Bar Harbor with teenagers
 

Hi...going to Maine for the first time this summer. Flying to Portland at the end of June, driving up to Bar Harbor for a couple of nights before staying in a cabin near Baxter State Park (will do some white water rafting and hiking while there), and then over to Sebago Lake area (will visit NH for zipline tour and do some fishing while there.) While in Bar Harbor, we want to visit Acadia National Park...maybe do some bike riding or kayaking.

Looking for suggestions for a place to stay while in Bar Harbor that might be fun for teens....the closer to the park the better. Not a stuffy inn, but something with a nice room with a great view where they might be able to interact with other teens? Also, any other suggestions will be appreciated.

We have been to New England many times, so really just planning to explore Maine and NH on this trip.

Thanks!

Well, nothing in that area strikes me as 'stuffy'. This is Maine, after all:-) We always camp when in that area, but I would say that the Bar Harbor Inn is nice. There are 2 or 3 newer hotels in BH, but I still can't get used to them and they seem out of place to me. There are many B&B's in BH that friends have loved. I doubt any would be stuffy. As for 'close to the park', Acadia is different than most National Parks as it is made of of many parecls and not a big tract of contiguous land. Anyway, BH is about as close as you can get to the 'main' park. There are free buses that run from BH to all parts of the park so you can get to a hiking trail or whatever without driving. Its great! You can also rent bikes in BH and head over to the wonderful park carriage trails for gorgeous riding. There are also companies in BH that do kayak tours. It sounds like you're adventurous, and you will love it! Staying in town also provides the option that the teens can do their own thing around town or by taking the buses.

My only other suggestion is to make reservations soon! Late June into July 4th weekend books up fast. Also note that the drives between your destinations will be several hours. Enjoy!

I just want to second that it's a great place to visit with teens. Lots to do & easy to get around...car free.

http://www.exploreacadia.com/index.htm

http://www.nps.gov/acad

On summer nights, Bar Harbor is packed with teens hanging out in the park, playing guitars and frisbee, checking each other out, eating pizza and ice cream, and on their way to or from the movies. My daughters were thrilled when we told them they were old enough to take the free bus into town by themselves!

I agree that where you stay is not that important, as long as your kids can walk into town, or take the free Island Explorer bus.

take the ferry or drive around to schoodic point. it's part of the acadia. http://www.acadiamagic.com/Schoodic.html
huge rocks and crashing waves. maine coast the way it used to be.
the bar harbor inn has an excellent downtown location yet is set aside and quiet when on the property. i like the oceanfront lodge section as it's very oceanfront and you can hear the water, see the moon on the bay, watch boats.