Post # 1
Member
43 posts
Newbee
Hi Bees!
So, my fiance and I just moved into our first apartment together this past weekend. Our Wedding is September 22nd, 2012. We are in Western NY near Lake Ontario. Everyone asks us what we are doing for our honeymoon and I just tell them whatever floats our boat but we have always thought Maine was doable.
As of right now…there is no budget. We both took that week off and decided we are doing something!!! Driving to Maine wouldn’t be so bad. I have already looked at the option of flying and renting a car but decided against it for cost and mobility reasons. So we have a nice 8-10 hour drive to the coast.
Now there are plenty of beautiful places in Maine. I grew up during the summer on the beaches of Madison, CT. So I’m a New England coastline girl at heart. I want the ocean. Tim is a mountain boy, so Maine would meet both our expectations.
Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park are the places I keep hearing about from family members. So they are on the list. We may just end up driving up the coast and not planning on hotels until we stop when we want to.
Any tips or suggestions?
Jessie
Post # 3
Member
11735 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
Bar Harbor is a must. If you get down more southern I highly suggest Portland, and even going into the New Husband seacoast area – Portsmouth. It will be beautiful that time of year!
If you make it that far South The Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, New Husband would be a beatiful place for a honeymoon stay!
Post # 4
Member
76 posts
Worker bee
I have all kinds of suggestions! I grew up in New Husband and lived in Maine for the past few years (met Fiance there too!). We are honeymooning in northern New Husband in March…a little different season but still, I’m excited that there is someone else who considers New England a honeymoon spot!
Acadia National Park is GORGEOUS. I’m an avid hiker and camper and have been there lots of times. My favorite trip was when we rented a cabin (fireplace, kitchen, and all) and spent the weekend kayaking and hiking Mt. Katahdin, with a bonfire and s’mores every night. If you’re into outdoorsy activities like mountain climbing, totally take a day and climb up Katahdin (start early!), then take the Knife’s Edge pass down the other side. It’s incredible.
If you’re more into the ‘cozy New England town’ vibe, Rockland/Camden/Rockport is a beautiful area (and FI’s hometown!) with lots of little bed and breakfasts that are SO romantic. We had our engagement photos done in Camden and stayed at the Blue Harbor House…the owners are awesome and the coconut blueberry pancakes were TO. DIE. FOR. The rooms are fairly small at the BHH but the beds are big and comfy 😉 There are tons of beautiful harbors and the views from the cliffs are pretty amazing – plus the lobster is the best you’ll find anywhere. Definitely visit the lighthouses nearby, too 🙂 Also, I think September is high tourist season so the prices for some of the more famous B&Bs will probably be sort of high for some budgets.
Bar Harbor is more of the same type of vibe as Camden, but it’s out on an island and has more touristy type things, so if you’re thinking you might want lots of activities like seeing old houses or museums, or maybe spending some time finding a good position over the rocks at the sealine to see the sunrise (or sunset!) then it’s the perfect place.
Helpful? Feel free to PM me with any more questions!
Post # 5
Member
76 posts
Worker bee
@MrsWBS
Portland is super fun for nights out drinking and dancing, and the hotels are inexpensive. I spent many nights down there partying my butt off. I’d recommend Ri Ra’s Irish Pub for dinner, then Three Dollar Deweys for drinks, then out to any of the bajillions of pubs tht play live music (I like Bull Feeneys) for dancing and more drinking. Novare Res has ‘fancy’ beer if you like that sort of thing, too, but it gets CROWDED really fast. Also, for other pub nights, Gritty McDuff’s is good, as is The Great Lost Bear and Sebago Brewing Company. I really like beer…and so does Maine.
Post # 6
Member
43 posts
Newbee
We are definatley more active as a couple. I personally want to canoe/kayak, hike a little, and enjoy the quaint town life. Not much for cities. (My main concern for Portland is that it will be too busy for us to enjoy.) I look forward to a few lighthouses, seeing some animals, and eating seafood. Cadaillac Mtn is on top of my things to see as well. How is that hike? (and in the dark!) What hotel is the closest for that?
Thank you for the tip on the Blue Harbot House. Its so hard to narrow down what hotel will fit our needs. I will definately be looking into that one.
I have gotten mixed messages on tourist seasons in Maine. I thought the last week of September into October was the start of low season along the coast and might provide some $$$ saving opportunities. :/
I know fall peepers is during that time but I imagine thats more inland?