Planning our trip to Acadia this September. We fly in to Boston on a Saturday with early afternoon arrival. Lodging in Boston, Clean and safe, we are no thrills kind of folks.
Sunday-Freedom Trail
Monday-Pick up rental car (best place to do this? airport) and drive to Acadia, would like to stop some place for a hike or two, no longer than 3 miles, not to miss towns or sites (lighthouses)? or places to eat. or picnic along the way Plan on arriving late afternoon/ early evening Monday to Bar Harbor/Acadia
Tuesday-Acadia-hiking and driving tour
Wednesday-boat tour? hiking
Thursday Acadia-hiking
Friday-drive back to Boston, would like to get in a hike on the way back. Most likely stay close to airport, early flight on Saturday and we could return the car if we pick it up there.
Saturday leave home.
Lodging in Bar Harbor/Acadia: Bare bones is ok, we are use to camping and rustic cabins: I have looked at Hutchinson Cottages,Belle Isle, High Season Motel and Bar Harbor Villager (quite a bit in price than the others) I do like the the thought of staying in Bar Harbor to be able to walk around at night.
Things we like to do hike, picnics with great food) with wine, farmers markets, anything out doors/nature, history of the area we are visiting. We love road trips. Acadia is on our bucket list to visit all 58 national parks. This is the 24th park.

The mid-coast area is our favorite so we haven't been to Acadia in a long time. Last summer got very close because I wanted to go to a barbecue/lobster place that was nearby. The I95 quickest route is very boring. We usually get off the interstate in Brunswick ME and go from there.

Considering you might be anxious to see Maine, perhaps take a very short detour in Portland to Fort Williams park where you can get a lobster roll from the Bite into ME food truck. There's a lighthouse, beautiful park and wonderful view overlooking Casco Bay. I remember some benches but we carry bag chairs in the car so we can easily sit any place. There's a pave walkway along the cliff.

Do NOT miss the hike or auto road, your choice, up Mt. Battie in Camden. The view is incredible overlooking Camden harbor which is home to some windjammers. Not sure when they head south but doesn't matter. It's one of our favorite picnic spots.

Another choice would be to detour off Rt 1 in Rockland for the easy hike to Owls Head light. Liked the farmers market and winery in Rockland.

We take snacks and ice tea/maybe a good book and binoculars when we visit a lighthouse. Pemaquid Point is very nice since there's a shady spot in the trees but there's a fee and it's also a long drive off Rt 1.

You can get a list of farmers markets and wineries. I like the farmers market in Brunswick a lot. There's some wonderful hiking trails in the Harpswells area east of Brunswick but again, it's a detour and you are in the Acadia area. Bath is just north on Rt 1 and features a wonderful Maritime Museum and is also home to the Bath Iron Works. Even if you don't stop, you'll get a view of the Iron Works from the bridge. We saw one of the new Navy stealth destroyers a year or two ago.

You might consider staying outside of Boston on your last night depending on when you can drop the car off. Portsmouth NH isn't that far and has plenty of history and great boat tours. The Urban Forestry Center has walking trails plus there's also the beaches in Rye and Hampton plus Odiorne Point.

Acadia NP is one of my favorite places ever--have visited/hiked there more than a dozen times over the years. September is my favorite month there, but I will be there in June this year, so can update after I get back.

If you meant:
HUTCHINSCOTTAGES.COM
I have stayed there most of my trips--VERY simple/rustic, but I love opening the door in the morning and seeing Cadillac Mountain, and the peaceful woodsy location.

Here are a couple of my posts to get you started:
Mount Desert Island, Maine restaurants

Acadia Nation Park Hikes

On your Monday, consider taking the 9AM Amtrak Downeaster from Boston North station to Portland. You'll be in Portland before noon. Rent the car in Portland. Do you have to return to Boston to fly out? If the reason to return to Boston is just to return the car and spend another night in Boston, just fly out of Portland.
While you are in Maine, you might want to visit the L.L. Bean store in Freeport.

Thanks for all of the posts. I have looked at some more options for lodging and some type of cabins will work out just fine for us. So many options, I am leaning towards one that has a fire pit and water acess. I love sitting by the water when I wake up before my husband.

Recommendations for a place to stop and picking up some supplies, snacks, bag chairs, beverages etc on our way from Boston to Acadia.

Should we do a whale watching tour or some other type of boat tour to get a feel of the place from the water? We are boat and kayak and canoe people.

What is the fastest option to go from Acadia to Boston. I have a feeling on our last day we will want to stretch our time and not leave until the last minute

​​​​​​​thanks again
For or a mid September stay how soon should we book lodging?

We are flyong out of Boston at 8.10 am. I mentioned picking up a car in Portland and he wasn't too keen on the idea. I think it's a Texas thing... He is use to driving everywhere.

Lodging the the night before we leave is a big concern for me. I have a feeling we will be arriving late and will be there only for 10 hours ...arriving late and leaving early with breakfast in the airport.

There is a decent grocery store on Cottage St. in BH, no need to pick up food items on the way.

Ocean kayak tours are easy to arrange, there are at least 3 companies, also on Cottage St.

I would secure lodging NOW--the season is short and things fill up.

September is still a beautiful weather month so I agree to get lodging now.
I've never done a whale watch in New England. I think the boats have to go pretty far out. One of our longer boat rides was from Boothbay to Monhegan Island so a lot of boring ocean miles. I'd much rather do a narrated boat cruise such as the ones out of Portsmouth NH. The Mailboat Cruise of Casco Bay out of Portland has some narration but it's also a working boat ferrying passengers and goods to the islands. DH liked watching them unload things. One of our best trips was a July 4 trip around Deer Isle (south of Acadia) with a history person talking about historic events and the boat captain talking about more current things. Last summer we went out to Appledore from Newcastle (near Portsmouth) which was also a long boring boat ride.

The quickest route from Acadia to Boston would be I95.

The original coastal highway was Rt 1 which roughly parallels I95 in parts of MA, NH and ME. If you get off I95 in Hampton NH you can go along Rt 1 and there are numerous stores, probably a Target. This would be Seabrook NH area. You can get back on I95 at various points. This is just south of Portsmouth NH. In Portsmouth you can get off I95 at the traffic circle (there's even a NH liquor store) and it's only a few miles to different (congested) shopping areas. If you go from I95 west to Newington on Rt 16, there's the Newington Mall and Fox Run Mall area. From the Mall you can go to Woodbury Avenue with more stores and shopping plazas but no Target! Newington Mall has a Trader Joes and a Kohl's. When you go to Woodbury Avenue there's an Ocean State Job Lots and Christmas Tree Shop (both are bargain places). I think you should be able to see signs directing you to I95. You would get on I95 just before the bridge that goes over the river to Kittery ME. There are usually numerous drug stores like Rite Aid and CVS where you can also find snacks and supplies. September might be a bad time for bag chairs though.

When you are back on I95 and cross into Maine, you can get off for the Kittery Outlet Malls. There's a Kittery Trading Post that has outdoor sports and camping supplies. Some food places. If you keep going there's When Pig's Fly bakery outlet where you can get free tastings. I think they also have a pizza place. Then get back on I95. There is a Target in the South Portland ME area with lots of other stores. It should be an easy off and on from I95 but might be a little confusing because of the way the roads connect.

Before you get to Acadia, there's quite a lot of stores and shopping areas. My mind has gone blank as to the name of the town but you have to go through it to get onto Mt. Desert Island/Acadia.

Make sure to check Logan Airport recommendations for getting there in advance. I think it might be two hours. It's a very busy airport in the early morning so expect long TSA lines.

Hey Travelmom! Acadia is gorgeous ! The bridges are amazing. You might consider a horse drawn carriage ride.
As far as accommodations , since you mention waterfront and rustic, check out the waterside KOA. They have both cabins and airstream trailers they rent. The campground is clean and quiet and you're right, having your coffee in the morning surrounded by trees with a gorgeous waterview is priceless!

Ellsworth, just before you get to MDI, is a few miles of shopping of every type--I tend to block the memory out of my mind...
You'll find any supplies you might need somewhere there.

my husband has thrown out the idea about heading directly to Bar Harbor saturday and drive about 3-4 hours stop in a Harbor town and spend one night and continue to Bat Harbor Sunday. I looked at a few places and they all require two night stay for the weekend. Any recommendations where to stop and stay one night?

Suggestions:
Damariscotta ME because in the morning you can go to Chrissy's for breakfast. It's a sweet little town on the water but not ocean front. There's a Renys Department store which might have most of what you need for supplies. Renys is a Maine institution and you'll find one in many towns. You can go someplace for a lobster dinner, drive out to Pemaquid Point to see the lighthouse. We stayed at a VBRO cottage and don't remember a lot of motels.
Rockland which should have some place available for one night. It's a large town with busy ferry port and kind of industrial. You can have dinner at Claws which is kind of a take-out place with a covered porch on Rt 1 and if you crane your neck there is a view of the industrial part of the harbor. I recommend the chowder sampler. DH thought there were too many herbs but I thought both were great and the crab cake was delicious. He thought the lobster burger was the best. Rockport just to the north has a prettier harbor with a nice park/benches.
Tourists love Boothbay Harbor. We stayed one night in East Boothbay at a motel I couldn't recommend. East Boothbay is much quieter than Boothbay Harbor and there's a pretty drive along the coast. Easy and tasty take-out from the upscale general store. Boothbay Harbor has all the restaurants and shops you could want but not enough parking spaces. We used a parking lot within walking distance of the boat dock.
Portland ME might be the answer but we usually go for small and quiet. Many great restaurant choices and a fun Old Port area to explore. If you take the earliest mailboat cruise in the morning you'll be back in time for lunch. Be aware that South Portland hotels/motels are in the commercial inland area.

Rt 1 would be closest to ocean but is actually inland quite a bit. In Maine, you usually have to drive out a peninsula to see ocean although Rt 1 goes thru Rockland with a busy harbor and upscale Camden but a lot of Rt 1 towns are on a river or inland. For one night, I would take anything but find a good restaurant or area for a walk or drive.

Portland would be my choice. A nice little city on the water with good food choices, and a one night stop probably won't be a problem.

How late do places stay open for dinner around this area?

I second staying in Portland. You shouldn't have the two night restriction there and it is a great small city. Lot's of great restaurants which will serve until at least 9 with some taverns or bars which will serve later. The drive to Bar Harbor is not too far from there. I love Boothbay but it adds a lot to your drive time and Portland is right off the highway.

You can get some Portland recommendations if you do a search on Chowhound/Northern New England.