Maine
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Maine gives you the essential Pine Tree State experience, from the extraordinary Acadia National Park, the finest coastal mountain park in the eastern United States, to the remarkable Portland food scene, the finest culinary city per capita in America, and the extraordinary rocky lighthouse coast. This route covers the heart of Maine. The extraordinary Cadillac Mountain sunrise, the first point in the continental United States to see the dawn, the remarkable Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, the finest lighthouse setting on the Maine coast, and the extraordinary lobster shack culture of the midcoast.
Best Time To Visit
June to October. Fall foliage in September and October extraordinary.
Getting There
Fly into Portland (PWM) or Bangor (BGR)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Maine
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $200 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some Acadia summit hiking
DAY 1
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN SUNRISE, THE FIRST LIGHT IN AMERICA
Cadillac Mountain at 1,530 feet in Acadia National Park is the highest point on the eastern seaboard and the first place in the continental United States to receive the sunrise from October through March. The extraordinary summit drive gives the finest panoramic view of the Maine island coast, Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands and the open Atlantic. The timed entry system requires advance booking. The dawn light on the pink granite summit is the most extraordinary in Maine. Entry $35 per vehicle. Drive: 4 hr drive
MIDDAY
JORDAN POND AND THE ACADIA CARRIAGE ROADS
Jordan Pond is the most extraordinary glacial pond in Acadia National Park, its extraordinary clarity reflecting the twin rounded summits of the Bubbles above in the finest mountain lake scene in New England. The Jordan Pond Loop trail at 3.4 miles gives the finest walking in Acadia. The extraordinary 45-mile carriage road network built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. gives the finest car-free cycling and walking in any national park. Jordan Pond House popovers are legendary. Free with park entry. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THUNDER HOLE, OCEAN PATH AND BAR HARBOR
Thunder Hole on Acadia's Ocean Path is the most extraordinary tidal phenomenon in Maine, its extraordinary narrow sea cave producing a thunderous boom and water spout when the Atlantic swells push air into the crevice at mid-tide. The Ocean Path from Thunder Hole to Sand Beach gives the finest coastal walk in Acadia. Bar Harbor town with its extraordinary waterfront, the Abbe Museum of Native American cultures and the extraordinary Bluenose Ferry terminal are unmissable. Free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Beehive Trail in Acadia at 1.6 miles round trip is the finest hidden adventure hike in the park, its extraordinary iron rungs and ladders bolted into the pink granite cliff face giving the most extraordinary exposed scramble in New England entirely unknown to first-time Acadia visitors. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe This Way, Bar Harbor The finest breakfast in Bar Harbor. Extraordinary local Maine eggs and strong coffee. | Lunch: Jordan Pond House, Acadia The most legendary lunch in Acadia since 1895. Extraordinary popovers with strawberry jam. | Dinner: Havana, Bar Harbor The finest restaurant in Bar Harbor. Extraordinary local Maine seafood and produce.
DAY 2
MAINE MIDCOAST
MORNING
PEMAQUID POINT LIGHTHOUSE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY LIGHTHOUSE IN MAINE
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is the most extraordinary lighthouse setting in Maine, its extraordinary 1835 white tower above the most dramatic wave-sculpted rock formations on the Maine coast giving the finest lighthouse photograph in New England. The extraordinary pink and grey granite ledges carved into swirling patterns by glacial action and centuries of Atlantic surf are unmissable at low tide. The Fishermen's Museum in the old keeper's dwelling is excellent. Entry $4. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
RED'S EATS AND THE MIDCOAST LOBSTER SHACK TRAIL
Red's Eats in Wiscasset is the most legendary lobster roll in Maine, its extraordinary overflowing roll of fresh Maine lobster meat served cold with butter on the side in a bun barely able to contain its extraordinary filling creating the most photographed lobster roll in New England. The midcoast lobster pound trail from Pemaquid to Damariscotta gives the finest lobster in the shell experience in Maine. Red's approx $30. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
MONHEGAN ISLAND DAY TRIP
Monhegan Island is the most extraordinary art colony island on the Maine coast, its extraordinary 10-mile perimeter of dramatic sea cliffs, cathedral spruce forest and the famous Monhegan lighthouse giving the finest island hiking in New England. The island has been an artists' colony since the 1870s, attracting Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. The ferry from Port Clyde gives the most extraordinary Maine island crossing. Ferry approx $40 return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Marshall Point Lighthouse near Port Clyde is the finest hidden lighthouse in Maine, its extraordinary long wooden footbridge over the tidal flats to the white tower made famous as the turnaround point in Forrest Gump giving the most extraordinary lighthouse approach in New England. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Miranda, Rockland The finest breakfast in midcoast Maine. Extraordinary local Maine ingredients and strong coffee. | Lunch: Red's Eats, Wiscasset The most legendary lobster roll in Maine. Extraordinary fresh Maine lobster. Queue expected. | Dinner: Primo, Rockland The most celebrated restaurant in midcoast Maine. Extraordinary local Maine farm-to-table cuisine.
DAY 3
PORTLAND
MORNING
PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT AND CAPE ELIZABETH
Portland Head Light is the most extraordinary lighthouse in Maine, its extraordinary 1791 white tower on the dramatic Cape Elizabeth headland above Casco Bay being the oldest lighthouse in Maine and the most photographed in New England. The extraordinary rocky coastline of Fort Williams Park surrounding the lighthouse with its ocean views, the WWII gun battery ruins and the Casco Bay islands visible offshore give the finest coastal park experience in southern Maine. Park free. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
PORTLAND OLD PORT AND THE MAINE FOOD SCENE
Portland is the most extraordinary food city per capita in America, its extraordinary Old Port district of 19th-century brick warehouses converted to the finest concentration of independent restaurants in New England giving the finest culinary city experience in the Northeast. The Portland Public Market, the extraordinary Fore Street restaurant and the remarkable Hunt and Alpine cocktail bar give the finest food experience. The extraordinary Victoria Mansion is unmissable. Entry approx $15. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CASCO BAY ISLANDS FERRY AND EASTERN PROMENADE
The Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland gives the most extraordinary island hopping experience in Maine, its extraordinary service to Peaks Island, Long Island and Great Diamond Island giving the finest close-range view of the Maine island coast from the water. The Eastern Promenade trail along the Portland peninsula gives the finest free waterfront walk in the city with extraordinary views of Casco Bay and the islands. Ferry approx $8.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Two Lights State Park near Portland is the finest hidden coastal park in southern Maine, its extraordinary rocky headland with the two Cape Elizabeth lighthouses visible and the finest close-range wave action on the Maine coast giving the most extraordinary free coastal experience near Portland. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Eventide Oyster Co., Portland The finest breakfast in Portland. Extraordinary local Maine oysters and the finest coffee in New England. | Lunch: Eventide Oyster Co. The most celebrated oyster bar in Maine. Extraordinary Maine oysters and the finest lobster roll in Portland. | Dinner: Fore Street, Portland The most celebrated restaurant in Maine. Extraordinary local Maine produce over a wood-burning hearth.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bar Harbor, Night 1 The Bar Harbor Inn or Bluenose Inn. Approx $150 to $350 per night. Pemaquid or Damariscotta, Night 2 Bradley Inn or Whitehall Hotel. Approx $120 to $220 per night. Portland, Night 3 The Press Hotel or Blind Tiger. Approx $130 to $250 per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Acadia timed entry at recreation.gov before your trip. Cadillac Mountain summit fills fastest.
2. Cadillac Mountain sunrise: arrive 45 minutes before dawn. The first light in the continental US is extraordinary.
3. Jordan Pond House popovers with strawberry jam are the finest traditional Acadia lunch since
1895.
4. Red's Eats lobster roll in Wiscasset is the most legendary in Maine. The queue is worth every minute.
5. Portland is the finest food city per capita in America. Fore Street restaurant is the best table in the state.
6. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse at low tide with the rock formations is the most extraordinary lighthouse scene in Maine.
Total Budget
$120 to $200/day