Cabin on the Maine coast over New Year's
November 24, 2018 1:32 PM Subscribe
Me and the potential Mrs. FalseDmitri are seeking to rent a cabin on the Maine coast over New Year's. What can you suggest?
First, you have to make sure you find a place that's winterized - a lot of the vacation rentals there are not
posted by thelonius at 4:11 PM on November 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by thelonius at 4:11 PM on November 24, 2018 [2 favorites]
I have lots of suggestions but your answers to TWinbrook8's questions would be helpful.
posted by Miko at 9:45 AM on November 25, 2018
posted by Miko at 9:45 AM on November 25, 2018
Response by poster: We would be flying to Maine, so the drive would be from whatever big airport(s) that is.
No camping, cabiin.
Beach, rocky shore, cottage on island: ok
posted by falsedmitri at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2018
No camping, cabiin.
Beach, rocky shore, cottage on island: ok
posted by falsedmitri at 4:18 PM on November 25, 2018
Basically, you'd be flying into Portland. Bangor is the other big airport and won't really get you close to what you want.
Once you land, you will almost certainly have to drive. How far are you willing to drive?
However, if you do fly into Portland, there are a couple of possible options that aren't that far from the airport, maybe even Uber distance or at least car service distance. The first that leaps to mind is Peaks Island. It's very close to Portland, but as an island (with no cars) it feels remote and a world away. You take the ferry - here is their winter schedule. It's a 15-minute ride.
It is not a hotbed of activity in the off season. It will offer few options and be very quiet, which is sometimes exactly what a person wants. You would need to buy most of your groceries ahead of time or on the way. Looks like there is one restaurant open. Here's a nice post about walking to Battery Steele. More info here.
This might be a good option because it's not that far from the airport, but will give you that Maine experience, and as you are whiling away time before and after ferry departures, you are situated right in Portland's Old Port which has plenty of shops, restaurants, and coffee places to relax in.
posted by Miko at 4:58 PM on November 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Once you land, you will almost certainly have to drive. How far are you willing to drive?
However, if you do fly into Portland, there are a couple of possible options that aren't that far from the airport, maybe even Uber distance or at least car service distance. The first that leaps to mind is Peaks Island. It's very close to Portland, but as an island (with no cars) it feels remote and a world away. You take the ferry - here is their winter schedule. It's a 15-minute ride.
It is not a hotbed of activity in the off season. It will offer few options and be very quiet, which is sometimes exactly what a person wants. You would need to buy most of your groceries ahead of time or on the way. Looks like there is one restaurant open. Here's a nice post about walking to Battery Steele. More info here.
This might be a good option because it's not that far from the airport, but will give you that Maine experience, and as you are whiling away time before and after ferry departures, you are situated right in Portland's Old Port which has plenty of shops, restaurants, and coffee places to relax in.
posted by Miko at 4:58 PM on November 25, 2018 [1 favorite]
Peaks Island has cars, by the way, but is is good suggestion, especially if you can find an airbnb on the side of the island that doesn't face Portland. Winter residency is about 900 people. You can get a drink at the American Legion hall most nights, that's about it.
You might check in the Belfast area, or Camden. Both 3ish hours drive from Portland. A lot of the non-hotel properties are seasonal, though, outside of ski country.
posted by donnagirl at 1:42 PM on November 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
You might check in the Belfast area, or Camden. Both 3ish hours drive from Portland. A lot of the non-hotel properties are seasonal, though, outside of ski country.
posted by donnagirl at 1:42 PM on November 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
I agree, Peaks is your best bet. Please note that if the listing says "fireplace/wood stove" but not "winterized" (ie, no insulation) then it's going to be awfully cold nonetheless. Yarmouth and South Freeport are also nearby waterfront towns (north of Portland) to check out if you don't want to deal with the ferry. Ferry Beach and Camp Ellis (south of Portland) are a possibility if you are looking for long walks on a beach.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:58 AM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:58 AM on November 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
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posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:32 PM on November 24, 2018 [3 favorites]