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Random Quote: Who cares, I scheduled this trip with the wife and we're going somewhere rain or shine.
You could spend a 3-4 days in Bar Harbor hiking trails. Skip Rockland. Camden is nice for a day or so. Otherwise, that's all I got. Check out Tripadvisor.
Those are very busy places in the summer. If you want a little slower paced, less crowded experience, try Blue Hill and Deer Isle.
Stonington is a beautiful old harbor town on Deer Isle. The boat trips to Vinalhaven and Isle Au Haut from Stonington are
a treasure. One more tip: buy some lobsters right from a lobsta-man on the dock around 1:00 pm. Prices are sky high all over
New England, but those cold water Deer Isle lobsters are the best I have ever tasted. Try to find a fisherman who is open to
taking a few folks out with him on a pot-hauling trip. With the price of diesel lately, I bet more of them are open to it.
Be willing to help - it is fun to put the rubber bands on the claws!
__________________ People should not be afraid of their government-governments should be afraid of their People.
I'll chime on on this one-- as I live in Camden and have explored most all of Maine. DON'T skip Rockland-- WTF........WTF??!!-- not sure when the last time you visted Rockland was...but things have changed- Its much better than Camden in many ways- great places to eat- , art gallerys, very few T-shirt shops- It really is an awesome place-I'd love there if I didn't spend so much time in Camden Harbor (where I work and play). Within the past year or so a lot of businesses have shut in Camden to do everything from lack of business to town politics. It sure is a beautiful place.
Boothbay in all honesty in my opinion is beautiful, but full ot T-shirt shops, crappy gift stores with the same painted lobster bouys you get at every other store- and the same fried food and lobster eateries. Not to mention its like 15 miles down a peninsula and you're a bit trapped traffic wise when you get there. I'd personally consider renting in Rockland and taking day trips from there-- As it will be less expensiave than camden for house rentals and such.
Bar Harbor is fantastic- I was there this past weekend for a few nights- the hiking, biking and scenery is like none other...however...same as boothbay, its a tourist trap- lobster shacks, tshirt shops and crappy gift stores. Acadia National Park is a must see. You could take The Cat ferry to Nova Scotia from here-- by the way no Passport needed at this time-- there was a period when you needed a passport however it was revolked because of the amount of truckers and tourists traveling between Maine and Canada that didn't have them and it was having a big impact on trade.
as far as day trips go- Castine is an awesome place- home of Maine Maritime Academy (I spent 4 years there...) very small town, but very beautiful.
Monhegan- a very cool little artsy island-- also North Haven, Islesboro and Vinalhaven- all little islands here in Penobscot bay that make great day trips to explore-- ferries leaving frequently- either rent bikes or go by car-
Bath is a very cool town- Home of Bath Iron Works- great maritime museam there- Portland is a really cool city as well.
Beyond the coast-- parts inland shouldn't be missed either- Rangely Maine (approx 2 hours inland from Camden) is fantastic- very small town- great mountains/lakes. Greenville Maine is another one- Moosehead Lake is amazing- also Baxter State Park which is "up north" is awesome as well- amazing hiking, canoeing, and a great place to get lost.
Triplenet- as time gets closer let me know what I can do to help-- The "real maine" and the "tourist maine" are two different places-- I'm happy to give you tour of Camden myself- and depending upon timing we can go for a spin in my little Grady-- I can also set you up with a great few hour trip on a schooner a friend of mine owns.
Greenville/Moosehead region for fresh air, clean water, wildlife, and getting away from nasty people. The locals are some of the nicest people unless you start a "I'm better than you attitude".
It's a big state to explore. Some day I'll do just that but I'm not bored enough to leave once I get there. We take a day trip once in a while with the dog. I hate coming home.
Other than Wells and Portland, I don't see the coast often.
__________________ 2003 Boston Whaler 255 Conquest w/ twin 200 HPDI's
I've never been a racist. I don't like the white half either.
It's all good, there are 100's of Islands right in Casco bay, mountains just a short trip to the northwest. Do you do the norm or just do ? A easy, day nice drive, Go to South arm take the dirt roads to Rangley. Take a Lunch Blanket and drinks. Then come back down 17 to Rumford. Watch out for them big 4 legged things, they like to stand in the roads. Or just stay at the Old Port and walk around. But anything you do, Maine is a lot bigger than you think. It takes some time to get around. A week, it's just a blink of Maine. But it a great place to see, any part you choose.Have fun, If you find your self in potts harbor say hello.
I'd say start with Boothbay Harbor and go north hitting Camden, and then Bar Harbor. If you like boats, you can't beat these three as their harbors are filled with some incredible ones in the summer. These are good choices too if you want a broad selection of restaurants, bars, etc. These places will be pretty busy in the summer and traffic can be an issue in Camden as it is right on Route 1.
If you are looking for something more quiet, Castine as Ben said is also very nice. Stonington, Deer Isle area between Camden and Bar Harbor is really nice and very quiet too. Rockland is OK but industrial and would not be on my list for someone with limited time unless you were going there for dinner (there are a couple of excellent restaurants there).
If you decide to visit Boothbay and the surrounding area, I can give you some good recommendations.
Maine Vacation 
