And we don’t mean temperature…

Belfast Maine was recently voted one of Budget Travel’s coolest small towns in 2008.  We decided to take a look at how they chose this beautiful coastal town as one of their faves.

While I have not yet had the luxury of visiting Maine, it is on my list of places to see, especially during the fall foliage color change.  Maine offers a charm that is unique to New England, with its famously beautiful landscape, legendary lobster feasts, and a culture all its own.  As I’ve been daydreaming about a visit to this beautiful locale on Penobscot Bay in the near future, I thought I’d share some of my research with you.

What Should I Do? Experience some of Belfast’s old world charm. Wander around the village and explore the old buildings, shops, and galleries.  Throughout the summer season, the town hosts numerous festivals.  Check out the Museum In The Streets, a self-guided walking tour that will lead you through some of Belfast’s historic highlights.

What Should I Eat? Your number one culinary priority while visiting Belfast should be to experience some of the area’s world-famous lobster!  In addition to lobster, be sure to experience the native clams, fish, shrimp, scallops, and more.  Trip Advisor rates Young’s Lobster Pound as their number one restaurant in Belfast.

Where Should I Sleep? If you’re looking for an authentic New England experience, a charming Maine Bed and Breakfast is the way to go!  The area has a variety of lodging options, most of which are inns and B&B’s.  Belfast just is not the kind of town where a large chain hotel fits in.

Have you visited this charming village by the sea?  Tell us about it!  Where were your favorite attractions and restaurants?  Where did you sleep?  What did you do?  Would you go back?  We’d love to hear about your experience!

Images courtesy qnr

Welcome back!

My very first time eating lobster was when I was 14 and traveling up the east coast from Georgia with my family to go pickup my brother who had just finished hiking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine (that’s 2,175 miles) back in 1986.  Once we had left the northeast urban areas of New York and Boston, the road became surrounded with fur trees and less buildings.  I can remember breaking out onto the coast and seeing the craggy cliffs and lobster traps floating in the turbulent surf down below thus beginning my love affair with lobster (the other really good white meat).

Now, my first taste of lobster came when we arrived in Bar Harbor and went straight down to the warf.  You chose which lobster you wanted and in a matter of minutes, it was served to you with butter and lemon.   The meal was “wicked good” as they say up there.  What a way to experience my first impression of lobster and the beautiful state of Maine.

Bar Harbor is quite a ways up the coast once entering the state and you don’t have to go that far to experience fresh lobster and the Maine coastal lifestyle.  Just about an hour northeast of Boston is the town of Ogunquit, Maine.  Ogunquit is a quaint artist community with lots of festivals and seasonal celebrations therefore the artistry gets into the food.

Lobster can dressed up or down when it comes to presentation and taste.  Combining old world traditional cuisine with the fresh seafood available creates dinner entrees that are full of flavors and aromas.  Entrees and side dishes involving prosciutto, foie gras, garlic and herbs just to name a few definitely are a result of inspiration and just plain fresh ingredients.  Guests and visitors to Ogunquit have quaint logding options with exceptional in-house dining so plan your trip today!  Ogunquit hosts many styles of restaurants to suit everyone’s taste buds and affordability. 

When mentioning lobster being dressed down, Ogunquit offers the less sophisticated palate plenty of choices.  You can get lobster stew, lobster roll, broiled lobster, lobster saute, baked lobster, and even lobster salad.  Finding the quaint eating establishments has always been my favorite challenge when looking for good quality food and service.   

If you are thinking of going to Maine for a lobster filled vacation and take in the Atlantic breezes then don’t hesitate to check out the coastal town of Ogunquit, Maine.

Maine Lobster by man pikin

Ogunquit, Maine Coastline by scott.labrake

Located in the southern coastal region of Maine lies Ogunquit, a little artsy resort town whose name means “beautiful place by the sea” dubbed by the Algonquin Indians long ago.  Ogunquit is known for their white, sandy beaches that stretch 3 miles up and down the coast inviting the guest to get some sun and play in the sand.  Maine is famous for its’ rocky coast line therefore making Ogunquit a diamond in the rough.  Many visitors walk the “Marginal Way” which is a mile trek along a craggy cliff that shows visitors the undulations and variance of the Maine coast. 

Coastal activities in this region include sea kayaking, fishing, cruises and of course eating lobster.   The town of Ogunquit boasts of a heavy artistic community which sells their wares in many of the art galleries and shops located in town.  Ogunquit is a town with much history dating back many generations to the Algonquin Indians.  With art and artists being drawn to this town Ogunquit has performing arts and theaters to experience.

One really does not need a car if sticking around Ogunquit.  Traveling by foot, bike or even the trolley can get you where you want to be quite easily. 

Every October near Halloween is the “Ogunquitfest” which is perfect the family and kids.  There is a carnival, pumpkin carving contests and ghost stories being told just to name a few.  Also at Christmas time the town enjoys “Christmas by the sea” which includes hay rides, concerts, caroling, bonfires and ornament making.  So when you decide to plan a southern maine vacation do not forget to include Ogunquit for its’ natural beauty and charm. 

Maine Vacation Resource

The Maine Department of Transportation has a killer website about what to see and do in this diverse coastal state. It’s called Explore Maine and you’ll find this online resource helpful whether you plan to travel by air, car, bike, ferry, public transit or a combination of methods.

Until recently I had never thought of a beach vacation in Maine. Maine conjures images of 10 foot snow drifts and moose and mosquitoes – so when I was looking at the Maine Guide one day while planning a trip to Nova Scotia I saw an ad for Ogunquit. My interest was piqued – I saw sandy beaches and kids playing in the water.

Maine Beach Video

This is a video of the beach in winter – but it still looks like fun – more fun when it’s 80 degrees though!

Further research revealed average summer temperatures in the 80’s in July and the average humidity is about on par with the rest of the US.

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