* * SOUTHERN MAINE * *
 

* * NEED SOUTHERN MAINE ADVICE * * <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>Author: debbie ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 8/11/2000, 4:48 pm ET <BR> <BR>Message: HELLO! Traveling to Sanford, southern Maine near New Hampshire week before Labor Day to this holiday. Be there for one week with our kids, ages 7 and 4. Would love to go back to Bar Harbor and Arcadia Natational Park but 5 hr. drive requires overnight stay and may be too late to book for holiday weekend. Suggestions? <BR> <BR> <BR>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <BR> <BR> <BR>

There is no need to shout here. someone will hear you.

The park you're referring to is ACACIA National Park.

Actually, it's Acadia. There are tons of motels along the way. Should everything in Bar Harbor be booked (chances are, this isn't the case), you could always stay in nearby Ellsworth, or even Bangor. You might want to check availability at an online booking website such as Expedia or AOL's Travelocity...

Kids ages 7 and 4 are not going to find the drive to Acadia worth it. There is plenty to do closer to Sanford. Water Country in Portsmouth NH is a wonderful water playground for all ages. Visit the Children's Museum in Portsmouth. Walk the Marginal Way along the cliffs in Oguncuitt. Vist Odiorne Point outside of Portsmouth, great marine science center and you can explore the rocks and look for sea creatures. Portland ME also has a children's museum but I haven't been to that one. The White Mountains would be closer for you to visit. There's a Guide to Hiking the White Mountains with Children which lists many short hikes (take a picnic). Or find a short harbor sail or boatride to go on. <BR>