We will be driving from Boston to Bar harbor. I was looking at staying in Kennkbunkport, but maybe Portland is better. Which one is better? We are with our 1 year old son.

I am so confused...I don't know where to stay or for how long and where.

HELP

Portland and Kennebunkport are vastly different. It depends on what you want. Portland is a fairly good sized, lively city with lots of places to eat, shop and sightsee. Kennebunkport is a small, cutesy, seaside village with great beaches and some beautiful scenery.

Tina,
Are you just talking about an overnight while on the road to Bar Harbor? It really won't matter that much if you're not spending a couple days.

Portland is about a half hour further north, and you could stay right off the highway. Kennebunkport is about 15 minutes off the highway, and is a really charming town, if you have a little time to stay. Goose Rocks Beach is wonderful for families; a beautiful, crescent shaped "harbor" with wide sand bars and some sandy tide pools. But the Kennebunk Beach has lifeguards and facilities, if you prefer. Lots of restaurant choices and cute shops, too.

There is a children's museum in Portland, but a year old child probably wouldn't care about visiting! Portland also hosts the Red Sox farm team. Kennebunkport has a very simple trolley museum, historic home to tour, a nature reserve, and a monastery to walk around. It's "small town" with horse and buggy rides and New England whitewash / beadboard architecture. Portland is a city, with the good and bad that brings, and a great Old Town section. Sort of authentic crusty vs. charming.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, that does help. I think we will go to Kennebunkport for 2 days. I am not sure where to stay yet, as I am still researching.

You really ought to book something now for Kennebunkport. If you do go there, there is a small beach called Mother's Beach, just down from Kennebunk Beach. It's easy to watch kids in the water, and there's lots of playground equipment. Parking however is a nightmare. You could walk to it from the Ocean View Inn...

I am working on securing a place. However, I am not sure if we should stay in town or not. I know that you can stay on the beach too. What are the recommedations?

If you are planning on using the beach, try to stay there to avoid the parking hassles. Or at least stay at a place that has a shuttle. Other than that, downtown is prefered. What is your price range? A couple of the resorts are close to downtown, but I think have beach access. Try these:

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

http://www.thecolonyhotel.com/maine/about.html

Out by Goose Rocks Beach there is a Victorian Inn called The Tides Inn.

Here are a couple more moderately priced recommendations:

http://www.lodgeatturbatscreek.com/

http://www.rhumblinemaine.com/rates.htm

http://www.innatgooserocks.com/home.html

You would need a car if staying at these!

I am open to any price range, but I want to stay in the downtown I believe. In Bar Harbor, maybe by the beach. Not sure but open.

Not much beach in Bar Harbor...mostly rocky coastline.

www.parkentrancemotel.com

sorry...should have been parkentrance.com

It's very expensive, but the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport is one of the most wonderful places I've ever stayed. And Kennebunkport is beautiful. Even if you don't stay at the inn--if you can get a babysitter, go to their restaurant for a first-class, very romantic dinner. It's a magical place.

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The White Barn is too expensive, and when I called they said that they were not kid friendly. However, dinner for my DH and I might be good. We are traveling with my in-laws so they can watch him one night.

Just FYI, there is a small, very scenic sandy beach in Acadia BUT the water is extremely cold. We were there on a 92 degree day, and it was still too cold to go in! Kennebunkport water is cool, but usually bearable for a few minutes.

I was not planning on swimming in the ocean anyway. I think that I may stay at the Nonantum Resort. I still have mixed thoughts though.

Tina,
Why do you have "mixed thoughts?" What is it that you are looking for?

The Kennebunkport Inn has the best "in town" location. However, the interior seems a bit "run down" to me. www.kennebunkportinn.com

A couple blocks away (in different directions) you have the true bed and breakfast The Maine Stay Inn (which caters to families) and the very elegant Captain Jeffereds Inn (which is more romantic).

www.mainestayinn.com
www.captainjefferdsinn.com

There are just tons of places to stay; what is it that you are looking for? If I were choosing a place to stay with extended family and baby, I'd probably go for the Nonantum, if I could afford it. It's probably less than a mile walk to town, has a river view, pool, and the privacy and conveniences I would have liked with a wee one. You'll have a great time for a couple days in K-port, no matter which place you choose, especially if the weather cooperates. Good Luck!

Thanks, that helped a lot. I am just confused because of location. I know that the Kport Inn is in town, however, they do not have cribs, and I do not want to have to haul my pack and play.

The Nonantum is $209 per night. It seems nice. However, I have heard mixed reviews because of all the weddings, and we will be there on the weekend. I hope this won't be a problem.

It looks like a nice property, and is walking distance to town. I like the pools and think that it will be a good choice.

Some of the B& B's; which can be wonderful, are really not always appropriate with a 1 year old.

Thanks for your help.

Depends on the time of year but we just had a great deal at the Breakwater Inn (www.thebreakwaterinn.com) - only $189 B&B for a room with a view over the water...booked direct online via their site...my partner also had a massage and facial at teh spa they have...for kennebunkport we thought this was great value!