Lately, as the summer heat descends, I long for a trip up the New England coastline to visit Southern Maine. As a child, it was always exciting to arrive at the Portsmouth-Kittery Bridge and see the activity at the Naval Shipyard from the back seat of the car. Crossing the bridge into Kittery, the southernmost town in Maine, meant that you had officially entered Maine --
The Way Life Should Be, as the blue welcome sign says. If you aren't in a hurry, US Route 1 is the best way to explore this state's idyllic coastal towns. Kittery, known for its factory stores and seafood restaurants, is the oldest town in Maine. The York region has a reputation as a family beach destination. Ogunquit, chock full of bed and breakfasts and seaside accommodations, is an artists' and musicians' colony. It's main street is lined with quaint shops, bookstores, eateries and boutiques. There's also Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Kennebunk Beach, Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, etc. North of Portland, the coastline becomes more rugged along the shores of Casco Bay.
Maine is renowned for its seafood tradition, and lobster is its crown jewel. Whether simply steamed in pots and served with melted butter, served up as lobster salad in fresh hotdog rolls with a side of chips, baked in pot pies, or dished up in a bowl of lobster chowder, you will not find any more fabulous, sea-kissed flavor than fresh, sweet Maine lobster. Maine lobster pounds, mostly with outdoor-only seating, accommodate travelers who want to enjoy a picnic of steamed lobsters and beautiful harbor views along the rugged Maine coastline. But, if you can't make the drive or you're simply an armchair traveler, you can still enjoy an authentic
Down East dinner or any of our other fabulous
seafood selections delivered right to your kitchen door.
