Mini-moon in Maine... advise please

I'm getting married the same day - 12/30/2017 - and we're honeymoon in Maine as well! I'm following this thread for ideas!

Friends of ours just came back from Portland Maine and they had a ton of fun!

We're going up 1/3-7. @Melanie, when are you going?

Hey fellow Rhode Islander!

FH has been to Old Orchard Beach a few times, I've never been. But there's a boardwalk and they have those little scooters that you can rent and ride around on. (He's obsessed). It's about 2-1/2 hours away, so not too bad. They've both rented a huge house in the area and gotten a hotel. I'm not sure of the names of it, but you could check out VRBO and see what houses are available!

Ogunquit is really cute, there's lots of quaint shops and restaurants

@Kate and Bulbasaur We were planning on doing like the 1st-5th, not on the actual new years, we will be too pooped from the wedding and want a day or so at home.

@futureVC and Stacey, thanks!! Ill check those spots out and see what I can find.

Hello, I am from Portland and would say it depends on what you are looking for to do.

There is a lot to do in the city and it has amazing food and breweries. There is also Bar Harbor if you are looking for a beautiful spot that is more quiet. Carrabassett Valley where Sugarloaf Mountain is beautiful and has tubing so you can enjoy the lodge vibe without putting on skies or a snowboard.

Hope this helps and let me know if you need any further recommendations.

If you're coming in the winter I'd choose a winter type resort. (That is if you like the outdoors) Sugarloaf is really good. Also I agree with Portland, I live 45 mins from there and I still haven't done all there is to do. Lots of great food museums etc.

@Mary I LOVE Portland, I have been a few times and always thought it was so beautiful, I definitely had it on my list.

@Melanie I will have to do some Googling about Sugarloaf and also, I love your name.

@Melanie thanks! Love yours too. :-)

Are you set on Maine? My FH's family has a country house in the Vermont mountains. We are near Stratton, Bromley, Mount Snow- it is a picturesque area!

We're living in 2017, meanwhile OP is over here living in 3017.

@Jennifer we arent set on Maine, we were thinking Maine because whenever shit gets stressful we look at each other and say we are moving to Maine to live in a log cabin, which was why I was looking there.

@Jacqui I just spit out my coffee when I realized what you were talking about!! Haha! I'm not even going to edit it out, your comment makes my mistake worth while.

Maine is great, I love Maine, but a lot of the coastal "stuff" is very seasonal, and January isn't typical tourist season. I'd recommend making sure that you're either near a city or one of the ski resorts with other things to do around.

Ogunquit is a nice area but I'm not sure how much is open due to being off season.

I also live in Portland, and it's a great place to visit in the winter! The Old Port looks so pretty with all the lights and there are a lot of places to go downtown. Bar Harbor and Ogunquit and other coastal towns are going to be pretty dead in the winter, but still pretty if that's what you're looking for. I would check out Sunday River if you want a mountain vibe. It's similar to Sugarloaf but a little further south. The White Mountains in NH might be a good option for you too. There are a bunch of ski mountains around North Conway and so there's always a lot of stuff going on in that area. It's right over the border from Maine, so it's like you're basically in Maine

Bangor is the other 'big' city in Maine. Whereas Portland is the big city for southern aka populated maine, Bangor is the big city for us that live in the sticks. I believe I saw somewhere online that Bangor is one of the 10 most beautiful cities in the winter. Being a local, I have bias that says otherwise. Lol. Oh and to avoid any issues a literal pronunciation of Bangor is bang-gore, or if you want the coastal flair bang-gah. As for things to do, in the winter stick close to the cities, unless you want to tube all your honeymoon.

Tom Hegan Wilderness Cabins in Rockwood, Maine!!!! They are amazing! Tell them that Nick and Kristin sent you (the couple that just got engaged there in November). We go there twice every year for a little weekend away. The cabins are gorgeous with wood stoves, no tv, on Moosehead Lake!

If you joke about moving to a cabin in Maine, then to get the full "Maine experience" check out Baxter State Park! Here is a link to their website for winter fun - https://baxterstatepark.org/winter-basics/

You would be able to stay in a cabin or hotel near by and be able to hike, ski, snowmobile, etc while snuggling up with your FH. It would be great if you're looking to run into a couple people, but mostly want to spend time with each other and enjoy the outdoors!

Good luck!