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PORTLAND, ME. TO CAMDEN
Proceed north on I-95, then take I-295. You will have two opportunities, one south of Portland , exit 44 and one on the north side, exit 52, the Falmouth Spur. If you miss this exit and find yourself heading to Augusta , just stay on 95 until you reach Augusta and then take Rt 17 to Rt 90. This will take a little longer but it is much easier than trying to turn around.
We recommend a stop at the DeLorme map store at exit 17 on 295. There you will find the world's largest moving globe. Over 41 feet in diameter, it rotates and revolves just like the earth and presents a "space station" view of the world. Just follow the signs to return to the freeway.
You must exercise great caution at exit 20 ( Freeport ). If you get off the freeway you risk being captured by LL Bean's and 200 other outlets.
Leave I-295 at exit 28 and get on to Rt 1 ( Bath , Brunswick and Shore Points). The first town that you will pass through is Brunswick -- the home of Bowdoin College and the US Naval Air Station. Continue north on Rt 1 to Bath and stop at the Maine Maritime Museum. There you will find exhibits spanning over 400 years and ranging from fully-rigged models and dioramas to the Grand Banks Schooner Sherman Zwicker.
The next village you will pass through is Wiscasset. The Music Box Museum on High Street is worth a stop...and if it's time for lunch we recommend La Garage. The restaurant is located at the foot of Water Street overlooking the Sheepscot River. Another good place to eat is Sarah's -- great soup, sandwiches and water views -- on Main Street at the bridge.
If you have time, drive through Damariscotta and Newcastle. We especially enjoy Glidden Street, two or three blocks of lovely old homes built in the early nineteenth century. The Newcastle Inn on River Road is a grand place if you intend to stay overnight -- the dinners there rank with the very best in the State of Maine.
Proceed north on US 1. Moody's diner in Waldoboro is worth a stop for a large slice of pie and a larger slice of down-east atmosphere. The prices are low, food is plentiful and all the local guys wear their ball caps while they bail the beans.
You can stay on Rt 1 through Thomaston and Rockland all the way to our door, or you can save almost thirty minutes by taking Rt 90 east at Warren. Rt 90 ends back on Rt 1 just a mile south of Camden.
The Camden Maine Stay is located in the High Street Historic District, two blocks north of the harbor on the west side of Rt 1.
Acadia to Camden Via Castine
From Mt Desert Island take Rt 3 to Ellsworth. If you like historic architecture we recommend a stop in Ellsworth at the Black Mansion -- watch for it on the right side of the road about one mile west of the town center. Just a short distance further west you will see the sign for Rt 172 to Blue Hill.
Blue Hill is the home of many writers, artists and potters. Stop in at least one of the several pottery shops. Rackliffe's is a good one -- it's on the right just before the village center. If you want to stop for lunch we recommend Jean-Paul's Bistro. (Try an Adirondack chair on the back lawn.) If you prefer an upscale dining experience either Jonathan's or the Arborvine are good spots. Both are on the main street in the village.
From Blue Hill head west on Rt 177 until it ends at 175 north and 199 south. Don't despair, it sounds worse than it is. Just keep following the signs "to Castine" -- the road is well marked.
Castine is a history buff's dream. The town if full of historic markers announcing with great pride a plethora of historic minutia. Tranquil after the hustle and bustle of Bar Harbor, Castine is a town worthy of an extended visit. However, if you travel in the winter, be sure that you have accommodations secure in advance. Castine is very quiet in the winter.
After touring Castine, head north on Rt 166/175 toward Orland where you will intersect Rt 1--head south. we strongly recommend a stop at Fort Knox (just north of Rt 1 after you cross the Penobscot River Bridge). Restored by the State, the fort is now a park situated on a high bluff overlooking the Penobscot river and the town of Bucksport. Be sure to take a flashlight with you so that you can explore the interior passageways. Continuing south on Rt 1, the next stop should be at the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport.
After Searsport, return to Rt 1 south. You will pass Moose Point State Park and the small city of Belfast, but by now you are tired of seeing things and you might as well come on to the Camden Maine Stay and relax for awhile. You will find us on the right side of Rt 1, two blocks north of the village.
It is 87 miles from the Thompson Island bridge (the bridge that connects Mt. Desert Island to the mainland) to the Camden Maine Stay. Driving time is two hours. Looking time could be several days.
Special note: Provided everyone follows the golden rule we have adequate, free, paved, well lighted, off-street parking here at the Inn. The rule is: Park between the white lines.
St. Johnsbury, VT to Camden
From St Johnsbury proceed east on Rt 2 which follows the scenic Androscoggin River as it flows through the White Mountain National Forest. You will pass through the quaint villages of Gorham, New Hampshire and Bethel, Maine. If you want to stop for lunch, I recommend the Sunday River Brewing Company on the north side of Rt 2 about two miles east of Bethel.
Stay on Rt 2 until you reach the junction with Rt 17 in the village of East Dixfield. Turn right and follow Rt 17 through Jay and Livermore Falls. The next big city you will come to is our State Capital, Augusta. With a population of only 22,000 persons, Augusta is certainly not a large city, but it does have a long history (pilgrims landed here in 1625), a fine State Museum and some wonderful old buildings.
Stay on Rt 17 until you reach the intersection with Rt 90 in West Rockport. Turn left on 90 head toward Rockport. Six miles from the 90/17 junction you will reach Rt 1. Turn left again (Rt 1 North) and drive 2 miles to Camden.
Pass through the center of the village (the harbor will be on your right and Mount Battie on your left) and drive north into the High Street Historic District. The Camden Maine Stay is two blocks north of the flashing light at the head of the harbor, on the left side of Rt 1.
Driving time from St Johnsbury to Camden is a little over four hours.
MANCHESTER, NH, TO CAMDEN
From the airport, take Rt 3A north to Rt 293 east. Rt 293 joins Rt 93 - go north. In just a few miles you will exit the interstate on Rt 101 east. Stay on 101 until it joins Rt 95.
Proceed north on I-95, then take I-295. You will have two opportunities, one south of Portland , exit 44 and one on the north side, exit 52, the Falmouth Spur. If you miss this exit and find yourself heading to Augusta , just stay on 95 until you reach Augusta and then take Rt 17 to Rt 90. This will take a little longer but it is much easier than trying to turn around.
You must also exercise great caution at exit 20 (Freeport). If you get off the freeway you risk being captured by LL Bean's and 200 other outlets.
Leave I-295 at exit 28 and get on to Rt 1 ( Bath , Brunswick and Shore Points). The first town that you will pass through is Brunswick -- the home of Bowdoin College and the US Naval Air Station. Continue north on Rt 1 to Bath and stop at the Maine Maritime Museum. There you will find exhibits spanning over 400 years and ranging from fully-rigged models and dioramas to the Grand Banks Schooner Sherman Zwicker.
The next village you will pass through is Wiscasset. The Music Box Museum on High Street is worth a stop...and if it's time for lunch I recommend La Garage. The restaurant is located at the foot of Water Street overlooking the Sheepscot River. Another good place to eat is Sarah's -- great soup and sandwiches -- on Main Street.
If you have time, drive through Damariscotta and Newcastle. We especially enjoy Glidden Street, two or three blocks of lovely homes built in the early nineteenth century. The Newcastle Inn on River Street is a grand place if you intend to stay overnight -- the dinners there rank with the very best in the State of Maine.
Proceed north on US 1. Moody's diner in Waldoboro is worth a stop for a large slice of pie and a larger slice of down-east atmosphere. The prices are low, food is plentiful and all the local guys wear their ball caps while they bail the beans.
You can stay on Rt 1 through Thomaston and Rockland all the way to our door, or you can save about thirty minuets by taking Rt 90 east at Warren. Rt 90 ends back on Rt 1 just a mile south of Camden.
The Camden Maine Stay is located in the High Street Historic District, two blocks north of the harbor on the west side of Rt 1.
Distance is about 180 miles and driving time is almost four hours.
CONWAY, NH. TO CAMDEN
From Conway, head north on Rt 16. This scenic highway passes through the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. The dominate feature of the landscape is Mt. Washington which is the highest point (6,288 ft) of land in the United States, east of the Mississippi River.
At Gorham turn right (east) on Rt 2. You will pass through the lovely village of Bethel, Maine, and follow the course of the scenic Androscoggin River as it flows through the White Mountain National Forest. A good spot for lunch is the Sunday River Brewing Company, which is on the north side of Rt 2 just a few miles east of Bethel.
Take Rt 2 east to the village of East Dixfield, then follow Rt 17 through Augusta until you reach West Rockport. Then turn left (east) on Rt 90 and press on until you reach Rt 1.
When you come to Rt 1 turn left again and drive into Camden.
Continue north on Rt 1 through the center of Camden, pass the harbor and Public Library and enter the High Street Historic District. You will find the Camden Maine Stay on the west side of Rt 1, two blocks north of the harbor.
Driving time is about five hours.
We hope that you have a safe and enjoyable journey.
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