As Portland has develop into a classy hotspot in recent times, the remainder of Maine is basically the final frontier of the East Coast.<\/p>\n
Maine vacationers do not usually enterprise past Portland, apart from Acadia, considered one of America’s prettiest Nationwide Parks.<\/p>\n
However there’s a lot extra to discover away from the charismatic brick roads winding by the Previous Port, ample blue-water seashores, and countless lobster distributors of Portland.<\/p>\n Maine’s\u00a0small towns<\/a>\u00a0are actually pleasant, and among the best is commonly ignored, though many roadtrippers cross by on the way in which to Portland.<\/span><\/p>\n Simply throughout the New Hampshire-Maine border lies the state’s\u00a0oldest city<\/a>, courting again to the 1600s, over a century earlier than America was, properly, America and the Gulf of Mexico was nonetheless\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n Ahh, by no means thoughts.<\/p>\n Not solely is that this hidden gem nonetheless exuding the appeal of a bygone period, standing the check of time, nevertheless it beholds quite a few secret islands and a treasure trove of maritime historical past and coastal charm<\/a> ready to be (re)found.<\/p>\n Ever heard of Kittery? Until you are from the area, doubtless, you have not. With Portland hogging Maine’s journey scene, it is fully comprehensible.<\/p>\n However Kittery has existed for lots of of years, and gatekeepers have carried out an outstanding job of remaining tight-lipped about one of many East Coast’s best-kept secrets and techniques.<\/p>\n Being a city of solely 10,000 residents, there isn’t any business airport right here, however there’s in neighboring Portsmouth, New Hampshire, one other charming coastal city in its personal proper with connecting flights from finances airways, Breeze<\/a> and Allegiant<\/a>, from in style hubs akin to Orlando (MCO).<\/p>\n In any other case, Boston Worldwide Airport (BOS) is simply an hour away and has much more choices.<\/p>\n Kittery has a captivating timeline spanning centuries from previously being named Amiciskeag by Native People years earlier than tribes engaged in armed conflicts with French and English settlers for rights to the land, and everyone knows how that in the end turned out\u2026<\/p>\n Moreover, what might seem to be a tall story is definitely true. Pirates (sure, real-life pirates!) like notorious Blackbeard, as soon as traversed Kittery’s isles, so you could need to deliver a metallic detector alongside as there have lengthy been rumors of misplaced treasure left behind.<\/p>\n As Kittery stands right now, you possibly can’t assist however discover the aesthetics of seafarer appeal and the palpable sense of historical past all through city, with websites like\u00a0Fort McClary,<\/a>\u00a0a navy fort used way back to the\u00a0<\/span>Revolutionary Warfare.<\/p>\n However even with all of the historic significance, do not count on Kittery to be a boring glimpse into the previous.<\/p>\n Downtown (a.okay.a. Kittery Foreside) has been reworked with quirky artisan retailers, upscale cafes serving craft espresso concoctions, and a surging meals scene leaving one travel guide<\/a> to primarily describe Kittery as a mini Brooklyn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Some islands of Kittery’s scenic shorelines are off-limits for tourism therefore the key. The excellent news is there’s loads of islands no one ever appears to speak about that make for superior spring and summer season getaways.<\/p>\n Let’s begin with Gerrish Island<\/strong>. Go to Fort Foster Park<\/a> for under $25, one other historic web site, however this one boasts small tranquil seashores and sweeping coastal surroundings, together with quintessential lighthouses.<\/p>\n Your finest wager for the complete Gerrish Island expertise is to ebook a trip rental on Vrbo or Airbnb since public entry is closed (apart from Fort Foster).<\/p>\n Subsequent up is the Isle of Shoals<\/strong>, a sequence of islands spanning throughout state strains however that includes fun-to-say Smuttynose Island and Appledore Island on the Maine facet of the dividing line.<\/p>\n To get right here, although, you may have to cross over to Portsmouth and hob aboard a ship from Isle of Shoals Steamboat Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sadly, they depart us hanging with the dreaded \u201ccoming quickly\u201d message on their calendar, however because the climate will get hotter, it is all however sure they’re going to restart service sooner moderately than later.<\/p>\n Right here is the place I mentioned you may need to deliver a metallic detector ,as these are pirates’ previous stomping grounds,<\/p>\n Circling again towards city, there is a pair of islands value visiting: Badger Island (Maine)<\/strong> and New Fort (New Hampshire)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Badger is related by bridge, so you possibly can drive right here, and boasts nice eats like native favourite Ore Nell’s Barbecue <\/a>served \u2018Central Texas fashion’, whereas New Fort presents an awesome choice of waterfront resorts like Wentworth by the Sea<\/a> with rave evaluations claiming it is a \u2018charming historic lodge with a water view’ and has \u2018beautiful clear rooms vintage fashion’.<\/p>\n Possibly I am in an unique membership, however after I visited Portland, I used to be sticker-shocked by lodge costs. In truth, it is the one metropolis I’ve chosen to remain in a Motel 6 to save cash.<\/p>\n Worst of all, they did not depart the sunshine on for me! What a sham!<\/p>\n Portland has develop into so stylish, there isn’t any method I am the one one noticing town’s excessive costs whether or not or not it’s top-rated lobster rolls or lodge rooms.<\/p>\n Vacationers haven’t got to fret about that in Kittery. In truth, considered one of its claims to fame, apart from being Maine’s oldest metropolis, is its purchasing.<\/p>\n East Coast residents from throughout make day journeys to buy ’til they drop on the Kittery Outlets<\/a>. Inexpensive costs do not cease there, although.<\/p>\n Keep on the revamped Kittery Inn & Suites<\/a> for simply $64 this spring or The Water Street Inn<\/a>, holding an ideal 5.0 Google score, for $128.<\/p>\n Final however not least, it is a should to have lobster, proper? Dave’s Main<\/a>e<\/a> Cafe<\/a> has lobster rolls for simply $18!<\/p>\n Sam Sears<\/a><\/p>\n \u2193 Elevate Your Journey\u2193<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium!<\/strong><\/a> No advertisements, VIP Content material, Private Journey Concierge, Large Financial savings, Each day Offers, Members Discussion board & Extra!<\/p>\n![\"Beach](\"https:\/\/www.traveloffpath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Forget-Portland-Visit-Maines-Oldest-City-With-Secret-Islands-.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nWelcome To Kittery, Maine: The East Coast’s Greatest Stored Secret<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/a><\/figure>\nKittery’s Secret Islands: Barbecue, Seashores, And Waterfront Stays<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/a><\/figure>\nCheaper Than Portland<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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