We are traveling to Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park in late July 2003. We will be traveling with 2 children (7 & 9 years old) and the 3 grandparents(60, 62, and 65 years old). One of the grandparents is not extremely active and could handle easy hiking trails. Does anyone have suggestions for things to do (other than hiking) that all 3 generations might like?

Tea(the popvers!!) at Jordon Pond.

Stop in the visitors center as soon as you get there, and pick up a weekly park newspaper. It will list numerous ranger-led programs, many of which will suit all ages.

We try to do a few on each trip, most have been great. One of our favorites, if you hit a really clear nite, was a star-watching program from sand beach. It was so dark there, we saw LOTS of stars. A real highlight.

Bar Island might be agod choice.

During low tide you can walk on a wide sand bar out to the island. When the tide comes in the "walkway" is totally gone.

Great taking before and after pics.


Also the Oceanarium/ Lobster Museum has a hatchery and other exhibits.

http://www.theoceanarium.com/oceanbhsite.html

I just checked to see if ranger program info is on-line now, and it is!

http://www.nps.gov/acad/ranger.htm

We took a whale watching tour while in Bar Harbor and enjoyed it very much! To see those big guys breach is awesome!Some months are better to see whales than are others and I don't know what July would be like.

The sand bar you can cross to Bar Island is about a half mile walk, you can drive over also just know the tide times and when to leave. Carry food and water into Acadia Park there are NO facilities inside the park, no bathroom etc. Cadillac Mt. is worth it lunch on the top is awesome. Where plenty of sun screen!

Although the only food available in the park is at Jordan Pond House (I think), there ARE bathrooms available at a number of points, including the top of Cadillac. Some of them might be port-a-pottys, but we've even run across some on hikes.

Thank you for your responses. Do any of the bike shops rent surry type bikes? They are tandem bikes but you sit side by side.

krhone, the biking in Acadia involves hills, it's not "easy", flat biking. I don't think surry's would be good, IF they are available.

I have read that there are small 4 seater Cessna plane rides that you can take over Acadia and also see the lighthouses. Has anyone done this? Price? Company Name to contact?