New England - where are the best outlets in Maine and NH?

I'll be driving around Maine and NH, and I remember that years ago the area was known for its outlet stores. Is that still true? Are savings really great or not much different from what is found during sales at traditional stores? if I were to stop only once at an outlet area? which would be the one to visit (the biggest, best quality)?
Thanks

The major outlet areas are in Freeport and Kittery. I prefer Kittery, but Freeport has the LL Bean store.

There are some in the North Conway area of NH too.

I go to the outlets now and then because of the variety, but usually don't find the savings to be that amazing. Also, some outlets sell goods that were never sold in their "regular" store.

If seeing the LLBean flagship store interests you, I would pick Freeport. The LLBean prices are the same as you would find online or in the catalog, but the store is very large and it's fun to look around. There's also an LLBean outlet in Freeport (and North Conway). It does have some good sales at times.

North Conway is about an hour and a half from Portland so if you're looking to make some major purchases, why waste your hard-earned money on sales tax? Plus the White Mountains? Gorgeous.

Kittery has a few outlets—not just one company's set of outlets.

http://www.thekitteryoutlets.com/
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=11
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/kittery

Freeport:
http://www.freeportusa.com/

So check out which stores interest you and go from there. With Freeport, the outlets aren't in some strip-mall type layout but rather incorporated in the town itself so you can park your car and walk. LL Bean pretty much owns Freeport. With Kittery, the outlets are off Route 1. But the one reward is Bob's Clam Hut....a fantastic clam shack that's old world road side yum!

So no easy answer as to which you consider as best.

North Conway is about an hour and a half from Portland so if you're looking to make some major purchases, why waste your hard-earned money on sales tax? Plus the White Mountains? Gorgeous.

Kittery has a few outlets—not just one company's set of outlet.

http://www.thekitteryoutlets.com/
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=11
http://www.tangeroutlet.com/kittery

Freeport:
http://www.freeportusa.com/

So check out which stores interest you and go from there. With Freeport, the outlets aren't in some strip-mall type layout but rather incorporated in the town itself so you can park your car and walk. LL Bean pretty much owns Freeport. With Kittery, the outlets are off Route 1. But the one reward is Bob's Clam Hut....a fantastic clam shack that's old world road side yum!

So no easy answer as to which you consider as best.
Man, I'd love me some Bob's right about now!

Man, I'd love me some Bob's right about now!3 weeks and 2 days....not that I'm counting. ;)

Perhaps it's because I've been loyal to Gilbert's Chowder House in Portland, but until our last trip to Maine (~2 weeks ago), we had never had Bob's Clam Chowder. Had some en route to Portland as we arrived on a rather chilly evening. All I can say.....WOW!!!

For FTers in the area, you guys should have a DO at Bob's. It's...an hour or so from Boston? Maybe 40 minutes from Portland? Across the river from Portsmouth....

North Conway is about an hour and a half from Portland so if you're looking to make some major purchases, why waste your hard-earned money on sales tax? Plus the White Mountains? Gorgeous.



Analise, I couldn't find Websites for the NH outlets. Is there a big selection besides LLBean?

Google "North Conway Outlets". This should help.

Google "North Conway Outlets". This should help.

this got me there, thanks. i had been searching new hampshire outlets, i think, to no avail. :D

this got me there, thanks. i had been searching new hampshire outlets, i think, to no avail. :DGlad to help. :)

Just an FYI about the Kittery outlets. While the selection is great, the stores are not convenient to get to. You have to drive between buildings, be prepared to walk and sometimes cross a fairly busy road.