Traveling in New England

For the past ten years we have taken trips from Kittery to Camden to Bar Harbor. I love traveling with my parents in Maine. They’re very laid-back people who love eating, sight-seeing, shopping and relaxing. We love exploring the different towns along the coast trying local restaurants and artisan shops. I wanted to share a few recommendations for places to stay, eat and explore!

This October, Mom and I stayed in The Lighthouse Inn and Carriage House which sits right on Nubble Road and is minutes away from Long Sands Beach. Though it does not directly overlook the water, the ocean is less than two minutes away. The quaint hotel features updated rooms, a continental breakfast and a large pool. The staff was exceptional nice and the rooms were very clean. We really enjoyed our stay!

York Beach is located only 15 minutes from Kittery Trading Post and outlets. York Beach is a perfect location to stay to avoid the traffic of Route 1 and be next to the beautiful ocean views.

If you travel just over the bridge into Portsmouth, New Hampshire there are restaurants that offer riverfront views and cozy, but elegant dining. The River House Restaurant has deck or indoor dining, even through the winter, with fantastic views. The Seafood Linguine was rich and flavorful and definitely recommended! We didn’t get to try out the bar scene so that’s another reason to bring us back!

Each year we’ve eaten at the Sunrise Grill. It’s is a cozy breakfast spot right, loved by the locals, in Kittery, that has fast, friendly service and delicious food. The coffee is amazing by the way and open year round! 

If you’re interested in a bakery for breakfast or dessert, The Beach Pea Baking Company is the perfect choice. They are an all natural company focusing on the quality of their products. The company caterers and has a large sandwich and salad menu too. I tried a mousse tart and it was so rich and amazing. I was so tempted to buy a whole cake! I can’t wait to go back and try more of their products. 

We made it to Fox’s Lobster House on their last night open for the season. We had a slice of bumble-berry pie after dinner and man, it was tasty! The restaurant is situated next to the Nubble Lighthouse and the dining room overlooks the lighthouse and the cliffs. The view is incredible! We visit every year and it’s become a family tradition. Everything on the menu is tasty. Whether broiled or fried, the seafood is cooked perfectly and one of the few restaurants that still serves a baked potato. If you order the lobster it’s market price and all the desserts are off the charts.

One of our favorite spots was The York River Landing. My mom and I had always wanted to eat there and well we should’ve gone years ago! It was so good! For lunch, I had steak Fattoush, which was full of fresh veggies and absolutely delicious. The restaurant has 36 craft beers on draft and a large menu of alcoholic beverages. My mom had a lobster roll and it was one of the best she’s ever had! Definitely a place to add to your list!

For our last day, we ate at Shearwater at The Stage Neck Inn located in historic Old York for breakfast. The hotel and restaurant is situated right on cliffs on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and features a buffet style breakfast complimentary for guests staying in the hotel, but also open to the public. We sat right along the windows with an incredible view of the ocean that stretches as far as the eye could see. There are walking paths located along the cliffs near the rocky beach that features another incredible views of the hotel and ocean.

We did spend a day traveling into New Hampshire and got to experience all the gorgeous fall foliage! Fall in New Hampshire if definitely something everyone should experience once in their life and I will be covering fall in New England in a future post! I had such an amazing trip and weekend. Always wish it could be longer, so until next year!