Reply to Need help planning a Boston/Maine trip...

Forum Index » Travel Discussion

Reply to "Need help planning a Boston/Maine trip..."

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]I've done the trip from DC to Acadia almost every summer, both with kid and without. I have stopped in various spots to spend the first night--including Boston and various places in Connecticut. I have to be honest, it's so much effort to get up to Acadia, and then so awesome when you're there, that my goal (and my 11 year old's goal) is now to get up to the park as quickly as possible and not putz around in other places. So I'd recommend spending less than 3 days in Boston. But the things that others have mentioned are all good. I'd add one more--the aquarium. It's right on the harbor and very awesome. The other thing I'd recommend you consider is visiting Portland, Maine. It's smaller, but the harbor area is very special and stands out. My kid insists on stopping every year. Great spot to just rest for a few hours, grab lunch, or spend the night.  BEST pizza place in the world with a view of the harbor: Flatbread Company. Cute little shops. You can explore some islands by ferry.

As for Acadia... you need to be booking accommodations now. Seriously. Even camping reservations. DO NOT WAIT.

My family likes to camp up there even though we aren't "campers." We're talking car camping. With a fire some nights. And eating out for most of our meals.  There is a beautiful, natural spot down by the sea, where you can hear the waves at night. It's called Seawall. That's our go-to spot. But it's rustic and quiet. For younger kids, where you might want more amenities (like pool, other kids, etc.) plus some more tolerance for loud kids, check out Mount Desert Campground. They have some amazing and beautiful spots overlooking Somes Sound that might still be available. If that's not your thing, look for airbnbs or other rentals that are rustic, on the water, etc. Why go all that way just to say in some overly priced hotel in Bar Harbor???

Once you're there, here are some recommendations for age appropriate trails:

EASY:

Any trail that is near [b]Jordan Pond[/b]. And by the way, DEFINITELY plan on having lunch there--they have the most amazing popovers and lemonade, with a view to die for.

[b]Wonderland[/b]. It's basically just a pretty walk--fairly short. Nice fauna along the way. Leads to the rocky shore, where you and pup can rock-scramble and look for tidal pools. Close by is another similar trail, which is basically just a walk down to the water called Ship Harbor Nature Trail. (I think Obama and his dog have done that trail.) Either place would make nice (and easy) places to walk to with a picnic lunch to enjoy by the shore.

[b]Bar Island Trail[/b]. This is awesome and few people seem to know about it. It does require advanced planning because the trail is only visible twice a day and is only visible for a few hours. You have to hit it at low tide: Just look online for tidal schedule. Basically, you drive into downtown Bar Harbor at low tide. The trail is visible at the end of Bridge street, which is just off West Street. You park and then walk across a sand bar that has become visible during low tide but that is normally under the harbor! You have about 1.5 hours to cross to the island, explore, then get back. (Once on the island, follow the trail to the right, which will take you on about a 35 minute hike up to the highest point of the island.) The island is cool to explore plus the sandbar is littered with beach finds and it's a kid's exploration paradise.

There's also a few things you should see that are kind of tourist traps, but any visitor has to see at least one--they are well marked on any acadia map and are found on the major "loop" you can drive through the park but it includes Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. You should plan to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to see sunrise or sunset (and have them hike it when they're teenagers).

Slightly More Challenging:

[b]Great Head trail[/b]. You have to park at Sand Beach (on the loop). You walk across the entire beach and then scramble up some rocks and you eventually make your way out to the tip of the cliffs, which overlook the sea and a great view of The Beehive (a small mountain). Amazing. Definitely pack drinking water and some snacking for sitting along the sea cliffs. Definitely doable for the 4 year old although this might be the only serious hiking you do for the day.

[b]Bowl Trail[/b]. A little hard to find--basically across the street from Sand Beach. Hike up a rocky area and you're greeted with an amazing beautiful pond, suitable for swimming and some cool areas where you traverse around on small bridges. (Kids will be challenged but safe.) Also, sometimes there are leeches. But no biggie.

Other ideas:  Kayak Rental at Pond's End (Long Pond) in Somesville, which is on the Western side of the Island, is easy and fun.  Visiting the lighthouse at Bass Harbor is kid friendly. They can climb around on the rocks.

[b]FOOD[/b]
 
BEST BFAST IN BAR HARBOR. Two Cats. 130 cottage street. Not a lot of true bfast places in town, so the place gets busy. It's an old adorable brightly covered cottage with great homemade food.

BEST ICE CREAM IN BAR HARBOR: Two different locations in Bar Harbor; it's called Mount Desert Island Ice Cream. Very cool, unique flavors.

DINNER: Town Hall Bistro and Mache Bistro are good for "higher end" fare. For family friendly seafood places with good views, I recommend Abel's Lobster Pound or Seafood Ketch.

Crap. I have to go back to work. HAVE FUN!

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics