One of my favorite recollections of Maine is attending a wedding at a friend's family summer home on the coast of Maine, followed by a lobster bake reception and wandering walks on the waterside rocks as the tide went out. My memories of coastal Maine are now associated with warm feelings of love, friendship, and adventure too from scenic drives marveling at the picturesque, rugged coastline and then exploring Portland by land and sea, on a boat tour beside some friendly seals. I returned to Maine in 2017 to meet with local suppliers as a Product Manager for Tauck for their New England itineraries, and I stayed overnight in lovely Ogunquit to become more familiar with this quaint town, its legendary playhouse, great dining, and terrific Ogunquit Museum of American Art.
Maine is the largest state in New England, and it's a seafood lover's dream. You'll find lobstering experiences all along the coast and plenty of outdoor activities in spectacular settings. There are some incredible ways to maximize your physical distancing like renting your own private island or chartering a yacht for a truly special way to navigate the miles of dramatic shorelines inaccessible by car. Summer's still here, and Maine has so much to offer - especially its outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery. Who's ready for the Maine attraction?
Ogunquit and the Kennebunks
This region is delightfully charming, dotted with iconic lighthouses, and is known for being the home of the Bush family's summer retreat. Most hotels and B&Bs have a romantic feel, ideal for couples. I highly recommend staying at Cliff House Maine; perched on a cliff above the crashing waves, this hotel is a destination in itself and reputedly a popular place for marriage proposals. It's practically next door to the Ogunquit Museum of American Art, which is fabulous. And do support the historic Ogunquit Playhouse while in town! White Barn Inn, Auberge Resorts Collection and Hidden Pond are also excellent properties.
Top Experiences
Kennebunkport foodie walking tour
Kennebunkport or Ogunquit sunset sail
Curator-led tour of Ogunquit Museum of Art
Private insider's tour of Ogunquit Playhouse
Kayaking and marine activities
Bike tour with lobster lunch
Private wine and cheese tasting class
Whale watching Zodiac tour
Hand-on, educational, family-friendly lobster fishing experiences
Portland
Maine's most lively city is Portland, and it's a marvelous town for foodies; fans of craft beer will find a very active scene here. The Portland Museum of Art has been delighting arts lovers for over 135 years and is open for timed entry reservations. The Press Hotel is perfect if you'd like to stay downtown within walking distance of the tourist sights, and a short drive away is the absolutely wonderful Inn by the Sea. For the ultimate in exclusivity, Nine Muses Travel can arrange for you and your travel companion to stay on your own private island!
Top Experiences
Scenic lighthouse sightseeing tour
Craft brewery walking tour
Canoe eco-excursion with naturalist guide
Casco Bay Islands kayak tour
Winslow Homer art immersion
Wine tasting or dinner sunset sail
Kayak and yoga experience
Portland Museum of Art private curator-led tour
Camden
Camden is never overcrowded with tourists, and you'll enjoy a relaxed stay with a more intimate feel. Camden Harbor Inn has a friendly, local owner, and all the guest rooms are very unique. Worth a visit!
Top Experiences
Sailing adventure on an historic schooner
Sailing excursion with island lobster bake
Coastal Maine artisan experience
Scenic lighthouse biking tour
Farm to table cooking class
Family-friendly marine life and lobster cruise
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is in the top ten of most visited parks for good reason; it's breathtaking! Acadia is Maine's most beloved national park and is a must for everyone, especially for outdoors enthusiasts. Readers of Stephen King will appreciate and recognize the landscapes and remote feel of this area. Stay at Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marine in downtown Bar Harbor for rooms right on the water and a comfortable walk away from town, or request an exclusive private residence for a secluded home base.
Top Experiences
Puffins bird watching ecotour
Stephen King's Maine private tour
Vintage biplane flightseeing tour
Sightseeing sailing excursion (daytime or sunset)
Private whale watching cruise
Acadia National Park bike and hike tours
Mount Desert Island tour
Lobsters and lunch boat cruise
Moosehead Lake
If you have time to make it inland, Moosehead Lake is a postcard perfect slice of Maine. Stay at Blair Hill Inn or The Lodge at Moosehead Lake, and to see why, CLICK HERE then scroll down to see Blair Hill Inn's time lapse webcam video of the last full day, overlooking this lovely lake.
Top Experiences
Guided hike to Gulf Hagas, "the Grand Canyon of the East"
Maine moose safari tour
Drift boat fly fishing excursion
Maine Yacht Charters
For those with higher budgets and insatiable desire to explore coastal Maine's smaller islands and towns you can't reach by car, Nine Muses Travel can arrange private charters of yachts with up to five cabins. Smaller, antique style yachts; modern, luxurious boats; and sail boats are all options for your incomparable tour of New England's coast.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart from Portland, shoreline BBQ dinner on a remote beach.
Day 2: Bailey's Island, wildflower meadow hiking
Day 3: Bath, visit historic Bath and their iron works
Days 4-5: Monhegan to Penobscot Bay, artists colonies, Camden, and/or Rockport
Day 6: Isle au Hait, meet working lobstermen and women
Day 7: Frenchboro and Swan Island, explore the village and its famous seafood
Days 8-9: Somes Sound and Bar Harbor, cruise up a fjord to Bar Harbor
Disembark for two nights on land exploring Acadia National Park
Suggested Road Trip Itineraries
An Adventure in Maine: Portland, Bar Harbor, and Acadia
Maine for Foodies: Kennebunk, Portland, Camden, Acadia
The Wonders of Coastal New England: Westerly (RI), Cape Cod (MA), Ogunquit, Bar Harbor, Acadia
Adventures on the Appalachian Trail: The Appalachian Trail's traditional end point is Mount Katahdin, Maine's highest mountain at 5,269 feet. Read my blog for ideas on how to enjoy a uniquely American adventure along the trail, while sleeping soundly in hotels along the way.
Nine Muses Travel works with exceptional tour operators who can customize private travel for you and your companions with these benefits for all my clients.
Expert guides: naturalists, historians, adventure guides, and unique locals
Exclusive experiences
Comfortable, safe, and luxurious vehicles
Custom-designed routings
24/7 real-time support
Competitive rates at four and five star properties
Deep destination knowledge
Contact Nine Muses Travel when you're ready to make the most of Maine and to learn more about me and what I can do for you!
I creatively customize luxury travel highlighting local arts and culture, history, and cuisine for intellectually curious clients longing to feel deeply inspired by exciting destinations, culinary delights, and authentic cultural experiences on a life-changing, joyful journey of discovery.
-Danielle Dybiec
President of Nine Muses Travel