Maine Roadtrip in a weekend – all of the best tips

25
Jun
2019

If you’re looking for a Maine roadtrip that you can do in a weekend, here are the my best tips. Our trip actually started with exploring the southern coast of Maine! In true Amy fashion, I couldn’t plan a trip and only see one spot. We also went to Nantucket on this trip, and I share my 48 hour itinerary for Nantucket itinerary, which you can find here.

A cool coastal vibe with a Maine Roadtrip

I had traveled to Maine 10 years before and have wanted to go back every summer! Additionally, I desperately wanted to take my husband because I knew he would love the beach in Maine since it’s not hot. So, last year we finally made it happen with my parents. All in all I love this Maine roadtrip so much and would LOVE to go back again!

Maine Roadtrip - A weekend in Southern Coastal Maine - Boats in Ogunquit
A weekend in Southern Coastal Maine – Boats in Ogunquit
Maine Roadtrip - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine - Lobster at the Lobster House in Ogunquit
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Lobster at the Lobster House in Ogunquit

Flying into Boston for your Maine Roadtrip

We opted to fly into Boston instead of Portland, ME because it was a nonstop flight and “only a 90 minute drive.”

Ok, so y’all! You should know a 90 minute drive on the east coast during a holiday weekend ended up being a 4 hour drive. I was the driver and traffic was crazy. When we finally reached Ogunquit I had a celebratory beer, which was very well deserved.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Beer at the Lobster House in Ogunquit

My Dad went straight for the Lobster and said it did not disappoint!

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine - Lobster at the Lobster House in Ogunquit
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Lobster at the Lobster House in Ogunquit

Ogunquit, Maine

Ogunquit is so cute! We loved exploring this quaint spot. Highly recommend visiting this cute little town.

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine - Ogunquit
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Ogunquit
Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine - Ogunquit
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Ogunquit

Where to stay – Scarbourough, Maine

By the time we got to Scarbourough we were so tired and so pleasantly surprised by our accommodations!

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine - Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point

We stayed at The Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point in Scarborough, ME. These suites are brand new and amazing! They have a kitchen, laundry, and 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms right on the ocean! These suites made our trip feel so luxurious. I would love to come back and stay for much longer.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

We arrived right around sunset and went straight down to the beach. It was completely secluded and so peaceful.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

After the sunset, we went back up to our Suite and sat outside on the patio until night. You can’t see the ocean from there, but you can hear it!

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

A beach day and fresh seafood

We spent the entire next day on the beach and it again was completely secluded! It was May, and it was chilly, but we were able to sit by the ocean relaxing, reading and having a picnic.

We also walked around the neighborhood that afternoon which ended up being one of my favorite parts of our trip! We even discovered East Grand Lobster Co. where you can get freshly caught Lobsters, Clams, and Crabs. If we would have had more time, we would have for sure taken advantage of this and had our own clam bake back at our suite!

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

The best hole in the wall restaurant

We also discovered Rising Tide Restaurant (which has actually closed down! NOOO!!). It was a rainy and chilly day so there wasn’t anywhere with outdoor seating. We waited over two hours for a table and it actually ended up being worth the wait! I started with the Seafood Chowder and I wish I had a full bowl of this stuff!

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

Give this guy lobster and beer and he’s happy!

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - Eating Lobster in Scarbourough, Maine
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

As a matter of fact, they both opted for the 2lb twin lobster dinner. Not only did we wait for 2 hours, we sat at this table for quite a while too!

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine

We headed back to our suite and stopped at the Garage BBQ for take out dessert. The Garage BBQ is right across the street from The Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point. They had great service and it was quick!

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Two Lights State Park

Coastal Maine Roadtrip Sight seeing

The next day we had a full day of sightseeing planned. We started at Two Lights State Park which was only about a half an hour beautiful drive. We then had lunch at The Lobster Shack at Two Lights.

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine  - The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – The Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Without a doubt, this area is so gorgeous. It’s actually the perfect spot to watch the waves hitting the rocks and have lunch!

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine  - The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – The Lobster Shack at Two Lights

Fort Williams Park and Portland Head Lighthouse

We got back in the car and had a 15 minute drive to the Portland Head Lighthouse in Fort Williams Park. This park was very crowded and we had to park pretty far from the actual site on the negative side, but we found parking and I enjoyed having the walk.

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine  - Portland Head Lighthouse
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Head Lighthouse

The Portland Headlight is so cool and definitely picturesque Maine! Highly recommend adding this stop to your Maine adventure.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Head Lighthouse
Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine  - Portland Head Lighthouse
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Head Lighthouse

There were also food trucks at Fort Williams Park. I got a lobster grilled cheese, because when in Maine, right?

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Fort Williams Park Lobster Grilled Cheese Food Truck

Original L.L. Bean Store

Next on our Maine Roadtrip, we drove up about 40 minutes to the L.L. Bean store, which is the first and not to mention largest L.L. Bean store.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – L.L. Bean in Freeport, ME

Portland, Maine

After that, on our Maine Roadtrip, we made our way back down to Portland to explore, which was about another 25 minute drive.

Our first stop was at Gilbert’s Chowder house for clam chowder. This place is a dive but the chowder was good! We walked around and stopped at several shops before going to Portland Lobster Co.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Lobster Co.

We got a table outside here. They had a live band and a deck over the water.

Maine Roadtrip Itinerary - 3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine  - Portland Lobster Co.
3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Lobster Co.

Additionally, the next morning we drove my parents back to Boston and made our way down to Nantucket! And that was everything we squeezed in to 3 days of our Maine roadtrip.

3 Days in Southern Coastal Maine – Portland Lobster Co.

My best Maine Roadtrip tips

All in all, if I did this Maine Roadtrip again, I would most likely skip Portland area and focus on staying in Ogunquit or Scarborough. I might even plan to have a Maine beach vacation at the Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point. This is such a wonderful lodging option right on the beach!

Where to stay: Lighthouse Suites at Pine Point https://www.lspinepoint.com/

Where to eat: http://lobstershacktwolights.com/

What to do: Fort Williams State Park https://www.capeelizabeth.com/visitors/attractions/fort_williams_park/home.html

Where to go: Ogunquit https://www.ogunquit.org/

XOXO,

Amy

  1. Kelly says:

    Very cool!

  2. Sydney says:

    Love it! Thanks for the recs!!

  3. Joan says:

    Loved re-living this trip!! 🦞

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