Maine vacation

Go apple picking. Visit Cape Elizabeth and see the headlight. We actually went on this road that had a bunch of apple orchards and stopped at random ones. Had a great time.

We will definitely look into Vermont. Looking to go around Portland but will be going to different cities around there.

In New Hampshire we were looking at Franconia Notch State Park for a day trip.

You really can't go wrong in Maine
Before you get to Portland stop at some of the coastal towns like York (Nubble Lighthouse), Marginal Walk Way (Ogunquit) eat at Barnacle Billy's, Kennebunkport (hit up Mabel's and Nunan Lobster Hut). Old Orchard Beach is neat as well, kind of a boardwalk type vibe with the pizza and french fry stands. Before Portland you can do both Cape Elizabeth lighthouse and Portland Head Light. Freeport is close to Portland as well with some neat areas plus the LL Bean outlet.

Once you get up into Vermont or New Hampshire I can't help you there, haven't made it that far yet. It's on the list next time we go.

I liked Ogunquit a lot. It's about 40 mins away from Portland.

Portsmouth,NH
Rye,NH
Kennebunkport,ME
York, ME
Bath, ME

Maine is badass but be ready because when it gets cold there it is on another level.

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May also head to NH to go to the state park.


What were you referring to? There are hundreds

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I was coming here to say say the same thing.

To the OP, if you want a really nice wintertime view go drive past Mt. Washington. There will be snow at the top, and if you go along Rt 302 through Bretton Woods you'll see it in all its glory. You can also stop at the Mt Washington Hotel and go inside to see the Christmas decorations, grab lunch or a hot beverage, and kill an hour or so.

COVID-19 killed one of my suggestions in Franconia Notch, which was to take the tram up to the top of Cannon Mountain (4000') and see the surrounding area pretty much unobstructed. In the wintertime it's fun and there's a bar & cafeteria at the top. You can even bring your own food. However it looks like the State may not run the tram for even the skiers this winter.

You might be able to take the gondola up to the "top" of My Mansfield at Stowe, but most likely you will need to purchase tickets in advance.

*EDIT* it looks like Bretton Woods now has a gondola going to the top with a brand new lodge. They must have built it with a view looking towards Mt. Washington. Gondola ride ticket is $21/person.

As far as the state parks in southern NH I really can't help there. Northern NH is in my wheelhouse.

Kennebunkport is off the charts. Driving on the road along the ocean is something to behold. I have never been to the Pebble Beach area, in California, but have been pretty much everywhere else along the ocean.
Up till now nothing else compares.

the area around camden was pretty awesome when I passed thru. I want to go back and hang out there for a couple of days.

Wife and I went in December a few years ago and loved it. Snowed the day we got there. It was cold, but so what, i don't live there, and i enjoy the cold. Flew into Boston and drove up the coast to Kennebunkport and then came back down. We only had a day to do it b/c i was there for work and she was just tagging along, but still enjoyed it very much, and we plan on going back and doing a full week up there and getting further west into the mountains.

The lobster up in Maine is so much different from the crap you get down here, even in nice restaurants. I always thought lobster was tough and flavorless, but the lobster up there has a sweetness to it, and it melts in your mouth. You don't even need the butter sauce. There's also a few breweries along the coast to stop at.