Help me plan a trip to Acadia

[Anonymous]

This is our first trip to Acadia. We’ve never even been to Maine so planning this trip feels overwhelming. We have 3 kids (10-16) and can get away for 7-10 days.

How long is the drive?
How many days should we spend at the park?
Anything that is a must see at Acadia or along the route?
We’d also like to spend a few days at a beach. Is Bar Harbor our best bet?
Any suggestions for hotels that are clean and comfortable but won’t break the bank ($300/night max for 5 people)?

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[Anonymous]

When are you going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When are you going?

We haven’t set a date. We’re thinking mid-July or early August. It will depend on when we can get a reservation.

[Anonymous]

Every day in MID/in Acadia! No beach swimming - water will be 54 degrees.

- free Ranger programs - we like the one about Rockefeller through the woods as well as Tide Pool School, but there are many to choose from;
- be the first on the east coast to watch the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain;
- rent bikes (or bring) and ride the carriage trails;
- hundreds of walks (Ships Harbor and Wonderland are short, but fun) and hikes (bubble rock, flying mountain, etc.)
- make reservations one night for dinner at Jordon Pond House to enjoy the popovers with blueberry jam;
- walk across Bar Harbor at low tide;
- Diver Ed boat ride (or the one with the naturalist). 10 year old and maybe middle will like Ed, with his silly potty talk. Both rides will have divers pick up sea creatures while narrating down below and bring them up for you to check out;
- lobster from Thurston Lobster Pound;
- Jumping off the rocks (NOT the beach) at Echo Lake;

And so much more!

[Anonymous]

Book a house on VRBO or Airbnb -- we had a lovely place on the island with amazing views.

Not sure how or where but we watched a video about the making of Acadia (might have been parts of the Ken Burns series) that was absolutely fascinating.

Sea kayaking through the lobster traps was a great memory.

Eating lobster rolls overlooking the water.

[Anonymous]

Or try a local booking agent. They have the best houses.

You are in for a great, OP. Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

If you are campers, I would camp in the park -- and bring a pot big enough for boiling lobster on your camp stove. Perhaps the best dinner I have ever made while camping. (Or grill lobster on your campfire!)

We stopped in Brooklyn and Portland on our way up, and then stopped at Hyde Park (to visit the Roosevelt sites) and Hershey Park on the way home. We ran into friends in the campground who drove to Boston, stayed overnight to see the Red Sox, and then drove the rest of the way to Acadia. Total driving time is something like 12 hours, without stops. I had a seven-year-old in the car, so shorter chunks were a necessity.

Our favorite experiences were riding bikes on the carriage roads and the ranger program on astronomy/stargazing at the sandy beach. We had planned to hike Cadillac Mountain on a day that it poured with rain, so we spent the day playing games and reading books, after a shorter hike on the coast, and drove up to the Cadillac Mountain summit on the morning we departed. If we ever return we will definitely hike it.

Portland is a great place and well worth a stop.

[Anonymous]

http://www.cranberryhillinn.com

We stayed here with kids.

It was a fantastic choice.

We also did 2 nights in Bar Harbor. We preferred the inn and the quiet side. The owners had the best recommendations for everything.

[Anonymous]

We drive from NoVa in one long day. Have many times.

Portland is great and right on the way.

NYC is great of course but out of the way and sucks up so much time.

[Anonymous]

Reservations may be difficult at this late date

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP. Thanks for the ideas. We have flexible dates but even so we’re having a problem finding accommodations because we need a place that sleeps 5 and most decent places are booked. I see places that are either way above our budget ($300/night) or look like they won’t be very clean and comfortable.

[Anonymous]

The first year we went we found a place around this time for mid-July so there are still SOME places left. I personally would call one of the local rental places if you are hitting a dead end but airbnb seems to add new places all the time and a quick look shows places with 4 bedrooms for under $1500 still available. I would not stay IN Bar Harbor and always just plan one day at most there as it is so touristy. Arcadia is a LONG drive and when we don't fly we usually end up in the southern part of Maine just to save a few hours.
In Arcadia - we did the Jordon Pond/popover visit and did a carriage ride through the park. Look at the local events for when you are going: we found a sweet 'strawberry shortcake' festival in one small town and went to another's random fireworks (wasn't the 4th.) I know many say water too cold but we went swimming most days - and certainly hiked.

[Anonymous]

NP. Any help from anyone re: names of these local booking agents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. Any help from anyone re: names of these local booking agents?

You can try Acadia Cottage Rentals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reservations may be difficult at this late date

That's what I was thinking!