TravelGuides

(TGA) - Hello all,

I'm looking for advice on a great place to take our two young children next August for a couple of weeks. My husband and I will be graduating from law school and prepping for/taking the Bar exam next summer, so we're hoping to spend some time decompressing and relaxing with our children in a quiet place. We've somewhat focused on New England because we live in the South and it's SOO hot here in August. We'd like to go to a place where being outside during the day isn't akin to spending time in a sauna!

What we'd like is a nice town where we can rent a house. We don't really need anything super exciting to do - really just some nice outdoor space for our children (who will be 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 at the time). My husband said all we need is a really great playground! We don't require much for ourselves, either. Just some shops, restaurants, places to take walks and picnics, etc. I

So, I've been looking at Bar Harbor, but I've also come across Boothbay Harbor. I've also looked at going up to Nova Scotia, but the airfare there is almost triple the cost to Maine from Tennessee. We would probably stay the entire two weeks in one place, but I would consider splitting the time with one week in two locales. However, having never been to New England, I'm completely open to suggestions. Please feel free to give me your input!

Thanks so much in advance.
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Nashville to Boston or Nashville to Manchester, NH will probably be your best bet as far as flights go. Boston car rentals were much higher than Manchester this past year but that could vary.

Hate to tell you, but Maine can also be very hot and muggy in August. You'll definitely want to find something near the ocean.

With kids that age, would you be open to waiting until the two weeks after Labor Day. Weather will probably be beautiful, and the weekly rate on a house rental will probably go down 30%. When the kids are school age you'll have to work around their vacation time, but right now you can take advantage of no-crowds and lower-prices.

Ocean Park, Pine Point, Cape Elizabeth, Wells Beach, Camp Ellis would be a few places to look for rental availability.
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While Maine can be hot and muggy in August I am pretty sure it would be nothing compared to what you are use to...and if you are by the water it may feel like heaven!

The Midcoast area of Brunswick, Bath and Harpswell has some lovely rentals you could get for 2 weeks and be close to lots of places to eat, shop and play. Look on VRBO for places.

Another lovely part of Maine that I personally escape to when I can in August is the Belgrade Lakes area. Lots of great rentals and it is gorgoeus...loons, heron, moose from time to time and lots of peace and quiet. Here is an excellent contact who can help you in that area....

http://www.belgraderental.com/

It is not on the coast so may not be what you want but it is an absoultely lovely part of the state.
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Also check www.homeaway.com for house rentals. There are lots listed! A two week rental may give you a discount rate at some properties. I always fly into Boston and get good rental rates. You just have to be vigiliant in checking and rechecking costs.
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Both Bar Harbor and Boothbay Harbor are major tourist destinations, so may not be what you're looking for if you're serious about :decompressing and relaxing." For those purposes, I'd look at an inland lakes destination -- Belgrade Lakes region would be a great choice and you might also want to check out the Rangeley Lakes area.

Belgrade area is just over an hour from the coast so you could still check out coastal destinations, including Boothbay, without being in the middle of the hub-bub. Bar Harbor would make an easy, but slightly longer, day trip as well.

August temps in the greater Belgrade area will get into the 80's with an occasional day or two in the low 90's, but being on or near a lake will help make them more tolerable.

Belgrade or Rangeley would also offer the opporutnity for easy day trips into the western Maine mountains or even to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

If you really want to "get away and relax", I'd skip the major coastal destinations and look for a lakeside inland destination....some great scenery, quieter villages, and far easier to get through traffic even for things as basic as grocery shopping.
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Although I will not argue with a lakeside vacation, there are ways to escape the crowds in Boothbay Harbor, especially if you find a vacation rental. You could also look one peninsula "up" from there in the towns of Bristol, New Harbor, South Bristol, Damariscotta, etc.

You are more likely to have cooling breezes near the ocean, but would be more likely to spend time in the water on a lake.
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