We are dying to get out of the city for a weekend before it gets too cold. We wanted to drive up to Portland Maine but never been there. All the waterfront hotels are booked solid so I booked a Residence Inn (Marriott property) in a town called Scarborough. The front desk says it's only about 15 mins drive to downtown but with a 22 mo old, don't know if that's such a good idea given that we have to drive 7 hours each way and only spending the 2 days. Anybody?? THANKS!
I guess I should clarify that my DD needs to take her 2-3 hour nap a day or no one is having any fun. so staying outside of the main areas may be a problem to have to drive back to Scarborough for the nap....
I was there on a business trip--many moons ago. I flew into Portland and drove to Bar Harbor. The coast is beautiful. Also, is that near Acadia National Park? Very beautiful.
Don't let the people put you off.
They're quite nice O. you dust off the grim exteriors!
It is beautiful. 15 min in a car should not be a problem for a 2 y.o. so I would not let that be a concern. Go and enjoy.
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It is only 15 minutes. It is so beautiful up there it is worth the 15 minute drive.
Your daughter may surprise you and be able to be flexible with her nap and
maybe sleep in a stroller. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. It is also a good thing for them to learn that sleeping somewhere else is not so
bad. Have fun and don't worry about the 15 minute trip into town.
I would say that Scarborough is more like 10 min. drive from downtown Portland. The Old Port is a nice place to walk around with cobblestone streets and lots of neat little shops. There are several good restaurants, it's been years since I've been there but I used to love a place called Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub. Commercial Street is along the ocean and there is a great network of trails for walking,running and biking...checkout Portland Trails.
Driving out to Prout's Neck in Scarborough is a pretty drive. Cape Elizabeth has beautiful state park beaches. You're also about 25 min. from Freeport,Maine which is also a pretty drive out 295, lots of outlet stores and the LLBean Flagship store.
I visited my sister in southern Maine this summer. It is beautiful there! We drove through Wells, Ogunquit, and a bunch of other little towns right on the shore. My favorite area was Short Sands/Long Sands (I think thats right?). We also went to Freeport, which is beautiful! We drove through Portalnd, but didn't spend a lot of time there. I guess what I'm saying is that every place we went was gorgeous and everywhere we went, there was a lot to do-- so I don't think it would matter where you stayed. Your daughter's schedule is already going to be off from taking a trip, so I wouldn't worry about disrupting her nap schedule a bit.
don't worry about your 15 minute drive. portland is really lovely and really walkable, you'll do well there. the lobster shops, museums, restaurants, old buildings, and tchotchke stores will keep you and your litle one plenty busy. Going during this time of year, you'll have the run of the place. Enjoy.
We went to Maine every summer for about 4 years and LOVED it. We often stayed in Ogunquit which is maybe 30 minutes from Portland. We would go spend the day in Portland and really loved it's seaside feel. It also has a great Children's Museum should you have a cold rainy day. You really can't go wrong this time of year in that area. Look in to Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Wells...all great towns and still close to Portland if you want to spend the afternoon. Enjoy the quiet time!!!
I drove up there for my brother's wedding. My 18 month old did fine. He slept on the back seat and played in my wife's lap. He had a good time and so did we. (We drove up from Aberdeen, Maryland.)
BTW, look up some of the restaurants featured by the TV show, "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives." I've see several featured in Maine. The ones we went to in California and other states have always been wonderful. But I haven't written down the ones in New England because we are so far away.
Good luck to you and yours.
