Hit the coast in the summer and mountains in the winter. All along the coast you'll find ferry trips to various islands. Try Monhegan. Then a day in Camden for a day sail on a windjammer and a drive to the top of Mt. Battie. On to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, you can take the fast ferry to Nova Scotia for the day or longer. If you have time, Quebec City is 4 hours north, You'll think you're in France, with no need for an interpreter. (beautiful)Enjoy the lobster!!!

Posted By max on October 29, 2007, 12:39 PM

It may be "old hat" to you but I bet there might be a few kids in the city who have never had a chance to go hiking in ME. What better way to get a new perspective than to experience ME again with someone who might never have the chance to go?

Posted By Deb Milano on October 29, 2007, 12:56 PM

There are lots of things you could do depending on your interest. you can do day trips to historic sites, the coast is cold but beautiful in November (you can grab a great lobster dinner too), and New hampshire is only a couple hours away for tax free shopping. Have fun!!!

Posted By Dana on October 29, 2007, 1:11 PM

Whether it is rural Maine or downtown Milwaukee, I always check local kiosks for info that is happening during the visit. Libraries are a good source for such information. Also if a remote location, check the website of the nearest big city newspaper to see what is going on. You will find plenty to do and maybe even attend an art exhibit or lecture and learn something!

Posted By Pat Young on October 29, 2007, 1:50 PM

If you have never tried Flo's Famous Hotdogs in Cape Neddick, you should. A family owned business since 1959, it's always fun to go and get a "flo dog". You wait in a long line, usually, in a tiny red building but it is SOO worth it.

PS> They have odd hours, so keep that in mind. Only open from 11-3 during the day and closed on Wednesdays.

Posted By Caitlin Regan on October 29, 2007, 3:42 PM

If you're staying in the same place, why not try a scavenger hunt...or, a trip around the area taking photographs of things/shapes that resemble the letters of the alphabet... A-Z. You will see your old world in a new way. Have fun.

Posted By Jen MacNiven on October 29, 2007, 4:49 PM

Within an hour's drive of Mt Vernon is one of the nicest short hikes in Maine. It is up Bradbury Mountain off Route 9 in Pownal, just north of Freeport. On a clear day from the top of the mountain, you can see to the ocean and it's many nearby islands. Then you can drive down to Wolfe's Neck State Park off Flying Pond Rd in Freeport for a sheltered picnic.

Your other picnic option is over to Reid State Park off Route 127 south of Woolwich. Reid is breezy, but absolutely beautiful! We have picnicked at the tables on the rocks or walked on the sandy mile long beach in November. It's great with few, if any, tourists--just dress warmly.

If you have a GPS, you can do some geocashing searches at several short hikes nearby. Just go to http://www.geocaching.com to find all the hikes and locations of the treasure coordinates near you.

For more diverse activites on those early Maine nights, check for concerts, talks, music, dinners, etc. at http://events.publicbroadcasting.net. You can search by date and distance from your zip code. Maine Public Broadcasting has everything listed from a local Christmas fair or church supper to a talk, play, musical event, or movie at a nearby college or community center. The Maine Public Broadcasting web site is updated frequently, so check out what is available before you leave.

While Maine is beautiful, your normal activities may need to be expanded during the cooler months. Our colorful leaves may be gone, but our magnificent, pines remain to welcome you.

Posted By Linda on October 29, 2007, 5:17 PM

Hiking in Maine is wonderful anytime of the year but just remember if you do it in November that that November is hunting season so it would be wise to wear an article of orange clothing such as a vest or a hat for safety reasons

Posted By CINDY on October 30, 2007, 12:27 AM

Do a Google search for Mt. Vernon's Chamber of Commerce and write or E-mail them with your request. Also, see how much things change in the fall, as I did at the Wisconsin Dells. I've taken the tour of the Upper Dells many times during the summer. I took it again on the 24th of October, only to hear our guide holler to the boat captain, "STAN! EAGLES!" I got a few pictures of them in the bargain, and never saw any eagles during the summer.

Posted By James Michalek on October 30, 2007, 1:33 PM

I would not advise hiking in the hunting season at all! Too many people get shot. However,remember the seaon-go to local antique stores or craft fairs and get some christmas shopping out of the way. It shuld be a good area for Christmas decorations,such as pine cones,etc. We always look up the calender of events for the area on the internet before we make a trip,also. You might even find some good local art. Have fun!

Posted By pat adney on October 30, 2007, 8:51 PM

I enjoyed being in Bangor,in the eastern part of Maine on 3 occasions. It
really is a nice town but
has some attractions that it would be better for older people to visit.

Posted By George Kaminsky on November 5, 2007, 12:14 PM

Take a drive to Baxter State Park. There are lots of short hikes around ponds, where you may spot a moose. You can also drive along the Golden Road and perhaps spot moose there.

Acadia National Park is another really nice place to visit, lots of hikes both long and short, or take a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain or take a walk along Sand Beach. Bar Harbor in November isn't crazy with tourists like it is earlier in the year. There are lots of shops and restaurants, and you can watch the CAT come in or go out to Nova Scotia.

Boothbay Harbor is another nice place to walk around, with lots of nice shops and restaurants which won't be nearly as busy as in summer. In nearby Rockport, visit the Olson House, Farnsworth Museum, and Wyeth Center Photo Gallery. Camden is another beautiful little town on the coast. Again, lots of shops and restaurants to enjoy, as well as a walk to the pier.

If you have the time for the drive, go north along the coast, a beautiful ride up to Lubec. Visit the Eastern most point of the US - Quoddy Head State Park. There is a nice walk along the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Take the bridge over to Campobello Island and visit the Roosevelt Campobello International Park and the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

When driving into Maine on Route 95, stop at the first Visitor's Center on the highway, and you can pick up books on all areas of Maine, with suggestions of places to visit.

Enjoy our beautiful state!

Posted By maggiemae8847 on November 5, 2007, 1:03 PM

Go to Portland and take the "Downeaster" to Boston for the day.

Posted By Lois on November 5, 2007, 5:02 PM

A few interesting spots in nearby Lewiston/Auburn, or LA to native Mainers....see the Kora Temple with its unique murals, go to Poland Springs and see their historic World's Fair building that was relocated. Then head to Augusta and take in the Maine History Musuem at the Capital and the cute antique shops in Hallowell just south of Augusta. Also go to Bath, the home of Bath Ironworks and see the shipbuilding yard and the very fine Maine Maritime Museum full of maritime artifacts and good exhibits.

Posted By Karen Courtney on November 5, 2007, 11:00 PM

You're within reasonable distance of making Acadia Nat'l Park (http://www.nps.gov/acad/), which is a beautiful park to explore and hike. Drive down the coast for great little local restaurants and quaint towns. Head over to Rockport and visit L.L. Bean's flagship store; or down to the area between the NH border and Portland for outlet shopping malls.

Posted By Cheryl Lemanski on November 8, 2007, 2:04 PM

The Maine State Museum in Augusta is wonderful, there are plenty of good little hikes in the Belgrade Lakes area; ask at Day's Store in the village for directions. While you're there pick up a Delorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer-it is full of unique and interesting things to see and do in Maine!

Posted By Dawn on November 12, 2007, 12:58 PM

Bradbury Mountain is a State Park. You should be safe to climb it in November there. State parks do not allow hunting.

Posted By Linda on November 13, 2007, 9:37 AM