stay in camden, then also boothbay harbor?

Question

Trying to decide whether to stay in both places, (Camden and Boothbay Harbor) we could stay 3 nights in each one but know they are not super far apart. We could skip lodging in one and spend more time elsewhere possibly further down the coast or even closer to Boston such as Salem before we leave? Right now what we have after flying into Boston is stay in Kennebunkport 2 nights, then Bar Harbor 4 nights, then can stay in Camden, then Boothbay Harbor or one or the other, then last night near Boston airport or skip Camden or Boothbay and stay in Portsmouth or Salem as options? The Bar Harbor dates are booked so having to work around that and need to get this completed tomorrow hopefully! Had thought of trying to go to Cape Cod or Martha's Vinyard but too much driving and trying to minimize places to stay (aka moving around) excessively. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.

Answer

It sounds like you’ve got a wonderful Maine itinerary in the works! Both Camden and Boothbay Harbor are charming, but they are relatively close to each other, so staying in both might not be necessary unless you’re really looking to explore each one deeply. Here are some thoughts and suggestions for your trip based on your itinerary and the locations you're considering:

Camden vs. Boothbay Harbor:

Both Camden and Boothbay Harbor offer beautiful coastal views, great restaurants, and picturesque charm. However, they each have slightly different vibes:

Camden: Known for its stunning harbor and the backdrop of Mount Battie, Camden offers hiking, a scenic downtown area, and is a great base for exploring the mid-coast region. It’s a bit more laid-back than Boothbay Harbor but has a lovely harborfront with a mix of art galleries, shops, and eateries. If you like hiking and picturesque views, Camden is great.
Boothbay Harbor: Slightly more touristy but with a more vibrant harbor area. Boothbay Harbor is known for its boating activities and coastal charm. It’s a good spot if you want to be close to the water and enjoy boat tours, as well as the famous Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. If you’re looking for a more lively, quintessential Maine coastal town feel, Boothbay Harbor might be the better option.

Since Camden and Boothbay Harbor are only about a 45-minute drive apart, you might not need to stay in both places unless you really enjoy spending time in the different atmospheres each offers. If you want to minimize moving around, you could choose one for your stay and then perhaps use it as a base to visit the other for a day trip. Camden might be the better option for its combination of coastal beauty and proximity to hiking options, but if you’re looking for more of a classic, active harbor experience, then Boothbay Harbor would be worth considering.

Suggested Itinerary Adjustments:

Since you’re already booked in Bar Harbor, I understand that the rest of your trip needs to work around that. Here are a few ideas for adjusting your stay:

Skip Camden or Boothbay Harbor: If you want to minimize moving around, you could skip one of Camden or Boothbay Harbor and focus on exploring the other more thoroughly. For example, if you choose Boothbay Harbor, you can easily drive to Camden for a day trip, and vice versa.
Consider Portsmouth or Salem: If you want to explore closer to Boston, Portsmouth (about an hour from Boston) or Salem (about 45 minutes) are great options. Both offer historic charm, great restaurants, and easy access to coastal attractions. Salem has a rich history, especially for fans of colonial and witch trial history, while Portsmouth offers a small-town vibe with great dining and shopping.
Consider a night near Boston: It’s a good idea to stay near the Boston airport the night before your flight if your departure is early. This will reduce stress and ensure you’re close to the airport. You could stay in a place like Cambridge or Revere, which are both convenient and within a short distance of the airport.

Regarding Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard:

If you’re trying to avoid excessive driving, I agree that a trip to Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard might be too much, especially given the time it would take to get there and back. You’ll find that the time spent driving might not justify the reward unless you have a specific interest in those areas. If you're set on exploring more of the coast, sticking to places in Maine (like Camden and Boothbay Harbor) or New Hampshire (like Portsmouth) might be your best bet.

Final Recommendation:

Based on your desire to minimize the number of places to stay, I’d recommend:

Stay in Camden for 3 nights. It's a great base for exploring the surrounding area and has a more relaxed pace.
For the other 2 nights, I’d suggest either Boothbay Harbor (for the harbor and botanical gardens) or Portsmouth (for a small New England city vibe and proximity to Boston).
If you want to make things easier, you could just stick to Camden and Bar Harbor and skip Boothbay Harbor altogether. Camden offers a charming small-town atmosphere, and you can easily do a day trip to Boothbay Harbor if desired.

In summary, staying in both Camden and Boothbay Harbor is certainly doable, but if you want to minimize your stops, sticking with one or the other (with a possible day trip) could be a more relaxed option. Portsmouth and Salem are both wonderful spots if you want to explore closer to Boston before your flight.

I hope this helps, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time exploring Maine and the surrounding areas!