# New England city and coastal parks · Three bases with a stop in the middle

[Canonical itinerary](<https://zukio.com/trips/north-america/open-jaw/new-england-city-and-coastal-parks-z0726/>)

Three bases with a stop in the middle

- Region: North America
- Trip format: Open jaw
- Nights: 10
- Interests: Science, Food & Drink, Nature, History

## Route and nights

- Boston · 3 night(s)
- Portland, Maine · 3 night(s)
- Bar Harbor · 4 night(s)

Tradeoff: A middle stop adds a different experience and a hotel change. Keep both move days light.

Compare: Drive or rail and road to compare

## Day-by-day agenda

Suggested schedule. Times are local. Check hours and availability for your dates.

### Day 1 · Boston

- 15:30 to 16:15 · Check in and drop your bags · The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- 16:35 to 17:35 · Take a short orientation walk near the hotel · Boston Common. Skip this block if you arrive later.
- 17:50 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Downtown Crossing, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 2 · Boston

- 08:30 to 09:15 · Breakfast near Downtown Crossing · Downtown Crossing, Boston
- 09:20 to 10:00 · Get to the Museum of Science · Museum of Science, Boston. Allow time for the last walk to Science Park and admission.
- 10:00 to 12:40 · Choose two galleries at the Museum of Science · Museum of Science, Boston. Check show tickets and current exhibits. A timed show can replace part of this block.
- 12:45 to 13:30 · Lunch near Science Park · Science Park, Boston
- 13:45 to 15:45 · Walk part of the Charles River Esplanade · Charles River Esplanade, Boston. Use public access paths and turn back if weather makes the exposed riverfront uncomfortable.
- 16:10 to 17:10 · Walk through Beacon Hill toward Boston Common · Beacon Hill, Boston
- 18:00 to 19:30 · Dinner in Beacon Hill · Beacon Hill, Boston
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 3 · Boston

- 09:00 to 09:45 · Breakfast near the Greenway · Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston
- 10:00 to 11:00 · Walk part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway · Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston. Start near the North End and head toward the public market.
- 11:15 to 12:40 · Compare lunch vendors at Boston Public Market · Boston Public Market, Boston. Check individual vendor hours and choose one meal to carry into the afternoon.
- 13:00 to 14:30 · Walk the North End's side streets and parks · North End, Boston
- 14:45 to 16:10 · Follow the waterfront from Christopher Columbus Park · Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Seafood dinner around the North End or waterfront · Boston Waterfront, Boston. Make a reservation if you have one specific restaurant in mind.
Overnight: [The Godfrey Hotel Boston](<https://www.hotels.com/ho497548/the-godfrey-hotel-boston-boston-united-states-of-america/>) · Boston

### Day 4 · Portland, Maine

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast before checking out · Downtown Crossing, Boston
- 08:45 to 09:35 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · The Godfrey Hotel Boston
- 09:35 to 13:45 · Travel from Boston to Portland, Maine · Boston North Station. Check the current Downeaster timetable, departure from North Station, and onward ride from the Portland Transportation Center. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 13:55 to 14:55 · Have lunch near your new base · Old Port, Portland, Maine
- 15:05 to 16:00 · Drop bags and check in when the room is ready · Portland Harbor Hotel
- 16:15 to 17:05 · Take a short orientation walk if time allows · Commercial Street, Portland, Maine
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · Old Port, Portland, Maine
Overnight: [Portland Harbor Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho29755872/portland-harbor-hotel-portland-united-states-of-america/>) · Portland, Maine

### Day 5 · Portland, Maine

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Have breakfast in the Old Port · Old Port, Portland, Maine
- 09:15 to 10:20 · Travel to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth · Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth. Confirm parking, local transport, and park conditions before leaving.
- 10:30 to 12:15 · See Portland Head Light from public park viewpoints · Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth. Stay on open paths and well back from exposed edges or surf.
- 12:30 to 13:30 · Take a picnic lunch or return toward Portland for lunch · Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- 13:50 to 15:25 · Choose a shorter waterfront walk or sheltered Portland stop · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine. Use the shorter city fallback in rain or strong wind.
- 15:45 to 16:45 · Take a seated break in the Old Port · Old Port, Portland, Maine
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Have dinner near the hotel · Old Port, Portland, Maine
Overnight: [Portland Harbor Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho29755872/portland-harbor-hotel-portland-united-states-of-america/>) · Portland, Maine

### Day 6 · Portland, Maine

- 08:05 to 09:15 · Choose a bakery breakfast in the Old Port · Old Port, Portland, Maine
- 09:35 to 11:10 · Walk Commercial Street and compare the working and public waterfront · Commercial Street, Portland, Maine. Keep to public piers and watch for delivery traffic.
- 11:30 to 12:55 · Choose seafood or another local lunch near the harbor · Old Port, Portland, Maine. Check current menus and queue times.
- 13:20 to 15:10 · Take a short route toward the Eastern Promenade if the weather suits · Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine
- 15:30 to 16:35 · Take a coffee or bakery break · Portland, Maine
- 17:45 to 19:15 · Dinner near the hotel · Old Port, Portland, Maine
Overnight: [Portland Harbor Hotel](<https://www.hotels.com/ho29755872/portland-harbor-hotel-portland-united-states-of-america/>) · Portland, Maine

### Day 7 · Bar Harbor

- 07:50 to 08:35 · Have breakfast before checking out · Old Port, Portland, Maine
- 08:35 to 09:25 · Check out and allow time to reach your departure point · Portland Harbor Hotel
- 09:25 to 15:20 · Travel from Portland, Maine to Bar Harbor · Portland, Maine. Confirm how you will reach Bar Harbor. Driving and coach connections have different schedules. Keep room for lunch, road delays, and parking. Use the departure and arrival times from your booking.
- 15:30 to 16:20 · Check in after reaching the new base · Bar Harbor Inn. Keep dinner flexible if the transfer runs late.
- 17:45 to 19:00 · Have dinner near your new hotel if time allows · West Street, Bar Harbor
Overnight: [Bar Harbor Inn](<https://www.hotels.com/ho237104/bar-harbor-inn-bar-harbor-united-states-of-america/>) · Bar Harbor

### Day 8 · Bar Harbor

- 07:30 to 08:15 · Have breakfast before leaving Bar Harbor · Bar Harbor, Maine
- 08:30 to 09:45 · Check park access and travel to your first open stop · Hulls Cove Visitor Center, Acadia National Park. Check current roads, shuttle service, and any separate vehicle reservation for Cadillac Summit Road. Confirm before leaving town. [Official information](<https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/index.htm>)
- 10:00 to 11:35 · Choose an open Acadia shore viewpoint or a short marked path · Acadia National Park, Maine. Use current park notices, keep clear of exposed rock and surf, and adjust for closures and weather.
- 11:50 to 12:50 · Take a packed lunch or return to town for lunch · Mount Desert Island, Maine
- 13:10 to 14:45 · Choose one mountain or inland viewpoint if access fits · Acadia National Park, Maine. Use a confirmed reservation where required, or choose a lower inland route. Keep the afternoon open in poor visibility. [Official information](<https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm>)
- 15:00 to 16:35 · Return to Bar Harbor and take a break · Bar Harbor, Maine
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Have dinner near the hotel · West Street, Bar Harbor
Overnight: [Bar Harbor Inn](<https://www.hotels.com/ho237104/bar-harbor-inn-bar-harbor-united-states-of-america/>) · Bar Harbor

### Day 9 · Bar Harbor

- 08:15 to 09:00 · Breakfast near the hotel · West Street, Bar Harbor
- 09:20 to 10:45 · Walk from the harbor through the central streets · Agamont Park, Bar Harbor. Compare the town’s shore-facing and commercial streets.
- 10:55 to 12:10 · Choose a local history or culture stop if open · Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor. Check its current schedule and use downtown public streets as a fallback.
- 12:25 to 13:30 · Have lunch near Main Street · Main Street, Bar Harbor
- 13:50 to 15:25 · Walk an open section of the Shore Path or choose a town loop · Shore Path, Bar Harbor. Check access and keep to the route that is open.
- 15:40 to 16:45 · Take a seated break · Bar Harbor, Maine
- 17:45 to 19:10 · Dinner near the hotel · West Street, Bar Harbor
Overnight: [Bar Harbor Inn](<https://www.hotels.com/ho237104/bar-harbor-inn-bar-harbor-united-states-of-america/>) · Bar Harbor

### Day 10 · Bar Harbor

- 08:20 to 09:15 · Have a bakery or café breakfast near Main Street · Main Street, Bar Harbor
- 09:40 to 11:15 · Check produce, snacks, and portable lunch options in town · Bar Harbor, Maine. Check seasonal hours and choose supplies that can be stored safely.
- 11:35 to 12:55 · Have seafood for lunch or choose a picnic meal · West Street, Bar Harbor. Compare prices and portions before ordering. Keep a sheltered backup in poor weather.
- 13:20 to 15:05 · Choose a public harbor walk or a sheltered town stop · Agamont Park, Bar Harbor
- 15:20 to 16:30 · Take an afternoon coffee break and plan the next morning · Bar Harbor, Maine
- 17:40 to 19:10 · Dinner near the waterfront hotel · West Street, Bar Harbor
Overnight: [Bar Harbor Inn](<https://www.hotels.com/ho237104/bar-harbor-inn-bar-harbor-united-states-of-america/>) · Bar Harbor

### Day 11 · Bar Harbor

- 08:00 to 08:45 · Have breakfast near the hotel · West Street, Bar Harbor
- 09:00 to 09:45 · Take an optional last walk · Agamont Park, Bar Harbor. Skip the walk if you have an early departure.
- 10:00 to 10:30 · Check out and collect luggage · Bar Harbor Inn
- 10:30 to 11:30 · Allow time for onward travel · West Street, Bar Harbor. Use the confirmed departure and pickup times from your booking.