Downeast Maine vacation tips

August 18, 2023 5:56 PM

Going to downeast Maine (Acadia to Lubec). Looking for interesting, not run of the mill activities and scenic attractions for two non-hiker or kayaker, bookish folks. Good food and good brewery recs a plus, as well as diversions during the drive from Portsmouth NH area.
posted by aught to Travel & Transportation around Machias, ME (8 answers total)

Best answer: There is a kind of cool sub museum in Portsmouth. You can explore an old research submarine. Tight quarters. Didn't have too much expectations going into it but my group of ages 2, 8, 13, 40 and 70 were entertained.

The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are also really cool.
posted by MadMadam at 6:18 PM on August 18, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Schoodic Peninsula.

Seal Cove Goat farm. BYOB side of the road pizza place. **

Bath, Maine has a nice Maritime museum and is a nice non touristy spot on the way up. I like the Cabin down the street for awesome cozy pizza place. Cash only I think?
posted by beccaj at 7:13 PM on August 18, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: You'll need passports because it's in Canada, but not far from Lubec is Campobello Island. There's a really neat light station that you can walk out to (short walk, not a hike) if the tide is right. I don't remember if there were walkways or rocks to walk on, but it wasn't a difficult journey.

Quoddy Head Light near Lubuc is the eastern most point in the US and kind of fun to visit.

That entire coast is one of my favorite parts of the US. Have fun.
posted by bondcliff at 8:04 PM on August 18, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Between Acadia and Lubec there isn’t a lot. So every time you see something interesting, stop! Check out a view, a store, a pretty bridge. You aren’t a hiker, but maine has many, many short trails that are relatively flat and short where you could see the ocean or a stream or a group of beautiful trees.
posted by Sukey Says at 6:14 AM on August 19, 2023

Best answer: You may find some more suggestions in this previous AskMe. As I answered in that thread, I like the Hamilton Cove Preserve hiking trail. It's not hiking hiking, pretty easily doable in regular sneakers for example. But note that there aren't restroom facilities; I was pretty desperate to find a bathroom by the time we were done with the hike.
posted by misskaz at 7:30 AM on August 19, 2023

Best answer: Do go to the International Peace park at Campobello. I was able to get there with my driver's license, shhhh, but don't rely on that. Cool to see the Roosevelt summer home, also beautiful island. Nice for walking. I loved Jasper Beach, made of smooth rocks. Quoddy Head State Park, traditional lighthouse.

Up to Freeport, you'll be on the coastal route, then probably on I95/ Maine Turnpike. The Center for Maine Craft, near an exit in W Gardiner, has an excellent curated selection. I quite enjoy the coastal route, but it's slower, maybe take it in 1 direction. Many of the classic tourist destinations are a drive from Rt. 1. Damariscotta is a picturesque town close to Rt. 1, if you want some pretty views. It's on the tidal Damariscotta River.

Lobster doesn't vary much, so if you get lobster, it'll be cheaper up near Machias - Lubec.
Beer Trail

https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/downeast-and-acadia
https://visitmaine.com/places-to-go/downeast-and-acadia
https://downeast.com/our-towns/lubec-maine/
https://www.visitlubecmaine.com/ is that rarity, an honest tourism site.
posted by theora55 at 8:53 AM on August 19, 2023 [2 favorites]

My blog posts from our trip to the Bar Habor area last year may be helpful.
posted by COD at 12:55 PM on August 21, 2023

Response by poster: Highlights included a great whale watch with Granite State WW out of Rye, a ride on a schooner out of Camden, a sunrise mailbox ferry trip out of Portland, a daytrip to Lubec and Campobello Is., wanderings down several peninsulas and a day of avoiding tourist mobs in Acadia. A good week.
posted by aught at 6:25 PM on September 7, 2023 [1 favorite]