Hey, we are traveling to Maine for the first time the end of July. We have accomodations for Portland, 2 nights, Bar Harbor, 4 nights, and Rockland, 2 nights. Any suggestions for kid friendly food/restaurants and any sight seeing we must do? We are up for whale/puffin cruises, sea kayaking, Acadia. Need vision for Portland. Any help would be great!

While in Portland, you'll have to have ice cream from Beal's in the Old Port area. For lunch, it's fun to go to the Lobster Shack in nearby Cape Elizabeth. They have burgers as well as seafood and you can eat on picnic tables right by the boulders and watch the seagulls and crashing waves. You can also see two lighthouses and the kids love climbing on the rocks -- a real Maine experience.

In Bar Harbor there's a restaurant called Route 66 (I think) that, while the food is good, but not special, will keep the kids entertained with all the decor on the walls. Go to barharborinfo.com for lots of other suggestions and for information on all your vacation needs while you're there.

Island Chowder House in Bar Harbor.
also The Log Cabin, and Freddies Route 66.

Rockland Cafe

In Portland there's a sandwich chain called Amato's with good local fare, and "GOvernors" in South Portland at the Best Western is family friendly.
From Portland you might take a day at the beach, since Bar Harbor and Rockland are more rocky-coast than beach-fun.

Crescent Beach in Cape Elizabeth is a good choice, or head down to Pine Point or Higgins Beach. If the kids are in the 11 to 15 range, Old Orchard Beach is a frenetic coney-island style amusement park area they'd probably enjoy.

From Portland also, a drive out to Sebago Lake to rent a boat or canoes would be a pleasant day.

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions!! The kids will have a great time and that means the parents will, too!!!

We just spent a weekend in Portland with our 2 daughters ages 6 and 9. We went on a lobstering cruise on the Lucky Catch ($60 for the 4 of us). My girls loved it. They pulled up the traps, baited the traps, learn about sealife that came up with the traps - even put the elastics on the claws. Only 6 people on the boat so they really had a great chance to do and see alot.

We also went to a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game. The Sea Dogs are a Double A affliate of the Florida Marlins. The tickets were $6 each and the entertainment value was far greater. Between innings the management does a lot of crazy promotional stuff - like the Lobster Lob where 2 fans tried to catch rubber lobsters in a lobster trap ;racing the team mascot Slugger around the bases; prizes for fans if a player hits a home run. Hoky as can be but great fun. My girls loved every minute of it. My baseball crazy husband was impressed with the quality of play.

We stayed at the Doubletree out by the airport and near the ballpark. Only a few minutes away from Old Port. We had a good rate ($89) but the service was lacking to borderline rude and the pool could have used some maintainence. For one night it was okay but wouldn't tolerate it for much more.

Hey, just wanted to say we had a great trip with the our children ages 8, and 12. We were able to take advantage of a lot of your suggestions. Best lobster roll--Lobster Shack at twin lights park-Cape Elizabeth. The Rocland Cafe was inexpensive and delicious and Freddies Rte 66 was fun and also picture worthy. Other recommendations are the Bar Harbor Motel--very clean with a walk out trail to Acadia--my kids picked wild blueberries as we hiked. Eat at Kristina's for dessert in Bath, Mom's on Maine in Rockland, the Waterfront in Camden--great views, beautiful town. Jordan's Pond Restaurant--the popovers really are "all that". Hike from Sand Beach to Otter Cliff Point. Hike the summit of Cacillac Mt. from Bubble Pond. Kayak at Long Pond--Southwest Harbor--where Beals Lobster Pound rules!
Great time and a great experience, and we tried not to be to annoying!! Thanks again

Always good to hear back from people after their trips. Thanks.