travelbuff127

What should we NOT miss the 3rd week of June in Acadia, Bar Harbor area? What should we definitely do? Where should we definitely eat? I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lobster, hubby loves crab and shrimp! Bare in mind, we have a 4 1/2 yr old with us too who doesn't love shellfish the way we do!

klam_chowder

If you love lobster, check out Abel's lobster pound!

Breakfast at 2 Cats was very enjoyable, as was dinner at Jordan Pond House.

There's a great "hike" (more like a ramble) that follows the waterfront shoreline in Bar Harbor. It has lovely views and is very easy.

ANP took a lot longer to drive from place to place than I thought it would, so take your time. There are good hikes and highlights, e.g., "Thunderhole".

Can't offer many suggestions since our travel group was adults only, but at least this will top the thread for you.

Enjoy-la!

travelbuff127

Thank you so much klam-chowder. Am I to assume that Abel's and Jordan's are in Bar Harbor? I'm staying in Southwest Harbor (quiet side) I should have mentioned that -huh??? Any more tips you can think of, we'd appreciate it!

bennnie

Jordan's Pond House is in Acadia National Park (as opposed to the town of Bar Harbor). It is on the shores of Jordan Pond (naturally, has a view of the twin mountains named The Bubbles and serves the best popovers. You can take a bike ride, horse carriage ride and a hike around the pond and then enjoy the popovers when you are done.

klam_chowder

Sorry, should have been more specific. Abel's is in ANP. 2 Cats is in BH.

Enjoy-la!

LizaMarie

I just posted a trip report for last June to Bar Harbor - here is the link:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35114394

I don't eat lobster! But my husband ate it almost every meal.... I had either chicken or scallops or a meat dish. Every restaurant had a least one or 2 non-seafood dishes.

travelbuff127

LizaMarie - thanks so much for that link. I so enjoyed it. looks like I have new eating places to look into. But I must admit, your husband sounds alot like me - lobster everyday!!!! Ummmmmmm good!!!! Hiking is going to be tricky since we will have our 4 1/2 yr old with us. And even though she is an adventourous spirited child, I will always put safety first even if my hubby doesn't!! Thanks a bunch!

Wilbur

We also loved eating at Jordan's Pond. It should be fine for a 4 1/2 year old-- maybe bring a coloring book along?

There are some lovely beaches in Acadia, I would pack a few sand toys; buckets, shovels, toy trucks, etc. When my kids were that age they loved to play in the sand. Interesting things are on the shore too.

The water is too cold for much more than walking along the edge.

travelbuff127

Thanks Wilbur, Jordan's seems the place to go on this website. I'll have to be sure not to miss it. I do also realize that June is too early for water fun of any type for a 4 1/2 yr. old. But that's not the main purpose of the visit so we'll be fine without swimming. Sand can go a long way in the eyes of a child. Thanks again.

dfnh

When we vacation in Maine, now just the two of us, we usually do a restaurant or lobster pound for lunch and don't usually have too much trouble with crowds. Since we camp we like to cook supper back at our campsite. When our son was young and always an early riser, he was usually out of patience by supper/dinner. We kept dinners quick and would even consider take-out for back in the hotel room. In addition to coloring books we let him order whatever he wanted even if was only dessert. I would take along an emergency snack kit in an insulated bag and your child's comfort food. Also you might not there in time for early strawberries which mixed with vanilla yogurt are terrific. Our last visit to Maine was July 4th week and there were tons of berries by then. Also, rhubarb pie was on many menus (sometimes strawberry rhubarb pie) and it goes very well with lobster. Your child might want to make a rock and/or shell collection. Be prepared!

cindyj

On the West side be sure to eat at Mainley Delights in Bass Harbor. Its a hoot of a place run by a wonderful woman who started her business as a lunch truck. Obviously it doesn't have the class of Abels, which we also love, but you can't beat the company and the prices for lobster! And the wait staff will entertain your little one forever!

Other suggestions:
- Visit the park visitor's center and check the schedule for children's programs. One just might fit the bill.
- Rent bikes, one with a 'tag-along' or trailer, and cycle the carriage trails.
- Do a short but rewarding hike, like the one up the Bubbles.

Have fun and I hope our Maine weather is cooperative!

gckmac

There is a lot of stuff happening in Bar Harbor and the area. One is the Legacy of the Arts Festival. This and other activities in Bar Harbor and other locales in Maine are listed at http://www.maine.info/cities/bar_harbor/events.php (which has some area photos listed at the right of the page too). You should definitely check Jordan Pond House for tea or dinner after a ride on the loop road in Acadia. Hope this helps!

Kwoo

For lobster, I recommend Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard, not far from Southwest Harbor, where we stayed....stayed at the Inn at Southwest Harbor. Also enjoyed Tan Turtle Tavern in Northeast Harbor & the lobster pound by the causeway before you cross to Mt. Desert Island. Hiked the flat trail to Otter Point, beautiful scenery. Sand Beach was beautiful & there is trail there but it isn't flat. There are ranger-guided easy flat hikes that would be fine with a 4 year old. We also went on a schooner through the bay at Bar Harbor, think it's called Frenchman's Bay? If you have the time, I recommend driving to Schoodic Peninsula; it is very rural, quiet & with BREATHTAKING SCENERY.

spirobulldog

I read about an adventurous Hike/Climb trail in Acadia, that I can't remember the name of. I think you may have to hold on to some anchor or chains. Thought I would put this on this post, maybe someone might know the name of it.

elberko

spirobulldog,

There are actually a number of hikes in Acadia that have "ladders" as part of the climb. No personal experience-we hike with a dog, but the one most mentioned is PRECIPICE, BEEHIVE also has them, I believe.

~Liz

Bill_I

travelbuff, although we didn't make it over to Bar Harbor, we were in Maine the 3rd week in June. We were more down towards Freeport & Portland, but we made sure we did a trip up to Camden. From info that was given to me off Fodor's forums, there are a number of schooners that have a couple hour tour/sailing out from the Camden harbor & back. We (myself, wife & 16 yr old son) thouroughly enjoyed that. Once they got out of the harbor, raised the sails, & turned off the engine, it was fantastic. Also got to see some seals lounging around on 1 of the islands & some young ones swimming around. The website for the schooner we went on, The Olad, is: http://www.maineschooners.com
You can do a search for Camden schooners & find sites for some of the others. The sailing that were were on had people of all ages. 3 or 4 yrs old up to I would say in the 60's or older. They also have some of the riders help the crew raise the sails. We just needed a sweatshirt or jacket to wear during the boat trip. & down by the docks, when you get off the boat is a restaurant, The Bay View, which had an excellent lobster roll. & Camden is a town that you can spend a day walking around in or going/driving up to Mt. Battie for a fantastic view.

LizaMarie

I finally have a travel blog! Here is the page with my trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia, with the review I posted the link for above in my early reply as well as pictures. http://marztravels.blogspot.com/2008...-national.html

jcasale

The trails with ladders are likely to be the Beehive and the Precipice, but during June the Precipice is likely to be closed due to the peregrine falcon nesting season. They don't open it up again until the babies leave the nests.

If you have access to a car and want to see another part of Acadia National Park - head over to Schoodic Point. It'll take you about an hour to get there from Bar Harbor and if the waves are coming in strong from the northeast you can get some great crashing surf.

Even if you don't want to have dinner at Jordan Pond House, make a point of getting there for "tea and popovers". The popovers could make an entire meal they are so large.

There is a great oceanarium right as you get onto Mount Desert Island that your child would probably enjoy. They have some hands on exhinits that my nephews always loved.

One caution - you are coming in black fly season so bring bug stuff. Those little beasties bite and they love the hairline.

Bring lots of warm clothes and go whale watching. We love the Acadia Whale Watch Company right on the main town dock. We've always had a great experience with them.

Plan on layers - the weather can be warm but it can also be cold and foggy that time of year.

Most of all - enjoy. Maine is a magical place.

travelbuff127

To Ms JCasale - I hope you don't mind, but since I wanted to elaborate further on the black fly subject, I e-mailed you directly. Looking forward to speaking with you. Many thanks!

newlywed

Hi all -

We were in Acadia last August and it was amazing. We're thinking of returning this June, but our reservations are the black flies and the cool weather (as another poster alluded to below).

What kind of temperatures can we expect?

How bad are the flies? Surely we'll spray ourselves, but will we be inundated with them? Will it prohibit us from eating outside and things like that?

Any advice is appreciated! We're considering traveling South (or West) in June due to these thing, but LOVE Maine!