20 Things I Learned Exploring The Best Coastal Towns in Maine

By The Backseat View

Maine has a way of drawing you in, maybe it’s the salty air, fresh lobster, boat-filled harbors, or the way its towns carry their own rhythm. This road trip explores Kennebunkport, where weathered shingle cottages overlook sandy beaches, and continues through Portland, a foodie’s haven with the best lighthouse in Maine. In Camden, mountains meet the sea in a dramatic sweep, with schooners dotting the harbor like a classic painting.

Coastal Maine Road Trip

We’ll set off to discover the enchanting fairy forest and search for trolls in Maine’s Botanical Gardens. The true heart of this journey beats in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, where the granite cliffs rise from the Atlantic and roads wind through spruce forests. Over the next week, we’ll hike to sunrise summits, cycle century-old trails, savor buttery lobster rolls, and discover why Acadia holds such a special place in the hearts of travelers. Come on, let’s fall in love with The Best Coastal Towns in Maine!

Best Coastal Towns in Maine

Route 1 (US 1) Road Trip: Day 1

Y’all know road trips need snacks so grab a Maine Whoopie Pie and blueberry lemonade. I never plan much on arrival day, due to flight delays. Boston had the cheapest flights, and it’s a six-hour drive to Bar Harbor. So, let’s have dinner in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and drive two hours to spend the night in Portland.

1. Portsmouth is Charming.

Lesson one was don’t overlook the town of Portsmouth, blending rich colonial seaport history with a modern store vibe. It wasn’t on my radar, so we had a couple of hours for shopping and a delicious waterfront seafood dinner. The town feels like Boston, founded in 1623, with its cobblestone streets, quaint boutiques, and art galleries. I caught a glimpse of life in the 1600s at the Strawberry Banke Museum. The bustling seaport of Portsmouth left me wishing I had more time.

2. Portland Head Lighthouse

Day 2 opens in Portland and will end in Bar Harbor. Portland is home to the Portland Head Lighthouse, which is the most photographed in Maine. I LOVED it, it’s only a few steps from the parking lot, so it’s a MUST-DO for an hour. The lighthouse is located within an 90-acre public park, originally known as Fort Williams. With more time, there’s also the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, nearby.

Portland

Portland is a mix of New England heritage and big-city vibes, with the large homeless population included. It’s known as a foodie town, but ALL of coastal Maine has outstanding restaurants with harbor views. We spent a couple of hours shopping around Old Port Historic District and left early. I learned while Portland has it’s charm, the homeless camps move the town down on my list.

Standard Baking Company

The Standard Baking Company, in Portland is the most renowned bakery in Maine. It is recognized for its croissants, French bread, and cinnamon buns. I was lined up by 8 am, and I agree they have the best croissants on the planet. Other famous bakeries nearby are 2 Fat Cats Bakery and Cape Whoopi.

The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Waterfront, located in the parking lot of the Standard Baking Company, is a good choice for enjoying the historic Old Port district.

If you are traveling on I-95 instead of scenic Hwy 1, don’t miss Maine’s oldest bakery, Labadie’s in Lewiston. Next, the three hours north to Bar Harbor took six hours with my impulsive town stops.

3. Coastal Maine’s Seaside Towns

All the towns in coastal Maine are similar, with excellent restaurants, dogs, and harbor views. There’s no reason to stop in every town. There are more dog stores than toy stores, so dogs rule the coast.

Highway One drives you through the cutest main streets, and you will stop more than you planned. This also translates to slow traffic and a longer travel time than Google suggests on Highway One. I mean, we are here, so we might as well stop at that cute bookstore.

• Wiscasset is so pretty and home to the famous Red’s Eats, known for their lobster rolls. You drive directly through main street.
• Damariscotta has the Maine Coast Book Shop and Fernald’s Country Store, which had us pulling over for another unplanned hour.
• Freeport has the L.L.Bean flagship store, and since I fly with a carry-on, we decided to skip it.
• Brunswick has a cute bridge for photos, quaint shops, great kayaking, and isn’t overly touristy.
  

4. ROCKLAND is a GEM.

Rockland is a friendly, sleeping gem with puffin cruises twice a day. Puffins remind me of penguins. This was our “planned” lunch stop, but we were well past that with all my detours. There’s something about the casualness and friendliness of the real town I loved.

Top Things to do in Rockland

• The Atlantic Baking Company is worth the stop alone for the whoopie pies.
• Walk the Rockland Breakwater trail to the lighthouse if you have an hour.
• A ferry departs for Vinalhaven Island for swimming in the famous Lawson’s Quarry and visiting the lobster fishing community, if you have a day.
• Sea Bags, using boat sails to make bags, was my favorite store in Maine. You will see one in almost every town.
  

Coastal Maine LODGING

I saved the best towns for last with Camden, Boothbay, and Kennebunkport for the drive back down the coast. Finally, let’s meet in Bar Harbor. We stayed in downtown Bar Harbor for 3 nights.

• The Bar Harbor Inn or Balance Rock Inn were my top choices, offering the best views, history, and location.
• Since this was a budget trip, I ended up in the Bar Harbor Villager Motel, and survived. Walking next door to McKay’s for blueberry pie and across the street to Ivy Manor gave bonus points for location.
• The Ivy Manor Inn blew me away with live music, fire pits, and being the hot spot of the town.
• There are 90 lodging options in Bar Harbor, including some of the best inns in the country.

5. Bar Harbor’s Spellbinding

Bar Harbor is the effortless reigning queen of New England, blending majestic mountains and ocean cliffs with historic charm.

The invitation to breathe deeply and embrace the simple joys of life defines Bar Harbor.

It’s more than being impressed with everything in the artist-based, unique shops. The stores include Peruvian Link’s alpaca gear and Sherman’s Book store, which is the oldest in Maine. Flowers are abundant. The smell of Balsam Fir fills the air. The view over the boat-filled harbor is captivating. Live music drifting over the town casts a spellbinding atmosphere.

How long to stay in Bar Harbor

The town reminds me of Jackson Hole, Telluride, or Gatlinburg in the 1990s.

Thankfully, the town restricts chains, overdevelopment, and commercialism. While three days is enough time, you could stay for a month and not visit all the restaurants.

6. Bar Harbor Restaurants

Bar Harbor has over 70 restaurants within a few blocks, all of which are excellent and locally owned. After much research, McKay’s Public House, Geddy’s, and The West Street Café made my itinerary. My favorite was McKay’s, with the best blueberry pie with ice cream. The friendly workers, upscale atmosphere, and historic ambiance give McKay’s an edge that makes it memorable.

While there are several ice cream options, there’s one that’s been around for over 100 years, with a line down the street, Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium. You can’t miss the lobster with an ice cream cone outside. Worth the wait, every time.

7. Do A Boat Cruise

An Acadia Nature Boat Cruise with Acadian Boat Tours is a MUST DO. I loved seeing the granite rock cliffs with mansions, known as “summer cottages,” and hearing the historic stories about the famous, wealthy owners (J.P. Morgan, the Rockefellers). Then, there’s the lighthouse, seals, porpoises, and bald eagles, adding to the enjoyment. Sunset cruises are cold, so bring a sweatshirt. Also, arrive 45 minutes before boarding to get a seat on top of the boat. They offer several cruise options around $50 per person.

8. See the Whales & Fish

Life in Maine is all about embracing the water and wildlife that call it home.

• The Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company departs for three or six-hour cruises. Highlights include spotting humpbacks, finback, minke whales, along with dolphins, porpoises, and seals. They also offer Puffin and Lighthouse Cruises.
• The Lulu Lobster Boat Ride offers participants the opportunity to observe traps being hauled, learn about lobstering, and spot local wildlife.
• Island Cruises is a private fishing charter for mackerel, cod, or pollock.
• Bar Harbor Fishing & Lobster Fishing Tours is a 3-hour tour with lobster fishing and saltwater fishing.
  

9. Life Flows with the Tide Swings

The 15-foot tide swings are crazy! Everyone walks the two-mile round trip. They go across the Bar Island Trail to Bar Island at low tide in downtown Bar Harbor. I was surprised at how dry the sand was. Be sure to check the tide schedule so you avoid being stranded.

10. Coastal Maine Road Trip Discoveries

• There’s a Pirate’s Cove Adventure mini-golf about 5 miles outside of Bar Harbor’s downtown.
• The Shore Path begins at Ells Pier adjacent to Agamont Park in downtown Bar Harbor and runs east. It’s a flat 0.7-mile one-way trail with views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, and Balance Rock. If the park where everyone watches the sunset feels crowded, take a peaceful stroll.
• Visit the Abbe Museum to learn about the Wabanaki Nations.
• Nature without hiking options:
• The Asticou Azalea Garden is a serene Japanese-influenced retreat for an afternoon rest near Jordan Pond, a 20-minute drive.
• The Wild Gardens of Acadia are only 2 miles from Bar Harbor, combined with the Jesup Path & Hemlock Path boardwalks for a 30-minute walk through over 400 plant species.
• Catch a film or performance at Criterion Theater, a restored Art Deco venue.
• Kayaking the bay is popular, unless you are Southern, and terrified of 60 degree water.
• Seal Cove Auto Museum is $10 with over 60 antique vehicles.
• Fort Knox is one of the best-preserved coastal defense fortifications from the 1800s. As you drive in, it’s an hour from Bar Harbor and stays open to sunset, costing $8. My guys said this should have been on the itinerary.

11. Acadia National Park can be done in a day.

Acadia has a lot of hype to live up to, being the 7^th most visited National Park in the country. She did deliver, earning a spot in my Top 10 National Parks. While Acadia is vast, the most important attractions are a few miles from Bar Harbor and are easily accessible to one another. We finished Acadia’s highlights on the 22-mile loop in six hours. We started at 5 am to avoid all crowds. We wanted to experience the sunrise. Acadia offers something for every hiker, from peaceful lake walks, sunrise-perched mountains, or thrilling cliff paths.

Acadia Highlights:

• The parking lots are small and full by 8:30 AM, so this is NOT your day to sleep in.
• There’s also an Island Explorer Shuttle Service that runs on a schedule.
• At Sand Beach we hiked the Great Head Trail at the end of the beach for sunrise with views over the ocean

Acadia Trails

• The Beehive is the most famous trail in the park, and it’s rated as strenuous and challenging, so I skipped.
• Thunder Hole is best at high tide for the loudest noise and tallest splashes.
• Otter Cliffs is a walk out and look stop.
• Ocean Path connects Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs for a 4.5-mile round trip. I just drove to each spot.

Bubble Rock

• We hiked Bubble ROCK Trail from the South Trail Bubble Parking lot, and it was a 1.5-mile moderate loop trail. At the top Be sure to take in the VIEWS over BOTH LAKES by walking both sides of the rock.
• Beware, there’s a Bubbles Trail that’s 4.4 miles of hard.
• Tip: Jordan Pond’s trail connects to the Bubbles halfway around the lake, but it’s a harder, longer hike than doing them separately.

Jordan Pond

• You arrive at Jordan Pond before Bubble Rock. We backtracked a couple of miles to Jordan Pond since the parking lot is bigger. We wanted to hike the easy 3 miles around the pond.
• Bought popovers at the Jordan Pond restaurant, and they sell breakfast versions before the restaurant opens.
• Reservations at Jordan Pond’s Restaurant sell out a month in advance but you can walk up.

Cadillac Mountain

• We finished our day with Cadillac Mountain, and the views are photo-worthy and exceed all expectations.
• The Gorham Mountain Loop is a 3-mile loop of moderate terrain.

13. Sunrise Summit is hard to get.

• Cadillac Mountain requires a SEPARATE TIMED ENTRANCE ticket to enter, which has a STRICT timed entrance.
• There are approximately 150 parking spaces, making it challenging to obtain a ticket for a 4:30 am sunrise or sunset.
• The National Park Service releases 30% of the reservations 90 days before entry, and the remaining 70% reservations are released 2 days before entry at 10:00 AM (ET).
• Reminder the goal is ANY ticket! When sunrise sells out, grab a ticket for any time, then try again for sunrise 2 days out.
• Cadillac Mountain has TONS of room to roam, so it doesn’t feel crowded at all.

After a day of hiking, let’s bike tomorrow.

12. Biking Acadia

• Renting E-Bikes to ride the 40 miles of unique carriage roads in Acadia is fun.
• Acadia Outfitters in downtown Bar Harbor rents bikes for $100 a day, and you ride the two miles into Acadia.
• There’s a Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop less than a mile from the park.
• Acadia Ebike Adventure has pick-up and drop-off locations inside the Acadia Hulls Visitor Center for easier parking. However, you are farther from the park highlights. It’s the visitor center, Bar Harbor, then the Acadia park highlights.
• The most popular loops are the Witch Hole Pond Loop (5 miles)
• Tri-Lakes Loop (11 miles), with the best scenic elements passing Eagle Lake, Bubble Pond, and Jordan Pond.
• There’s also Eagle Lake Loop (6 miles) and Hadlock Loop at 4 miles.

14. The Bass Head Lighthouse Trail

Bass Head involves slippery rock scrambling to get the classic photo at the bottom of the cliff. People rating this easy are part goat. I know, you have to go, but I did warn you! I’m including the photos of the rock “trail.”

Acadia hiking is very rocky and vertical, so add Acadia to your bucket list sooner rather than later.

15. Quiet Acadia is Real Maine

Let’s head to the quiet side of Acadia for day four of this Maine road trip. The Southwest side of the park, is known as quiet Acadia. I found Little Cranberry Island (Isleford) and the Southwest Harbor a bit underwhelming but built on a friendly community. After visiting all the extra cute coastal towns, my expectations were to high for the simple side of Acadia. This is an uncrowded, peaceful, eat lunch with the locals sort of day.

The Southwest Side is a glimpse of real Maine with a relaxed lobster-trapping way of life.

Southwest Side of Acadia

Following the Bass Head Lighthouse excursion, we proceeded to hike the 1.3-mile Wonderland Trail. The Ship Harbor Trail is the parking lot beside Wonderland both trails provide access to the tide pool area. I wasn’t impressed with the snails in the tide pools, so we didn’t stay long.

Popovers

• Next, the BEST POPOVERS we had were at the Common Good Soup Kitchen. They are better than Jordan Pond’s. The café runs a daily summer soup kitchen fundraiser selling popovers. The locals are so lovely, the highlight of my day!

Cranberry Cove Ferry

• Then, we arrived at Beal’s Lobster Dock. We waited on the Cranberry Cove Ferry at Thurston’s Lobster Pond. Thurston’s is where everyone goes for a lobster lunch. You pay the $30 to ride when on board the ferry. Stand by the” Wait here for the ferry” sign at the bathroom, and the boat captain comes to collect you.
  
• It’s a peaceful 9 am, 30 minute, boat ride around the islands. You see all the different marked lobster traps on your way to Little Cranberry (Isleford).
  

Isleford

• We had two hours to see the small Museum, two stores and have our picnic lunch by the ocean. Then, we caught the return ferry at 12. Bring a book or take a stroll through the neighborhood.

• There’s a little shop selling lobsters, hot dogs and ice cream.
• The Isleford Dock Restaurant opens for dinner, make reservations.
• There’s a 3 hour guided boat tour, Acadia National Park Cruise, with a park ranger by Sea Princess Cruises that includes a 45 minute stop on Isleford.
• Isleford is community, with neighbors helping neighbors with packages and grocery runs to Bar Harbor. It’s a glimpse into the lobster trapping Maine life.
  

Due to tide swings, the bigger boats are anchored in the harbor. These dinghy boats pull up to the shore in all of Maine.

The Schoodic Peninsula

The Schoodic Peninsula is the quiet side of Acadia to the east, with the same dramatic coastline beauty, with rocky shores, a six-mile loop road through the spruce forest, without the crowds.

16. Cheaper Lobsters

Lobsters, Lobsters, Lobsters! For me, lobsters are an outside food on a picnic table by the sea. To be considered a Maine local, you need seven generations of Maine living, and they are serious. Anyway, I asked several locals for the best lobsters and the answer was always the same: McLoons Lobster Shack. I had the best lobster I’ve ever had at McKays, costing around $35, but I’m no expert.

After a couple of days of taking in majestic views, hiking, and refreshing our souls, it’s time to head down the coast. I rarely ever immediately start planning to return, but I did just that to see Acadia in the fall.

Bar Harbor is a charming town. People live a peaceful life with the perfect blend of nature. It provides nourishment for the soul.

17. Camden is Majestic

Camden was my second favorite town, known for its picturesque architecture, scenic harbor views, and tranquil setting. Y’all, this town is like walking into a painting with sailboats in the harbor and neighbors waving from their yards. I would plan to spend a couple of hours in their boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. The sweeping harbor view from Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park is a MUST-DO. It’s worth the hour on your itinerary to drive the 15 minutes up the mountain. After Acadia, I’m not hiking when there’s a road.

Camden Hills State Park

Windjammer Tour

After dinner, we went on a Windjammer Tour. I wasn’t a fan of the cold water splashes. They accompany sailing a 100-year-old ship that tilts sideways and runs even with the ocean. You can see the Camden Lighthouse from your boat tour. Vacation is for new experiences so give it a try.

Lord Camden Inn

We stayed at the Lord Camden Inn, and I loved it. The attention to detail with the arched brick on the inside walls, chocolates on my pillow, afternoon cookies, main street location, and hotel breakfast were impressive. If you are looking for a 100 year old recipe for Clam Chowder, the Waterfront Restaurant has a delicious one. It’s very easy to move on to Boothbay and end your day there instead of Camden. After breakfast, we headed to find the trolls.

18. Maine’s Botanical Gardens are a top attraction.

We started day 6 with Boothbay and Maine’s Botanical Gardens. Boothbay is charming, with plenty of personality. It’s not as “polished” as Camden and Kennebunkport, with an authentic, working class feel. After Bar Harbor and Camden, Boothbay was my next favorite town.

Boothbay

Maine Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens have trolls and a fairy forest, so that makes it a MUST DO. The gardens have parking like a theme park, and this was our biggest crowd until everyone spread out. If you are traveling with kids, this is your stop with fun playgrounds. The crowds are always in Kennebunkport, but let’s stop anyway.

19. Kennebunkport is crowded.

Kennebunkport is a scenic coastal destination known for its refined atmosphere. It’s the second most famous town on the coast. However, it was very crowded in July. There’s also a Kennebunk area, so don’t let that confuse you. You can stroll Ocean Avenue to glimpse the famous Bush compound or visit Gooch’s Beach. It’s a great place to spend the night or a week and enjoy some beach time. For my southern friends, this is the northern version of Seaside, FL or 30 A.

As much as I wanted to stay in Kennebunkport, the last stop in Maine is the beach.

20. Ogunquit has it’s own vibe.

Ogunquit has a fantastic, wide beach running down the coast, so we enjoyed the chilly sunset. You can walk down to the beach from town, the public beach or the Footbridge Beach parking lot, like I did. Marginal Way cliff walk offers breathtaking ocean views. This is an LGBT friendly town with 2-5 rainbow flags on each charming main street shop. Honestly, 100 flags felt like overkill in a cute seaside town filled with families and toddlers.

Day 7: Home

We finished off our last day in Boston before our late flight out. My Boston Travel Guide will help you plan a few days.

“Maine is where the mountains meet the sea.”

Out of all the U.S. states, Maine is ranked 8^th for me, so GO VISIT. Maine has “Vacationland” car tags. It delivers a 10/10 vacation experience. The state boasts exceptional restaurants and boutique shopping. The friendliest locals and unlimited nature experiences await you.

Planning Thoughts

Thank you for reading my Best Coastal Towns in Maine road trip. Here are a few planning thoughts.

1. Cheapest flights are out of Boston, and who doesn’t LOVE Boston! The flights are approximately $300 cheaper than those to Bangor (closest) and $150 cheaper than Portland (halfway).
   
2. Deciding where to start your road trip depends on how much time you have. Boston is five hours, plus stops and traffic, from Bar Harbor.
   
3. How much time you need depends on how many towns and hikes you plan to explore. Y’all, I could live in New England for the summer!

• 4 Day Trip-You can easily fly into Bangor, experience Bar Harbor, and hike two days in Acadia.
• 5 Day Trip-Add in Camden, Boothbay, and Maine’s Botanical Gardens
• 6 Day Trip-Fly in and out of Portland and visit Kennebunkport.
• 7-8 Day Trips-In a week, you can fly into Boston and spend a day.
• 9-14 Day Trips-For longer trips or second-time road trippers, consider these towns.
• Lubec (remote, natural beauty)
• Isle au Haut (remote Acadia)
• The Island of Monhegan (no cars)
• Nova Scotia (visit Canada)
• Moosehead Lake & Greenville (Maine’s largest lake) with MOOSE SAFARIS about 2.5 hours from Bar Harbor. Northeast Whitewater offers sunrise and sunset tours.

4. Traveling with Kids, add FUN stops such as:

• Funtown Parkway
• York’s Wild Kingdom
• Dew Haven
• Maine’s Wildlife Park.
  

5. After Itinerary, flights, and lodging, I make a TO DO List with rental car, Acadia Park Pass, Cadillac Mountain Pass, Bar Harbor Boat cruise, whale cruises, Maine Coastal Botanical Garden tickets, and download an offline map of Acadia in the National Park App.

6. I created a Maine photo folder and took screenshots of every reservation and pass for easy access, since cell service is unreliable.

Experiencing coastal Maine is more than just scenery – it’s a feeling.

From charming harbor towns and windswept beaches to fresh-caught lobster and unforgettable sunsets over the Atlantic, each stop along the coast offers its own slice of New England magic.

Coastal Maine invites you to slow down, savor the moment, and let the ocean set the pace.

Maine is waiting, have an unforgettable vacation. After my BOSTON TRAVEL GUIDE, here’s a few other trip ideas.