view moose on the hoof. Are we accommodating or what?

"2009 Season Dates and Areas Open to Moose Hunting
September 28 through October 3, 2009
October 12 through October 17, 2009
November 2 through November 28, 2009 (Special hunts in very limited areas)"

[AustinB]

Bar Harbor may have some whale tours that late in the season. There isn't any thing like an all you can eat seafood buffet. Usually the fishermans platter at most restaurants is enough. Some places have all you can eat fish fry's on some nights. Usually Fridays. go figure.

[retiredtinbender]

Do they still do the guarenteed-see-a -moose tours around Greenville?

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by retiredtinbender

Do they still do the guarenteed-see-a -moose tours around Greenville?

If they do, I need to take one. I seem to carry a moose repellent force field around with me. Unless you count my cat, Moose, of course.

[fxtrader]

The Clam Bake in Scarborough just over the Old Orchard Beach line has an excellent seafood menu. They are opened Thurs. to Sun from Labor Day to Columbus Day. It is a large restaurant with seating capacity of over 700 and has a large seafood menu.
Booth Bay Harbor has whale watching into Oct., but not sure the cut off date.

[IRV007]

Is Ruth and Wimpy's in Hancock still open? Last I looked it was For Sale but every time I've been up to BIL place on Tunk Lake we'd end up there at least once.