With trains leaving throughout the day, we opted to hop on the Amtrak Downeaster just after lunch and made our way to Freeport, Maine for a quick getaway. We boarded the train, loaded our luggage, and grabbed drinks in the Cafe Car before settling in for the ride ahead. We both logged onto the free on board wi-fi, and Zack tuned into his favorite podcasts while I worked on email and blog content. It was a smooth, comfortable ride the whole way with coastal views of Maine and since I wasn't driving, I got to enjoy every bit of it! The view, the wi-fi, and even a cocktail! I'll take the Amtrak Downeaster to Maine over driving any day.



Just a few hours later we arrived in Freeport and set out for our hotel. Freeport is very accessible with the outlets, hotels, and dining all steps from Freeport Station. We checked in at the Hilton Garden Inn, dropped our luggage and set out to explore the town.

We had drinks at the local tavern before checking out a couple of the outlets and making our way to dinner. We took an Uber to nearby Yarmouth, Maine for dinner at Gather, which was absolutely delicious! We loved the locally sourced ingredients and menu and ordered the Smoked Duck Rillet, Fried Chicken and Biscuit, and the Butcher's Plate Special which was a yummy Lasagna Bolognese. Every bite was delicious!


After dinner we headed back to the hotel for drinks at the bar and a quick dip in the pool before heading back to the room to watch movies and turn in for the night. The next morning we totally missed breakfast (Whoops! The free breakfast is one of the best parts of staying with Hilton!) and requested a late check out.



We checked out and had a few hours to kill before our evening train back to Boston so naturally we hit the outlets! L.L.Bean is HUGE (and open 24 hours a day/365 days a year), but there was also Banana Republic, LOFT, Oakley, J. Crew, plus some really great local spots including the Coastal Maine Popcorn Company where we stocked up on Wasabi Soy and Dill Pickle Popcorn before making our way back to Freeport Station.


You can see more photos from our Maine adventure at #ExploreMoreDriveLess. Ready to board the train to Maine?! Be sure to you share your own photos from your adventure on the Amtrak Downeaster using #ExploreMoreDriveLess and tag @amtrakdowneaster on IG and @riderail on Twitter you'll be entered for a chance to win pair of round trip tickets on the Amtrak Downeaster for your next trip! With so much to see and do along the coast of Maine, we're already planning our next Amtrak adventure!

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On the agenda for the weekend? Unplugging, lots of lobster, and lots of sunshine and trees. On the drive up to Camden we stopped in Portland at the Portland Lobster Company for our first lobster roll of the weekend. It was over a pound of fresh, clean lobster meat stuffed into a lettuce lined bun and it was amazing. After stuffing ourselves we got back on the road and headed towards our final destination in Camden.


Located just a couple miles from Camden Hills State Park is Lark's Whitehall Inn. In line with other Lark Hotel locations this locally owned boutique hotel serves a home-cooked breakfast as well as dinner at their on-site restaurant, Pig + Poet. We checked in, changed our clothes and headed to Pig + Poet for happy hour. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying Pig + Poets epic clam chowder and cocktails before heading into town and exploring the local nightlife.


The next day was all about kicking back and relaxing. I woke up and decided to go for a run, so I put on my gear and just started running. That's when I discovered the hotel's close proximity to Camden Hills State Park; it just kind of snuck up on me and after heading down a trail for a few minutes I found myself standing on the rocky coast of Maine staring out into the seemingly endless coastline. It was a picture perfect moment. After my run I headed back to the hotel, changed, and took a walk into town. A downpour ensued, so I took the opportunity to head back to my room, laze around and watch Forensic Files for the rest of the afternoon. If only it had been nice enough to play shuffle board in the backyard!



For dinner we headed back to Pig + Poet, this time for oysters and charcuterie. It was a gorgeous evening and many guests were enjoying glasses of wine by the outdoor fire place. I thought we were a little late in the season heading to Maine in mid-September, but it was the perfect time to visit. It wasn't very hard to find vacancies at local hotels, it wasn't too hot, and all the shops and local restaurants are still open and buzzing with visitors.

The next day I snapped a few blog photos before enjoying breakfast in the dining room and packing up the RAV-4 for the drive back to Maine. On the way back we stopped at Red's Eats for even more lobster. This famous lobster shack was no joke; we waited in line for almost two hours to enjoy one of the largest, freshest lobster rolls I've ever enjoyed. We ordered two giant lobster rolls, a pint of fried clams, fried shrimp, onion rings and it was nearly $100.  If you ask me, it was worth it and every minute we spent waiting in line, standing in direct sun in 80 degree heat!



Following our three hour detour we hit the road and headed back to Boston, ending our weekend getaway. It was just what I needed to recharge for the week ahead. If you haven't had your end-of-summer-getaway, Whitehall is open through the end of October and the weather is still very temperate. Plus you get the best of both worlds; lobster rolls and stunning foliage!

A couple of weeks ago I was met with an overwhelming feeling to get out of the city. It hits me from time to time, and sometimes there's no shaking it til you get out of town. So I booked a room at the Pomegranate Inn and Khatu and I boarded the Amtrak Downeaster to Portland, Maine for a besties weekend. 

The ride up was smooth sailing. We boarded the Downeaster at North Station and arrived in Portland, Maine just a couple of hours later. We chatted and colored in my adult coloring book on the way up and replied to email with the complimentary on-board wifi, but the option to ride in the quiet car and catch some Zzzzs is always there! I grew up in Texas where passengers don't really travel as much via train so every time I get to ride with Amtrak I enjoy the opportunity. 


We were greeted at The Pom by owners Erin & Landon who were amazing hosts throughout our trip. The Pomegranate is an adorable eight room inn in Portland's Western Historic district. It's artfully decorated with original works of art, funky decor, unique patterns, and stunning interior styling. We really did nothing but hang out in our adorable room and eat the entire time, but it was an ideal escape. 


For lunch we ventured to Pai Men Miyake at the recommendation of Landon where we enjoyed hot bowls of ramen and pork buns. After lunch we snuggled up in our room and played the Baby Boomer edition of Trivial Pursuit. I loved that The Pomegranate had old board games and books for a little old school entertainment. While amenities like wifi are key, it's fun touches like these that really stand out to me when traveling. 


For dinner we visited the much talked about Central Provisions. I have to admit, I had really high expectations for this place and while the chefs and kitchen staff were bearded and adorable, the food didn't quite live up to the hype. The salads were phenomenal; we ordered the Winter Citrus Salad and the Beet Salad. The seasonings in the Winter Citrus Salad were unexpected and flavorful but the CP Frites seemed to be the bottom of the batch with short pieces of potato rather than actual frites and the monkfish was a little past it's prime, but it was an enjoyable meal nonetheless. We had a great spot at the bar and watched various plates come out of the kitchen. Their plating is absolutely beautiful, I'll give them that.


We woke up to several inches of snow the next day. That's Maine for ya! Breakfast certainly made up for the snowy morning though, The Pomegranate Inn served what has been by far the most enjoyable hotel breakfast I've ever had. Inspired by The Art of Breakfast cookbook they served up Pesto quinoa with soft boiled eggs, lemon waffles, broiled grapefruit, a delicious assortment of pastries, and of course, ample juice, tea, and coffee. I'd go back for the breakfast and board games alone! 

I shared a little about our trip to Kennebunkport, Maine yesterday but today we get down to business! Dan wanted to test out some of his famous pizza dough in a wood fire oven (which he chopped the wood for himself!!) so we each dreamed up a pizza and Dan made our recipes and creations come to life! Once again, Table hosted us for the afternoon but this time we had the place to ourselves! Patrick and Josh from Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, Maine joined us for the fun because let's be real, what's pizza without beer? 

When Dan of The Food in my Beard asked if I wanted to join him and a couple of other Boston bloggers for a weekend trip to Maine for a blogger pizza party I was immediately sold on the idea. And hello, blogger pizza party lead by one of Boston's premier food bloggers! How could I say no?