mgoyal

Hi all-
Planning our first trip to Maine at the end of August for 4 nights and would love some input.

We will have 4 adults and 4 children (ages 3-8).

We are planning to fly into Bangor and renting a car. We were thinking that 5 days in Acadia/Bar Harbor might be a lot with 4 young children who are not going to be big into hiking

So, we were thinking of the following:

1) Day 1: Drive from Bangor to Portland and explore Portland
2) Day 2: Head to Kennebunkport and Booth Bay (lobster boat)
3) Day 3: Explore Bar Harbor
4) Day 4: Explore Acadia
5) Day 5: Whale watching tour prior to departing that evening

Thoughts about our itinerary? Anything we should add/change out?

Thoughts on where to stay?

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Inakauaidavidababy

It's going to have to be a mighty big car to fit 8 people and luggage and lots of driving.

yestravel

I would spend all 4 nights in Acadia. If you really have explored all there is to do there and still decide to only spend 2 nights in Acadia I would spend 2 nights in Portland -- lots to do there. Then I would leisurely make my way up the coast to Acadia, stopping at various points that interest you and arrive in the evening at Acadia. I think there is much to do in Acadia that would occupy your kids. You can do a lobster boat tour from there. There are also Nature activities esp for kids. I would google and see what activites you find for that area.

Calabria62

I live in Maine and we go to Bar Harbor every year.

There is plenty to do in Acadia for 4 nights to keep you all happy. Besides hiking, there is biking the carriage trails, swimming in the lovely lake, swimming in the freezing cold Sand Beach, boat rides, horseback riding. Golf too, if you enjoy golf.

There are the lovely Thuya Gardens, Asticou Gardens, and the villages of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Habor.

Outside Acadia there is mini-golf, a lumberjack show, the Oceanarium and you could always go over to Schoodic Point to explore.

I would go to KPort or Boothbay this trip. If you must get away, you visit the Fort...I forget the name of it, which is worth a visit. It's about an hour away. I've been, but visited on the way back from Acadia.

For accommodations, try a cabin or cottage. We have stayed at Tunk Lake in a wonderful log cabin, but it's about an hour away in Sullivan. We also stayed at Boathouse Way cottages, which were lovely, in Bernard, on Mt. Desert Island. For hotels, this year we stayed at the Bar Harbor Manor, walking distance to downtown Bar Harbor. They have townhouses too, that might suit your group.

Enjoy this beautiful area!

Bette

There is lots to do on Mount Desert Island and we usually go for 7 or 8 nights. With only 4 nights you should just stay on Mt. Desert Island and explore Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Bass Head Light.

We always stay at the Bar Harbor Inn which may or may not be over your budget. You better get going on securing accommodations for 8 people! August is busy in Maine.

If you provide your lodging budget and requirement (# of bedrooms, kitchen or not, etc) you might get some helpful replies.

dfrostnh

It is 2 hours from Bangor to Portland and even further to Kport. Should you go to Portland, there's a playground at one end of the Eastern Promenade and some great views of Casco Bay. Lots of people picnicking.

Maine Coastal Gardens near Boothbay are lovely. I think there's a section for children which they might enjoy. Kennebunkport is south of Portland. Boothbay is north. The drive on Rt 1 is pleasant but watch out for heavy traffic in Wiscasset. Try to avoid commuter hours and late Friday afternoons. I95 is quicker but very boring.

Scout out a good place for a picnic and play time. Usually there are places around lighthouses but not necessarily any picnic tables although I think there were some at Pemaquid Point. IF you go to Boothbay, there's a small park on a little island with picnic tables, lots of trees. Of course, now I can't find the name of it. We got take out lobster rolls etc from Karen's Hide Away snack shack and had a nice picnic. There are lots of local conservation areas and parks in Maine.

bachslunch

I wouldn't visit Kennebunkport and Boothbay in one day. Each has about a day's worth of things to do and the traffic between could be tough.

The posters suggesting 2 days in Portland or the whole time in Bar Harbor/Acadia offer good options.

DebbieDoesDulles

Kids between 40 and 80 pounds who are under 8 yrs of age must have a booster seat in Maine, so bring them along or pay $$$ to the rental car company.

Why fly into Bangor if your first stop is Portland?

There is plenty to do in Bar Harbor besides hiking. Pebble beaches, seashells...Diver Ed's show...mini golf....fishing, boating, whale watch, puffin watch, lakeside state parks nearby for swimming...

As for where to stay....what are you looking for? Two rooms with 2 queens in each room?

dfrostnh

btw I'm voting for spending all your time in Acadia/Bar Harbor with possibly one day trip to someplace else. I would also be reluctant to take a 3yo on a whale watch. Depends on how rough ocean is that day. Our grandchildren are age 5 - almost 13. Kids can play for hours on their own especially if there's sand or dirt or tide pools. On recent cross country trip the family located parks so kids could stretch their legs and play to break up long drives.