Kittery

It's only about an hour away from Boston on I-95 (in good traffic, of course), or a more leisurely, scenic drive on Route 1. The outlet store district is on Route 1, a half-mile north of I-95 (take Exit 3 from the highway).

Beware toll roads in nearby New Hampshire. The highways leading to and from the New Hampshire coast get crowded during good beach weather.

• Kittery Historical and Naval Museum, Rogers Road Extension (north of Kittery Traffic Circle), ☏ +1 207-439-3080. $3 adults, $1.50 children, $6 family. 

• Rice Public Library, 8 Wentworth St, ☏ +1 207 439-1553. 

• Kittery Outlets. Kittery has over 30 national major-brand clothing stores (including maternity, children's clothing, accessories, lingerie, and hosiery), over 20 shoe stores, and a reasonable selection of "active wear" and sports gear. There are over two dozen stores with housewares, plus a handful of miscellaneous outlets (candy, toys, jewelry) and services (fuel, restrooms, phones, banking, coffee, welcome center, etc.). 
• Kittery Trading Post, 301 U.S. Route One, toll-free: +1-888-KTP-MAINE (587-62463). Established in 1938, this store has three floors containing the largest selection of outdoor items in New England. 
• Mostly Maine, 40 US Route One. Features thousands of items produced in Maine. 
• Yankee Candle. Devoted candle fans will want to visit their Disneyland-like headquarters in Deerfield, Massachusetts (unfortunately at the other end of New England). 

• Bob's Clam Hut, 315 US Route 1, ☏ +1 207-439-4233. Offers an excellent lobster roll the way it should be served as well as (obviously) excellent fried clams. Food is served from a pickup window with both indoor and outdoor seating area. This restaurant has been around since 1956 and features a bit of New England atmosphere in addition to good food. $10-$20 for most items. 
• Robert's Maine Grill and Market, 326 Route 1, ☏ +1 207-439-0300, fax: +1 207-439-2447. $13-25 per item. 
• Warren's Lobster House, 11 Water Street, ☏ +1 207-439-2058. Touts its salad bar as "the seacoast's best". Try the 'Super Bowl of Chowder' (Clam chowder with shrimp, scallops, and lobster). $13-25 per item. 
• The Weathervane. The first restaurant in the regional chain, as well as its primary shipping point. 
• Morrisons Lobsters, 11 Badgers Island West, ☏ +1 207 439-2501. Lobsters, clams, and steamers. Fresh, local, cheap, BYOB. Their seafood is served on a deck overlooking the Piscataqua river, with a terrific view of nearby Portsmouth. 

There are a number of motels and inns that line Route 1, all conveniently located near the outlet malls.

• Ramada Kittery in Maine, 2 Gorges Rd, ☏ +1 207 439-5555. Pet friendly, business center, and in-suite entertainment. 

• Freeport - Has more outlet stores.