Thinking of going to ANP early June. Have about six full days. Want to combine the park with coastal villages. Where to start, how to get there, where to stay, how much time at each? Want some time for relaxation as well as hiking. Any ideas welcome!

Where are you coming from? Are you driving in or flying? Are you camping, renting or staying at an Inn?

I love Acadia and Bar Harbor. I think 6 days might be kind of long in that area...for me anyway.

Try these links for some ideas.

http://www.nps.gov/ACAD/index.htm

http://www.barharborinfo.com

Coming from South Carolina. Would fly to Boston first. How many days would you suggest?

You could drive up from Boston, fly into Bangor, or into the little airport in Elsworth; maybe it's in Trenton.

Six days will be just fine, especially if it's your first trip. You could also visit Camden, Moosehead lake or Baxter State park while you are here. My family thinks I do too much on vacation, so don't take my word for it.

The drive from Boston to ANP and back is an unnecessay use of your limited time - especially if you planned on being on Interstates (and Rt. 1 from Boston would take forever).

I don't know where from SC you are flying, but you can get RT's into Portland, Maine from Charleston, SC for $275 from multiple airlines. The drive from Portland to ANP is reasonable - (take scenic Rt. 1 - not the interstate) and you will have plenty of seaside villages and other stopping opportunities.

Here's 3 day or 5 day itinerary ideas:
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ure_30003.html

I would spend a night in Portland (at beginning or end) and spend 1/2 see Portland.
http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...aine/portland/

No no no. Do not take rte 1 to Bar Harbor! Rte 1 does not hug the coast as you might think, but goes through many small towns and is peppered with stop lights and traffic. Pick your destinations and get off 95 when you want to and back onto 95 to make good time heading north. Look at a map, because I think you want to get off 95 and onto 295 to cut off some of the drive. You will then pick 95 back up around Augusta.

Portland is a pretty little city and well worth visiting, but only if the cruise ships are not in port! Today there are 2 giant cruise ships in Portland and they are heading to Bar Harbor. We need the money, so we'll have to put up with the tourists!

We can't complain about the cruise ships! Without them the Old Port would have been dead yesterday!

You are right cindy! And they bus them up to Freeport keeping those stores in business too.

We recently found a much better price flying into Manchester, NH than Boston. If cost is the concern you may want to look at that option.

I am going to be at the park on October 10,2009 We have plans for a 2 hour carriage ride and or a tour with the at your service taxi company my question is since we have such a short period of time, does it make sense to tour on our own with a rented car ,or just go with the taxi service. We want to go to Southwest Harbor for lunch, so my thought was to skip the carriage ride in favor of a 2 and a half hour drive and stop around the park. Then go to Soutwest harbor and eat see the light house etc. Any thoughts. We didn't want to take a ships tour.