We will be heading to Maine in August for a 5-6 day va cation. Probably driving from Portland to Arcadia - Bar Harbor area, and staying near Arcadia for several days, but stopping in a couple other places along the way.
Any advice for the trip - where to stay, what to do, companies to use (eg, whale watching), places to stay (esp. In Bar Harbor). I will be traveling with hubby and 2 kids 4 and 8).
Beat vacation ever!! We took Amtrak to Portland, pretty easy except for changing in Boston. Loved Acadia! Also highly recommend Monhegan Island.
I was about 6 when we went to Maine - although I was too young at the time to remember where we stayed, etc. I do remember (even as young as I was) thinking how beautiful it was. Have a great time - I am sure, like me, your kids will love it!
Young's Lobster Pound (off of Rt. 1 in Belfast) -- Amazingly good lobster -- or Beil's Lobster Pound in SW Harbor on Mt. Desert Island. Also, look into rental properties -- we always stay at one called Buckeyes and Blueberries -- It's on the "quiet side" of the island -- we also stayed in one in SW Harbor one year. I'm not sure if he's still operating, but Diver Ed has a glass bottom boat and scuba diving educational tour that is spectacular, and I would also check out the Margaret Todd, which is the 4 masted ship you can go out on in Bar Harbor. Also, we loved visiting the Cranberry Islands, off the coast of MDI. We have gone every other year since my older child was a baby and are overdue for a trip there! We love it!
In Bar Harbor, I like to stay at the Quimby House Inn.
http://www.quimbyhouse.com/
It's clean, quaint, safe and well located. You can walk from there into town. The owners live on-site and are very nice. They have children and will welcome yours. They should also be able to tell you the best sights in the park for kids.
I love Acadia National Park. My favorite thing to do there is walk the trail up on the cliffs above the water from Sand Beach to Otter Point. If you'd rather drive, make sure to stop at Thunderhole and see if there are any ranger talks nearby. When I was last there, they had set up telescopes to watch nesting eagles at one of the parking stops.
We just got back from Maine! We were staying with a friend in Lewiston, so not along the coast as much. However, we did go to the Children's Museum in Portland and it was a blast! It is small enough not to overwhelm the 4 year old, but enough to entertain the eight year old. I would stop in on your way up or way home, especially if you get a rainy day. Portland also has some amazing restaurants. Remember bug spray, the mosquitos are really bad in Maine. We got some bug apray wipes online that worked GREAT- http://compare.ebay.com/like/400307870004?var=lv&ltyp...
Have fun, I am so jealous, we are ready to go back!!
