I’m not a true Mainer like Spiderman, but I have lived here in Southern Maine for 9 of my 20 years in New England and I'll try to help you out with this one.
I think the Seacoast area of New Hampshire is awesome, love the place generally, but Maine is Maine. You've got to get your buds up here if they haven’t been. It’s just not that much farther up the road from Hampton Beach.
I think you would do fine in York beach. Longs sands area of York beach has hotels/motels and restaurants and that would be just fine. That’s also a nice surfing beach when there are waves, and if so inclined you could rent a surfboard from Liquid Dreams surfshop (and a wetsuit) from Mark and give it a go.
Better yet in my opinion, not that much further just north on Route 1 is Ogunquit. It’s touristy but, who cares, its beautiful. Yes, there is a Provincetown component and its a family place too, everybody coexists peacefully, you know, the way life should be. Barnacle Billys, I hear, is quite good. My good friends used to own a B& B in that town and they often referred their guests to that restaurant for lobstah, and everyone was happy. I cant speak from personal experience, but that’s a pretty good recommendation.
If you want an upscale sort of a hotel/motel, there is Sparhawks, where my friends daughter works. It would probably cost about $100+ a night. The Anchorage is another expensive place with great views of the ocean.
If you get on Route 1 in Ogunquit, and just head north for about 2 miles, you hit Wells, Maine. There is a motel right on that route called USA. Here is their website
http://www.usainn.com/index.html My friends parents, who are now in their 80's, have been staying there for at least 20 years every year. Its clean, cheap, close to everything, may be just the ticket. Don’t quote me on this, but I believe Jakes is right next door, or very close. My wife and I always stop there for some chowder or fried haddock when we are in the area. Very small, simple, quickie place for some excellent fish, cant remember if they have lobster because I’m a haddock guy when Im out and steam my own lobster at home. Mikes Clamshack is another good seafood restaurant (more of a sit down and take your time sort of a place-family casual atmosphere) close by on Route 1 in Wells I believe.
Okay, once you guys get in, have your lobster, sleep. Next day, a nice ride would be to head north on Route 1. and then turn right on 35 to Kennebunkport. That’s a little touristy too, but the Bush mansion is right there around the corner about 5 minutes on the coast, called Walkers point, anyone there could direct you, and its really a nice drive. Another option and if you want to see the real deal, head north on Route 1 from Wells, keep driving north on Route 1, past Kennebunk, past Biddeford into Saco, Maine. Go past the Saco river, you’ll pass Rosebud Tattoo parlor on your right still on route 1. Two lights past that is Beach Road, route 9. Turn right, east, heading towards the ocean. You will be traveling about 2-3 miles when you come to a stop after seeing the Saco river to your right a few times, you come to a stop sign. Small church on your right. Your in Camp Ellis which is in Saco. Turn right and follow that road around and you will hit Saco river. There is a loading dock there where the lobstermen unload their catch. Restaurant right next to it is Huots. That’s where the locals go here (and tourists too) and it is good. Right from the ocean to your plate.
The picture below is of the loading dock in Camp Ellis taken by my daughter last week. That is the mouth of the Saco river as it empties into the ocean at Saco bay. You can rent a kayak there and kayak out to wood island, which has a light house on it. It would be a great trip if you have time.
Have a safe trip.
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Topic: For the Conn, Mass & Maine guys ??? (Read 5533 times)