st John ,Hallifax, Portland, Bar Harbor

Sailing on Gem in September....Limited funds...so what is a" not to miss " moment you did or would do all over again...want maximum foliage if possible. Thanks and happy cruising!! ps.. Lobster places..best lobster rolls and of course...best shopping!!:)

Must do in Bar Harbor...Arcadia National Park...Nice place to eat in Bar Harbor...Jordan's ...(small local café..not right at pier..short walk up the block!)

St John - Rent a car and head out to St Martins it is a beautiful drive, there you can explore the caves, maybe grab a bite of chowder at the beach front restaurant, then head back and catch the reversing falls if the tide permits.

Halifax - head to Peggy's cove, it is a must see! Either rent a car, or split a taxi van with some other folks and it will be really reasonable. Can also walk along the pier, lots to do there!

Portland - grab some lobster at one of the waterfront restaurants, there is a nice lighthouse boat tour you can take from there that is nice also.

Bar Harbour - Acadia park is a must. You can take a tour with Oli's Trolley and take in some beautiful scenery and fall foliage. Town is very walkable also, so if you don't want a tour just wander around. Grab a bite to eat at Stewman's, one of the best chowders I have ever had!

Hope this helps a bit.

If you are working on a limited budget, here are my thoughts:

Halifax

Walk. There's tons to see and do walking along the pier. For a few dollars, there are museums to visit, the Citadel, Public Gardens, Point Pleasant Park...

Take a look at the guides here: http://www.destinationhalifax.com/plan-your-travel/travel-guides

Saint John (note proper spelling :))

This is were you spend a bit and follow trophy_23's plan by renting a car (<$50CAN) and driving to St. Martins.

http://www.stmartinscanada.com

Bar Harbor

Oli's Trolley if you want to spent the money, but you could also take the free bus and see some of the park that way. There's a nice seaside trail that start just to the left when you disembark in Bar Harbor.

http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm

http://www.acadiamagic.com

Portland

Sorry, I haven't visited and I can't comment.

Also look for information on all of these stops in http://www.tomsportguides.com

You will not get maximum autumn colours in September, but the maples should have turned by mid to late September. In Halifax include a walk up Spring Garden Road to the Public Gardens and then continue into the Camp Hill Cemetery across from there where there are lots of great trees.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.6428914,-63.5821285,17z

If you are on a VERY limited budget there are several options.

In Halifax, for a few dollars, you can take a taxi to the Fortress and spend some quality hours there, tour included.

Or, for a few more dollars, you can rent a car and drive to Peggy's Cove, and several other very interesting places.

In Portland, when you get off the ship, they have people there who can help you decide on what to do, either walking tours, places to visit by public transportation etc. Or, you can hire a local taxi to take you to Portland Head Light for a fixed price.

In Bar Harbor, the thing to do is Acadia NPk. This will involve a fee, especially for Ollie's Tours, probably the best way to see the Park. BUT, if you want something wonderful to do that is free, at low tide, you can walk along the ocean floor, from Bar Harbor, out to Bar Island, about 1/4 mile walk on what will be covered with 30 feet of water at high tide. It is a very easy walk, as said, on the ocean floor, which many people do. They sound a horn when the tide is starting to come in, so you know when to head back, and best of all, its free. Spend other time walking this wonderful town.

Cheers

Len

Help please Maryann ns

I just read a post on the ports of call re Busan that you wrote a couple of years ago. Have posted you a question there but thought you might not see it - sorry to hijack this thread but no idea how to ask you otherwise,

I would visit Arcadia National Park in Bar Harbor.

In Halifax we like walking the city on our own.

Keith

Sailing on Gem in September....Limited funds...so what is a" not to miss " moment you did or would do all over again...want maximum foliage if possible. Thanks and happy cruising!! ps.. Lobster places..best lobster rolls and of course...best shopping!!:)

In Portland, the best shopping, short of LL Beans is right in the Old Port area which is adjacent to the cruise pier. Good walking area of small shops and the "foodie" headquarters of what is described as one of the top 5 foodie cities in the US. Beans, in Freeport, is a trek, rental car is only real option, but some lines offer excursions there.

Not sure of your interests, but the Maine Museum of Art has a fine collection of Wyeths. The Portland Observatory has great views of the Bay. The Longfellow house, home to Henry Wadsworth. The Tate house, the colonial mast agents house from 1755. Bug Light in South Portland. Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth (a drive). Allagash brewery. Great Lost Bear for over 75 draft craft beers. Schooner cruises of Casco Bay.

Bull Feeney's in the Old Port used to do a deep fried lobster tail that was excellent (and I never thought I'd have lobster any way other than steamed), but I haven't seen it on last visit. Becky's Diner, down Commercial Street has a great lobster roll. Boone's on the waterfront, the Corner Room, the Grill Room, and the Front Room, all owned by the same chef have great food. Nosh is famous for their bacon dusted french fries. Duck Fat has great paninis and fries cooked in duck fat.