|
Coastal Maine is a wonderfully diverse destination. Boston... |
|
Model Itinerary
|
Day 1:
There are several airports and highways that will allow you to explore the coast of Maine. Portland is the largest city in Maine and the Portland Jetport is a frequent choice of many visitors to the area. Another popular choice is to fly into Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. This itinerary starts in Bar Harbor which is located near Acadia National Park and travels down the coast back to Portland or Boston |
|
|
Day 2:
Begin your first day in Boston by taking one of the narrated trolley tours around the city. We chose Old Town Trolley because they offered $10 off the Boston Tea Party Museum and free admission to the Old State House Museum. The entire loop takes about 2 hours. Go ahead and do the entire loop first thing in the morning to get an overview of the city and decide where you want to go back and visit. After you complete the loop, you can hop on and off at 16 different stops until 5:00. You do not have to use your coupon or free admission on the same day as your tour, so save those for the next day. Hop off at stop 2 to visit the Old North Church and the house of Paul Revere. If you want lunch, there are plenty of places near there in Little Italy. Next, go to stop 3 to visit the U.S Naval Yard and see Old Ironsides (adults must have an ID) and then walk up to the Bunker Hill Museum and Monument. |
|
|
Day 3:
In the morning, visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This is not a typical museum experience. This guided tour through the museum takes about 1 ½ hours and includes a replica of the ships. After the museum, start exploring the Freedom Trail. Pick up a trail map at Fanieul Hall, make sure to visit the old meeting room on the second floor before you head out on the trial. From Faniel Hall you can walk on the marked trail to Boston Commons and stop at the historic points marked on the map. Ask at the ranger desk in Fanieul Hall to find out if there are any ranger guided tours of the Freedom Trail scheduled. Your ticket from Old Towne Trolley includes free admission to the museum in the Old State House. |
|
|
Day 4:
If you |
|
|
Day 5:
Portland is the largest city in Maine. There are many things to do here, but don’t miss a visit to one of my favorite lighthouses, Portland Head Lighthouse, located in Fort Williams Park. You can also visit nearby Bug Park to see Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, and Springs Point Ledge. Book a hotel for the night at the Marriott Courtyard Portland Downtown/Waterfront. The hotel is located within walking distance of Old Port which has access to harbor tours, shopping, and dining. |
|
|
Day 6:
You can catch a return flight from Portland, or if you have time to extend your trip you can continue the Lighthouse Trail down the coast to Boston. The first stop is Kennebunkport which is famous for being the summer home of Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush. If you head out to Walker’s Point you will see the secret service entrance and past that there is an overlook and parking where you can stop and see the Bush compound. Stop for lunch in downtown Kennebunkport before heading on to Ogunquit Lighthouse and Cape Neddick (Nubble) Light in York. If you continue south to Portsmouth, New Hampshire you can find Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse which you can view from Great Island Common Park. The town of Portsmouth is a great place to walk around absorbing the New England feel and enjoy shopping and dinner on the river on the outdoor patio of the River House. After dinner, start driving toward Boston and find a hotel on the highway. |
|
Day 7:
Day 8:
In the morning, visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This is not a typical museum experience. This guided tour through the museum takes about 1 ½ hours and includes a replica of the ships. After the museum, start exploring the Freedom Trail. Pick up a trail map at Fanieul Hall, make sure to visit the old meeting room on the second floor before you head out on the trial. From Faniel Hall you can walk on the marked trail to Boston Commons and stop at the historic points marked on the map. Ask at the ranger desk in Fanieul Hall to find out if there are any ranger guided tours of the Freedom Trail scheduled. Your ticket from Old Towne Trolley includes free admission to the museum in the Old State House.
In the morning, visit the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. This is not a typical museum experience. This guided tour through the museum takes about 1 ½ hours and includes a replica of the ships. After the museum, start exploring the Freedom Trail. Pick up a trail map at Fanieul Hall, make sure to visit the old meeting room on the second floor before you head out on the trial. From Faniel Hall you can walk on the marked trail to Boston Commons and stop at the historic points marked on the map. Ask at the ranger desk in Fanieul Hall to find out if there are any ranger guided tours of the Freedom Trail scheduled. Your ticket from Old Towne Trolley includes free admission to the museum in the Old State House.
|
Day 9:
Return home and start planning your next adventure! |
|
