There’s nothing quite like Acadia National Park. We could have spent the entire summer there and still wouldn’t have been able to experience every trail and every view we wanted to see. In this installment of the According to The Kids series, we’re organizing our thoughts a little differently. Let’s go!
The Views and Hikes
Every trip to Acadia brings new hikes, views, and adventures.
Sam loved the Ocean Path Trail. It’s an easy and scenic walk that hugs the coastline and gives those postcard-perfect Maine views.
For something more adventurous, Andrew’s and Dad’s favorite was the Beehive Loop. It’s a thrilling climb with rewarding views at the top. Be warned—you’ll need to climb rungs and ladders, and you really need to be close to five feet tall to conquer it.
We all loved our morning drive up to Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak in Maine and known as the first spot in the United States where you can see the sunrise. Note: you must have a reservation to drive up the mountain, and some time slots—especially sunrise—can fill quickly during peak season.
After a full day of hiking, Paige’s favorite was a round of mini golf—a simple family favorite that always ends in laughter (and a little competition).
The Towns
The most well-known and visited town on Mount Desert Island is Bar Harbor. It’s a quaint place, but even before the peak summer season, we found it to be pretty crowded. Mom loved the independent bookstore—Sherman’s in Bar Harbor, ME—located right in the heart of downtown. We also had a fabulous breakfast after our drive up Cadillac Mountain at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast. Get the pancakes—any of the five options on the menu!
We also really enjoyed our time eating lunch, shopping, and hiking in Southwest Harbor. The town itself is just one or two blocks, but we loved the food at Eat-A-Pita. It may have been one of Mom’s favorite salads of all time and one of Andrew’s favorite hamburgers. (There’s something for everyone!)
While in Southwest Harbor, we stopped into the shop Bramble and Stone. Paige and Mom found some great earrings here! We also hiked the Ship Harbor Trail, which was an easy, family-friendly trail that offered different views from the more popular Ocean Path area.
Where to Stay
Bar Harbor may be one of the best places in the U.S. to find a quaint bed-and-breakfast experience. However, we decided to stay away from the busyness of Bar Harbor—and we’re so glad we did!
Our Airbnb, Lakeside Sanctuary, was just what it sounds like: a cabin sanctuary on the lake. Our host, Kathryn, was delightful, and the kids especially loved playing with the rescue bunnies she nurtures and houses on the property.
We kayaked on the lake and roasted marshmallows for s’mores by the fire. We wish we could have stayed longer.
We Will Be Back
Maine has a way of balancing adventure with calm. Hiking, exploring, eating well, and slowing down together—that was our Maine experience. We just scratched the surface of what we wanted to see and do, but now we have a lay of the land and can dive deeper on our next trip to one of New England’s most unique states.
P.S. This is only part 1 of our Maine trip. Next in the series, we’ll highlight the Portland area!
