Camden was a memorable stop on our first vacation to Maine as a couple. We spent several days exploring and recommend stopping in this adorable town for a night or day trip if you can. Things to do include: 1. Lobster Boat Tour 2. Try the local restaurants, our favorite is Nina June (ask for Chip!) 3. Explore the local shops 4. Pack a little picnic and some wine and go for a schooner tour! We love being able to see Maine from the water. You won't regret it! P.S. if you've ever wondered why we named our dog, Cam, it's short for Camden! This town is very special to us.
We couldn't leave this off the list! Acadia is a must see when in the Mid-Coast region of Maine. Kevin proposed to Brooke atop Cadillac Mountain, overlooking the harbor. There are so many great ways to see Acadia, you can also drive your car to points within the park for easy access to hiking trails and gorgeous viewpoints. There is something for everyone. If you do want to see Cadillac Mountain, just note you have to get a permit (online) to drive up there. Be sure to look into booking ahead of your trip!
While we hope you will take the time to visit Acadia, staying in Bar Harbor is a treat in itself! Book a night or two to explore Bar Harbor. This coastal town has shopping, great restaurants, bars and views for days. A great place for all ages to explore and something you don't want to miss!
Nearby Belfast offers a little bit of everything if you're looking for something closer to the Wedding Venue and hotels to do. Here are our reccomendations for Belfast: Coffee- Downshift Coffee Breakfast- Belle the Cat & Chase's Daily Lunch- Must Be Nice Lobster, Darby's Dinner- Dos Gatos Gastropub, Nautilus Seafood & Grill Ice Cream- Wild Cow Creamery Drinks/Fun- Three Tides Brewery is a really cool spot! Activities- Schooner Charm, Walk the Rail Trail, DoryWoman Rowing in the Bay or pottery classes at Front Street Pottery. ** The Maine Celtic Festival will be in Belfast the weekend before our wedding, if you're in town early we encourage you to go. It is a fun time!
A bucketlist item for Brooke is to explore as many of Maine's islands as possible. This one is super easy to get to by Ferry from Rockland. (this is a great option if coming from Portland or staying in Camden for some of the trip!) The island has several options for overnight stays (hotel, airbnb, bed and breakfasts) and offers a serene experience! Explore by car, bike, kayak, paddleboard and more or just walk the little towns and eat some fresh lobster while you're there. If you love bird watching, there is a boat tour out to "Seal Island" from Vinalhaven that offers the ability to see many coastal birds, including puffins!
Adding Portland to your itinerary is a great idea! We love the restaurant scene in Portland and the area comes with no shortage of fun things to do. Kayaking, Schooner Tours, Lighthouses and more come to mind when we think of our time in Portland. Some of our favorites include: Coffee- Tandem Coffee Roasters (Congress St. Location) Pastries- Standard Baking Co. Lunch- Portland Lobster Co, Bite into Maine (Lobster Rolls by the Portland Head Light) Dinner- Scales (Waterfront and one of Brooke's favorite restaurants of all time), Eventide (get the brown butter lobster roll!) and David's Restaurant. Hotel- We've always had a great time at the Press Hotel! Activities- Peak's Island Ferry, Kayaking with Portland Paddle or a Windjammer/Schooner Tour with Portland Schooner Co.