Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd try one of the Hotels or BnBs in Bar Harbor. The town is busier but it does have many restaurants, shops and a grocery store. Usually I'd recommend a vacation rental but over the summer I can't imagine any of them renting for less than a week.

Thanks! I just think we'll get bored after more than 4 days or so. I'll look at hotels!

It’s a long way to go to maybe be bored! Why are you going if not to experience the scenery? It’s absolutely gorgeous. So many trails and there are other towns you can drive to and explore. Depending on your route, you could spend a day in Portland which is a great city.

But if you’re not that into hiking or outdoors - not in a hard core way but just you’d be bored with it - it may not be the greatest choice for you. There are other lovely places in New England with more variety of activities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, quiet side is nice but is there any lodging to get there that is less than a week?

This late? No probably not. That area hooks up fast.

We just booked a 3br house for a week - price not too bad. There's some availability, just check AirBnB, VRBO, and keep checking (things open up when someone else cancels)

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, quiet side is nice but is there any lodging to get there that is less than a week?

This late? No probably not. That area hooks up fast.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d avoid Bar Harbor in the height of the season. The center of town is a giant traffic jam. If money is no object, stay at the Asticou. Perfect location away from the crowds but with easy access to hiking on both sides of the park, and it’s newly renovated. For eating out, we love Abel’s, which is not far from there.

What is the height of the season there? Does that start in early June?

Tourists start tricckling in around then. But the season really gets going the 4th of July. Honestly, it won't be as bad anymore. Staring last year Bar Harbor capped the number of cruise ship tourists to 1000 per day.

Don’t let the report of “crowds” deter you from visiting. Bar Harbor is the portal town to one of our beautiful NPs. Yes, many people will be there but we’re all from DMV…the “crowds” are manageable. Plus, get out 20 yards on a trail and the crowds are gone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d avoid Bar Harbor in the height of the season. The center of town is a giant traffic jam. If money is no object, stay at the Asticou. Perfect location away from the crowds but with easy access to hiking on both sides of the park, and it’s newly renovated. For eating out, we love Abel’s, which is not far from there.

What is the height of the season there? Does that start in early June?

Tourists start tricckling in around then. But the season really gets going the 4th of July. Honestly, it won't be as bad anymore. Staring last year Bar Harbor capped the number of cruise ship tourists to 1000 per day.

Anonymous wrote:I’d avoid Bar Harbor in the height of the season. The center of town is a giant traffic jam. If money is no object, stay at the Asticou. Perfect location away from the crowds but with easy access to hiking on both sides of the park, and it’s newly renovated. For eating out, we love Abel’s, which is not far from there.

What is the height of the season there? Does that start in early June?

Yeah, quiet side is nice but is there any lodging to get there that is less than a week?

Anonymous wrote:Consider staying on the “Quiet Side” (I think the town is Southwest Harbor) if you don’t want to be in the thick of things during high season. There’s a sweet ice cream shop on Main Street and it’s much quieter in the evenings (maybe too much so with a couple of teens).

This is where we stayed and I loved it.

I’d avoid Bar Harbor in the height of the season. The center of town is a giant traffic jam. If money is no object, stay at the Asticou. Perfect location away from the crowds but with easy access to hiking on both sides of the park, and it’s newly renovated. For eating out, we love Abel’s, which is not far from there.

We went last summer and got a fairly last-minute room at the Inn on Mt. Desert at the edge of Bar Harbor, but still walkable to downtown.
https://www.theinnonmountdesert.com/

Was perfectly decent and has a pool table/small gym in the basement, which my teens loved.

Anonymous wrote:Be prepared for ticks.

There is no prep other than planning to look at every inch of oneself before bed.

Repellent can easily be purchased there.

Be prepared for ticks.

We did Acadia last August, great place and hikes just enough not to annoy teens. Where is a good place to go this summer?

We stayed near Echo lake on the quieter, western side of Acadia. Highly recommend.
My teenage son and I LOVE hiking - especially more challenging hikes.
Here are ones I would recommend:

The Beehive - the hike has SIGNIFICANT exposure but gorgeous views. Its a short hike but literally straight up a rock face. You can combine with other hikes for a longer distance and more varied scenery. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/the-beehive-loop-trail

Beech Cliff + Canada Cliff loop -- great hike on the less crowded western side and you can cool off in the lake afterwards. Can be combined with other trails for a longer hike https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/beech-cliff-ladder-and-canada-cliff-loop

St Sauveur + Acadia Mountain Loop - breath taking views above the fjord looking over to cadillac mountain. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maine/st-sauveur-and-acadia-mountain-loop

We really liked Harbour Cottage Inn b&b in southwest harbor. It was nice to start the day with a delicious breakfast and they had food/drink options in the evening