Cokie1

Hi all. We're planning a 9 day trip in late August with 13/16 year olds. Want to combine the action of Boston with the beauty of Maine. We could fly Portland one way and Boston the other. Love the idea of Acadia National Park - but is that too far? Thinking 3 days in Boston, then drive north - where should we stop? Don't want to spend too much time in the car. Or are we better off starting in Portland - heading to Bar Harbor for a few nights - stopping in one city on the way back down (which one?) then 3 nights in Boston to finish? I'd appreciate your thoughts - we love good food, hiking, biking, - would love to go whale watching, maybe kayak. Thanks for your advice!

china_cat

Personally, when I travel I usually like to do the city stuff first, then the relaxing part. I also think in the summer time, you should do the city on the weekend, and Acadia during the week.
Bar Harbor is only about 5 or 6 hours from Boston, so it is definitely not too far, and you should do it.

So here's one itinerary suggestion:
fly into Boston, stay 3 nights.
Plan to spend 2 nights on the way north...maybe Salem, MA, maybe Hampton Beach (the teens will love it), maybe Portsmouth NH. Then drive to Acadia for 3 nights.

Drive from Acadia and spend the final night in Portland and fly home from there.

zootsi

The open jaw Portland-Boston is a good idea. Acadia is amazing, but it's about 4 hours from Portland. If you want swimmable beaches, the towns of York, Ogunquit, Wells and Kennebunkport are the best. Old Orchard Beach and Hampton Beach (NH) also have nice beaches but they are somewhat honkey-tonk (which the teens might like). If you want stereotypical Maine seacost towns with little or no sandy beaches, consider Camden, Boothbay, Pemmiquid.

dfrostnh

I mostly like China Cat's suggestion for a night between Boston and Bar Harbor. The Portsmouth/Hampton Beach is a good idea. You could even combine a day at Water Country (great water park on Rt 1) with an early even walk around Hampton (arcades and stuff). But for a second night I would vote for a town with a boat to Monhegan Island - great hiking plus a feeling of remoteness. We took the boat out of Boothbay but another location might be better. Take a picnic lunch and make sure to pack some whoopie pies (Steve's is a favorite). Our most favorite lobster shack is Waterman's Beach near Owl's Head Lighthouse and the Transportation Museum. If your teens are interested in old planes and cars. It's just a short hike to the lighthouse but very nice views.

Wilbur

Our two teenage girls loved the day we spent on Monhegan Island. We left on the ferry out of Port Clyde in the morning and returned that evening. About an hour each way. Nice hiking trails and beautiful views of the ocean on the island. We even saw lots of seals. Lots of artists on the island, so it is fun to look in the little shops too.

millsy5

Cokie - sorry I just saw your post today. Boxtn/Maine was great. We did the same trip, boston to maine. I think this trip is very doable for you. I kind of wish we had driven up the maine coast and stopped too. Monhegan Island area sounded really good. My kids liked cambridge and harvard and the charles river... the history. we took an inexpensive ferry to see the USS constituttion which was closed that day - bad planning on my part. Acadia is beautiful. Rent bikes and ride. Our favorite moment was lunch at Jordan Pond sitting outside with a beautiful view and delicious food. ENJOY.