Maine
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Maine lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Pine Tree State, from the spectacular Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain sunrise to the remarkable midcoast lobster shack trail, the extraordinary Pemaquid lighthouse, the vibrant Portland food scene and the wild Downeast coast. This route covers the complete Maine experience. The extraordinary Acadia carriage roads and Jordan Pond, the magnificent Monhegan Island artist colony, Red's Eats legendary lobster roll, the extraordinary Portland Head Light and Old Port, the remarkable Kennebunkport and the extraordinary Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin.
Best Time To Visit
June to October. Fall foliage 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 and Katahdin hiking
DAY 1
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
CADILLAC MOUNTAIN SUNRISE AND ACADIA CARRIAGE ROADS
Cadillac Mountain at 1,530 feet is the first point in the continental United States to receive the sunrise from October through March, its extraordinary pink granite summit giving a panoramic view of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands and the open Atlantic in the finest coastal mountain vista in New England. The 45-mile carriage road network built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. gives the finest car-free cycling and walking in any national park in America. Entry $35 per vehicle. Drive: 4 hr drive
MIDDAY
JORDAN POND, THE BUBBLES AND THUNDER HOLE
Jordan Pond is the most extraordinary glacial pond in Acadia, its extraordinary clarity reflecting the twin rounded Bubble summits in the finest mountain lake scene in New England. The Jordan Pond Loop trail at 3.4 miles and the Jordan Pond House popovers are legendary. Thunder Hole on the Ocean Path produces a dramatic boom and spout at mid-tide. The extraordinary Sand Beach, the only sandy beach on the Acadia coast, is unmissable. Free with park entry. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BEEHIVE TRAIL AND BAR HARBOR TOWN
The Beehive Trail at 1.6 miles round trip is the most extraordinary adventure hike in Acadia, its extraordinary iron rungs and ladders bolted into the pink granite cliff face giving the finest exposed scramble in New England. Bar Harbor's extraordinary waterfront, the remarkable Abbe Museum of Native American cultures and the extraordinary Village Green give the finest small town experience in coastal Maine. Beehive free with park entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Isle au Haut section of Acadia National Park accessible by mail boat from Stonington is the finest hidden part of the park, its extraordinary 18 miles of trails on a remote island with almost no day visitors giving the most extraordinary solitude in any national park on the East Coast. Mail boat approx $40 return.
🍽 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.
DAY 2
MAINE MIDCOAST
MORNING
PEMAQUID POINT LIGHTHOUSE AND MONHEGAN ISLAND
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is the most extraordinary lighthouse in Maine, its extraordinary 1835 tower above the most dramatic wave-sculpted rock formations on the coast giving the finest lighthouse scene in New England. Monhegan Island accessible by ferry from Port Clyde gives the most extraordinary artist colony island in Maine, its extraordinary sea cliffs, cathedral spruce forest and the island's status as a colony for Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth. Entry $4, ferry approx $40. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
RED'S EATS AND THE MIDCOAST LOBSTER TRAIL
Red's Eats in Wiscasset is the most legendary lobster roll in Maine, its extraordinary overflowing roll of fresh Maine lobster barely contained in its bun creating the most photographed lobster roll in New England. The midcoast lobster shack trail from Pemaquid to Damariscotta and the extraordinary Five Islands Lobster Company near Georgetown give the finest lobster in the shell experience in Maine. Red's approx $30. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROCKLAND ARTS DISTRICT AND THE FARNSWORTH MUSEUM
The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland is the most extraordinary art museum in Maine, its extraordinary collection of Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth works in the finest Wyeth family collection in America giving the finest art museum experience on the Maine coast. The extraordinary Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland and the remarkable Sail Rockland give the finest maritime heritage in midcoast Maine. Farnsworth entry approx $15.
💎 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 in Forrest Gump giving the most extraordinary lighthouse approach experience in New England. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Miranda, Rockland The finest breakfast in midcoast Maine. Extraordinary local Maine ingredients. | Lunch: Red's Eats, Wiscasset The most legendary lobster roll in Maine. Queue expected but worth it. | Dinner: Primo, Rockland The most celebrated restaurant in midcoast Maine. Extraordinary local farm-to-table.
DAY 3
PORTLAND
MORNING
PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT AND CAPE ELIZABETH
Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, its extraordinary 1791 white tower on the dramatic Cape Elizabeth headland being the most photographed lighthouse in New England. The extraordinary Fort Williams Park surrounding the lighthouse with its WWII gun battery ruins, ocean views and the Casco Bay islands gives the finest coastal park in southern Maine. The extraordinary Two Lights State Park nearby gives the finest wave action on the Maine coast. Both free. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
PORTLAND OLD PORT AND FORE STREET
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 independent restaurants in New England. Fore Street, the Standard Baking Company and the extraordinary Portland Public Market give the finest culinary experience. The remarkable Victoria Mansion, the finest Victorian interior in New England, is unmissable. Victoria Mansion entry approx $15. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CASCO BAY ISLANDS AND EASTERN PROMENADE
The Casco Bay Lines ferry from Portland gives the most extraordinary island day from the city, its extraordinary service to Peaks Island, Long Island and Chebeague Island giving the finest Maine island hopping accessible from any city in New England. The Eastern Promenade trail along the Portland peninsula gives the finest free waterfront walk with extraordinary views of Casco Bay and its islands. Ferry approx $8.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Back Cove trail in Portland is the finest hidden urban walk in Maine, its extraordinary 3.5-mile loop around the Back Cove tidal estuary giving the most extraordinary free birdwatching and city skyline view in Portland entirely unknown to most visitors who stay in the Old Port. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Standard Baking Company, Portland The finest bakery in Maine. Extraordinary croissants and strong coffee in the Old Port. | Lunch: Eventide Oyster Co., Portland The most celebrated oyster bar in Maine. Extraordinary Maine oysters and brown butter lobster roll. | Dinner: Fore Street, Portland The most celebrated restaurant in Maine. Extraordinary local Maine produce over wood-burning hearth.
DAY 4
SOUTHERN MAINE
MORNING
KENNEBUNKPORT AND WALKER'S POINT
Kennebunkport is the most extraordinary historic resort town in southern Maine, its extraordinary Dock Square of 19th-century brick buildings, the remarkable Ocean Avenue drive past Walker's Point, the Bush family compound, and the extraordinary Cape Porpoise fishing harbor giving the finest New England coastal village experience in Maine. The extraordinary St Anthony's Franciscan Monastery grounds give the finest free garden experience in Kennebunkport. Town free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CAPE NEDDICK NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE AND OGUNQUIT
Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse on its small rocky island off York Beach is the most extraordinary lighthouse in southern Maine, its extraordinary isolated white tower visible from the Sohier Park viewpoint giving the finest lighthouse photograph in southern New England. Ogunquit Beach, the most beautiful beach in Maine with its extraordinary 3.5-mile white sand shoreline and Marginal Way cliff walk, is the finest beach in southern Maine. Both free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
OLD ORCHARD BEACH AND SACO BAY
Old Orchard Beach is the most extraordinary traditional seaside resort in Maine, its extraordinary 7-mile white sand beach, the remarkable Palace Playland amusement park and the extraordinary French-Canadian heritage giving the finest family beach resort experience in New England. The Saco Bay views from the Ferry Beach State Park dunes to the south give the finest wild dune beach experience in southern Maine. Palace Playland from $5.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Marginal Way cliff walk in Ogunquit is the finest hidden coastal path in southern Maine, its extraordinary 1.25-mile footpath along the rocky shoreline from Shore Road to Perkins Cove giving the most extraordinary wave and headland views in southern Maine. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in southern Maine.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kennebunkport Inn, Kennebunkport The finest breakfast in southern Maine. Extraordinary local Maine produce. | Lunch: Mabel's Lobster Claw, Kennebunkport The most legendary lobster shack in Kennebunkport since 1953. Extraordinary local Maine lobster. | Dinner: Earth, Kennebunkport The finest restaurant in Kennebunkport. Extraordinary local Maine farm-to-table cuisine.
DAY 5
BAXTER STATE PARK
MORNING
BAXTER STATE PARK AND MOUNT KATAHDIN
Baxter State Park is the most extraordinary wilderness park in Maine, its extraordinary 209,644-acre private gift from Governor Percival Baxter to the people of Maine sheltering the magnificent Katahdin at 5,268 feet, the highest peak in Maine and the northern terminus of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. The Knife Edge trail along Katahdin's extraordinary razor-sharp ridge is the most extraordinary mountain experience in New England. Park entry $15, reservations required. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
KATAHDIN STREAM AND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL TERMINUS
The Katahdin Stream Campground in Baxter State Park is the most extraordinary Appalachian Trail heritage site in Maine, the final campsite for northbound thru-hikers before their last day summit of Katahdin at the AT terminus sign. The extraordinary Katahdin Stream Falls trail at 2 miles round trip gives the finest waterfall hike in Baxter State Park. The Thoreau Spring on the Knife Edge gives the most extraordinary named spring in New England. Free with park entry. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
MILLINOCKET AND THE PENOBSCOT RIVER CORRIDOR
Millinocket is the most extraordinary gateway town in northern Maine, its extraordinary location at the edge of the North Maine Woods wilderness with the Penobscot River flowing through town and the remarkable New England Outdoor Center giving the finest whitewater rafting on the Penobscot River in Maine. The extraordinary Penobscot River Corridor with its moose, bald eagles and black bears is the finest wildlife driving route in Maine. NEOC rafting from approx $65.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gulf Hagas near Brownville Junction is the finest hidden gorge in Maine, its extraordinary 3-mile slate canyon on the Pleasant River with four major waterfalls accessible by a 8-mile loop trail giving the most extraordinary gorge hike in New England entirely unknown to most Maine visitors. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Appalachian Trail Cafe, Millinocket The most legendary breakfast near Katahdin. Extraordinary Maine diner food for hikers. | Lunch: Picnic at Katahdin Stream Falls Pack lunch from Millinocket. The extraordinary waterfall picnic in Baxter State Park. | Dinner: Scootic In, Millinocket The finest restaurant in Millinocket. Extraordinary local Maine ingredients and craft beer.
Where To Stay
Bar Harbor and Rockland, Nights 1 to 2 Bar Harbor Inn or Berry Manor Inn. Approx $140 to $300. Portland and Kennebunkport, Nights 3 to 4 Press Hotel or White Barn Inn. Approx $150 to $400. Millinocket, Night 5 Big Moose Inn or New England Outdoor Center. Approx $90 to $160.
Top Tips
1. Book Baxter State Park Katahdin trailhead at baxterstatepark.org. Day use fills months ahead in summer.
2. Cadillac Mountain timed entry fills fast. Book at recreation.gov before anything else.
3. The Maine lobster roll debate: hot buttered roll (Connecticut style) vs cold mayo (Maine style). Try both.
4. Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse at dusk from the York Beach parking area is the finest free view in southern Maine.
5. Fore Street in Portland: book months ahead. The finest restaurant in Maine. Wood-roasted everything.
6. Kennebunkport Dock Square on a summer evening is the finest town square in southern Maine.
Total Budget
$120 to $200/day