Spend Three Days In Three Coastal Towns On This Weekend Road Trip In Maine
By Chris Dodge|Published September 12, 2022
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
Who doesn’t love weekend road trips? With any good road trip, half the fun is the journey. We have an amazing three-day road trip planned to take advantage of three beautiful coastal cities and towns right here in Maine. This trip is planned to follow the East Coast all the way from Portland to Bar Harbor. The drive time will be a little under three and a half hours so there is plenty of time to take in these beautiful coastal cities and towns.
We made the route for you but feel free to customize it to suit your amazing weekend road trip.
If you come from out of state and need to fly, this is the perfect starting point for you. If not, it's an easily accessible area seeing as many Mainers live in Portland and the surrounding areas. Since you only have one day in each city, we will focus on the big attractions to get the most out of it.
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First up is the Portland Headlight. This iconic lighthouse is famous in Maine and photos of it can be found all over.
The lighthouse itself is great to see but also surrounding it is a beautiful park with rolling green hills, a sandy beach, and even a couple of old forts to explore. There is a parking fee to note but other than that the park is there to enjoy. Another quick place to go would be Spring Point Lighthouse with a long rock breakwater to walk out to the lighthouse. Also the Bug Light is a small but interesting stop to make as well. Take a walk on the many beaches that can be found close by, or walk Old Port and explore the many shops and restaurants.
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For a unique stay for the night, We suggest Cozy Cape in South Portland. With a whole house to yourself in a beautiful area, it's really a win-win.
The downtown area is bustling with life and plenty to do. Again walk the streets and see the many unique shops and restaurants, or walk in the park leading right to the water. The town has a small beach nestled up to the park and behind it a unique library that is great for exploring outside. One of the best activities is to find a bench and just watch the boats coming and going in this beautiful harbor. The ocean lapping softly on the ships and against the docks is a peaceful sound and a perfect backdrop for any time of the day.
On top, you will find a large stone tower with an incredible lookout over the city and harbor. If you don't feel up for the hike then you can drive to the top as well.
The city sits on Mount Desert Island so the ocean is quite literally surrounding it. With plenty of historic buildings and unique shops, downtown Bar Harbor is an amazing place to explore.
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Spend some time in town but don't forget you have one of Maine’s best attractions right around the corner, Acadia National Park.
With only one day we would suggest driving up Cadillac Mountain for some amazing views, Then driving the Park Loop Road. The Park Loop Road will take you around the entire park. Although you won't be able to do everything you should at least stop at Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond for a quick peek. There are lots of things to do in Acadia and it is well worth the visit.
For a place to stay, we would suggest another very unique spot. Acadia Yurts and Wellness Center boast a truly unique experience in the park.
Surrounded by nature and only a little ways from the ocean is a perfect way to end this packed and long weekend.
So there you have it, a fun-packed weekend road trip that will have you exploring three coastal cities and towns in three days. There is so much more to each place than can be taken in for only one day, but this will give you three of the best coastal towns all in one weekend. So get out there and enjoy the beautiful coastline that Maine has to offer. What do you think of these coastal cities in Maine? Let us know in the comments below.
