If you’re looking to spend a week in Maine, you’re in the right place!
In this post I’ll share where you should go during your one week in Maine including my favorite places to eat, stay, and do.
I’ve lived in Maine for over 30 years, so I have my go-to gems and I can’t wait to share it with you!
This one week itinerary will focus on three of the most popular coastal Maine destinations,
In truth, it’s hard to go wrong with a trip to coastal Maine and you’ll love any town you visit!
Read More: Stunning Photo Diary of Maine’s Beautiful Coastline
Getting to Maine
You’ll most likely want to fly into Portland, ME. Portland has a small airport that’s super easy to navigate. A few cities have direct flights right into Portland as well.
If you wanted to fly into Bangor, ME, Boston, MA or Manchester, NH those are also options that require a few hours of driving.
Logan International Airport in Boston to Portland, ME is a 1 hr and 44 minute drive.
Manchester Airport in New Hampshire to Portland, ME is a 1 hr 33 minute drive.
Getting Around Maine
If you’re coming to Maine, you will want a car. You can rent a car at the Portland, Boston, and Manchester airports.
While the larger cities in Maine have Ubers and taxis I would recommend having a car so you can enjoy activities and sights a bit further from the city centers.
Furthermore, one of the best ways to experience Maine is by going for a drive along the coast and you’ll want the freedom to stop along the route as you wish.
Read More: Your First Trip to Maine: Everything You Need to Know
Best Time to Visit Maine
Maine is a four season state. Personally, my favorite time to explore Maine is in September or October, but if you’re hoping to enjoy our summer weather you’ll want to visit during July or August.
If you do come during the summer, be prepared for heavy crowds and traffic, especially with the itinerary below which include 3 of the most popular Maine destinations.
This is again why I prefer the fall season where the weather may be cooler, but the crowds and prices are more favorable.
Read More: How to Spend One Winter Day in Kennebunkport, Maine
7 Day Maine Itinerary
If you’re coming to Maine, this is one of the most popular itineraries for a week long adventure.
Beware, there is some driving involved – you’ll definitely need to have your own car or get a rental at the airport!
For those seeking a visit to Maine that includes whale watching, adorable downtowns, shopping, and Acadia National Park, this is a great itinerary for you.
- Kennebunk/Kennebunkport, Maine – 2 nights
- Camden, Maine – 2 nights
- Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, Maine – 2 nights
Plan to fly into Portland, Maine and head to Kennebunkport, Maine for 2 nights.
Then drive 2 hours north to Camden, Maine for another few nights before heading to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park for another 2 nights.
You can choose to fly out of Bangor, Maine or drive back to Portland, Maine.
Read More: Bar Harbor to Lubec: The Most Beautiful Part of Maine
Things to do in Kennebunk/Kennebunkport, Maine
- Boulangerie Bakery – a must visit!
- Walk along Parson’s Way
- Saint Anns by the Sea Episcopal Church for pretty views
- Colony, Gooch’s, and Mother’s Beach
- Boathouse Restaurant for lunch
- Hurricane Restaurant for sunset dinner
- Chez Rosa for French cuisine
- Mornings in Paris – for macarons!
- Downtown Kennebunk or Kennebunkport for shopping
- New England Eco Adventures – small tour whale watching!
Things to do in Camden, Maine
There are countless ways to enjoy Camden Maine from yummy food to beautiful hikes.
I’ve also listed things to do in the nearby towns of Rockland and Rockport, only a few minutes away.
- Owl and Turtle Bookshop and Cafe
- Walk along the Camden Marina
- Barrett’s Cove Public Beach
- Walk along Main street for shopping
- Camden Hills State Park
- Hike or drive up Mount Battie, 1.1 miles, Moderate
- Shoreline Trail – .7 miles, Easy
- Ocean overlook via Carriage Trail, 3.4 miles, Moderate
- Nearby town of Rockland
- Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
- Harbor Park
- Nearby town of Rockport
- Beech Hill Preserve 1.5 miles, Easy – 360 views!
- Rockport Village Trail – 3.4 miles
- Aldermere Farm Ocean Trail – .7 miles (offshoot of village trail)
- Rockport Marine Park
- Seafolk Coffee, 22 Central Street, Rockport
- Harkness Preserve Trail – 1 mile, Easy
- Curtis Lighthouse Overlook + beach (during low tide)
Things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine
- Acadia National Park
- Sand Beach
- Ocean Path Trail 4.1 miles, Easy
- Beehive Loop Trail 1.5 miles, Hard
- Precipice Trail, 2.6 miles, Hard
- Wonderland Trail 1.3, Easy
- Route 102 Scenic Drive
- Explore Schoodic Peninsula
- Lamoine Beach
- Island Take Out for dinner, 1500 ME-3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
- The Independent Cafe for breakfast, 164 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
- Walk along the Bar Harbor Shore Path, 1.5 miles, Easy
Where to Stay in Kennebunkport
We truly enjoyed our stay at The Seaside Inn. I stayed here with my mom on a girl’s trip in August and it had everything we needed.
It definitely wasn’t the fanciest of stays, it provides the basic amenities, but the location was upbeat right on the ocean.
I was really surprised by the made from scratch breakfast the inn served each morning, and the bikes and hot tub available were an added bonus.
Where to Stay in Camden, Maine
We’ve had a lovely stay at the Lord Camden Inn and highly recommend it! The hotel is perfectly located right on Main street.
Some rooms have balconies available overlooking Megunticook River. They also have dog friendly rooms available, spa services, and a fresh breakfast is included in their dining room.
If you’re RVers or campers like us, you may also want to check out the campground at Camden Hill State Park. This is one of the most affordable ways to explore the area coming in at roughly $45/night.
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor
If you’re staying in Bar Harbor, we highly suggest checking out the West Street Hotel. Centrally located and overlooking Frenchman bay, this hotel has everything you need for a relaxing and luxurious stay.
One of our favorite parts of this hotel was the rooftop pool at night!
We’ve also loved staying at the Bar Harbor/Oceanside KOA with our RV. They have beautiful oceanfront sites and tons of activities on site. Only a few minutes from Acadia National Park, this is a great option for RVers.
Read More: How to Spend 4 Nights Camping in Bar Harbor
*For a complete breakdown of campgrounds in the Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park area, check out this post.
An Epic 2 Week Coastal Maine Itinerary
If you have even longer to explore Maine and can visit for two weeks, you can add a few more stops.
- Kennebunkport/Kennebunk – 2 nights
- Cape Elizabeth – 2 nights
- Portland – 3 nights
- Brunswick/Bath/Georgetown – 2 nights
- Camden – 2 nights
- Bar Harbor/Acadia National park – 3 nights
2 Week Slow Travel, Maine Itinerary
Personally, we prefer to travel slower, visiting fewer places, but feeling more relaxed during our adventures. Here’s what we recommend below for 2 weeks of slow traveling in Maine.
I’d combine a few of the surrounding towns and not worry so much which town you choose.
Having a few home bases and taking day trips is a more relaxing way of traveling for us. But do what’s best for you!
- Kennebunk/Kennebunport – 3 nights
- Cape Elizabeth/South Portland/Portland – 4 nights
- Freeport/Brunswick/Bath/Georgetown – 3 nights
- Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park – 4 nights
Final Thoughts
Maine is full of beautiful gems from our coastal towns, delicious seafood, to quiet and secluded lakes. No matter where you decide to stay during your trip to Maine, you’ll have a blast!
I hope you found this itinerary helpful, be sure to check out my other blog posts on Maine to plan your best vacation yet!
Happy Traveling!
