Coastal Maine is a wonderfully diverse destination.  Along the coast you can visit many seaside communities, hunt for lighthouses, see a variety of wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or go hiking.  Maine has thousands of miles of shoreline which offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water by taking a sailing trip, lighthouse cruise, whale watching excursion, kayaking, or trying your luck on a lobster boat.     

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:
There is so much to see in Acadia National Park and the Bar Harbor area that you need 3 days there before beginning the drive down the coast.  To learn more about what to do in Bar Harbor look at the Acadia National Park itinerary.  Before you leave Mount Desert Island, drive over to see Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, then start the 2 hour drive down the coast to Camden.  When you arrive in Camden, you will find the Curtis Lighthouse Overlook on the corner of Beacon Street and Bay View.  It is a short walk through the woods to the overlook.  Camden is a great place to go for a sail on Penobscot Bay on one of the many schooners that do 2 hour sailing trips from the harbor port.  We chose to sail on the Schooner Surprise.  It was a great afternoon on the water.  It’s a 20 minute drive to the nearby town of Rockland where you can visit the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.  It’s a fun 7/8 mile walk along a granite boardwalk out to the lighthouse.  If you have time, stop by and visit the Puffin Project gift shop and learning center and then have dinner on the patio at Archer’s On the Pier.  We stayed at the Strawberry Hill Seaside Inn which is a short drive from town.  
Day 3:
As you continue down the coast take a detour off of Route 1 to visit 2 of the most famous lighthouses in Maine.  Head toward Port Clyde to see Marshall Point Light.  You will recognize this lighthouse if you are a fan of Forrest Gump as the lighthouse where Forrest ends his run across America.   The next stop is Pemaquid Point to visit Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.  This lighthouse is so loved by the state of Maine that it was selected to be the lighthouse on the state’s quarter.  If you are ready for lunch, nearby Shaw’s Restaurant is very popular.  Next, drive down to Boothbay Harbor and check in to the Spruce Point Inn for the next 2 nights.  If you have ever seen the movie Dirty Dancing and wished you could go back in time and stay at the resort then you will enjoy your visit to the Spruce Point Inn.  When you check in go ahead and sign up for the free Harbor Cruise that is offered by the hotel because spots fill up quickly.  
Day 4:
If you have not been able to go on a Whale Watching or Puffin Cruise then take time today to go out with Cap’n Fish’s Boothbay Harbor Boat Trips.  You can also sign up for the free Harbor Cruise with the resort.  The resort also offers free kayak rentals from the pool/dock area.  Don’t be intimidated to paddle over to Burnt Island Lighthouse.  You can tie your kayak up on the dock and walk around the island and see the lighthouse.  When you return you can relax in the pool or hot tub or borrow one of the free bicycles that are available.  As much as we love the resort, there is also plenty to explore in town.  One popular attraction is the Botanical Garden. 
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:
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 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. ​
Day 9:
Return home and start planning your next adventure!