Vacay Espresso: 5 Days Road Tripping Through Maine

Road Trip Stops

• Freeport: Making your way up the coastline, stop in Freeport to stock up on essentials for the rest of your trip. Its quaint Main Street is a mini shopping mecca of outfitters, small shops and restaurants. Of course, the main reason for stopping here is to spend a few hours at the Mothership, L.L. Bean's headquarters and flagship store. Make sure you've got a sturdy pair of boots, a good rain jacket or windbreaker and soft and cozy layers for cool summer nights.

• Georgetown: I won't lie. This little gem is way, way off the beaten path and will create a pretty hefty detour, but it is all worth it to pay a visit to Five Islands Lobster Co. Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives shot an episode here and you'll want your first lobster roll to come from their unassuming shack off the dock.

• Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park: Raw nature and simple beauty awaits in Bar Harbor. Plan to stay over a night or two so that you can enjoy this small town's charms and take advantage of its proximity to Acadia National Park. Walk the Shore Path to see stunning shoreside mansions, deer nibbling on small bushes and wildflowers dotting the way. Explore the shops downtown and pick up a few local preserves, sauces or honeys to take home for friends. Take a nature cruise and try your luck at spotting whales or puffins along the coast. Take the Bee Hive hiking loop to take in the views from above or a short drive up Cadillac Mountain expands those views even further. Lastly, when the tide is right, walk the Bar Island Land Bridge to Bar Island. The trail can only be taken during certain hours and is otherwise under water.

• Camden: On the way to Portland, stop for lunch in Camden, a quaint little coastal town with one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country.

• Portland: A thriving beer scene, several foodie hot spots, funky street art, plenty of shopping and a gorgeous shoreline make Portland one of the funnest stops on your trip. Spend an afternoon perusing local boutiques and mainstream storefronts. Sample the wares at a few of the local breweries or pubs. Take a sunset sail aboard a traditional schooner. Take a walking tour to take in the variety of local street art celebrating the city. Or for a more traditional vibe, walk the Eastern Promenade to see the old Victorians restored to modern beauty. Finally venture out to see Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth.

• Kennebunkport: Feeling fancy? Spend a day or two in the playground for billionaires. Many celebs, famous politicians and industry titans summer in Kennebunkport, but even those of us with more shallow pockets can relax in its luxury for a short time. Shop along Dock Square or the Shops at Morning Walk. Take a chartered sail. Check out Arundel Beach. Or get active on the mainland by making a tee time at one of the town's well-known courses or grabbing a game of pickleball at the local park.

• Five Islands Lobster Co (Georgetown): Depending on who you ask, one of the best lobster rolls in Maine.

• Great Maine Breakfast (Bar Harbor): Fill up on hearty, local dishes before setting out on your hike for the day.

• Gayln's (Bar Harbor): Seafood dishes in a traditional Victorian. Stunning views at sunset!

• Side Street Cafe (Bar Harbor): Elevated bar food loaded with lots of lobster. Lobster mac & cheese, Lobster sandwich, oh my.

• Shipyard Brewing Company (Portland): Local Portland brewery with ties to Allagash. Sample a flight for good measure, but their Blue Paw combines beer with the taste of fresh-picked blueberries, which makes for a perfect summer ale.

• Duckfat (Portland): Once one of Portland's buzziest spots. It is now a mainstay thanks to their delectable poutine that keeps locals and tourists coming back.

• Eventide Oyster Co (Portland): The freshest oysters on display, melt-in-your-mouth fried oyster buns. Do I even go on? Yes, because even their ice cream sandwiches still keep me thinking about this place.

• Dimillo's (Portland): Looking for the best place to try a whole lobster? Dimillo's has been around for decades and is just off the Old Port dock. You can watch the boats going in and out and maybe even catch a playful sea lion waving from the water!

• Bahn Appetit (Portland): Vietnamese sandwiches, noodles and small plates. Every local we spoke to highly recommended this low-key spot.

• Striper's Waterside Restaurant (Kennebunkport): Upscale seafood dishes with a big deck overlooking the water.

• Mabel's Lobster Claw (Kennebunkport): A chandelier made from a canoe? Of course. No-frills only quality, classic, coastal dishes.