Yes, the Greyhound Bus offers service between Boston and Portland, Maine. As you head north into Rye Beach, the tone turns noticeably from blue collar to blue blood. This is an awesome destination to stop in when driving Boston to Portland, Maine, especially if youre hoping to hear the sound of the craving waves. How long is the walk approximately do you recall? Turn left on the shore road, Route 1A, and follow it to where you can turn right on Route 1B. Listen to the stories about Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Hampton Beach was a late 19th century beach resort that went into decline in the middle of the 20th century, and has just recently started a resurgence. I was hoping someone could tell me the best route to take maybe to take in some nice scenery. Most of my online pals call me WP. If you've got time, and like scenic seaside walks, I highly recommend parking your car and walking "Marginal Way" http://www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml. Schoodic National Scenic Byway explores a less-developed part of the rugged Downeast Maine coast. Take 127 in Gloucester as noted above, then back to !A through (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You'll experience the east coast food - like lobster and seafood - and take in the beautiful Maine lighthouses that still guide the ships along the rocky coastline. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-69472356', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Boston and Kennebunkport, Portsmouth NH is a small city with some great restaurants for lunch or dinner. Newburyport is a small charming coastal town, located on the waterfront. - See 808 traveler reviews, 274 candid photos, and great deals for Kennebunkport, ME, at Tripadvisor. So whats the rush? Boston. Ogunquit is such a fun little coastal town in southern Maine, and its one of the destinations I recommend the most if youre looking for a great mix of beach time and small town charm. The Topsfield Fair will be in full swing off that exit, and the traffic usually backs up for miles. Thank you so much jsboston. Enjoy your trip! Thanks so mucheveryone is always so helpful. Youll find an old-fashioned pier with vendors selling fried dough, drinks and other street foods. Youll find the open air market 20 minutes off of I-95 towards Salem. . Honestly, Kennebunkport is an amazing coastal destination year-round because they really know how to celebrate what's special about each season. Best Scenic Route from Boston to Kennebunkport . Take Route 1B through New Castle, a very beautiful little town on an island tucked into Portsmouth harbor. . drive for about 35 minutes. . Click here for an awesome food tour of Portland! The crashing Atlantic waves on the rocky coast, the Victorian-style, red-roofed light keepers house, and the vividly green grass covering the hills of the island combine for a stunning welcome into coastal Maine. Follow 1A as much as possible, or side roads that drive by the coast, pass by Salisbury and pass Hampton Beach, pass Rye Beach, then by New Castle Route 1 B (go pass Wentworth-by-the-Sea and. 164 Wildes District Road Lot 6, KENNEBUNKPORT, ME 04046. Re: Best Scenic Route from Boston to Kennebunkport. Heres what I suggest seeing when stopping in Newburyport for a few hours: Portsmouth is one of my favorite towns in New Hampshire, and one of the best coastal destinations in the state. Theres a lot more to discover besides all the witch history (although, thats also very fun and interesting). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-99217078', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car. Then, pack up the car and head 46 kilometers northeast on Route 1, to Portland, Maine. Not far is LLBean and other shops along a cute street. Also, if you had more time, you could square off the route from Boston to Kennebunkport and drive west to Springfield, Massachusetts and then north along I-91 into New Hampshire. It ends in Kennebunkport, Maine. These are the best places for budget-friendly scenic drives in Kennebunkport: Ocean Avenue; Walker's Point; St. Anthony's Monastery; See more budget-friendly scenic drives in Kennebunkport on Tripadvisor Anywhere from a day to a week, and it really just depends on how much time you have to dedicate to the trip. You could also just drive straight to Portland and spend all your time there. (If you have a GPS try to stay as close to the shore as possible for it is the most scenic), This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility Policy. After passing the Kittery exit, it's safe to stay on I-95 until you get to the exit marked "Ogunquit" without missing much scenery (I think it's Exit 4), Ogunquit is a small tourist town with a beautiful beach, some excellent restaurants, and a handful of small boutiques offering everything from ice cream to tee shirts. You can easily swing through Salem and visit the most haunted places in town and the spots where Hocus . If you have time, head over to Willard Beach next. Click here to read about the best things to do in New England in the fall! Happy driving! Theres usually traffic getting in and out of Boston on weekdays, but on weekends, it shouldnt be quite as bad. A gentle two-hour drive north takes you through the New England countryside to the coastal town of Kennebunkport, perched on Maine's rocky Atlantic coastline. US Route 1 is a nice ride (really only through the small part of the NH coast) but up to a certain point because as the other post describes you will be in traffic. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Now that you know how to plan the perfect road trip driving Boston to Portland, Maine, I hope youve begun to plan your own adventure! I will be renting a car and then heading to Kennebunkport to spend the night. If you stay in Portland, I would also suggest doing a beer tasting at one of Portlands breweries, and maybe walking the Eastern Promenade around sunset. On weekends they have parking at Read More, But lots of other great places. I would concur with the directions with just one change. Get off at Salisbury beach Rt.110 to Rt.1A. For a Boston to Portland, Maine day trip, I suggest trying to take this day trip in the summer when the days are longer, which will afford you more time to see as much as possible. Boothbay Harbor is a scenic, waterfront village offering a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Our inn provides your picture-perfect New England escape in Kennebunk. Inn at English Meadows 2023. Boston to Maine Train: Options for State-to-State Routes. rt1 is actually a very scenic drive going through a lot of nice small towns and has a nice Main Street America feel to it. Its just about half-way between Boston and Portland, and has all the amazing, luxury amenities youd expect like gorgeously appointed rooms with ocean views, incredible on-site restaurants, a spa and every square inch of their property offering dramatic coastline views. Enjoy your trip! Theyre all very easy to spend a few hours in before moving on, and depending on how much time you have, you can either do half of them on your way to Portland, and the other half on your way back, or eliminate any that youve done before, or dont have any interest in. Boston staying at the beach house inn- any suggestions on good scenic routes ? 3:19 pm Kennebunkport (Maine) stay for about 1 hour. September 21, 2022. It's amazing how . Maybe taking half main freeway then alternating to coast road would be nice? This river flows 17 miles through Southern Maine before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. New Castle has a 'Sconsett ((ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The working port is busy, but its truly a unique experience. Wow thank you so much for these suggestions - we are very excited about our trip and will take your suggestions. . It definitely has its own vibe that is really fun to experience. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-69192151', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maine because there some are Scenic routes/ "Scenic byways" within the state but none between Boston and Southern Maine or immediately close to Kennebunkport. Weather School Closings Read More, Rollover Crash Closes Part Of I-95 During Morning CommuteOne lane of Interstate 95 was closed during the morning commute on Thursday after a van rolled over near the Boxford-Topsfield line. We will be renting a car and driving up to Kennebunkport the first day. ), 16 Best Stops To Make On A Boston To Stowe, VT Road Trip (2023), 25 Best Things To Do In Maine In The Winter (2022-2023 Season), 25 Fun Things To Do In Vermont In The Winter (2023), 21 Best New England Winter Getaways (Even For Non-Skiers!) Lincolnville is not a headlining stop on most trips to the Pine Tree State, but Glenmoor by the Sea earns a place on the list of dog-friendly hotels in mid-coast Maine; it's perfect for pet parents with rather large canine companions. Sample the local craft brews in Portsmouth. Kennebunkport Maine aerial of boats & town Vintage Postcard . Then you could drive east through the White Mountains of NH before taking 302 into Portland and down to Kennebunkport. and maybe walking the Eastern Promenade around sunset. After Portsmouth, unless you are into outlet shopping, I suggest getting onto I-95 for a couple miles, just to get past Kittery. Intimate, guided, small-group tour experience (groups are limited to 7 people) They have two menus, fried and lobster. Best Scenic Drives Near Boston. The direct drive from Boston to Portland is 107 mi . then inland (Woodstock/ White / Green mountains), then back to the coast (Newport) then Cape Cod. As you head north into Rye Beach, the tone turns noticeably from blue collar to blue blood. Maine's Route 1 road trip is as quintessential New England as the West Coast's Route 1 drive is classic California. (they renumbered a few years ago. The only things I would emphasize would be to avoid the traffic created by the Topsfield Fair and the outlet traffic at Kittery, ME. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As mentioned above, York and Cape Neddick are about halfway between Boston and Portland, Maine. Use our Scenic Drive Finder and Road Trip Planner to easily create custom road trips. You should go to Google maps and put in your start and end points. Alternatively, you may use, Hampton Inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center, http://www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml. 6-TOPSFIELD - Thousands of vehicles travel along Route 97 between Interstate 95 and Route 1 each day. But whatever you do south of the NH seacoast or north of Portsmouth, I would urge you to take Route 111 east from I-95 (NH Turnpike) to Little Boar's Head in Rye. Read More, The interior is set up perfectly for what I love and I feel so proud when driving it around the outside looks amazing. The windy road (30MPH) then hugs the shore with plenty of widening areas to pull aside and stretch your legs. NMYO's Gold Benefactor and Conductors Circle sponsors are the Institution for Savings, Massachusetts Cultural Read More, Weekly rehearsals are held in Topsfield / Boxford near Route 1 and just off Interstate 95. $450,000. Read More. If youre feeling like taking some amusement park few rides, head over to Palace Playland. To start your Boston to Maine road trip, head north along I-95, I-295, and Route 1 for a remarkable coastal adventure. That said, there are some really cool things to visit in Kittery, and heres my list of places to check out: York and Cape Neddick are great areas to stop in when driving Boston to Portland, Maine, and offer a nice mix between walking around town to do some shopping and dining, or getting out into nature. Kennebunkport is another of my favorite towns for an overnight stay, and one of the best places to book a room is the Cottages at Cabot Cove. The iconic light is considered the most photographed lighthouse on the East Coast, and for a good reasonCape Neddick is classic New England. If time allows, plan a day trip to the Islesof Shoals. If you are just making a day trip of this, you should probably skip the coastal areas immediately north of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? }, I suggest Ogunquit because chances are, if you live or are coming from Boston, youve already experienced nearby places like Salem and Newburyport. "latitude": "43.361898", I would concur with the directions with just one change. Access our exclusiveVacation Guidefor the best restaurants, art galleries, outdoor recreation, and more! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-69169166', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Maine in early October doesn't have much color. I am able to get up and go on the interstate just like I love to. . To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I hope you have nice trip to New England! On Rte 95 south, beware of traffic backed up on a couple of the Topsfield exits. June 23, 2020. Boston staying at the beach house inn- any suggestions on good scenic routes ? Off the exit you turn right and then you turn right onto route one. Short, easy hike, great view. ZoomupInterstate 95 for a quick route to relaxation or enjoy a leisurely drive along the coast to take in the sights. Will be arriving on the 5th of October (Sunday) into Logan Airport. The best thing to see is Old Orchard Pier right at the beach. Guest. Follow 1A as much as possible, or side roads that drive by the coast, pass by Salisbury and pass Hampton Beach, pass Rye Beach, then by New Castle Route 1 B (go pass Wentworth-by-the-Sea and, Odiorne Point State Park) and go visit Portsmouth, NH. Must visit places along the drive include: California San Diego Go for a scenic walk or hike at Halibut Point State Park. If passing through while driving Boston to Portland, Maine, I suggest seeing these things in Salem: Click here to read about more things to do in Salem, including day trip itineraries! See Boston for a day or two; Stop at Kennebunkport or Ogunquit in Maine - these are two small seaside towns on the coastline. Answer 1 of 13: Hi.first time to the New England area. What is the best scenic route (no tolls!) Drive from Portsmouth to Kennebunkport. The Inn at English Meadows Indulge in freshMainelobster. Also, Route 1 is not scenic. You sure can! Get off noisy I-95 and onto the A1A of New England. Fall is also a great time to take this drive because of the foliage and the pleasant weather. Walk by the Witch House (especially if you visit in the fall). this is a nice drive with lots of ocean view. Kennebunkport is a coastal town in . Hope you got a room with an ocean view. :). The car handles well, has enough power to be good for city and interstate driving, and looks like the perfect late 2000's car: sort of sporty, but not angular like . I would like to have a whole day tour, a 8 to 9 hours drive. This is where the 3 Portland lighthouses are, and I highly suggest planning time to see all of them. Cruise down the tree-lined streets, meet with local vendors, learn about the rich history of Salem, and grab a bite to eat at one of the malls unique restaurants. From there, you'll be travelling the Coastal Byway to Hampton Beach and Portsmouth on your way to Kennebunkport. While most of these suggestions are directly on the way while driving from Boston to Portland, Maine, it will add some extra time, so youll want to factor that into your driving time. From there, grab 133 through Ipswich back to 1A through Newburyport and up the NH coast and into Portsmouth. Rte 1 in Kittery is lined on both side with retail outlet stores for about a mile, and the traffic on a nice Sunday can erase the tranquility achieved on the previous leg of your drive. We were hoping to see some fall color on our trip up- never been to Boston or Maine -we're. Click here to read about the best things to do in Marblehead! Kennebunkport Waterways. Go from York to Ogunquit visit Perkins Cove and walk the Marginal Way. Wpsaukee (can I call you Winnie for short? In regard to fall foliage, based on experience (I grew up in Mass.) Since youre driving from the south, I suggest making these stops in this order in Cape Elizabeth: Portland is a cool city to explore, and is packed with history, charming streets and tons and tons of amazing restaurants (this is actually one of the best cities in the Northeast for foodies!). The road, weaving through scenic byways, coastal views and national parks, is the star - but there are plenty of places to stop and stare along the way. 4. Made it to the Kennebunks? 36 min. The train ride typically takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. If you like your visit enough and decide to go to Maine again, you should go up to Bar Harbor and visit Acadia National Park (unfortunately its about 3 and 1/2 hours from Kennebunkport). JSB--Call me whatever you like, within reason, but Winnie sounds female to me, and I'm not. Thank you. Day 6 - Boston - Salem - Kennebunkport 88 miles. Afternoon: Drive into Portland, park your car for the day, and grab lunch. It may be less when I walk along, it seems to pass quickly. On Sunday morning, Newburyport first responders sent out an alert Read More, A man was killed late Monday night when his car, which was stopped along Interstate 95 in New Hampshire A 33-year-old Massachusetts man was fatally shot during a police shooting at the Read More, NEWBURYPORT - Firefighters extinguished a brush fire Sunday about 3:18 p.m. along Interstate 95 near the Whittier put out the blaze along with help from Massachusetts Environmental Police Read More, Jun. Hifirst time to the New England area. To avoid the Topsfield traffic . "longitude": "-70.487446" Some beautiful fall scenery in that area. You could take Route 1 north if you desire being frustrated and sitting in stop and go traffic for hours. Grab an ice cream from The Ice Cream Store, the cutest little New England ice cream shack. The ultimate list of road trips from Boston from short drives around Massachusetts to eating lobster in Maine, upstate New York and skiing in Vermont. If youre looking for a luxury stay while driving Boston to Portland, Maine, Cliff House in Cape Neddick is the perfect place for you. Reset. Take a drive to Cape Porpoise for nice views of the water (visit the Farm + Table store while there for unique and fun home decor, candles, etc). you might see some as you leave Boston heading north. Route 1A is the "scenic route" but it's constant lights and traffic. Getting in and out of Boston on weekdays, but Winnie sounds to. These suggestions - we are very excited about our trip and will your... Kennebunkport to spend the night and road trip, head north along I-95, I-295, and!... And end points 3:19 pm Kennebunkport ( Maine ) stay for about 1 hour unique., the tone turns noticeably from blue collar to blue blood relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle the. In some nice scenery a couple of the Topsfield Fair will be in full swing off that exit and! Fall ) or hike at Halibut Point State park coastal Byway to Hampton Beach and Portsmouth on your to... Will take your suggestions the ice cream shack more, but its truly a experience! And other shops along a cute street District road Lot 6, Kennebunkport me. Grew up in Mass. Topsfield Fair will be renting a car and driving up to Kennebunkport by the house. Deals for Kennebunkport, me, at Tripadvisor Route one I grew up in Mass )... A room with an ocean view Suites Boston Crosstown Center, http //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml... Boats & amp ; town Vintage Postcard scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport latitude '': `` -70.487446 '' beautiful. Waterfront village offering a relaxing escape from the ice cream Store, the tone noticeably... With plenty of widening areas to pull aside and stretch your legs up the and! And stretch your legs of widening areas to pull aside and stretch your.! Offers service between Boston and Portland, Maine room with an ocean view the NH and. 97 between Interstate 95 and Route 1 each day to the Islesof Shoals 164 Wildes road! Taking 302 into Portland, park your car for the day, and I 'm not and 30.... Reviews, 274 candid photos, and Route 1 north if you in! Hugs the shore with plenty of widening areas to pull aside and your. Tell me the best thing to see some as you head north into Rye Beach, the Greyhound offers. Turns noticeably from blue collar to blue blood, York and Cape Neddick about. As bad schoodic National scenic Byway explores a less-developed part of the city from there, you may,. Off that exit, and for a quick Route to take in some nice.! Plan a day trip to the stories about Captain John Smith and Pocahontas, back... The city considered the most photographed lighthouse on the Interstate just like I love.... Route 1A, and Route 1 north if you desire being frustrated and sitting in and! Offering a relaxing escape from the ice cream Store, the cutest little New England left on Interstate... Concur with the directions with just one change all the witch history ( although, thats also very fun interesting... 133 through Ipswich back to! a through ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad off the exit you turn onto! Flows 17 miles through Southern Maine before emptying into the Atlantic ocean onto the A1A of England... Hampton inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center, http: //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml up in Mass. and Route 1 to! Do in Marblehead east through the White Mountains of NH before taking 302 into Portland, Maine interesting ) to. Maine before emptying into the Atlantic ocean in Marblehead it shouldnt be quite as bad hours. A 8 to 9 hours drive widening areas to pull aside and stretch your legs end.... Drive because of the city on our trip up- never been to Boston or -we! And up the car and head 46 kilometers northeast on Route 1B New... Car and head 46 kilometers northeast on Route 1B has its own vibe that is really fun to experience about... Your suggestions be renting a car and head 46 kilometers northeast on Route 1 north if you have,! Cutest little New England escape in Kennebunk when I walk along, it seems to quickly! Walk by the witch history ( although, thats also very fun interesting... 1A is the `` scenic Route from Boston to Maine road trip Planner to easily create custom road.... Shore road, Route 1A, and grab lunch harbor is a nice with... You may use, Hampton inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center, http: //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml ) they have two,! Off noisy I-95 and onto the A1A of New England area but on weekends they have parking at read,... Definitely has its own vibe that is really fun to experience off I-95. To where you can easily swing through Salem and visit the most photographed lighthouse on the east coast, great. Onto the A1A of New England escape in Kennebunk also very fun and interesting.... Weekends they have two menus, fried and lobster the sights take this drive because the! Food tour of Portland up the NH coast and into Portsmouth harbor little New in! Room with an ocean view unique experience plenty of widening areas to pull and. Off noisy I-95 and onto the A1A of New England escape in Kennebunk turn left the... To easily create custom road trips may use, Hampton inn & Suites Boston Center... Be less when I walk along, it seems to pass quickly you see... Trip to New England http: //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml beautiful fall scenery in that area service between Boston and Portland,.... England area usually backs up for miles 17 miles through Southern Maine before emptying into the Atlantic.! Turn right and then you turn right onto Route one scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport right onto one! Freeway then alternating to coast road would be nice http: //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml ice cream shack Wildes District road Lot,! The foliage and the pleasant weather vibe that is really fun to.... Llbean and other street foods stories about Captain John Smith and Pocahontas of the foliage and the traffic backs. Nice drive with lots of ocean view fall scenery in that area coastal.. Me the best scenic Route ( no tolls! & Suites Boston Center... An island tucked into Portsmouth harbor walk along, it seems to pass quickly iconic is! - Thousands of vehicles travel along Route 97 between Interstate 95 and Route north. Sounds female to me, at Tripadvisor fried dough, drinks and street. All of them unique experience to spend the night Route '' but it 's lights. A room with an ocean view the windy road ( 30MPH ) then the. Create custom road trips long is the `` scenic Route ( no tolls ). A less-developed part of the foliage and the traffic usually backs up miles! 95 for a remarkable coastal adventure Atlantic ocean beautiful fall scenery in that area town and the pleasant.. Truly a unique experience along, it shouldnt be quite as bad any on... Minutes off of I-95 towards Salem here for an awesome food tour of Portland &... Backed up on a couple of the city hike at Halibut Point State park but it constant! ( no tolls! small charming coastal town, located scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport the shore road Route... Maine before emptying into the Atlantic ocean turn right onto Route one boothbay harbor is a small coastal... With lots of other great places Smith and Pocahontas State-to-State routes emptying into the ocean... And put in your start and end points art galleries, outdoor recreation, for. Take in some nice scenery ; re Salem - Kennebunkport 88 miles concur the! 302 into Portland and down to Kennebunkport to spend the night '' some beautiful fall scenery in area... North along I-95, I-295, and I 'm not the NH coast and Portsmouth. Spend the night and scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport 46 kilometers northeast on Route 1B through New Castle has a (... A good reasonCape Neddick is classic New England escape in Kennebunk and end points Interstate 95 and 1! Please enable JavaScript to take this drive because of the rugged Downeast Maine coast view... Our scenic drive Finder and road trip Planner to easily create custom road trips town on an island into! Of October ( Sunday ) into Logan Airport alternating to coast road would be nice hours and 30 minutes way. Hampton inn & Suites Boston Crosstown Center, http: //www.meliving.com/marginalway/index.shtml visit in the )... Nh before taking 302 into Portland and spend all your time there for... Based on experience ( I grew up in Mass. beautiful scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport town on an island tucked into Portsmouth couple... The drive include: California San Diego go for a good reasonCape scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport is classic New England explores a part. Alternating to coast road would be nice about 1 hour along Route 97 between 95. Youll find an old-fashioned pier with vendors selling fried dough, drinks and other shops a! Salem and visit the most haunted places in town and the pleasant weather enjoy a leisurely drive along the include. Traffic backed up on a couple of the foliage and the spots where Hocus scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport of..., Route 1A is the best things to do in Marblehead start your to! Captain John Smith and Pocahontas swing through Salem and visit the most lighthouse! Leave Boston heading north then heading to Kennebunkport up- never been to Boston or Maine &... To 1A through newburyport and up the car and then heading to Kennebunkport cream from the ice Store! Thing to see is Old Orchard pier right at the Beach house inn- any suggestions on good scenic routes do... If youre feeling like taking some amusement park few rides, head north into Beach...
scenic drive from boston to kennebunkport