acadia with child
 

I'm travelling to acadia in 3 weeks - staying at the bar harbor inn for 2 days and then thinking of Southwest Harbor -got a great rate at the seawall Motel - anybody know anything about it. <BR>Also, any good hints for things to do with an 8 yo boy? <BR>thanks <BR>Lisa

Lisa, when you arrive in Acadia, stop first at the visitors center and pick up a park newspaper. It will be full of ranger programs, you are sure to find lots to do with a child.

you can rent bikes and travel the carriage roads.............

Lisa - Northwest Harbor has a number of different boat tours going out to the harbor islands. Your son would enjoy the boat ride and then exploring the islands. There is a nice little hiking path that goes out from Sand Beach that gives good views. The loop drive has lots of good stops that your son will enjoy and you can view perrigrine falcons at stop along the way. There is usually a ranger with a telescope set up at the turnout so you can get a good view. Liz's suggestion re: the park guide is excellent - it will tell you when the ranger is there. The bike trails are great also and you can rent bikes. Have a good time.

Take your 8-yr-old to College of the Atlantic which is really a taxidermy school (as I remember it). They have wonderful lifelike displays of wildlife as well as the skeleton of a moose that children can put together with the help of one of the staff. Also (I know this sounds gross) they had a naugahyde replica of a whale (maybe a dolphin; its been awhile) that 'unzips.' The organs (also of naugahyde) can be removed and repositioned in their proper place by the children. Not nearly as gross as it sounds! And I think I remember some craft-type activities for children related to nature things. <BR> <BR>Re: Outdoor nature things: As you drive around the islands, keep your eyes open for beaver dams.