Charms of Maine

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Greetings from South Carolina to all you Mainers out there!

Forgive me for making this thread a non-medical one, but I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Maine (specifically, to go straight up the New England coast on my way there, hitting every lighthouse and lobster restaurant in my path).

Can y'all offer any travel and tourist tips (which are SO much better coming from locals than from the tourbooks) for a NICU nurse (and her family) who is much in need of a vacation?

Due to having school-age child, must do this in summer - this is the year!!!!

Thanks so much - from everything I have seen in the literature, y'all have a gorgeous state!

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I do not know that much about the drive up from the carolinas, but if that is what you intend to do, I would also suggest to go to Newport RI, very old money coastal destination. You can see and tour most of the huge estates. As for Maine, take Route 1 up the coast, its a great route and goes by all the coastal towns. But be forewarned..the traffic during the summer can be HORRIBLE!! I don't know much about lighthouses though and do not eat lobster (funny since I lived in Maine for most of my life)..so I can not help you out there. Although for the best prices, a lot of the time the little lobster shacks where you eat off of paper plates offer the best deals and the best lobster rolls (this is what I have been told). Boothbay is one of my favorite places and you can go on Puffin tours, Seal and whale watches, and deep sea finshing (if you go deep sea fishing I would avoid the larger boats..too crowded not as much fun).

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Hey there!

I'm a big lighthouse fan, and living on the NH seacoast has afforded me some wonderful photo ops- if you want to see some of the photos I've taken of NH/Maine/Cape Cod lighthouses you can see them here.

As for things I'd recommend- definitely take Route 1 up the Maine coast! And yes, summer traffic sucks. But if you don't mind taking it slow, it's a great drive! I don't eat lobster either, but everyone here raves about Bob's Clam Hut on Rt 1 in Kittery, it's on the main stretch with the outlet malls. There's a great lighthouse tour you can take out of Portsmouth NH (if you don't get seasick!) through the Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. I'd recommend spending a day in Portsmouth anyway, lots to see and do for families. Some links for you:

Maine Lighthouses

things to do on the NH/southern Maine seacoast

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Brown's Ice Cream by Nubble Light- don't miss!

York Beach-lovely shops, nice beach, great place to visit.

Just drive up Coastal Route 1- lots of places to stop, if you like antiquing, this is the place for you as well.

My favourite place in the world is The Cliffhouse in Ogunquit, it's a wonderful hotel, which overlooks the ocean, very private, I stay there every year when I visit.

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Specializes in M/S, OB, Pedi, HH, util review.

I used to live in Maine. You must visit Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth (just outside Portland). For shopping, Route 1 (anywhere along the way) and the Old Port and Congress street sections of Portland. The absolute BEST seafood restaurant in the entire world is Newick's Lobster House in South Portland.....the line will look daunting, but it moves quickly and it's there because everyone loves the place. Awesome doesn't begin to describe it....inexpensive, huge portions, "interesting" atmosphere. Bar Harbor is worth the visit, as is Wiscasset (I think it's in Wiscasset that there is the Gimbel [not Gimbel's] Store; a real trip back in time). It's an incredible state and you can't go wrong. If you get a chance, take a tour of Casco Bay (Portland). It takes about 2 hours, if I remember correctly) and you won't want to come back to shore. They show you more lighthouses on that tour, too. Enjoy the trip. It will be the experience of a lifetime!!!! Gee, do I sound too enthusiastic? I can't wait to move back there.

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:coollook: Maine has so much to see. You have gotten some great tips. I live in York Beach and the seabreeze is swirling through my house. The Nubble Lighthouse right here in York is famous and worth a view. Great neighborhood to walk with the kids and a playground right off of Short Sands Beach. Other one is Long sands but it is crowded at High Tide!

Definitely go route one, Head up to Rockland, Rockport, Lincolnville and Camden and see over ten lighthouses in 20 miles. Chamber of Commerce and Downeast magazine are great resources. DownEast just came out with "Jewel of the Coast" edition on area I metioned. Includes map too, which the COC provided. Portland is great. Seafood in abundance, follow your nose and locals.

Have Great Fun in this beautiful land I am lucky to call Home.

Cheers, Abbynormal, ED~RN:>}

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:coollook: Maine has so much to see. You have gotten some great tips. I live in York Beach and the seabreeze is swirling through my house. The Nubble Lighthouse right here in York is famous and worth a view. Great neighborhood to walk with the kids and a playground right off of Short Sands Beach. Other one is Long sands but it is crowded at High Tide!

Definitely go route one, Head up to Rockland, Rockport, Lincolnville and Camden and see over ten lighthouses in 20 miles. Chamber of Commerce and Downeast magazine are great resources. DownEast just came out with "Jewel of the Coast" edition on area I metioned. Includes map too, which the COC provided. Portland is great. Seafood in abundance, follow your nose and locals.

Have Great Fun in this beautiful land I am lucky to call Home.

Cheers, Abbynormal, ED~RN:>}

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]

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Specializes in CCU.

Thanks for great advice, will be out in Maine to visitt soon. Will follow some of your ideas :idea: :idea: :idea:

I totally was breathless with some of your pictures palesarah , you have great talent, Bravo! :yelclap: :redbeathe :bowingpur

By the way are you francophone too?

Talk to you after vacations!

Marie

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Specializes in CCU.

[ I'll check it out.

Thank!

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It's a beautiful place to visit, but you don't want to live there!!

Why? If you don't mind me asking.

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I live in Northern Maine and it's a very small area but it's very safe and great if you love a small community.

I was born and raised here and I understand people's dislike for parts of Maine. It is small and their are limited things to do and limited choices but it's still a wonderful place to live if you ask me.

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