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Best Maine Vacation Spots for your Summer Road Trip

Maine Vacation Itinerary: Popular Places to Visit & Where to Stay

These Maine vacation spots are a great choice for your summer road trip. From rocky coastal vistas punctuated by lighthouses and lobster boats to inland freshwater lakes flanked by mountains and evergreens, a road trip through Maine offers something for everyone.  From south to north and back again, this ultimate Maine road trip is filled with quirky small towns, beautiful natural wonders, and unique experiences. 

Map of stops on Maine Road Trip

Stop #1 - Southern Coastal Region

York is the first of our Maine vacation spots and is one of the oldest towns in Maine. No visit to Maine is complete without visiting a few lighthouses, and the Cape Neddick Nubble Lighthouse, arguably one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country, is a perfect first stop on any Maine road trip.

While most of Maine’s coastline is known for a craggy, rocky face,  just down the road from the lighthouse is Long Sands Beach, a family friendly, mile long white, sandy stretch that is rarely crowded and is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a quiet day watching the waves roll in.  If relaxing at the beach isn’t your thing, head for the hiking and biking trails at Mount Agamenticus or experience The Marginal Way, an iconic coastal walkway in the charming town of Ogunquit.  

Places to Stay in York and Ogunquit

Nautical vacation room at Trellis House

The Trellis House B&B

Ogunquit Maine vacation spot

Hartwell House Inn

Stop #2 - Maine's Lakes Region

After your day exploring the shops and sites on Maine’s southern coast, change things up and head inland.  Head north along the coast to Freeport, home of LL Bean’s flagship store.  Spend some time shopping at Freeport's adorable outlets, and make sure to pick up a classic Maine whoopie pie at Wicked Whoopies. After you’ve shopped till you drop, head towards Poland, in the lakes region. Home of countless lakes for kayaking, fishing, and bald eagle spotting, you can enjoy a day on the water and then hit some spots along the Maine Beer Trail, like the Oxbow Beer Garden, located in a rustic, remodeled barn. 

Places to Stay in Freeport, Poland, and Waterford

Maine Lakes Region summer vacation spot

Wolf Cove Inn

Summer vacation lodging in the Maine Lakes Region

Waterford Inne

Stop #3 - Boothbay Harbor Region

From the lakes region, head back towards the coast and spend some time in the Boothbay Harbor Region.  Visit the town of Wiscasset, fondly known as the “prettiest village in Maine”, and spend the morning exploring their picturesque Main Street, filled with boutiques and eateries.  Grab lunch at Red’s Eats for one of the best lobster rolls in Maine.  After lunch, drive to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse to scramble around on the rocky beach surrounding one of the prettiest lighthouses in Maine.  *Pro-tip: Look carefully and you can find tons of tiny little rock cairns left by previous visitors to the beach.  End your day with a sunset Schooner ride around Boothbay.

Places to Stay in Boothbay and New Harbor

Topside Inn vacation package Schooner Sail for Two

Featured Maine Vacation Package

Topside Inn Schooner Sail for Two

At this Maine vacation spot, set sail out of Boothbay Harbor and experience Maine by sea. Enjoy the fresh ocean breezes and get an up close look at our historic lighthouses and wildlife; seals sunning on the rocks and porpoises at play.  The Topside Inn package includes two tickets aboard one of two local schooners, Eastwind or the Bay Lady.  Wine and cheese picnic to enjoy on the boat or in your room.

Maine lodging mid coast vacation

Bradley Inn and Restaurant

Stop #4 - Northern Coastal Region

Before leaving the Boothbay region, head to the Coastal Maine Botanic Gardens for a morning of exploring local flora and fauna.  After that, the next of your Maine vacation spots, is a trip to Bar Harbor on Mt. Desert Island, the perfect home base from which to explore Acadia National Park.  Whether hiking around Jordan Pond, or birding on the 158 miles of pedestrian trails, Acadia is an ideal destination for the outdoor enthusiast.  Be sure not to miss afternoon tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House!

Places to Stay in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Acadia National Park Vacation Lodging

Featured Maine Vacation Package

Balance Rock Inn on the Ocean “Tour of Acadia”

Package Includes: Acadia National Park Pass, Trail & Hiking Guide, $25 Towards Tea & Popovers at the Jordan Pond House, Two Hour Scenic Trolley Ride through Acadia.

Bar Harbor vacation lodging spot

Ullikana

Bar Harbor Mount Desert Island vacation rental

Inn at Bay Ledge

Stop #5 - Maine Midcoast Region

Now that you’ve experienced the rugged natural beauty of the northern Maine Coastal region, it’s time to turn back towards the south and explore more quintessential New England summer experiences in the midcoast region.  Follow Route 1 back down along the coast to the quaint towns of Rockland, Lincolnville, and Camden to continue the adventure!

Places to Stay in Camden, Rockland, and Lincolnville

Rockland Maine vacation rental

Berry Manor

Lincolnville Maine vacation lodging rental

Inn at Sunrise Point

camden maine vacation lodging rental

Captain Swift Inn

Camden Maine vacation rental stay

Camden Maine Stay Inn

Stop #6 - Kennebunkport Area

As you wrap up your driving tour of Maine, continue driving down Route 1 to visit Kennebunkport and its many attractions.  Head to Cape Porpoise, a working fishing village dating back to the 1600’s, and watch the lobsterman bring in their daily catch.  Visit the famous Rococo’s Ice Cream to taste unique savory ice cream flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry Chambord and Sweet Avocado Cayenne, or opt for something more traditional like Maine Maple Walnut.  Work off your ice cream feast with a kayak trip on the Kennebunk River.

Places to stay in Kennebunkport

Kennebunkport vacation property

1802 House B&B

Kennebunkport vacation property

Inn at English Meadows

Best Places to Stay in Bar Harbor

Ariel view of Balance Rock Inn
outdoor breakfast with a view
exterior night
Hotel Lounge area
Balance Rock Guestroom

Balance Rock Inn - On the Ocean

Bar Harbor, ME

The Inn at Bay Ledge Aerial
ledge by bay
sunset
back patio
sitting room
The Inn at Bay Ledge Staircase
The Inn at Bay Ledge Piano
The Inn at Bay Ledge Sunroom
common area
milky way
front porch

The Inn at Bay Ledge

Bar Harbor, ME

Ullikana exterior
Ullikana outdoor breakfast
Ullikana Guestroom 3
Ullikana Guestroom
Ullikana outside day
Ullikana Guestroom 2
welcome ullikana
Ullikana Entry

Bass Cottage Inn & Ullikana Inn

Bar Harbor, ME

Best Places to Stay in Camden

Front exterior of inn
Smith Guest Room
Piano Room
Common Ground Guest Room
gardens
exterior front of inn
Guestroom_-_Interior
gardens
camden inn at night
Breakfast_porch
2-Camden_Maine_Stay_Inn-2
exterior of inn at night
Porch with chairs and flowers
gardens at inn
inn sign and walkway to front door
Peach Stuffed French Toast

Camden Maine Stay Inn

Camden, ME

captain swift interior
living room
swirl room
orange room
blue room
guest room with fireplace
blue room
sitting room
dining room
breakfast spread
breakfast spread
sitting room with tub and fireplace
shower
captain swift exterior

The Captain Swift Inn

Camden, ME

Best Places to Stay in Kennebunk

Inn at English Meadows
Guest Room
Patio
Short walk to town!
suite with fireplace
eggs benedict
shore and boat
maine beach
innatenglish shower
innatenglish dining
innatenglish bed
innatenglish sail
innatenglish patio
Charcuterie Boards and Bites
Guest Lounge
Private En-suite Bath
Winter Patio
Guest Lounge
Guest Suite
Guest Lounge
Boston Globe Feature

The Inn at English Meadows

Kennebunk, ME

Best Places to Stay in Kennebunkport

1802 house exterior
guest room with fireplace
eggs benedict
muffins
window seat
burning fire place
sitting room
teal room
lavender room
stove fire
coffee in bed
guest room
blue room
sage room
Garden with firepit

1802 House Bed and Breakfast

Kennebunkport, ME

Best Places to Stay in Lincolnville

The Inn at Sunrise Point exterior
The Inn at Sunrise Point Conservatory
The Inn at Sunrise Point Guest Room
The Inn at Sunrise Point Guest Room
The Inn at Sunrise Point fireplace
The Inn at Sunrise Point Guest Room
The Inn at Sunrise Point Dusk View
The Inn at Sunrise Point Breakfast
The Inn at Sunrise Point Porch

Inn at Sunrise Point

Lincolnville, ME

Best Places to Stay in New Harbor

A view of the main inn building from the road with the navy blue Bradley Inn Sign in the foreground.  Pinky Winky Hydrangea in full bloom behind the sign
A view of a table set with blue water glasses, wine glasses, place settings and flowers.  A fireplace burns in the background envoking a cozy atmosphere.
Pemaquid Lighthouse in the winter, with snow on the ground and clouds reflecting the pink from the setting sun.
lobster and beer in a backyard
exterior shot
A full length view of The Bradley Inn bar, with its warm wood walls and granite bar top.  Bar liquor on display in front of a mirrored wall, with glasses hanging from a rack above, drinks on the counter and beer taps in the forefront.
Pemaquid oysters lined up on a plate topped with edible flowers and mignonette
bradley-inn
A view of the backyard patio during dusk with firepits and bistro lights glowing around cozy sitting areas.
Multicolored beet terrine served on a piece of slate with green leaf accents
Purple, White and Pink Lupine and Pink Rugosa flowers in full bloom in the fog

The Bradley Inn & Restaurant

New Harbor, ME

Best Places to Stay in Ogunquit

Hartwell House Exterior
Bride at Hartwell House
Champagne at Hartwell House
A Guest Room at Hartwell House
Sign at Hartwell House

Inn at Perkins Cove (Formerly Hartwell House Inn)

Ogunquit, ME

Trellis House Front
Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine.
Trellis House Beach
Trellis House Breakfast Seating
Trellis House Muffin
Trellis House Guest Room 1
Trellis House Sitting Area
Trellis House Ogunquit Room

The Trellis House Bed+Breakfast

Ogunquit, ME

Best Places to Stay in Rockland

berrymanor exterior
baked goods
guest room
front porch
guest room with fireplace
berry-manor-exterior
cherry cobbler
event tables
berrymanor coffee
berrymanor canopy bed
berrymanor room
Berry Manor Inn
berrymanor room

Berry Manor Inn

Rockland, ME

Best Places to Stay in Waterford

waterford fence
The Waterford Inne Exterior
waterford barn
waterford table
waterford
The Waterford Inne Exterior Snow
waterford exterior
waterford exterior
waterford inne view

The Waterford Inne

Waterford, ME

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