As Portland has change into a stylish hotspot lately, the remainder of Maine is basically the final frontier of the East Coast.
Maine vacationers do not usually enterprise past Portland, aside from Acadia, one in every of America’s prettiest Nationwide Parks.
However there’s a lot extra to discover away from the charismatic brick roads winding by means of the Previous Port, ample blue-water seashores, and countless lobster distributors of Portland.
Maine’s small towns are really pleasant, and top-of-the-line is usually neglected, although many roadtrippers move by means of on the way in which to Portland.
Simply throughout the New Hampshire-Maine border lies the state’s oldest city, courting 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 allure of a bygone period, standing the check of time, but it surely beholds quite a few secret islands and a treasure trove of maritime historical past and coastal charm ready to be (re)found.
Welcome To Kittery, Maine: The East Coast’s Greatest Saved Secret
Ever heard of Kittery? Until you are from the area, seemingly, you have not. With Portland hogging Maine’s journey scene, it is fully comprehensible.
However Kittery has existed for a whole lot of years, and gatekeepers have performed an outstanding 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 is no 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 funds airways, Breeze and Allegiant, from standard hubs similar to Orlando (MCO).
In any other case, Boston Worldwide Airport (BOS) is just an hour away and has much more choices.
Kittery has an interesting timeline spanning centuries from previously being named Amiciskeag by Native Individuals years earlier than tribes engaged in armed conflicts with French and English settlers for rights to the land, and everyone knows how that in the end turned out…
Moreover, what could look like a tall story is definitely true. Pirates (sure, real-life pirates!) like notorious Blackbeard, as soon as traversed Kittery’s isles, so you could need to deliver a metallic detector alongside as there have lengthy been rumors of misplaced treasure left behind.
As Kittery stands right this moment, you possibly can’t assist however discover the aesthetics of seafarer allure and the palpable sense of historical past all through city, with websites like Fort McClary, a army fort used way back to the Revolutionary Struggle.
However 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 remodeled with quirky artisan outlets, upscale cafes serving craft espresso concoctions, and a surging meals scene leaving one travel guide to basically describe Kittery as a mini Brooklyn.
Kittery’s Secret Islands: Barbecue, Seashores, And Waterfront Stays
Some islands of Kittery’s scenic shorelines are off-limits for tourism therefore the key. The excellent news is there’s loads of islands no person ever appears to speak about that make for superior spring and summer season getaways.
Let’s begin with Gerrish Island. Go to Fort Foster Park for under $25, one other historic website, however this one boasts small tranquil seashores and sweeping coastal surroundings, together with quintessential lighthouses.
Your finest wager for the complete Gerrish Island expertise is to ebook a trip rental on Vrbo or Airbnb since public entry is closed (aside from Fort Foster).
Subsequent up is the Isle of Shoals, a sequence 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.
Sadly, they depart us hanging with the dreaded “coming quickly” message on their calendar, however because the climate will get hotter, it is all however sure they will restart service sooner reasonably than later.
Right here is the place I mentioned you may need to deliver a metallic detector ,as these are pirates’ previous stomping grounds,
Circling again towards city, there is a pair of islands value visiting: Badger Island (Maine) and New Fort (New Hampshire).
Badger is related by bridge, so you possibly can drive right here, and boasts nice eats like native favourite Ore Nell’s Barbecue served ‘Central Texas type’, whereas New Fort gives an awesome number of waterfront accommodations like Wentworth by the Sea with rave opinions claiming it is a ‘charming historic lodge with a water view’ and has ‘beautiful clear rooms vintage type’.
Cheaper Than Portland
Possibly I am in an unique membership, however after I visited Portland, I used to be sticker-shocked by lodge costs. The truth is, it is the one metropolis I’ve chosen to remain in a Motel 6 to economize.
Worst of all, they did not depart the sunshine on for me! What a sham!
Portland has change into so stylish, there is no approach I am the one one noticing the town’s excessive costs whether or not it’s top-rated lobster rolls or lodge rooms.
Vacationers do not have to fret about that in Kittery. The truth is, one in every of 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. Inexpensive costs do not cease there, although.
Keep on the revamped Kittery Inn & Suites for simply $64 this spring or The Water Street Inn, holding an ideal 5.0 Google score, for $128.
Final however not least, it is a should to have lobster, proper? Dave’s Maine Cafe has lobster rolls for simply $18!
↓ Elevate Your Journey↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No advertisements, VIP Content material, Private Journey Concierge, Large Financial savings, Each day Offers, Members Discussion board & Extra!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: The place vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e-mail deal with to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accredited or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the put up.