All you have to do is stand on the short summit of Acadia Mountain and peer down at the lobster boats anchored in Southwest Harbor to understand why so many families are drawn to Maine's Acadia National Park. Out West, the towering cliffs of Zion and the domes of Yosemite perfectly illustrate the grandeur of America's National Parks. Acadia is pint-sized in comparison and thus much more manageable, especially for kids. Short hour-long climbs like the one up Acadia are within easy reach, only serving to intensify the bond between nature and nature lover. Here, everything is on a human scale.

It's hard not to be dazzled by the variety of scenery at Acadia. The only mountains on the East Coast, vast pockets of forest, the Atlantic Ocean, even a landlocked fjord all add to the allure. You'll want to spend as much time as the kids can muster outdoors. Rent bikes and try the 43-mile network of carriage path trails, narrow hard-packed gravel paths that line the entire eastern half of Mount Desert Island. Or grab a canoe and paddle the largest body of water in the park, Long Pond. Of course, all around you are a vast network of hiking trails from the ones that skirt Jordan Pond to the Ocean Path that lines the rugged shoreline of the mid-Maine coast.

After climbing mountains and biking in the woods all day, it's nice to pamper yourselves in civilization during the late afternoon and night. The Bar Harbor Inn does its best to make guests feel like lords of the manor. Don't miss the freshly baked cookies in the main lobby in the afternoon. Then retreat to your room and that heavenly deck to watch all the boats going in and out of the harbor. In front of you is the Shore Path, a walking trail that's wonderful any time of day, with large Bald Porcupine Island looming in the background. Arguably, the best part of the Bar Harbor Inn is that you're in easy walking distance of all the restaurants and shops that line Bar Harbor.

More Information

Family Activities

Rooms

Map

Family Dining

Planning & Tips

Reviews