There are a few reasons why Maine ended up being the best choice for our vacation. Initially, we wanted to choose an area that we had never been to before as it was our first annual trip together. We wanted the entire experience to be new! My sister just graduated from residency, so we figured this was the best time to travel somewhere further away and a place you’d need more than a weekend to explore. So what were we looking for in a getaway? What every girl’s trip needs- sun, wine, and shopping! After consulting with Jet Set Travels (the same company that planned my honeymoon and my trip to Belize) we narrowed it down to Sonoma, California, and Portland, Maine.
Despite there being plenty of similarities for both in terms of cost, we ultimately chose Maine because of the nice weather! The Cliff House hotel photos were just so breathtaking we immediately fell in love. We also loved the idea of enjoying the city vibes from Portland and the small-town gems like Ogunquit, Kittery, Cape Neddick, & York. In the end, coastal Maine in the summer was a no-brainer.
But perhaps (I’m sure) the real question is why did three black women from Georgia choose to take a trip to coastal Maine – perhaps one of the whitest areas in the country? Honestly, I have a goal to make it to all 50 states before I’m 50 years old. So truly no time like the present.
I made a joke on my Instagram stories that we’d increase the black population in Maine to 1.7%- and I wasn’t exaggerating. We were definitely in the minority. However, during our stay at Cliff House Maine, we were far from the only black families staying at the hotel. We also never felt excluded or unsafe while exploring the smaller towns outside of Portland. But I can see how the experience would definitely be unsettling for people of color visiting for the first time. In the end, I would still recommend the trip and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!
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As I mentioned before, Cliff House Maine is a big reason why this trip happened. The sprawling property has 70 acres on top of Bald Head Cliff in Cape Neddick, Maine. It’s a short 40-minute drive from Portland and Portsmouth, making it pretty convenient depending on what you’re hoping to do during your stay. They offer on-site dining options, adult-only and family pools, and a world-class spa. You can read more about the pros and cons of our stay at Cliff House in my review.
[check out my full packing list and outfit details in this post]
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Did you know Portland, Maine is consistently voted one of the BEST FOODIE CITIES in America? 😋 Our trip was filled with SO much good food that I kept waiting for us to have an average experience but nope! Haven’t had that many 8/10s or above since my trip to Italy 🤌🏾
What To Order: Blueberry pancakes and coffee cake
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What To Order: Bucaniera
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What To Order: Dark chocolate sea salt or Vanilla Potato Donut
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What To Order: Beef Paneng with quail eggs
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What To Order: Crab cake sandwich
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What To Order: Lobster Rolls in Hot Buttered Sauce
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This is your sign to book a trip with your family or your best girlfriends to Maine. I hope you enjoyed the recap! If this got you in the mood to plan your next vacay to New England, let me know in the comments below!
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