As Portland has turn out to be a stylish 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 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However there’s a lot extra to discover away from the charismatic brick roads winding by way of the Outdated Port, ample blue-water seashores, and limitless lobster distributors of Portland.
Maine’s small cities are really pleasant, and probably the greatest is commonly missed, despite the fact that many roadtrippers move by way of on the best way to Portland.
Simply throughout the New Hampshire-Maine border lies the state’s oldest metropolis, courting again to the 1600s, over a century earlier than America was, effectively, America and the Gulf of Mexico was nonetheless…
Ahh, by no means thoughts.
Not solely is that this hidden gem nonetheless exuding the attraction of a bygone period, standing the take a look at of time, however it beholds quite a few secret islands and a treasure trove of maritime historical past and coastal attraction ready to be (re)found.
Welcome To Kittery, Maine: The East Coast’s Finest Stored Secret
Ever heard of Kittery? Except you are from the area, possible, you have not. With Portland hogging Maine’s journey scene, it is fully comprehensible.
However 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 is not 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 price range airways, Breeze and Allegiant, from well-liked hubs similar to Orlando (MCO).
In any other case, Boston Worldwide Airport (BOS) is barely an hour away and has much more choices.
Kittery has a captivating 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 finally turned out…
Moreover, what could seem 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 metallic detector alongside as there have lengthy been rumors of misplaced treasure left behind.
As Kittery stands right this moment, you’ll be able to’t assist however discover the aesthetics of seafarer attraction and the palpable sense of historical past all through city, with websites like Fort McClary, a navy fort used way back to the Revolutionary Battle.
However even with all of the historic significance, do not anticipate Kittery to be a boring glimpse into the previous.
Downtown (a.okay.a. Kittery Foreside) has been remodeled with quirky artisan retailers, 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, 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 one 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 less than $25, one other historic web site, 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).
Subsequent up is the Isle of Shoals, a sequence of islands spanning throughout state traces 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 will have to cross over to Portsmouth and hob aboard a ship from Isle of Shoals Steamboat Firm.
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’re going to restart service sooner moderately than later.
Right here is the place I stated you may wish 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 Citadel (New Hampshire).
Badger is linked by bridge, so you’ll be able to drive right here, and boasts nice eats like native favourite Ore Nell’s Barbecue served ‘Central Texas fashion’, whereas New Citadel gives an incredible 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 fashion’.
Cheaper Than Portland
Possibly I am in an unique membership, however after I visited Portland, I used to be sticker-shocked by resort 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 turn out to be so fashionable, there is not any approach I am the one one noticing the town’s excessive costs whether or not or not it’s top-rated lobster rolls or resort rooms.
Vacationers do not have to fret about that in Kittery. The truth is, one in every of its claims to fame, in addition to being Maine’s oldest metropolis, is its purchasing.
East Coast residents from throughout make day journeys to buy ’til they drop on the Kittery Shops. Inexpensive costs do not cease there, although.
Keep on the revamped Kittery Inn & Suites for simply $64 this spring or The Water Road Inn, holding an ideal 5.0 Google score, for $128.
Final however not least, it is a should to have lobster, proper? Dave’s Predominante Cafe has lobster rolls for simply $18!
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Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the publish.