Coastal Maine

A Perfect Maine Vacation Itinerary

I've been visiting Maine in the summer since I was a little girl. As a Canadian Maritimer, I'm no stranger to a lobster boat. I'm not too shy to bait a hook. I've fallen asleep to the sound of a fog horn. I've swam in ocean temperatures so cold your body goes numb. It goes without saying that Maine naturally feels like home to me. There is something extra special about Coastal Maine, and in particular the following towns, that keeps me vacationing here when I could search for something more unfamiliar.

Whether you are a hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, a foodie, or a chaser of incredible sunrises and sunsets, there’s something for everyone in my Coastal Maine vacation itinerary. The trails in Acadia are unmatched. Some peaceful, some heart pumping.

You can see an abundance of marine life and learn about the importance of marine conservation. Lobster is available in abundance and there’s nothing they won’t flavour with blueberries. And the highest peak on the North Atlantic seaboard provides you the first view of sunrise in the United States (October to March).

So let me give you a little glimpse into the beautiful state of Maine in case you’re looking for a new destination to add to your bucket list.

A sleepy view of Bar Harbor in the early morning across the bay, looking at a pier with a restaurant that specializes in lobster suppers.

Quick Tips for a Perfect Coastal Maine Vacation

Eat a lobster roll

Drink a blueberry ale

Go whale watching

Hike in Acadia National Park

When: Summer for boating, Fall for seeing the leaves change

Where to stay: Camping in Summer in Bar Harbor (See Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor Campground)

250 Main Hotel in Rockland for modern facilities with rooftop views, or Whitehall in Camden for a more “Bed and Breakfast” feel

Bar Harbor

What better place to start a Maine coastal road trip than my favourite town in Coastal Maine; Bar Harbor. A quaint, bayside fishing community that draws in visitors from all over the world to wander its waterfront streets and cruise through Frenchman’s Bay in beautiful yachts. I could spend hours just staring offshore while sipping a blueberry ale from a local pub. But, in case you’d like to be a little more active than that, don’t miss out on the following.

Whale Watching

I personally recommend Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. These guys will find the whales for you, and they have the means to do so. Their catamaran-style vessel, Atlanticat, can travel 35 knots (In case you aren’t fluent in sailor speak, that’s really fast!) and therefore can take you a great distance to find where the whales are feeding.

I highly recommend their "Puffins and Whales" tour as it takes you to a local puffin reserve where you can speak with researchers and hear about the efforts being made in seabird conservation.

The whale seen below appears to be a juvenile calf who was traveling with his or her mother, one of the three whales we saw on our excursion.

A juvenile whale shows it’s tail as it dives down as viewed from a whale watch tour with Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company

Atlanticat, the Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company’s catamaran whale watching vessel, at sunset in Bar Harbor. Docked in Frenchman’s bay.

Shopping on Main Street

Shop along Main Street where you will find iconic Maine shops like Cool as a Moose and Geddy’s Down Under. Many local artists sell paintings, photography and handmade goods in this area.

Main Street, Bar Harbor at night time. Showing Geddy’s store with its lighted moose on the roof.

Enjoy Pub Food and Craft Beer

There are some fantastic pubs along Main Street as well. A personal favourite of mine is Paddy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant. Another popular and delicious restaurant is the Bar Harbor Beerworks.

Be sure to order a blueberry ale. Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor makes a lovely one, as does Sea Dog Brewing Company out of Portland, Maine.

A blueberry beer, by Sea Dog Brewing Company.

Watch the Sunset over Frenchman Bay

Grabbing a homemade ice cream (lobster ice cream being an option here) at Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium and securing a spot on the grassy hill overlooking the wharf (formally Agamont Park) is my favourite way to end a busy day.

Sunset over Frenchman’s Bay from the Bar Harbor wharf. A sailboat sits docked on a slip.

Acadia National Park

By far one of America's most charming national parks, Acadia is a popular destination for nature lovers. An abundance of granite rock face and coniferous trees (pine, fir, cedar) create a beautiful wilderness that you can wander fairly peacefully, even in peak season.

Camping is available here. The most loved campgrounds being Blackwoods Campground and Seawall Campground. If you intend to stay at either of these in the summer or fall, book in advance. They do fill up.

Once you are set up, head out exploring.

Standing on the cliffside rocks of Acadia National Park in early morning.

Watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is the highest point directly on the North Atlantic seaboard. As such, the park can brag the first glimpse of sunrise in the US from October through March. I highly recommend catching this view, even if it may require a 4am wake up call in the summer months.

There is nothing quite like the view of Frenchman’s Bay with warm light creeping up over the horizon. A fantastic place for photographers, you can drive the entire way to the top and there is plenty of viewing area, to space yourself from others enjoying the sunrise.

Sunrise over Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. View over Frenchman’s Bay of the islands.

Hike Acadia’s Trails

Go hiking along Acadia's many Coastal trails, or perhaps try the more challenging favourites, "The Beehive" or "Precipice" which lead you up the side of the granite mountains, often using via ferrata style handrails. I intend to dedicate a post to this in the future, so stay tuned!

Surf as seen from a coastal walking trail in Acadia National Park. Granite rocks line the coast here.

Soak up the sun on Sand Beach

It couldn't be more simply named, but Sand Beach is a truly gorgeous gem inside of Acadia. The iconic granite cliffs line the periphery, and tour boats swing in close to wave a friendly hello.

This fine sand beach seems slightly out of place in the park, but is a perfect place to do some sunbathing after a busy morning of hiking. (Photo of the cliffs facing the beach)

More granite cliffs along the coast at Acadia National Park. Looking towards Sand Beach.

Visit Thunder Hole

Thunder hole is located on the cliffside of the park. It is an excellent example of what erosion from the sea can do to granite rocks. The waves crash into a naturally worn cavern.

When they hit just right they cause a rumbling sound like thunder, and sometimes a very big splash! You can view the waves from a platform just beside the cavern, but I can’t promise you won’t get wet!

The Thunder Hole, an action shot with a splash after a wave entered the tunnel. In the early morning.

Visit Jordan Pond

Like a scene from a postcard, Jordan Pond is an inland glacial pond with two mountains, known as the Bubbles, looming in the distance. The area has many quiet hiking trails and you can hike to the Bubbles if you wish. At the very least, snap a quick photo across the pond.

A view across Jordan Pond of the bubble mountains. Located in Acadia National Park.

Watch the sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

An increasingly more popular activity, viewing the sunset (and snapping a photo!) at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is a once in a lifetime opportunity. This point could not be more picturesque. I recommend showing up at least a half hour before sunset to secure a spot on the rocks if you wish to have the rocks in your shot.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse at sunset on a very calm night in the summertime. This is located in Bass Harbor, Maine.

Camden

An incredibly charming, little town with a picturesque harbour, Camden is the definition of a summer vacation destination. It would also top my list of romantic getaways in Maine. Well known for its harbour filled with sailing boats, this Maine coastal town has a peaceful, sleepy vibe. It is a great place to take it easy, spending the day on the water.

Go sailing

Camden is a great place to have your first sail. I would know. I took my first sail here with a fantastic captain. The sailing tours here will teach you a thing or two about how to sail and a little bit about marine life as well. It’s an awesome way to spend a few hours relaxing on the water. BYOB.

You can also plan your visit around the Camden Classics, a sailboat race that takes place in the summer, if you’d like to see the harbour filled with sailboats.

A sailboat with a prominent reflection just outside of Camden Harbor on a calm day.

Shop and eat

There are tons of cute shops downtown in Camden. Check out restaurants such as Long Grain (well known in the area for its fantastic Thai food that has many craving it after they leave), or Rhumb Line (currently not open). I promise this post was not sponsored by Sea Dog Brewing.

A Sea Dog Brewing Company Brew pub in Camden, Maine’s downtown area where shops and restaurants are found.

Rockland

A very short drive from Camden (in fact you can easily stay in one of these towns while visiting the other), is Rockland. It is a bit busier town, with another gorgeous harbour. If you are spending a long weekend in Maine, I wouldn’t miss this place. It hosts the Maine Lobster Festival each year, which is an event that is truly Maine!

Watch the sunrise over the harbour

The harbour differs from Camden’s in that it is very wide and open. Perfect for early morning photography!

Rockland Harbor at sunrise. Many boats sit in the bay peacefully reflecting in the water. Owl Head is in the distance.

Hike to Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse

A truly unique experience, the hike is straight into the bay, along a stone breakwater that is 3/4 of a mile long. Be cautious of your footing, the cracks between the stones are huge!

Walking the breakwater hike at Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse.

Rockland Harbor Breakwater Lighthouse at midday.

I hope this Maine vacation itinerary helps you plan the perfect Coastal Maine long weekend, and maybe even tempts you to stay even longer. Perhaps you’ll fall in love and understand what keeps me coming back every year.

If you are interested in more iconic road trips, check out my posts on Road to Hana, Maui and The Golden Circle, Iceland.

Have a wicked good time!

Hill XO

In case you need it, here’s a map of the drive along Route 1. The drive itself is absolutely beautiful!