Three days in Maine is enough time to experience the best of the coast — from the culinary capital of Portland to the charming harbor town of Camden to the extraordinary natural beauty of Acadia National Park. This itinerary covers about 200 miles of the Maine coast, with excellent food, hiking, and scenery at every stop.

Portland is the ideal starting point for a Maine coast road trip — a compact, walkable city with one of the finest food scenes in New England. Arrive in the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day exploring.

The Old Port: Portland's historic waterfront district is the heart of the city's food and culture scene. Walk the cobblestone streets, browse the shops, and get oriented.

Portland Head Light: Drive 10 minutes to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth for the most photographed lighthouse in Maine. The combination of the lighthouse, the rocky coast, and the views of Casco Bay is extraordinary.

Portland's food scene is the finest in New England. For a first-time visitor, the essential stops are:

Eventide Oyster Co. — the finest oyster bar in New England, with exceptional Maine oysters and the famous brown butter lobster roll. Book well in advance.

Duckfat — if Eventide is full, Duckfat's Belgian-style fries and excellent sandwiches are a worthy alternative.

Where to Stay:

• Hotel Vermont — the finest hotel in Portland, with beautiful rooms and an excellent restaurant
• The Press Hotel — a beautiful boutique hotel in a converted newspaper building

Start the morning at Standard Baking Co. (the finest bakery in Portland) or The Holy Donut (famous for its potato donuts). Depart Portland by 9:00am.

Drive north on US-1 and then south to Pemaquid Point — one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Maine, on a dramatic rocky point in Bristol. The combination of the lighthouse, the rocky coast, and the views of the surrounding ocean is extraordinary.

Pemaquid Beach: A beautiful sandy beach near the lighthouse — excellent for a short walk or a swim in summer.

Camden is widely considered the most beautiful harbor town in Maine — a combination of a perfect natural harbor, beautiful Victorian architecture, and the Camden Hills State Park rising directly behind the town.

The Harbor: Camden's harbor is one of the most beautiful in New England, with a fleet of windjammers (traditional sailing schooners) that offer multi-day sailing trips along the coast.

Camden Hills State Park: Drive or hike to the summit of Mount Battie (800 feet) for panoramic views of Penobscot Bay and the surrounding islands. The drive to the summit is about 15 minutes; the hike is about 1.5 miles.

Natalie's — the finest restaurant in Camden, with exceptional farm-to-table cuisine in a beautiful historic setting.

Boynton-McKay Food Co. — a beloved Camden institution with excellent casual food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Where to Stay:

• Camden Harbour Inn — a beautiful boutique inn with excellent views of the harbor
• Whitehall — a historic inn with a beautiful porch and excellent accommodations

Drive: 75 miles, 1.5 hours via US-1 and ME-3

Leave Camden by 7:00am to arrive at Acadia before the crowds. The drive north on US-1 passes through several beautiful midcoast towns.

Arrive at Acadia by 9:00am. Start with the Jordan Pond Path (3.3 miles, easy) — a beautiful loop around Jordan Pond with excellent views of the Bubbles (two rounded mountains). End at the Jordan Pond House for the famous popovers and afternoon tea.

Drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain (1,530 feet) — the highest point on the East Coast north of Brazil — for panoramic views of the surrounding islands, the Maine coast, and the open Atlantic.

Timed Entry: Cadillac Mountain Summit Road requires a timed entry reservation during peak season. Book at recreation.gov well in advance.

Ocean Path: After Cadillac Mountain, walk the Ocean Path (4 miles round trip, easy) along the rocky shoreline between Sand Beach and Otter Point.

Spend the evening in Bar Harbor — the gateway town to Acadia, with excellent restaurants and a beautiful waterfront.

Dinner: Havana is the finest restaurant in Bar Harbor, with exceptional Latin-influenced cuisine. Café This Way is excellent for a more casual dinner.

Departure: If driving back to Portland or Boston, depart Bar Harbor by 6:00–7:00pm. The drive from Bar Harbor to Portland is about 3 hours; to Boston, about 5 hours.

Reservations: Book hotels and restaurants well in advance for summer weekends. The Maine coast fills up quickly in July and August.

Acadia Permits: Book Cadillac Mountain timed entry permits at recreation.gov as early as possible.

Lobster: Budget for at least one lobster meal — a whole lobster at a lobster shack or a lobster roll at one of the excellent coastal restaurants.

Route 1: The most scenic route along the Maine coast, connecting Portland, Camden, and Bar Harbor. Use it whenever possible.

For more Maine adventures, see our Maine Coastal Guide, Acadia National Park Guide, Maine Lobster & Seafood Guide, Portland Maine Food Guide, and Best Time to Visit Maine. Maine's fall coast is also featured in our Best Fall Foliage Destinations in the USA.