trip ideas for acadia NP
 

We are going to Acadia NP from July 14th to July 20th. we will be staying at an efficiency apt just a little north of bar harbor.

My six year old and me can bicycle. Wife cannot but do they have bikes where she can ride with me?

We are leaving early on July 20th and have about half the day available to us on July 14th. So the actual trip is 5 and 1/2 days.

Need help with the foll:
1.) we like nature so please suggest some good hikes. I can certainly wake up early or go late in the night to hike for the best vista views. any ideas for good hikes for all three?

2.) Just got a slr camera to click some pics. Any points that are must visit to get some awesome memories?

3.) Places to buy groceries? Dont want to go to Bar harbor if parking is a problem. Next option mite be Elsworth.

4.) any cruises or any tours that might be worthwhile paying for? If there is a good whale watching or dolphin tour( where probability to c them is high) might be on top of the list.

5.) Any restaurants that are must visit ? we are vegetarians not vegans...but no meat, no chicken, no fish absolutely. we are huge supporters of local produce, organic options and would like to try local dairy products. My kid has nut allergies. we will be cooking at home but wanted to c if there were any options for the wife and me. any specialty pizza, sandwich places would also be welcome.

6.) any drives worth going to for sunrise or sunset views?

7.) any local entertainment/play options for kids? zoo/kids park/etc

8.) is there any other place within roughly 1.5 hour driving distance from bar harbor worth going to as a day trip?

9. what should we pack for clothes? what kind of weather would it be? umbrella needed?

thanks
borivlikar.

FIrst off, you should always bring an umbrella to New England. It should be quite warm...but it can be cool in the evenings, and if you do take a boat ride it can be windy and chilly on the water. Take summer clothes, and a lightweight windbreaker, and maybe one layer of lightweight fleece or a cotton sweater. You may well not need that, but its nice to have.

For a day trip, you might take the ferry to Winter Harbor and the Schoodic Peninsula. Its another part of Acadia National Park, its quite lovely, and it is much quieter than the area around Bar Harbor.

The iconic sunrise is from the top of Cadillac Mountain. You can drive up. This is the first part of the US that the sun hits in the morning.


I really enjoyed going on one of the horse drawn wagon rides. We did the sunset ride up one of the mountains (I think it was Gorham). You can also do a tea time ride to Jordan Pond, and have popovers and tea at the end.

For photography...everywhere :) That's why I've been to Acadia 4 or 5 times. Everytime you turn around theres a good picture. If you are up for early morning shoots, we got some really pretty pictures walking the shore trail, which is right in front of the Bar Harbor Inn at dawn.

if you go to the park info center, ask the rangers about the best hikes. There are quite a few, and they can help you pick something nice, and appropriate for your little one. They will have trail maps there.

Bar Harbor Whale Watch did a great job. We did the trip that included the puffins. http://www.barharborwhales.com/default.php

Geddy's in town was loads of fun for dinner. It's good for kids, lots to look at, music playing, etc. You could ask if they can accomodate your vegetarian diet.

We loved the hike around Jordan Pond. It is beautiful when the sun is shining! We were also there when a storm was coming in -really neat to see it roll in over the pond with the Bubbles in the background.

There's a little food store in Bar Harbor with its own parking lot.

Have a wonderful time!

Bookmarking

Check out the farmers market info for Maine
http://www.getrealmaine.com/index.cf...ID/5/index.htm
It doesn't appear to be updated yet for 2012. Look under Hancock County for the Bar Harbor area.
I agree with China Cat about clothing. You might need a fleece jacket on a boat ride. Sometimes it's windy and cold on the ocean, even in July. Don't forget sunglasses, hats, and binnoculars.

I believe there's a miniature golf called Pirate's Cove that people like.

There are bicycle rental places in town...I suspect they might have a couple of tandem bikes, but not positive.

There is a grocery store on Cottage St in BH, never had a problem parking in their lot.

~Liz

This is one of at least 2 bike rental places on Cottage St. There's a tandem bike on their main page.

http://www.barharborbike.com/