Suggestions for Acadia Natl. Park trip

[pammypooh]

My family is planning a trip to Acadia National Park in two weeks. We will be stopping in Mass. on the way north for two nights, then on to a campground beside the Acadia National Park. Does anyone have experience with Bar Harbor/Acadia must see sites/attractions/restaurants/shops?

Also - in Mass, planning to go to Boston one day and do the Duck tour. What else should we do?

Planning on a trip to Plymouth and the Ocean Spray Cranberry site on a separate day. Any other suggestions?

My family is DH, me, DD - age 7 & DD age 6.

Many thanks for any advice! Seems strange to plan to travel north instead of south!

Pammypooh

 

[Spinning]

If Driving stop at LLBean in Freeport! Amazing store....open all the time. It has been a long time since we were in Bar Harbor. Beautiful place!

 

[sue Z]

How about the Swan boats at the public garden !!!!! and the make way for ducklings Statues that are near by these are based on the Book Make way for Ducklings!!

 

[lil mermaid]

Acadia National Park is one of my favorite places on the planet. Before we moved to California last year, DH and I would go up there often. You have some great suggestions here already.

We usually stay in Southwest Harbor (the quiet side) rather than Bar Harbor. In Bar Harbor, we love www.geddys.com for pizza and we also like the Atlantic Brewing Company. We usually are pretty casual on our Acadia trips, so I don't know of many "fancier" restaurants - we have been to a few, but none of them are standing out in my mind right now. There are lots of shops to poke around in in Bar Harbor.

The must see attraction is the Park itself. The park is covered with beautifully maintained carriage paths that are perfect for hiking and biking. (We would usually spend the better part of two days riding our mountain bikes all over the park.) There are many places to rent bicyles if you don't want to bring your own. They have park maps of the carriage paths available so that you can find a ride that is perfect for your skill level. It is a great way to cover lots of ground.) There are also over 100 miles of hiking trails. If you like horseback riding, there are stables nearby and you can actually ride horses on the carriage paths.

I would also spend some time driving around the Park Loop Road. The scenery at Acadia is gorgeous. The Sand beach is lovely (the beach scenes from "Cider House Rules" were filmed there) and the view from the top of Cadillac Mountain is awesome. The National Park service has a website at www.nps.gov and they have a section on Acadia.
Make sure everyone in your family brings long pants and jackets or sweaters - it can be pretty cold up there, even in the summer, especially at night - you just never know.

On your drive up to Maine, I would also recommend stopping in Portsmouth NH - I know that there have been a couple of threads about these areas on the CB if you want to do a search.

I am sure that you will have a wonderful time. Maine is beautiful.

 

[travel with kids]

My family had a summer home on Gott's Island (great Gott's Island). This is off Bass Harbor--on the south eastern part of the island ---wonderful memories. I highly recommend a whale and puffin watch. Also, it may be late in the season, but we would go blueberry picking. Wild Maine blueberries are awesome!!

Freeport is fun to stop by. Weekends are always a zoo. LLbean is open 24 hours, so plan to go in the late evening or early morning on any given day. However, if you want to outlet shop you'll need to go between 9am and 7pm. (the busy times). LLbean has a coffee shop upstairs with Green Mountain Coffee (excellent) for sale. They have an awesome book section near the coffee shop. You can have a cup of coffee, sit in a comfy chair and look at books about Acadia. They also have a kid's section in the same area. After 10pm they offer coffee free at the informaiton desk near the front door. And any last minute camping supplies you can pick up in the camping section right by the information area!!

enjoy and I'll pray for nice weather for you!!! Today is cool and raining--not good tenting weather!!

 

[DisneyHumbug]

It's been years since I've been to Acadia, but I remember taking the kids to an aquarium where they could touch all the sea creatures. Anyone know the name of it?

 

[camper]

The park loop road is really really beautiful. You should walk the trail that goes from Thunderhole to the point, can't think of the name right now, maybe otter point. Thunderhole will be on the map they give you at the entrance. You can park there and then walk all the way to the point. It is one of our favorite places in the world.
There is another section of the park, called Schoodic Point, that is further east on rt 1. It is another beautiful spot but I don't think many people know about it.
Bar Harbor is a fun place to shop. We always get an ice cream there!
You can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain for some great scenery, especially when the sun is setting! But it is always windy up there so bring a sweater.
Hope you have a great time!

 

[pammypooh]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your good tips. We are really getting excited about is adventure trip for our family.

Pammypooh

 

[Mermaid02]

I recommend eating at Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard (also on the "quiet side" of the island) They bring em in from the traps and you eat them! It is the best Maine Lobster on Earth!

This is all practically in my backyard, but we haven't been this year.

 

[shamrock30]

In Boston, your kids would probably love the New England Aquarium. Be sure to see the sea lion show. The Children's Museum is also wonderful--many interactive activities.

 

[lilboo]

When I can't bear another mugful of oatmeal on the trail, I sneak off to Bar Harbor for a big breakfast. You might like "Cafe This Way" ...by the big town green.