Once again:
Anyone want to go for a drive in Maine?
This is the latest Summer Tour itinerary. It does not change much from the one first posted. The start point will be downtown Portsmouth, NH as there is more to see and do there. If any one gets to Portsmouth on the early side there is more than enough to do until the meeting time. I will continue to contact the various venues and hotels to see if we, as a group, can get some reduced rates. Stay tuned. If you have any interest in coming along on this tour please drop me an email at
[email protected]. I will use this address to keep everyone up dated. It will not be spam. This should be a fun event.
Barners – Maine End of Summer Tour
Tour Start
August 23, 2012, Thursday
2:30pm meet at Portsmouth Brewery, 56 Market Street, Portsmouth NH Downtown 3:00pm Public Tour of Portsmouth Brewery (craft beers sister of Smuttynose)
Time for exploring downtown before/after dinner (cars can stay parked)
Hotel Options:
Hilton Garden Inn, 100 High Street, Portsmouth, NH Downtown ($151-$175)
Marriott Courtyard, 1000 Market Street, Portsmouth ($179-$199) 10-15 min walk to downtown area. *Can use hotels listed below and drive to downtown – about 15 minute drive. These are close to the Red Hook brewery
Marriott Residence Inn, One International Drive, Portsmouth (next to Red Hook brewery, can walk) $219-$239
Hampton Inn, Portsmouth, 99 Durgin Lane, Portsmouth, NH (2 miles to Red Hook brewery) $188-$209
Motel 6, 3 Gosling Rd, Portsmouth, NH near Hampton Inn (2 miles to Red Hook brewery) $66
August 24, 2012, Friday 8:30am Meet place TBD
Drive up Route 1 on the coast through York, Ogunquit, Wells to Kennebunk, ME
10am Seashore Trolley Museum, Log Cabin Road, Kennebunk, ME
Will try to arrange a private group tour – about 2.5 hours
Then Kennebunkport for Lunch/Exploring
(For those interested -Federal Jack’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, 8 Western Ave, Kennebunkport –original home of Shipyard Beer)
3pm leave Kennebunkport for drive to Biddeford for 3:30pm tour of Maineline Exotics (private car collection, specializes in restoration and maintenance of Toyota 2000 GTs)
5 pm leave for drive to Freeport, ME
Hotel Options:
Econo Lodge, 537 US 1, Freeport, ME ($118-$139)
Hampton Inn, 194 Lower Main Street, Freeport, ME ($177-$209)
Casco Bay Motor Inn, 107 US 1, Freeport, ME ($135+)
Holiday Inn Express, 450 US 1, Freeport, ME ($164-$194)
Option: 7pm Dinner – Gritty McDuff’s Brew Pub, Lower Main Street, Freeport, ME
Comment: LL Bean Flagship Store (95 Main St, Freeport) open 24 hour/day
August 25, Saturday, Freeport 8:30 am place TBD for drive to Boothbay Harbor
11:00am arrive Boothbay Harbor for 11:30 am Whale Watch Cruise (looks like only 1 cruise daily at this time of year) 2 hours (need to confirm price/time for 2012 tours)
1:30pm Lunch/Exploring in Boothbay Harbor
3:30pm Leave for drive to Gardiner/Augusta Area
Hotel Options:
Comfort Inn Civic Center, 281 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME ($108-$135)
Quality Inn, 65 Whitten Rd., Augusta, ME ($102 - $120)
Motel 6, 18 Edison Drive (I-95 at Western Ave), Augusta, ME ($73)
Option for Dinner – local restaurant on River – Riverfront Barbeque Grille (Memphis style), 300 Water Street, Augusta, ME
August 26, Sunday
Option: 8:00 am Breakfast at A1 Diner, Gardiner, ME (featured by Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-in, and Dives)
9:30am Walt Dupont, Gardiner, ME – allows about 2.5 hours for visit
(approximately 1.25 hr drive to speedway)_
2:35pm Green Flag Fantasy Speedway Race
199 Reynolds Road Unity Plantation, ME 04988, 207-751-4002
After race, drive to Belfast, ME (drive about 45minutes)
Hotel Options:
Belfast Harbor Inn, 91 Seasport Avenue, Belfast, ME ($99 - $119)
Comfort Inn, US 1, 159 Searsport Avenue, Belfast, ME ($174-$205)
Colonial Gables Oceanfront Village, 7 Eagle Avenue at US 1, Belfast, ME ($99-$119)
Option: Craft Brew at Night – Marshall Wharf Brewery (need to verify open on Sunday in late August) beer and snack place
August 27, Monday 8am Meet place TBD
Drive Route 1 through Camden, Rockport, Rockland (allows for stops along the way)
10:30 am Owl’s Head Museum, 117 Museum Street, Owls Head, ME (10am – 5pm) (1.5 hrs)
2:30pm Goldenrod Garage, 88 Wardtown Road, Freeport, ME (need to confirm time)
End of Tour in Freeport, ME (another opportunity for LL Bean)
or
Drive to Dover Point, NH and have dinner at Newick’s Restaurant, fresh seafood, lobsters (casual, paper plates) on Great Bay (short distance back to starting point in Portsmouth, NH and I-95)
Notes: Hotels – coastal Maine hotels tend to be pricey due to short season, early booking with cancellation option advisable to get best hotel rates.
Drive – use of Route 1 and other two lane state roads. Avoids use of Interstate I-95.
Trailering – for vehicle/trailer storage use Park/Ride Commuter lot at Pease Trade Port (off I-95)