@Starpolisher We have vacationed in Maine many times and on most of our trips, we stayed in Freeport, at the Harraseeket Inn.
It is a smaller hotel and it also has town houses available. The Inn has an elevator. We did not go last summer, so I would inquire to make sure that the elevator is in service. It has always worked when we were there. It is a very comfortable and clean inn. You can look at it online. It is right on Maine St., a short walk from L.L. Bean. Parking is free, behind the inn.
They have packages and rates change seasonally or weekdays as opposed to weekends.
They usually include a buffet breakfast and afternoon tea.
They have a restaurant called The Broad Arrow Tavern. The food is excellent. I love their lobster rolls and their steaks. They make home made French Fries, like my mother made.
It is not usually full of children. I have seen a few teens with families, but not many small children. The inn is rather quiet.
They do have an indoor pool and in warm weather an outdoor
patio, where they also serve lunches and dinners.
There is plenty of free parking for shopping, but you don't see it from the main street. There are large lots behind the two L.L. Bean stores, and also parking for the other stores and some street parking.
There is a great bookstore, Sherman's on Main St. on the opposite side from L.L.Bean, the same side as Harraseeket Inn, between the two locations. There are lots of great places to shop.
Behind Main St. is R.D.Allen Jeweler's, where you can find Maine gems, aquamarine , amethyst and tourmaline.
When we went there in 2022, I bought a beautiful watermelon
tourmaline pendant, set in gold. It looks just like a slice of watermelon. It is pricey, but rare. It was mined in 1972 and the supply is depleted. I only know of three jewelers who still have any available. You can look at their website online.
In South Paris, Maine is Creaser Jeweler's and I have bought Maine gems from them also. The owner mined and cut gorgeous amethyst stones, like purple grape juice. I got one of those last summer. You can see their website online and on Etsy.
While in Freeport, you may be interested in seeing The Desert of Maine. It is a naturally formed desert, just amazing.
I first saw it in the 70s and saw it again about 20 years ago.
If you like seafood, there is a place that has delicious lobster rolls and other seafood. It is Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster.
It is not in the shopping district, just up the road a little and off the main street. There are pamphlets available for visitors to find all these places, in many of the shops.
I'm sure you can also find menus online for the restaurants.
We love Maine.
Just a little North of Freeport is Damariscotta, a nice little town with shops, jeweler's, a few restaurants and Reny's store,
which is fun. They have an old fashioned soda fountain where you can get all the ice cream treats and drinks that were so common years ago. You can also get sandwiches and burgers.
It is like stepping back in time. My husband has to get an ice cream soda, everytime we go there.
In Damariscotta, there is another Sherman's Bookstore.
Such a lovely little town.
If you look on Tripadvisor, you can see what other restaurants
and attractions are in these towns and in Wiscasset. Wiscasset is about 30 minutes north of Freeport on Route 1. They call themselves, the prettiest town in Maine. They have antiques
and other shops and a few restaurants.
We used to stay at a lovely inn there, but the owners sold it a couple of years ago and it is privately owned now.
Have fun. I'm sure that you will love Maine.
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