Least Crowded Times and Places for Maine Summer Vacation

Maine - The Way Life Should Be

Least Crowded Times and Places for Maine Summer Vacation

by Michael
(Southern California)

Acadia National Park Jordan Pond

I live in California and know almost nothing about Maine except that we want to visit there in summer 2011. We like to minimize crowds to the extent possible. We want to be on or near a lake.

What are good places and times that have the least crowds? For example is the Boothbay area the most crowded and would it be better to vacation farther north up the coast?

Comments for
Least Crowded Times and Places for Maine Summer Vacation

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 19, 2010
Rating

Part II Times and Places for Maine Summer Vacation
by: Liz

(See also Part I of Response)

...York Beach, Kennebunkport, Freeport, Portland, Camden, Damariscotta, and Bar Harbor.

However, in between, there are dozens of other picturesque coastal areas, where nature has been left to do its own thing, and because of it, the crowds are not as prevalent.

And, as you move away from Maine's shoreline, and the expanse of land opens up, there is much more room to roam, so you do not get the same intensity of crowds.

A wonderful place to experience a combination of coastal Maine AND mountains and lakes, is the Acadia National Park area.

Although Bar Harbor, the closest town to the National Park entrance, is very touristy (although well worth a stop), the park is expansive, and offers wonderful opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring nature in a spectacular setting.

As for Maine lakes...

I don't know if you have seen this List of Lakes in Maine, provided by Wikipedia. You may find it useful:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lakes_in_Maine

The list is broken down by county, then by lake size, and provides information as to bordering town(s).

If you Comment (see link below) with more specifics as to how you hope to spend your Maine summer vacation, other readers, or I, may be able to provide more targeted responses. You may also be interested in:

Books on Maine
Maine Tourist Attractions

Best regards,
Liz

Sep 19, 2010
Rating

Part I Times and Places for Maine Summer Vacation
by: Liz

Hi Michael,

Due to space limitations, my Comments are in Part I and Part II...

The best time to visit Maine, to be sure that you can avoid the crowds, but still enjoy nice Maine weather...

...is typically late spring or early fall, when schools are in session and not many families are traveling.

Although many Maine businesses are seasonal, catering only to summer tourists, many are open by Memorial Day weekend and continue greeting visitors - through the Maine fall foliage - until Columbus Day weekend.

Where you choose to visit in Maine will of course depend on how you envision spending your vacation time. If hiking and wilderness are your primary interest, Maine's Lake and Mountains Region, the Mount Katahdin area, or Acadia National Park, may be most interesting to you.

On the other hand...

If whale watching, Maine windjammer cruises, or lazy days at the beach sound inviting, then coastal Maine is where you may want to head.

Or, you may want to consider a combination of both. As a rule...

...Maine's coastal towns and villages are fairly busy during the months of July and August, particularly on weekends, or when they are playing host to special activities and events.

You mention Boothbay, Maine...

Boothbay Harbor, like many Maine coastal towns, has numerous shops and restaurants, as well as a busy harbor that offers various types of scenic boat cruises and fishing charters. It is a VERY popular destination. The same goes for many other locations, such as...

(Read also Part II of Response)

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Maine Travel and Tourism Questions

Contact Me