momof2gr8kids

I realize this is short notice for July of this year, but my family is planning a 1 week vacation either Mid Coast or south coast, with a day trip to Acadia.
I have a 3 year old boy and 9 month old girl and would like recommendations for affordable lodging that would work for young ones, (convenient, water view or front preferred) Any recommendations?

dfrostnh

We enjoyed camping at Searsport Shores which would make Acadia an easy day trip. It's a small campground with it's own beach, very quiet, but I don't think they have a pool. They have some cabins and camper trailers for rent. The advantage of the camper would be it's own bathroom otherwise they have a typical community bathrooms & showers. Although they don't have a pool, I recall they had a wonderful play area in the rec hall for children. I think the secret to traveling with small children is having a room with frig and microwave but the camper would have a small but well equiped kitchen.
My second recommendation is pricier but gives you a variety of options at
http://www.glenmoorbythesea.com/
The hotel is in Lincolnville. We had a nice continental breakfast delivered to our door. We stayed in a "cottage" near the pool with an open room but there was a wall between the livingroom area and beds. A the front was a little kitchen table, small frig and microwave. This would be ideal with children. The grounds are very nice. I think there were actually more than one unit in the cottages near the pool but the cottages nearer the water were single units. We were quite far from the water. When considering the room rates, if you stayed at the Glenmoore you wouldn't have to go out for breakfast and could also opt to grab some take-out for supper. We stayed there in late September so we didn't use the pool. You would have to ask to see if there was a shallow section for young children.
Take a look at the map and mileage. The south coast might be too far away for a day trip to Acadia. Hope you have a great vacation.

momof2gr8kids

Thanks. We had originally looked at private cottages, but got a little nervous about some of them being too close to cliffs/water with the little ones. We booked a cottage with a jacuzzi tub at the Glenmoor, and it sounds perfect.
Do you think that Camden is a good central base, without having to change hotel rooms every other night? I'm thinking we can spend some time in Camden and that area, a day trip to Acadia, maybe some short cruises (I think they're too little for the whale watches still, but that would be cool), and I'll definitely make a trip to Bath, my old stomping grounds and try to see Reid state park and the Maritime Museum.
Any other suggestions for sights not to be missed? I'm really looking forward to the good food too!

dfrostnh

Glad you liked my suggestion. Yes, I think Camden is a good base for exploring in all directions. We took a day long cruise sponsored by the Maritime Museum in Bath to look at lighthouses. It was fantastic but I think they only do half day trips now. Check the web site. The host said they sometimes couldn't do the whole route because of tides, weather, etc. A picnic lunch on top of Mt Battie overlooking Camden Harbor is one of my favorite things to do. Take the auto road. There are state park bathroom facilities. We take bag chairs in the car. Also found a shady spot at Pemaquid Point to enjoy a good book and ocean views. Lunch, of course, at nearby lobster place. Another good place for a picnic would be the lighthouse at Owls Head. It will take a short hike to the lighthouse. I don't recall if there is a beach. You shouldn't have any trouble finding lots of interesting places where your children can also enjoy playing with a few toys, having a snack. Best thing we ever did was learn to park the car and spend some time just enjoying the views. There was a wonderful little beach near Boothbay that was surprisingly devoid of people. Everybody was downtown shopping, I guess. Hope you ahve a great time!

cmscms

Hello,
We also have two little ones (2&1) and have found Ogunquit, ME to be a incredible place with kids! We went up for a wk and two wknds last year. Lots of great walking on marginal way, which is along the coast, foot traffic only. Both Perkins Cove and downtown Ogunquit my kids love, especially the candy store in Perkins. They have a public beach and some smaller beaches, you can take the trolley vs. walking, too, which is easy w/little ones. Truly great. Camden is gorgeous but don't know how kid friendly it is.

cmscms

RE: Ogunquit. We stayed at the Beachmere Inn about $170/night at the Bullfrog Building-Rm. 301. Has two bedrooms, sitting area, and full kitchen, swingset out back, no pool. Continental Breakfast is at the Main house, a 5 min. walk. Would you think of a few nights here, then heading up to Arcadia, great there too? Best of luck, anywhere in Maine is great.