[The English Hacker]

Going on a roadtrip to Maine in a few weeks with my wife.

Heading through Buffalo to Boston, then up to Kennebunkport, Portland, Freeport, Rockland and then back via Montreal.

Any advice from my BMW brothers in the area? Accommodation, routes, must-see stuff, etc.?

Thanks!

[TL]

If you're in Boston below are some places i would suggest:

Fanieul Hall (freedom trail), The North End (similar to little Italy) Boston Common (mini version of Central park) , Charles Street (Beacon Hill neighborhood), The bar, Cheers is a couple blocks down the street, Newburry St and Copley for shopping, Fenway Park in Kenmore Sq. You can go accross the river to Cambridge to check out Harvard and MIT if that's your thing. You can also try the Duck Tours, it'll take you around Boston for about $30-$40/person. When you have a chance drive over to memorial drive and you can see the charles river and Boston's skyline like my signature below.

As for places to eat, it all depends on your budget. Near the hotel you're staying there's this place called the Federalist ($$$$), For Steak Houses try Ruth Chris it's walking distance from your hotel or Capital Grille it's on Newburry or Abe & Louie on boylston st, The North End for Italian, Chinatown (Jumbo Restaurant for dinner or China Pearl for Dim Sum), for burgers try Bartley's Burger at harvard university. If the weather is nice try going for lunch at Top of the Hub at the Prudential, you'll get to see all of boston. i wouldn't recommend going to dinner there but drinks/dessert there are alright too.

As for night life - Check out Gypsy Bar, Whiskey Park or go towards Fenway Park for more of a Sports Bar feel.

Well hope you and the wifey enjoy your stay in Boston!

[jopa489]

Drive the Kancamangus Highway if you can - it's worth a little diversion in your route I think. Beautiful road with awesome views of the mountains. Plus it's twisty and fun to drive. You could take I-93 up from Boston to the Kanc and drive East (on the Kanc and ME-302) to Portland. This would get you off the interstates for a little while, if you're into driving some smaller roads.

Google Maps for the Kanc.

[carrabassett786]

I just did that road trip (Live in Portland), avoid the Mass Pike, and take VT route 9 and go across NH and VT, much much MUCH more fun than forever worth of hills and cops. While in Portland, the Old Port is good for a pub crawl, and Peaks Island is a fun day trip if its nice out (15 minute ferry ride). Freeport can be good, just be patient with a lot of idiots, don't drive on Main Street (turn right just before downtown at the fire station and just park)

Don't bother with Kennebunkport, York County is a rathole of obnoxious morons from the midwest who thinks that thats the real maine. Its just northern Massachusetts. If you want a nice beach in southern maine, try Higgins Beach in Scarborough or Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth (Portland Head light, the house that everyone thinks everyone in Maine has).

PM me if you want some specifics in Portland. Its not that big, but there are good places for any tastes! Try and stay at the Hilton Garden Inn or the Regency if you want to stay downtown, The other hotels are in seedier areas. Freeport has a great HGI that I like, too. Don't know a ton about Rockport. Have fun!