Maine State of Mind

Jul 31

MAINE STATE OF MIND

Maine is just such a wonderful state. I truly can’t say enough about it. I have been there three times in the last year if that tells you anything☺ There are countless amazing places to visit but I am going to list the top places I have traveled in Maine and give you some of my favorite things to do and of course where to eat! While in Maine it is essential to spend as much time as possible outside. From hiking to biking to beaches; adorable towns and great shopping. And don’t forget to load up on whoopie pies!

First stop along the way…. As much as I love Maine I have to do a little intro with a small town in New Hampshire right on the border of Maine. It is an adorable town and a place I highly recommend stopping at for an afternoon on the way to Maine. And if staying in Ogunquit I would also highly suggest driving a few miles south to Portsmouth for dinner at Cava one night. It is absolutely worth it!

Portsmouth:

Cava - (incredible dinner) https://www.cavatapasandwinebar.com

Black Trumpet - another amazing dinner spot http://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com

The Franklin http://www.franklinrestaurant.com

Earth Eagle Brewings http://eartheaglebrewings.com

Popovers on the Square https://www.popoversonthesquare.com

Green Elephant http://www.greenelephantnh.com

The Friendly Toast http://thefriendlytoast.com

Elephantine Bakery https://www.elephantinebakery.com/

***This town also has a ton of great shopping and a lot of excellent coffee shops.

Another little pit-stop driving into Maine (is a tiny bit out of the way if coming through NH but also worth the detour)

York/Kittery

Stonewall Kitchen - (I am sure you are familiar with their products which originated in ME and they have the original in York) https://www.stonewallkitchen.com/stores?StoreID=000001

Love Bird Donuts – I can’t get enough of the donuts! https://www.lovebirdsdonuts.com/

Anthony’s - This will be the best gas station stop you have EVER made! It is located inside Shell gas station and everything from the bagels, to coffee to the whoppie pies (not to mention the food) is delicious! Great stop on your way up to pick up some food to have to eat for breakfast in the morning https://www.anthonysfoodshop.com/

Ogunquit:

Where to stay:

Cliff House http://www.cliffhousemaine.com

There are a ton of adorable bed and breakfasts in this part of Maine. I have been twice but both times stayed at the Cliff House. It’s just too good!

Eats:

Johnathan’s - The owner is a lovely person and the food is very yummy. But the mussels are the big standout and so worth the trip. I could have drunk the broth it was so delicious. http://www.jonathansogunquit.com

Front Porch - Gluttony at its best! https://www.thefrontporch.com

Food for Thought - https://www.foodforthoughtme.com

Other activities in Ogunquit:

Take a walk (or a run) along Marginal Way

Go on a sail at sunset (or whenever) and bring some champagne and a blanket Silver Lining Sails https://www.silverliningsailing.com

Beaches (Footbridge Beach is a great one)

Wells:

Wells is a small town in between Ogunquit and Kennebunkport. If you are staying in either it is worth driving there to visit a couple of these great spots!

Eats:

Joshua’s http://joshuasrestaurantandbar.com

Brewed Awakenings

Congdon’s after Dark https://cadfoodtrucks.com

Congdon’s Doughnuts https://congdons.com

Kennebunkport:

Eats:

Earth https://www.earthathiddenpond.com

White Barn Inn – Culinary experience….so, so amazing! https://aubergeresorts.com/whitebarninn/

Little Barn is another restaurant at White Barn Inn that is more approachable and equally exquisite

Rococo Ice Cream http://www.rococoicecream.com

Salt & Honey https://thesaltandhoney.com/about-us

Satellite Donuts https://www.satellitedoughnuts.com

Mabel’s Lobster Claw https://mabelslobster.com

Boathouse Restaurant https://boathouseme.com

Arundel Wharf https://www.arundelwharf.com

Hurricane’s https://www.hurricanerestaurant.com

Hotels:

Boathouse Waterfront Hotel https://boathouseme.com

White Barn Inn https://aubergeresorts.com/whitebarninn/

Cabot Cove https://cabotcovecottages.com

Nonantum Resort https://www.nonantumresort.com

Hidden Pond https://hiddenpondmaine.com/earth/

The Colony Hotel https://colonymaine.com

Other things to do in Kennebunkport:

Rent bikes and ride them around the area

See the Bush Compound

Spa at Hidden Pond

Beaches

Go to the Colony Hotel and sit on the law with a cocktail at sunset

Shopping

Portland:

Where to stay:

Inn by the Sea https://innbythesea.com/

Portland Harbor Hotel https://www.portlandharborhotel.com/#

Eats:

Central Provisions http://www.central-provisions.com

Fore Street http://www.forestreet.biz

Vinland - This place offers a 19 course tasting menu. If you call ahead of time you can talk to the chef and let him know anything you really don’t want to eat (i.e. sweetbreads). If you are a picky eater or vegetarian or something like that I would not suggest this for you☺ But if you want a culinary experience this place is amazing. The food is almost as beautiful as it is delicious. Word to the wise don’t do the wine pairing with it or you may end up not being able to walk when you leave which is more or less what happened to me! https://vinland.me

Event Tide http://www.eventideoysterco.com

Street & Co http://www.streetandcompany.net

Holy Donut http://theholydonut.com

Jam Café https://www.jamonhawthorne.com

Pine Street Biscuits http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com

Bar Harbor:

Where to stay:

West Street Hotel https://www.theweststreethotel.com

Bar Harbor Inn and Spa http://www.barharborinn.com

The Grand Hotel https://barharborgrand.com

Balance Rock Inn https://www.balancerockinn.com/specials/summer-special/

Eats:

Havana https://www.havanamaine.com

Parilla is a little tapas bar right next to Havana. Great for HH and also brunch.

Burning Tree https://www.theburningtreerestaurant.com

Coda https://www.codasouthwestharbor.com/

Café this Way https://www.cafethisway.com/

Sweet Pea Farms https://www.sweetpeascafemaine.com/

Other things to do in Bar Harbor:

Beehive Hike

Arcadia National Park (endless possibilities here from hiking to bike riding to beach to kayaking…. you can spend a week just in this park)

Cadillac Mountain Sunrise

Sand Beach

Shopping

When driving north (or south depending on which direction you are going) in Maine you can choose to take the highway or the more scenic route. If you have the time I highly suggest doing the scenic route at least once. There are so many great places to stop and have little adventures along the way.

Other stops along the way:

Driving Maine Rout 1 going from Portland on up:

Blue Mountain Brewery https://bluemountainbrewery.com/

Moody’s Diner https://moodysdiner.com/

Red Eat’s (lobster roll) Wiscasset. Be prepared to wait in line and it is cash only. http://www.redseatsmaine.com/

Camden (great small town; also has great hiking). This stop could be an all-day stop or even an overnight stop☺

Rockland (another adorable small-town worth taking some time to visit)

Going from Kennebunkport to Portland you must stop in Cape Elizabeth and see the lighthouse and also spend a little time in the town. Really adorable!

Tamara