A Scenic Road Trip up the Northern New England Coast
Take it slow and steady on one of America’s most iconic road trips along New England’s spellbinding northern coast
Giant salt marshes, crashing breakers, charming seaside villages and historic lighthouses—you’ll see it all as you navigate the northern New England coast. With stunning vistas, picture-perfect beaches, and some of the best seafood in the country—this iconic, all-American road trip is one you’ll remember for a lifetime.
"Go for the famous fall foliage in late-September through October. Or, hit the road any time between Independence Day and Labor Day for a super summer escape."
You’ll be hugging the spectacular Atlantic coastal shoreline throughout the bulk of your 571-mile (or more) journey—most of which is on Highway 1/1A. Designated in 1928, Historic Route 1 is the oldest major U.S. highway on the Eastern Seaboard and offers incomparable access to the very best of New England's northern coast.
Day 1: Bay State Beach Towns
If you only have enough time for one Boston attraction, spend it atop the Skywalk Observatory and take in a spectacular 360-degree view of this iconic city.
Wake up early and say good morning to historic Boston. The first day of your New England road trip is packed full of things to do and starts with an easy breakfast in Beantown. Snag a coffee and a fresh-baked, European-style pastry at Tatte Bakery & Cafe near downtown, or you can get your favorite caffeine fix and a quick bite at the Common Ground Coffee Roasters in nearby Revere. Hop on the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway from here and drive north into Salem—your first stop.
This “bewitching” town has quite the storied past, dating back to the earliest Colonial days—and made famous by its 1692 witch trials. Explore Salem’s diverse history by visiting any of the town’s several witch-themed locales, particularly the Salem Witch Museum and the famous 17th-century Jonathan Corwin Witch House. After a heavy dose of hocus pocus, stop by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site (the first of its kind in America) to learn about Colonial-era maritime history and take a tour of the dozen historic structures on the grounds. snap a photo of the Friendship of Salem—a replica tall ship moored at the waterfront.
Snap a photo of the Friendship of Salem—a replica tall ship moored at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site waterfront.
Your next stop is for lunch in charming Manchester By the Sea. Relish in quick comfort food delights at The Mooring on Union Street, then grab a cone with your favorite flavor from Captain Dusty’s Ice Cream and take it with you on a short walk down Beach Street to Singing Beach. Enjoy your sweet treat to the sounds of the dry sands “singing” beneath your feet with every step and absorb the unexpected beauty of one of the locals’ favorite beaches.
Back on the road, head north to Cape Ann and stop in Gloucester to discover the North Shore. While there are several lighthouses in and around town primed for that perfect vacation shot, the Eastern Point Lighthouse—just a short drive around the harbor—offers one of the most spectacular sights on the entire cape. Be sure to stop by the Fishermen’s Memorial near Pavilion Beach and take a tour of the Maritime Gloucester Museum or the Cape Ann Museum, if you have the time. Next, drive into nearby Rockport and stop for dinner (with a view) on the decks of the Roy Moore Lobster Co.—a no-frills seafood joint offering some of the freshest, local-catch eats on Cape Ann. Finally, work off that full belly with a sunset stroll down Front Beach before heading back to Boston for the night.
Pro Tip: Consider extending your trip by 1-2 days to get the full Beantown experience before (or after) your adventures on the road. From strolling through over a dozen historical landmarks along the Freedom Trail, to touring the famous harbor by boat or exploring iconic works of art and exhibits at the several world-class museums—you'll find Boston offers a full vacation experience in and of itself.
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Day 2: North on Scenic Route 1
The next leg of your Atlantic coastal road trip leads you 110 miles north into the gorgeous, waterfront town of Portland—Maine's biggest city.
Hit the road early, take Route 1 north from Boston, and stop for your morning meal at the cozy Colby’s Breakfast & Lunch restaurant in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From here, you’ll be within minutes of the best historic sights and stops in the third-oldest town in the U.S. Explore the city’s Colonial, Georgian and Federal architectural styles as you stroll past the William Pitt Tavern and tour the Wentworth Gardner Historic House. Or, head to the South End historic district—the oldest neighborhood in the state—and visit the massive, outdoor living-history grounds at the Strawbery Banke Museum. Then, cross the Piscataqua River via the Memorial Bridge into Maine for the next stretch of your road trip.
Storied history, New England charm and unparalleled waterfront beauty unite in Portsmouth—New Hampshire's original capital city and oldest settlement.
Make a short pit stop in the charming town of Ogunquit. Even though it was first settled in the mid-1600s, it didn’t become an incorporated city until 1980. Ogunquit translates to “beautiful place by the sea” and has beckoned artists to its shores for generations. Stretch your legs on sandy Ogunquit Beach, window-shop the town’s unique boutiques, or take a quick tour of the Ogunquit Museum of Art. Continue north on Route 1, and then head east through the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge into Kennebunkport. Lunch on takeout lobster rolls (a New England staple) by the waterfront from Port Lobster Co., and—on your way out of town—stop by Rococo Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
Now in Portland, spend the afternoon discovering any of the city’s top attractions, including the world-class Portland Museum of Art or the Maine Historical Society and Wadsworth-Longfellow House—both in historic downtown. Finally, satiate your appetite with eclectic small plates at Central Provisions, gourmet hotdogs and American comfort food at the Blue Rooster, or local seafood delights on the waterfront at Scales before checking into your Portland hotel and turning in for the night.
Pro Tip: Take a detour on Routes 207 & 77 from Scarborough. From here, you can make any of several, picture-perfect stops on your way into Portland. Explore Scarborough Beach and Crescent Beach state parks, visit the Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse historical landmark, and then swing north along Shore Road to see the Portland Head Lighthouse at Fort Williams Park, the Abandoned Fort Williams Bunker Powerhouse, Goddard Mansion and so much more.
Day 3: Rugged Coastlines & Island Adventures
Settled nearly 400 years ago, the historic and quaint mill town of Brunswick makes a perfect home base for the next leg of your northern New England coastal adventure.
On your way out of Portland, stop by Rose Foods—just down the street from the University of Southern Maine—to pick up a coffee and your favorite bagel and shmeer to-go. Cross the Tukey’s Bridge over the mouth of Black Cove and head north on Route 1 to Brunswick. Make a pit-stop at Swinging Bridge Park and snap a fun family-photo on the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge. Or, stop by the Peary-MachMillan Artic Museum in Hubbard Hall at Bowdoin College. It's the only museum dedicated to artic studies in the lower 48 states. Afterwards, check into your Brunswick/Freeport area hotel early, or get a head start on your day by driving south on ME-24 to explore the islands of Casco Bay.
Experience all 216 miles of picturesque, rugged coastline and some of Maine's few remaining working harbors on serene Bailey Island.
This 28-mile, island-hopping drive is spectacular. Take the highway until it ends at Bailey Island Beach, and you'll feel like you're at the very edge of the world. Snap a photo with the Lobstermans Statue and pick up a Maine-themed souvenir at Land’s End Gift Shop nearby. On your way back, enjoy short hike along the Giant’s Stairs Trail to take in some of the most rugged and picturesque sights of the Maine Coast. Back in Brunswick, turn east on Route 1 and stop by the Maine Maritime Museum in the town of Bath for a quick history lesson.
Out of Wiscasset, take ME-27 south for about 20 miles and stop in Boothbay Harbor. Grab an outdoor lunch (more succulent lobster rolls, anyone?) at the tiny-but-mighty Shannon’s Unshelled, or take Atlantic Ave south to the Boothbay Lobster Wharf to watch lobsterman unload their catch while enjoying the freshest seafood selections served straight from ocean. Spend the rest of your afternoon strolling through the gorgeous Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and exploring the seemingly endless beaches, rocky coastlines and nature preserves in the area before heading back to your Brunswick hotel.
Pro Tip: Give yourself another day or so in the Brunswick/Freeport area to fully experience the region’s many islands and hundreds of miles of coastline. Depending on the season, you can take any of the handful of island-hopping harbor cruises out of Boothbay, Southport, Popham Beach and others to witness the beauty of the Maine coast from the water.
Day 4: Quaint Harbors & Stunning Natural Wonders
While Bangor marks the end of your northern New England road trip, the main stop on the next 182-mile stretch of road truly saves the best for last.
You’ll want to start early on the last day of your road trip because there’s lots of road and lots of outdoor adventure ahead of you. Drive northeast on Route 1 for about an hour and stop for a quick breakfast in Camden. Bagel Café makes some top-notch breakfast sandwiches to-go, or you can grab a coffee and a surprisingly tasty vegan snack for the road at Zoot Coffee. Swing north through Belfast, stop and stretch your legs at Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory (the world’s tallest public bridge observatory), and then cross the historic Penobscot Narrows Bridge. Continue east on Route 1 until you reach Ellsworth.
Take a short detour off the loop down Lighthouse Road and hike the Bass Harbor Lighthouse Trail to see the late-1850's structure nestled on the rocky shore.
Take ME-3 south into magnificent Bar Harbor, where you’ll stop and fuel up on comfort food at popular Lunch Bar Harbor. From here, you’ll have access to one of the America's top national parks. Hop onto Park Loop Road through Acadia National Park for arguably the most breathtaking drive in all of Maine. When visiting Acadia National Park, you’ll discover more ocean trailheads, mountain hikes, towering cliffs, mountain vista views and rocky beaches than can be fully explored in a single day. But by sticking to this 27-mile route, you’ll have the opportunity to see many of the park’s top sights with ease—including Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff Overlook, Cadillac Mountain and Eagle Lake Overlook. Stop for tea and popovers at the historic Jordan Pond House and snap a pretty pic at the Jordan Pond Trailhead, about halfway along the loop.
A long, full day of outdoor adventure is sure to whip up quite an appetite. Head to Galyn’s for classic Maine seafood in a charming, old-timey atmosphere—or, you can enjoy casual American cuisine with waterfront views at The Chart Room at the north edge of town. Finally, check into your Bangor hotel—just a short, one hour drive from Bar Harbor—to mark the end of this truly memorable northern New England coast road trip.
Pro Tip: A single day in Acadia National Park can feel a little rushed. Stay in the Bar Harbor area overnight and extend your trip by a day if you’re looking to slow it down a bit and truly absorb this spectacular spot on Maine's Mount Desert Island.
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