English Nancy - Explorers Guide Maine 1

For lifelong explorers Liam, Tim, and Christopher Davis C. T.

To Emma, with thanks and appreciation N. E.

EXPLORE WITH US!

We have been fine-tuning Explorers Guide Maine for more than 30 years, a period in which lodging, dining, and shopping opportunities have more than quadrupled in the state. As we have expanded our guide, we have also been increasingly selective, making recommendations based on years of conscientious research and personal experience. We describe the state by locally defined regions, giving you Maines communities, not simply her most popular destinations. With this guide youll feel confident to venture beyond the tourist towns, along roads less traveled, to places of special hospitality and charm.

WHATS WHERE In the beginning of the book youll find an alphabetical listing of special highlights and important information that you may want to reference quickly. Youll find advice on everything from where to buy the best local lobster to where to write or call for camping reservations and park information.

LODGING Weve selected lodging places for mention in this book based on their merit alone; we do not charge innkeepers to be listed. The authors personally check as many bed & breakfasts, farms, sporting lodges, and inns as possible.

PRICES Please dont hold us or the respective innkeepers responsible for the rates listed as of press time in 2016. Some changes are inevitable. The 8 percent state rooms and meals tax should be added to all prices unless we specifically state that its included in a price. Weve tried to note when a gratuity is added, as it often is in high-end accommodations, but its always wise to check before booking.

SMOKING Maine B&Bs, inns, and restaurants are now generally smoke-free, but many lodging places still reserve some rooms for smokers, and some restaurants still offer a smoking area in their outdoor seating. If this is important to you, be sure to ask when making reservations.

KEY TO SYMBOLS

Authors favorites. These are the places we think have the best to offer in each region, whether that means great food, outstanding rooms, beautiful scenery, or overall appeal.

Weddings. The wedding-ring symbol appears next to lodging venues that specialize in weddings.

Special value. The blue-ribbon symbol appears next to selected lodging and restaurants that combine quality and moderate prices.

Pets. The dog-paw symbol appears next to venues that accept pets.

Child-friendly. The crayon symbol appears next to lodging, restaurants, activities, and shops of special interest or appeal to youngsters.

Handicapped access. The wheelchair symbol appears next to lodging, restaurants, and attractions that are partially or completely handicapped-accessible.

Wireless Internet. The wireless symbol appears next to public spaces, restaurants, and attractions that offer wireless Internet access.

RESTAURANTS In most sections please note a distinction between Dining Out and Eating Out. By their nature, restaurants included in the Eating Out group are generally inexpensive.

We would appreciate any comments or corrections. Please write to:

Explorers Guide Editor
The Countryman Press
A division of W. W. Norton & Company
500 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10110

For more info, go to: maineguidebook.com.

You can also email info@maineguidebook.com or tree.christina@gmail.com.

CONTENTS

MAPS

Please bookmark your page before following links.

He who rides and keeps the beaten track studies the fences chiefly.

Henry David Thoreau, The Maine Woods , 1853

O ver the past 36 years Explorers Guide Maine has introduced hundreds of thousands of people to many Maines.

When this book initially appeared, it was the first 20th-century guidebook to describe New Englands largest state region by region, rather than to focus only on the most touristed communities, listed alphabetically. From the start, we critiqued places to stay and eat as well as everything to see and to dobased on merit rather than money (no one pays to be included).

The big news, however, isnt that Explorers Guide Maine was first but that readers constantly tell us that it remains the best Maine guidebookthat despite current competition, this Maine Bible gets better with each edition. Our publisher tells us its still the best-selling guide to the state. While the number of Maine guidebooks has multiplied, we remain proud of the depth and scope of this one. With each edition we strive not only to update details, but also to simplify the format and sharpen the word pictures that describe each area.

We like to think of this book as the ultimate Maine search engine.

Back in 1981, this didnt seem like a tall order. Chriss three sonsages 3, 6, and 8helped her research reasonably priced rental cottages, ice cream stands, and beaches. The guide, however, quickly grew as inns, B&Bs, and other lodging options proliferated, as did things to do and see, dining venues, and shopping options. The book also soon included all the parts of Maine in which a visitor can find commercial lodging, from Kittery to Caribou and from the White Mountains to the islands of Monhegan and Matinicus, not to mention all of Rt. 1 from Kittery to Fort Kent. After the first couple of editions it became obvious that no one person could explore this immense and richly textured state during one season.

We now describe more than 500 places to stay, ranging from campgrounds to grand old resorts and including farms as well as B&Bs, inns, and off-the-grid sporting campsin all corners of the state and in all price ranges. We have also checked out a similar number of places to dine and to eat (we make a distinction between dining and eating), and of course we have to include Selective Shopping .

This books introductory section, Whats Where in Maine, is a quick-reference directory to a vast array of information about the state. The remainder of the book describes Maine region by region.

Note that off-season prices are often substantially lower than those in July and Augustexcept in ski-resort areas, when winter is high season. September is dependably sparkling and frequently warm. Early October in Maine is just as spectacular as it is in New Hampshire and Vermont, with magnificent mountains rising from inland lakes as well as the golds and reds set against coastal blue. Be aware that the inland ski resorts of Sunday River near Bethel and the Sugarloaf area are off-season all summer as well as fall.