Ca. going to NH. and ME.- suggestions

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

Also posted on Tug. My wife and I have lived in Calif. all our life and never been to the East Coast. We are flying the 3rd week of June for a week in NH. and a week in ME. Any ideas, suggestions?
We are flying into Portland and going a day early to stay at a hotel near the airport after 3 hour time change and aprox. 5 hour flight.
We are open to all suggestions, ideas, do's and do nots. Should we bring anything special, what to avoid, must sees, etc.
Thank you all in advance,
Bart

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Three weeks is not anywhere near enough. Are you staying at timeshares and if so which ones ? My favorite spot in NH is the White Mountains area, but the Lakes region is also pretty good for a week trip. A do not miss in the White Mountains is Clark's Trading Post and the Bear show. There's enough there to keep you busy for a half or whole day and the entry fee is reasonable.
Maine is another of my favorite places. We tend to avoid the western coastal areas and head right to the Acadia National Park area to stay at either Acadia Village Resort or Harbor Ridge. After about 20 or more weeks of staying in the area, we continue to find new things to do and see. If you must see a Moose, the inland Moosehead and Rangely Lakes region is a great bet (tho I saw one on the turnpike just west of Augusta once. There are resorts in the area and the one at (or south) of Greenville was nice.
June is a wonderful time to go to the area. Everything is about open and the crazy, hazy tourist days of summer don't come 'till July.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

While in Maine, plan on eating plenty of lobster, lobster, lobster. Don't plan on having your cholesterol taken within a few weeks of arriving home, and if you're on lipitor, don't forget to take it!!!

We have always wanted to take a cruise to see the Puffins.. here's one, Tony may have more info:

Tours to see the Atlantic Puffins in Maine

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The Puffins are still on my 2do list along with many other things.

[jaym Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaym]

Although a native New Englander, I have only traveled to southern areas of Maine. Kennebunkport, Portland, Kittery, etc.
Maine has some great areas, like Acadia NP, Boothbay Harbor, but I prefer NH and VT when traveling north from MA (home).
Most familiar with NH and also enjoy the Mt. Washington Valley and White Mtns. the most. Lots to see and do in NH.
Great hiking and kayaking in MWV. Also, if the weather is clear, either drive or take the van ride to top of Mt. Washington. Although there has never been a "problem" (i.e. drive-off) the auto road is winding and narrow in some spots. But a fun experience for all. Visit N. Conway and Lincoln/Woodstock also.

Travel south of MWV. You'll find nice cruises along Lake Winnipesaukee and lots of shops, restaurants (check out one of the many "Common Man" establishments) when you feel like venturing out of wilderness and into commercial areas. see weblinks.
Have a great trip.

The Flume Gorge & Visitor's Center: How the Flume was Found
NH Division of Parks & Recreation: State Parks - Parks Directory
The Lake Winnipesaukee Home Page
The Common Man Family of Restaurants Home Page

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

We will only be there 2 weeks starting the 3rd week in June. Staying at The Jordan Grand Hotel at Sunday River one week and Grand Summit Resort Hotel in New Hamphire.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

The Jordan Grand is just over the border from NH. Try not to think of "The Shining" while driving up the road to it. While there, see if they still have the Moose tour along with Sunday River Resort- it was great. The Grand Summit is in Bartlett. For a nice scenic drive from there to Lincoln, take a left out of the resort and then take Bear Notch road and turn right when it ends at the Kancagamus Highway. To go to North Conway, take a right out of the resort. Be aware that there is often heavy traffic in North Conway. Both resorts are (or were) ASC resorts and are similar. There is not much in the way of amenities at the resorts, but there is a virtually unlimited amount of things to do in the area. A trip south to the Maine coast might be more advisable from the Jordan Grand. These are both among the nicest resorts in the area, tho the Jordan Grand (and Bethel) is a bit too remote for me to return to.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You might want to stop at a tourist station and pick up some folders on the various attractions in the area. While in Bartlet you should spend some time in the Lincoln area- Clark's Trading Post, the Flume, The Basin and other attractions are in that area. North Conway has a scenic railroad and a must do trip on the Kankagamus highway and bear notch road with stops and turn-outs for views. There are trams up to Cannon Mountain and Loon Mountain if you like high views, and Mt. Washington can be climbed by rental van, personal auto or the most unusual Cog railway. Hiking trails abound but you better be in shape for anything classified above moderate. Lots of waterfalls and mountains to view.
Bethel is only a couple of miles from the NH border. From there you can go southeast to the western Maine coast and north to the Rangely Lakes. Canada isn't that far away. Paris and Mexico (ME) are even close by.