Boston + Maine/Acadia Recs

[tcu2003]

Hi! Anyone have recommendations for Boston and Maine (specifically Acadia area + Portland)? DH, DS (will be 11) and DD (almost 7) will be going at the end of July/beginning of August. We're flying in/out of Boston. We're driving to Maine the 1st day and staying near Acadia for 3 days, then spending one in Portland, and then 3 nights in Boston.

I know Acadia will be crowded, but we plan to get up early and get in what we can, and then can always find stuff to do outside the park. DH and I think our kids may like a boat expedition - I've seen Diver Ed's Dive-In Theater recommended, but I can't decide if DS is too old too enjoy that. We're also open to maybe doing a whale watching boat tour or puffin/seabird one? We'd also be open to a harbor cruise in Boston if anyone has any recommendations. 

We're returning the rental car when we get back to Boston, so will uber/lyft/public transportation. We're planning to see a Red Sox game one night, and the Museum of Science. We might do the Boston Children's Museum - TBD. We did the Museum of Science and Children's Museum when we were there about 5 years ago, but neither kids really remembers it. Same thing with the New England Aquarium. The Harvard Museum of Natural History looks like something that they might enjoy. We also want to do at least part of The Freedom Trail. 

We're open to food recs as well. 

[gardengal]

If you’re stay in/close to Bar Harbor, we found it really enjoyable hitting places like Thunder hole, Sand beach, etc around/after dinner. People staying further away had cleared out & it was less crowded. If the tides are right, our kids thought it was awesome walking the sand bridge out to the island. We didn’t find any sea glass but they just thought it was so cool that the connection would disappear with the tide!

Otherwise, we did many hikes, mostly found on AllTrails. The Schoodic Pen part of Acadia was so empty in comparison to mdi

[tvlmm]

We are doing a similar trip in mid-July. If you PM me right before you go, I should have a trip report for you. I can also send you my very rough-draft planning docs, if you PM me your email.

[RockNVoll]

There are so many different hikes or carriage trail bike rides you can do in Acadia that my choice would be to focus on that in the limited time you have there rather than do any boating excursions. But you know your kids best and Diver Ed's does look fun for them. Alternatively, you can do a whale watch tour in Boston; they leave from both the Aquarium area near downtown or you could take the commuter rail up to the cute seaside towns of Rockport/Gloucester area and do one from there.

When you do the Freedom Trail, you could spend some time walking through Boston Garden and Boston Commons. The Swan Boats will be running there if you want a quaint, quintessentially Boston little ride around the pond (a driver paddles from the back, you just sit on benches and enjoy). All the Museums you mention are great (well, except maybe the Aquarium which I think is so-so), but if you decide you want some outdoor options, check out SoWa Open Market and the Lawn on D.

[tvlmm]

I also highly recommend following these 2 FB pages:
www.facebook.com/groups/163999374003423/
www.facebook.com/AcadiaNPS

Very helpful!

[wildrice]

We did whale watching when we were in Bar Harbor, and honestly it was kind of forgettable. We did see some whales but they weren't jumping out of the water or anything so while it was cool, the majority of the boat trip was just spent being cold and looking at water. With unlimited time and money I would say it's fine, but if you only have 3 days in the area I'm not sure it's a must-do.

Our favorite thing there was biking the carriage trails. Depending on how your 7 year old does with bikes it might be a lot, but you don't have to do the whole thing. It was the most peaceful way to explore Acadia without having to worry about parking or crowds, though. I was there almost 4 years ago and I didn't find the crowds too horrible regardless - but I've heard it's gotten worse. We were able to drive to the top of the mountain and then just stop off at a bunch of other places to view. We also did sand beach and a couple of hikes, which were nice. If you can take a shuttle instead of driving, those things will be much more pleasant than finding a place to park.

[lulu806]

May 30, 2023 18:57:26 GMT -5 RockNVoll said:

There are so many different hikes or carriage trail bike rides you can do in Acadia that my choice would be to focus on that in the limited time you have there rather than do any boating excursions. But you know your kids best and Diver Ed's does look fun for them. Alternatively, you can do a whale watch tour in Boston; they leave from both the Aquarium area near downtown or you could take the commuter rail up to the cute seaside towns of Rockport/Gloucester area and do one from there.

When you do the Freedom Trail, you could spend some time walking through Boston Garden and Boston Commons. The Swan Boats will be running there if you want a quaint, quintessentially Boston little ride around the pond (a driver paddles from the back, you just sit on benches and enjoy). All the Museums you mention are great (well, except maybe the Aquarium which I think is so-so), but if you decide you want some outdoor options, check out SoWa Open Market and the Lawn on D.

We live close to Boston and agree that the aquarium is so-so but the swan boats are fun.  Also, while we love the Children's Museum, my kids are of similar ages and had grown out of it when we visited last summer. I would take a look at their map and see what you think for your own kids.

I highly recommend the Freedom Trail, the Boston Tea Party Museum, and walking the Greenway (lots of little spots with fountains for the kids to run in, there is also a carousel near the aquarium) with stops in Fanueil Hall to check out the shops and candy store and in the North End for dinner / dessert. We did the duck boats last year which we enjoyed but it was maybe a little long for my then 6 year old.

Have a great trip!

[jennistarr1]

Definitely following

We are planning a road trip from Baltimore to Bar Harbor with stops on way up in BOston, Portsmouth, and Portland, and on they way home Kennebunkport, Salem, and either Providence or Newport RI

my problem is I'm having sticker shock over the hotels...even basic hotels are going over 300$ a night with taxes, fees. We would be fine with staying outside our destinations a bit to save money but I'm not even finding that

[jaylea]

It sounds like you won’t have much time in Portland, so I would say to stay in the Old Port if you can, and just wander around the waterfront and shops. The kids will like the candy store on Fore St and you can get gelato or ice cream for dessert.

For dinner, my 12 year old is hooked on Crispy Gai. Flatbread is kid friendly (pizza). High Roller if you want lobster rolls.

If you have more time, Portland Head Light at Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth is quintessential Maine.

In Bar Harbor, Jordan’s and Two Cats for breakfast.
Gorham Mountain is always a good, reasonable hike. Flying Mountain on the quiet side of the island is great too.

The sandbar walk to Bar Island is fun but DO NOT miss when the tide comes in and don’t try to drive on it (yeah, people do).

[jaylea]

And Echo Lake in Acadia.

[meganew]

Hiking recs for Acadia:

Bubble Rock/Jordan Pond loop- start to the right, it's a scramble to the top (if that's something you feel comfortable with) and very rocky back down, but it's a beautiful hike. You could also just do the loop and take the easier trail to bubble rock from the back. Have lemonade and popovers at the restaurant, but skip the food.

Gorham Trail - a nice starter hike, beautiful top out

Great Head Trail - this is our favorite first hike every time we get in because it takes you through all kinds of terrain and leads out to Sand Beach halfway through

Beech Cliffs Trail - this is a tougher hike on Echo Lake, it does have some ladder sections, my DD has done it twice at age 6 and 7, but it all depends how comfortable your little one is with heights. There are changing rooms and bathrooms at the lake, so we always bring blankets and lunch and the kids go swimming after.

Not a hike, but there's also kayaking on Long Pond which is always really fun. Also, star gazing in Acadia at night is wildly beautiful- Sand Beach sometimes has park rangers that do a whole program about the constellations and stuff. Check the national park website to see if they're running it while you're there!