Four season vacationing…

Portland Maine from Holiday Inn By the Bay (top) and Mount Washington (below)
Portland Maine from Holiday Inn By the Bay (top) and Mount Washington (below)

As we approach the last few weeks of summer, it is time to start planning for fall and winter fun!

A recent list by Travel + Leisure Magazine of “America’s Best Cities for Fall Travel” included Portland, Maine as a prime destination. Events like Harvest on the Harbor highlight the best of Maine cuisine – including lobster of course. A few nice places to stay are Holiday Inn By the Bay, Fireside Inn & Suites and the BEST WESTERN Merry Manor Inn.

The scenery throughout Maine and New England is splendid during fall – you can’t go wrong anywhere you go in the region!

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For winter fun, skiing and snowboarding top the list of things to do…

National Geographic Magazine named North Conway, New Hampshire as one of the “25 World’s Best Ski Towns.” Here is what they had to say about the area:

North Conway may be less well known than many of the towns on this list, but only a few towns in North America can rival its skiing heritage. Tucked into Mount Washington Valley in the White Mountains, some of the first purpose-cut ski runs on the continent and a host of other innovations in grooming, lifts, and ski schools were developed here in the 1930s. North Conway was one of the leading lights in American skiing for decades before Western resorts rose to prominence. Much of that old New England character lives on today in the town of 2,349, where skiing is still tightly woven into the small community’s social fabric.

If you decide to ski in the area, check out Nordic Village Resort and ask about their ski packages to make your stay is not only enjoyable, but affordable as well.

Extended Fall Season in Bar Harbor

In case you missed it, the Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor is open for an extended Fall Season through December 21st. It will be open on weekends with various theme dinners, a spa weekend and more. In addition, the Romance on the Coast Package will be available on weekends for the entire season (includes lodging, breakfast and dinner for two).

Book your Holiday Party at the Bluenose Inn any day of the week between December 1st and 19th. The Eden Spa will be open all-week by appointment.

As an added bonus, the Great Room at the Bluenose will be open on Sundays from 12pm to 5pm for “Football in the Great Room.” Watch your favorite team or keep up with your Fantasy league. Discounts on local beer and on their wine selection. A snack menu will also be available.

Football in Bar Harbor– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Maine, Great for Vacations and also for Retirees

Recently, AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) listed Bangor, Maine as one of the best cities to retire on $30,000 a year. Reasons listed include: low-cost attractions, abundant recreation and entertainment.

Find the article here: AARP lists Bangor a best place to retire on $30,000 a year

Fall Foliage and Beyond

Near Weirs Beach - on Lake Winnipesaukee
Near Weirs Beach – on Lake Winnipesaukee

Word is, parts of Coastal Maine have not reached peak foliage… Many other interior areas still have amazing splashes of color as well.

As our seasonal properties wind down after a busy season, we’d like to thank all our guests who helped make this year a success! Several properties are open until the first weekend in November, including the Bluenose Inn and Wonder View Inn in Bar Harbor.

Don’t worry, there is still A LOT to do all winter long in Maine and New Hampshire. Ski season and holiday shopping are right around the corner. Check out Nordic Village in Jackson, New Hampshire (North Conway area) for seasonal and shopping packages. Shopping in the Portland area is also very popular. The Fireside Inn & Suites in Portland has a Shopping Package to help save you money that you can spend on more gifts.

Here is a list of our year-round properties:

Maine:

Auburn: Fireside Inn & Suites  – firesideinnauburn.com
Augusta: Senator Inn & Spa – senatorinn.com
Bangor: Best Western White House Inn – whitehouseinnbangor.com
Fireside Inn & Suites – firesideinnbangor.com

Belfast: 
Comfort Inn Ocean’s Edge – comfortinnbelfast.com

Ogunquit: Seacastles Resort & Suites – ogunquitbeach.com
Old Orchard Beach
: Sea View Inn – seaviewgetaway.com
Orono
: Black Bear Inn Conference Center & Suites – blackbearinnorono.com
Portland:
 Holiday Inn By the Bay – innbythebay.com
Fireside Inn & Suites – firesideinnportland.com
South Portland
: Best Western Merry Manor Inn – merrymanorinn.com

Waterville
: Fireside Inn & Suites –  firesideinnwaterville.com
Wells Beach: 
Lafayette’s Oceanfront Resort  – wellsbeachmaine.com


New Hampshire:

Gilford/Laconia: Fireside Inn & Suites –  firesideinngilford.com
Jackson/North Conway:
Nordic Village Resort – nordicvillage.com
West Lebanon: Fireside Inn & Suites – firesideinnwestlebanon.com

Michigan:

Allen Park/Detroit Area: Best Western Greenfield Inn – bestwesterngreenfield.com