Boston to Bar Harbor

Hi there!!

This summer three friends and I are taking a roadtrip from Boston, MA to Bar Harbor, ME and I was wondering if anyone could suggest some interesting stops to make along the way. We'll definitely stop at Freeport either on the way up or the way home, but if anyone knows of any lesser-known interesting stops (to eat, to see or do something, etc.), please let me know!! Even if it's something silly like a giant statue of a sheep or something, we're just looking for some things to make the 7 hour or so trip more exciting. Also, if you've been to Bar Harbor before and have any suggestions of what to do there (although we've already done quite a bit on the research on the area ;-)), we'd appreciate those as well!

Thanks!
--Stacy--

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America forum.

Just an hour north of Boston (or an hour from home on the way back) is Strawberry Banke in Portsmouth, NH. In addition, Portsmouth is a fun town to walk around and has some great places to eat in its relatively compact downtown. A little farther up the road is York, ME home to the Nubble Light, perhaps the prettiest lighthouse there is. Nearby (ask the locals) is Brown's Ice Cream Stand - worth the stop. But the real reason (?) you should stop in York is your stated goal to see "something silly". I lived in York for about a dozen years and have my own opinion as to the answer, but there is a century old controversy about the statue in the center of town. I suggest that you stop and try to decide for yourselves - Is he a Union or Confederate soldier? Finally, one more stop that is definitely worthwhile: Colonial Pemaquid in New Harbor, ME. This is a bit off the direct route (US-1) but you really need to treat yourselves to some of the peninsulas that make up the "rock-ribbed" coast of Maine, and this one south of Damariscotta is as good as any.

AZBuck

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Originally Posted by ubtalking

This summer three friends and I are taking a roadtrip from Boston, MA to Bar Harbor, ME

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Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! Maine is just about the coolest place to exploring. One of my favorite places is Stonington Harbor on the southernmost tip of Deer Isle. Lots of fishing boats, pretty views, fresh preserves, odd art and friendly people. On the way there -- if you like odd stores -- you might enjoy stopping at Al's Super Store on Route 1 near Wiscasset -- some of Al & Melissa Cohen's inventory could best be called "junk" but some of it is "treasure".

The last time I was there, I stopped the Wooden Boat School, I don't know if they still let landlubbers wander around but it is a very cool place. Another cool place I would like a current field report from would be Nervous Nellies sculpture garden -- home of his famous jellies and preserves.

There is also an excellent book that covers the Bar Harbor area -- it is certainly full of gorgeous photography. Here is my review of James Kaiser's Acadia: The Complete Guide

Happy Planning!

Mark