Maine for a week - what else to do? (Portland: houses, school)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I've noticed that today. I stopped for breakfast at 7 at the Portland Egg and I. Couple of old guys and one old lady in there just complaining about everything under the sun. Stopped in at some roadside diner spot off US-1 and overheard a bunch of guys talking some roofing jobs on islands. I've been involved in more random conversations at bars here over the last three days than the last three months at home.

The locals really like to talk here. I've also noticed the young people don't have much of an accent, but the older locals have very heavy accents and are super chatty. I have a heavy accent and every person I've asked "where am I from?" here has said Alabama. That's not correct, but I guess I'm as much of a novelty to them as they are to me.

Also fwiw Portland isn't really "Maine". I mean it is but it isn't. Sometimes derogatorily referred to as "Boston North". In reality it's a blend of Boston, coastal Maine, with a bit of Asheville (or Burlington, VT) thrown in there.

[svband76]

Bangor's casino is at the harness (standardbred) horse racing track. Maine and harness racing go way back. My grandfather love the sport as do I .. still. Anyone sounds like you're having some fun. Post some photos here or on the photos discussion thread

[MassVt]

AS you get away from the downtown area, Bangor has many rather pleasant tree-lined streets, with well-maintained lawns. It's a fairly nice city, but a long way from Boston..

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by MassVt

It's a fairly nice city, but a long way from Boston..

Who said anything about going to Boston? OP came to visit MAINE.

[skeddy]

Go to J's at the harbor in Portland if you like steamers...

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by MassVt

AS you get away from the downtown area, Bangor has many rather pleasant tree-lined streets, with well-maintained lawns. It's a fairly nice city, but a long way from Boston..

A lot of those nice homes seem to be off Union Street. I drove around a lot today. Bull Moose was awesome. I’m pretty bored today. If the weather breaks, I’ll do Acadia tomorrow.

[Serious Conversation]

I’m flying back to Tennessee this morning. Quick couple of thoughts.

I really loved the US 1A drive between Bangor and Bar Harbor. Beautiful low mountains, Ellsworth was charming.

I did the Acadia loop drive, some hiking, and went to Sandy Beach, Cadillac Mountain, the Acadia Gardens, some other places. Fun, but super crowded even on a Wednesday.

Bar Harbor was too congested to even park.

I spent most of the past two days in Portland. I liked it a lot more. Great little town, even outside Old Port.

I drove as far north as Orono on 95 and drove US 1 back down from Bar Harbor. amazing scenery.

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I’m flying back to Tennessee this morning. Quick couple of thoughts.

I really loved the US 1A drive between Bangor and Bar Harbor. Beautiful low mountains, Ellsworth was charming.

I did the Acadia loop drive, some hiking, and went to Sandy Beach, Cadillac Mountain, the Acadia Gardens, some other places. Fun, but super crowded even on a Wednesday.

Bar Harbor was too congested to even park.

I spent most of the past two days in Portland. I liked it a lot more. Great little town, even outside Old Port.

I drove as far north as Orono on 95 and drove US 1 back down from Bar Harbor. amazing scenery.

That's kind of depressing considering school isn't even out yet. I really want to go to Cadillac Mountain, but hate crowds AND cold weather so I have no idea when to plan it.

Did you like it, and Acadia otherwise?

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I am going to try and make it there on Wednesday. I spent most of yesterday in Ogunquit, spent a couple of hours on the beach, then walked Marginal Way. Got tons of great shots there. I drove down to Portsmouth - it was OK but not worth the time really. It was recommend to me by a couple in the Charlotte airport. I was in bed by like 9 last night.

I was up by 5 this morning and on the road by 7. Stopped in Freeport, visited LL Bean (disappointment), hit another sporting good store that was much better than LL Bean somewhere off US-1 before Camden, hiked a good bit at Wolfe's Neck Park, drove on up US-1 past Camden, spent a couple more hours in Camden State Park, hiked to the top of Mt. Battie, got more good shots, then drove to Bangor along rural roads.

I really, really like Bangor for some reason. A bit rough and gritty, easy to get around, great food and drinking scene downtown. Tomorrow is supposed to be a washout, but I'm at least going to drive around Bangor. and get some shots there. I need a haircut. I'd like to take some shots at the university up in Orono and go to a brewery up there if we get a break in the rain. I might go to tHe casino. I've actually never been to a casino, other than to eat, so that would be kind of cool. There's a seafood restaurant at a marina on the Penobscot I'd like to hit up.

Wednesday is probably Acadia. I was sort of unimpressed with US-1 to Camden - not much scenery. After Camden, you had a lot more sea scenery visible from the highway. I tried to spend some time in downtown Camden by the harbor, but couldn't find any parking around 2. Bar Harbor isn't that bad of a drive from Bangor. I'm definitely taking the turnpike back to Portland.

I'm going to focus on coastal stuff once I get back that way. I'm not going to the interior parks. The hiking and woods/mountain stuff is just too similar to my regular routine. Not bad by any means, but just the same.

I've really been running nonstop since Friday. I'm sunburned and physically tired. I've walked a minimum of six miles each day and got in eight today. Tomorrow is going to be a slow day. I only booked the hotel here in Bangor for one night, but will probably stay here tomorrow night as well, and maybe Wednesday night.

I want to get in a full, honest to God beach day at Ogunquit Friday before I leave. The weather looks good.

I really like it up here and will come back again, but I'll probably fly into Bangor if it's at all feasible. I might be able to make it back around Labor Day.

Portsmouth is actually a great town, especially if you know where to go, but of course you're taking the lightning tour and driving all the way down from Portland - eeeps. Camden and Rockport are stunning, and there are actually tons of great places tucked away in that region to visit; Downtown Camden gets a lot of visitors in summer and while not nearly as bad as Bar Harbor, it can be crowded. I visit there a lot and love it, but I kind of go around the crowds rather than meet them head-on, PM me if you want tips. The sporting goods store you hit on Rte 1 was almost surely Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport - it's a great spot and they offer bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals, plus guided and/or group trips with all of those toys.

I am amazed at how much ground you're covering in a short visit!

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

I’m flying back to Tennessee this morning. Quick couple of thoughts.

I really loved the US 1A drive between Bangor and Bar Harbor. Beautiful low mountains, Ellsworth was charming.

I did the Acadia loop drive, some hiking, and went to Sandy Beach, Cadillac Mountain, the Acadia Gardens, some other places. Fun, but super crowded even on a Wednesday.

Bar Harbor was too congested to even park.

I spent most of the past two days in Portland. I liked it a lot more. Great little town, even outside Old Port.

I drove as far north as Orono on 95 and drove US 1 back down from Bar Harbor. amazing scenery.

Mt Desert Island is spectacular but I imagine it attracts more visitors than any other location, and there is no denying that the crowds in the most famous spots, whether in town or at the natural areas, can be frustrating. I don't want to speak too clearly in this open forum, but you can still really enjoy your visit there, you just need to think about the ways that you can avoid the crowds. I agree that Ellsworth is actually very nice. It doesn't get a lot of love on this forum for some reason - I think many tourists only see the big box stores on the outskirts, which are very useful for the locals, but not interesting for out-of-towners... If you return to Portland, you should also explore scenic Cape Elizabeth, which is just a short drive away.