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The Maine Coast: Portland to Acadia: 6-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 6-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go.
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6
days
220 km
distance
9.0 h
driving
39
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.3 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Lobster boats land daily, windjammers sail out of Camden, and Cadillac Mountain catches America's first sunrise — reserve the summit drive in season.
Day 1 Portland
- Transit
- 0h49
- Finish
- ~16:05
- Temperature
- 14.5°C–18.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
10:10
Marvel at lavish pre-Civil War interiors in this grand preserved mansion.
50 min · Portland · $10/$3
open: May-Oct
11:10
12:10
13:15
Enjoy panoramic waterfront views from this historic maritime signal tower.
50 min · Portland · $10/adult, $8/concession, $5/child, $30/family
open: Memorial Day to Columbus Day, Daily 10-5PM
14:15
Ride scenic train trips along the East End waterfront on vintage locomotives.
50 min · Portland · Ticketbfor train and museum (all day): adults $10, senior $9, child $6 (age 3 - 12), under 3 yr free
open: Trains on the hour 10AM–3PM: May - Oct: daily; Nov - Feb: closed except for special evnts; Mar - Apr: weekends
15:05
Becky's Diner beckysdiner.com map ↗
Start your day with classic breakfast and famous homefries by the waterfront.
60 min · Portland
open: Daily 5AM-9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Black Elephant Hostel · Portland Regency Hotel and Spa
Day 2 Around Portland
- Transit
- 0h32
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 14.5°C–18.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
Explore interactive farms, stores, and a mini planetarium with children.
50 min · Portland · $10
open: W-Su 9AM-4PM
10:00
Discover Winslow Homer works amid centuries of American art and sculpture.
50 min · Portland · Adults $18, Seniors/Students $15, Youth/Young Adults under 21 are Free
open: Tu-Th Sa Su 10AM-5PM, F 10AM-9PM. Memorial Day-Columbus Day: also M 10AM-5PM
11:00
Old Port portlandmaine.com map ↗
Meander narrow cobbled streets lined with shops and cafés by the bay.
50 min · Portland
12:00
Lucky Catch Lobster Cruise luckycatch.com map ↗
Pull up lobster traps and savor fresh seafood on a bay cruise.
90 min · Portland · $40/adult, $38/senior, $35/youth, $25/child
open: 10AM, 12:15PM, 2PM, 3:45PM
needs booking ahead: permit, timed entry or a guide details
13:40
14:40
16:10
Gorgeous Gelato gorgeousgelato.com map ↗
Indulge in authentic Italian gelato and Lavazza espresso.
60 min · Portland
open: M-Th Su 9AM-10PM, F Sa 9AM-11PM
Overnight here
e.g. Black Elephant Hostel · Portland Regency Hotel and Spa
Day 3 Boothbay Harbor
- Transit
- 2h23
- Finish
- ~16:45
- Temperature
- 12.7°C–19.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
10:35
Stroll through vibrant gardens where native plants flourish in serene coastal settings.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
11:40
Hendricks Head Light search
You will see the historic beacon of Hendricks Head Light guiding ships along the rocky coast.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
12:45
13:50
Ram Island Light search
Ram Island Light shines brightly, marking the harbor entrance from its offshore station.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
14:55
Footbridge search
The footbridge offers a simple, direct path above the bustling harbor activity.
50 min · Boothbay Harbor
15:45
House of Pizza at Boothbay Harbor search
60 min · Boothbay Harbor
Overnight here
e.g. Ocean Point Inn · Fisherman's Wharf Inn
Day 4 Camden
- Transit
- 2h07
- Finish
- ~16:30
- Temperature
- 12.7°C–19.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
10:20
11:25
12:30
13:35
14:40
15:30
Waterfront waterfrontcamden.com
Dine on seasonal local dishes with harbor and bay views.
60 min · Camden
open: 10AM-11PM
Overnight here
e.g. Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast · Camden Harbour Inn
Day 5 Bar Harbor & Acadia
- Transit
- 2h35
- Finish
- ~17:55
- Temperature
- 11.4°C–19.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
11:05
12:05
13:05
Bar Harbor Historical Society barharborhistorical.org map ↗
Explore memorabilia, maps, and antique clothing in this historic museum.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · free
open: mid-June to Oct: M-Sa 1-4PM, open by appointment in the winter. Closed holidays
14:05
Discover the culture of Maine's Native American tribes through exhibits.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · $8/adult, $7/senior, $4/youth, children under 10 free
open: May-Oct: 10AM-5PM, Nov-Apr: Th-Sa 10-16
15:05
16:05
16:55
Overnight here
Day 6 Around Bar Harbor & Acadia
- Transit
- 0h36
- Finish
- ~17:40
- Temperature
- 11.4°C–19.0°C
- Rainy days
- ~14
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
Lulu Lobster Boat Ride lululobsterboat.com map ↗
Enjoy a seal-watching tour aboard a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
10:40
Schooner Margaret Todd downeastwindjammer.com map ↗
Sail aboard a grand four-masted schooner, scanning the waters for marine wildlife.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · Adult: $37.50, seniors 65+: $35.00, children 6-11: $27.50, toddlers 2-5: $5.00, infants under 2: free
12:20
Reel Pizza Cinerama reelpizza.com map ↗
Enjoy gourmet pizza and wine while watching a movie on a big screen.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
14:05
The Bar Harbor Whale Museum search
Marvel at whale skeletons and exhibits on marine life and ocean conservation.
50 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia · by donation
open: 10AM-8PM
15:10
Acadia Sailing Company search
Sail on a historic Crosby Catboat, guided by a skilled captain along the Atlantic coast.
90 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
16:40
Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium benandbills.com map ↗
Savor hand-made chocolate and unique lobster ice cream.
60 min · Bar Harbor & Acadia
🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.