1 week vacation flying into Bangor, Maine. 5/25-6/1

Question

Hello,

We are planning a trip to Maine on 5/25.  My first idea for itenerary had to be scrubbed becuase it was too agressive and too much driving. As we are arriving on Memorial day weekend, we would like to explore either north or south of Bangor then end up back in Bar Harbor/Acadia Wed.-Sat.

That leaves us 3 days to explore.  I looked at a) going down to Portland, via 1 or 95, then working our way back up to Bar Harbor, or b)  going up to St. andrews area and working our way south.

Or, c)  Stay in the bar harbor area for the week as there is plenty to do there!

Any thoughts?   We really don't want to drive 3 hours a day.

Thanks much for the insight!

Jack

TomMalley · Accepted Answer

You'll probably want to adjust your plans based on the weather, late May can be iffy for sure. That said, your llodging choices might have strict cancellation polices. For Mon-Thurs of Memorial weekend though, you can probably book on the fly, or at least wait until a few days before your visit once you've checked the forecast.

If you like to drive out and explore a lot, and if you also are planning some hiking, then 4 nights for Bar Harbor is probably good. If you're not going to do any hiking then 3 nights is probably fine....but remember that a 3 night stay only gives you two full days in between for exploring.

I would look at the Camden/Rockland area for your other nights, lots of lakes & mtns and coastal towns to explore in that area. And it's a fairly easy hop back up to Bangor for your departure day....on a Saturday morning it would be about a 75 min drive. Or of course you could head for Camden first, and do Bar Harbor second, Bar Harbor is about the same drive to Bangor airport...70 mins.

Strawberry Hill Inn in Rockport is a gorgeous place to stay....but if you prefer to be right in town where you can walk to dining etc then Camden or Rockland works best.

Edited: 10 May 2024, 20:56

TomMalley · Answer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhaxglK6Mrg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhB__lVa8Gg

Bonnie V · Answer

Plan a and plan b would be two very different experiences. Portland and along the coast from there to Bar Harbor will be very busy on the first holiday weekend of the season. Lots of traffic, especially if the weather is good and all of Boston heads north.

On the other hand, the drive to St. Andrew's and then south to Bar Harbor will be very rural without much to see or do except for nice scenery. Route 9 from Bangor to the Canadian border is a truck route with no amenities.

I'd go directly to Bar Harbor and, after the weekend, do a day trip down to Camden or up to Lubec.

CB48 · Answer

Bonnie is right - the weekend you arrive will have quite a bit of traffic. I'd plant myself somewhere and wait to move until Tuesday if you want. We camp Memorial Day weekend and head up on Thursday then wait until Tuesday to return home. It eliminates a lot of traffic for us. I would also go right to Bar Harbor/ Acadia if you can get a reservation, then choose another destination for the latter part or middle part of the week.

Jack H · Answer

thanks!

1 week vacation flying into Bangor, Maine. 5/25-6/1 - Maine Forum

1 week vacation flying into Bangor, Maine. 5/25-6/1

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