As Portland has change into a classy hotspot in recent times, the remainder of Maine is actually the final frontier of the East Coast.
Maine vacationers do not sometimes enterprise past Portland, except for Acadia, one among America’s prettiest National Parks.
But there’s a lot extra to discover away from the charismatic brick roads winding via the Old Port, ample blue-water seashores, and limitless lobster distributors of Portland.
Maine’s small cities are really pleasant, and probably the greatest is commonly ignored, although many roadtrippers cross via on the way in which to Portland.
Just throughout the New Hampshire-Maine border lies the state’s oldest metropolis, relationship again to the 1600s, over a century earlier than America was, properly, America and the Gulf of Mexico was nonetheless…
Ahh, by no means thoughts.
Not solely is that this hidden gem nonetheless exuding the appeal of a bygone period, standing the take a look at of time, but it surely beholds quite a few secret islands and a treasure trove of maritime historical past and coastal appeal ready to be (re)found.
Welcome To Kittery, Maine: The East Coast’s Best Kept Secret
Ever heard of Kittery? Unless you are from the area, possible, you have not. With Portland hogging Maine’s journey scene, it is fully comprehensible.
But Kittery has existed for lots of of years, and gatekeepers have performed an exceptional job of remaining tight-lipped about one of many East Coast’s best-kept secrets and techniques.
Being a city of solely 10,000 residents, there isn’t any industrial airport right here, however there’s in neighboring Portsmouth, New Hampshire, one other charming coastal city in its personal proper with connecting flights from finances airways, Breeze and Allegiant, from widespread hubs resembling Orlando (MCO).
Otherwise, Boston International Airport (BOS) is simply an hour away and has much more choices.
Kittery has a captivating timeline spanning centuries from previously being named Amiciskeag by Native Americans years earlier than tribes engaged in armed conflicts with French and English settlers for rights to the land, and everyone knows how that finally turned out…
Furthermore, what could appear to be a tall story is definitely true. Pirates (sure, real-life pirates!) like notorious Blackbeard, as soon as traversed Kittery’s isles, so you might wish to deliver a steel detector alongside as there have lengthy been rumors of misplaced treasure left behind.
As Kittery stands right this moment, you may’t assist however discover the aesthetics of seafarer appeal and the palpable sense of historical past all through city, with websites like Fort McClary, a navy fort used way back to the Revolutionary War.
But even with all of the historic significance, do not anticipate Kittery to be a boring glimpse into the previous.
Downtown (a.ok.a. Kittery Foreside) has been reworked with quirky artisan outlets, upscale cafes serving craft espresso concoctions, and a surging meals scene leaving one journey information to basically describe Kittery as a mini Brooklyn.
Kittery’s Secret Islands: Barbecue, Beaches, And Waterfront Stays
Let’s begin with Gerrish Island. Visit Fort Foster Park for less than $25, one other historic website, however this one boasts small tranquil seashores and sweeping coastal surroundings, together with quintessential lighthouses.
Your greatest wager for the complete Gerrish Island expertise is to e-book a trip rental on Vrbo or Airbnb since public entry is closed (aside from Fort Foster).
Next up is the Isle of Shoals, a collection of islands spanning throughout state strains however that includes fun-to-say Smuttynose Island and Appledore Island on the Maine facet of the dividing line.
To get right here, although, you may must cross over to Portsmouth and hob aboard a ship from Isle of Shoals Steamboat Company.
Unfortunately, they go away us hanging with the dreaded “coming soon” message on their calendar, however because the climate will get hotter, it is all however sure they’re going to restart service sooner quite than later.
Here is the place I mentioned you would possibly wish to deliver a steel detector ,as these are pirates’ previous stomping grounds,
Circling again towards city, there is a pair of islands price visiting: Badger Island (Maine) and New Castle (New Hampshire).
Badger is related by bridge, so you may drive right here, and boasts nice eats like native favourite Ore Nell’s Barbecue served ‘Central Texas type’, whereas New Castle presents an awesome number of waterfront inns like Wentworth by the Sea with rave opinions claiming it is a ‘charming historic resort with a water view’ and has ‘beautiful clear rooms vintage type’.
Cheaper Than Portland
Maybe I’m in an unique membership, however once I visited Portland, I used to be sticker-shocked by resort costs. In reality, it is the one metropolis I’ve chosen to remain in a Motel 6 to save cash.
Worst of all, they did not go away the sunshine on for me! What a sham!
Portland has change into so fashionable, there isn’t any approach I’m the one one noticing the town’s excessive costs whether or not or not it’s top-rated lobster rolls or resort rooms.
Travelers do not have to fret about that in Kittery. In reality, one among its claims to fame, apart from being Maine’s oldest metropolis, is its procuring.
East Coast residents from throughout make day journeys to buy ’til they drop on the Kittery Outlets. Affordable costs do not cease there, although.
Stay on the revamped Kittery Inn & Suites for simply $64 this spring or The Water Street Inn, holding an ideal 5.0 Google ranking, for $128.
Last however not least, it is a should to have lobster, proper? Dave’s Maine Cafe has lobster rolls for simply $18!
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.