10 Great Reasons to Choose Acadia for Your Next Family Vacation

If you are in search of an ideal family vacation spot, Acadia
National Park is definitely worth considering.

This little gem of a park is located on the rugged east coast of
Maine. The 47,000 acres that comprise it are diverse, ranging
from rocky-topped mountain domes, to thick pine forests, to ocean
shoreline, to creeks, lakes, and ponds. Acadia is mostly
contained on Mt. Desert Island, but it does extend to the nearby
Schoodic Peninsula and even Isle au Haut out in Frenchman’s Bay.

More than 2 million people visit Acadia each year, but you’ll
find most of them visit during July, August, and September. Pick
a different month for your vacation and the park may almost be
deserted. At any rate, even during the busy months, it is easy to
get away from the crowds if you try.

Here are 10 great reasons why Acadia is such a great choice for
your next family vacation…

1. It is America’s first national park east of the Mississippi.
That means it is rich in history and heritage. Take time to learn
about the history in one of the visitor centers with your
children. They have books, movies, and displays. Or, rent the
audiotape auto tour… it provides a wonderful introduction to
the park.

2. There are hiking trails to meet every level of outdoor
enthusiast. If you are looking for thrills and chills, try the
Precipice, West Face Cadillac/Jordan Cliffs, or Beehive Trails,
which come complete with iron rungs, ladders, and sheer drop
offs. If you want to experience varied terrain, including rolling
creek side walking, tramping on boardwalks through marshland, and
exploring tidal pools at the ocean’s edge, then you and your
family might enjoy the Jordan Creek Trail. Is a leisurely stroll
more your style? Then, take advantage of the nicely-groomed
carriage roads that you’ll find in every corner of the park or
even the mostly flat Jordan Pond Trail.

3. You can try water sports. Rent a canoe on Long Pond on the
western side of the island. Or join a sea kayaking group in
Frenchman’s Bay out of Bar Harbor. Or just play in the crystal
clear waters of one of the many ponds or creeks. You can even
spend a day at the beach…Sand Beach. The waters are always
cold, but the kids will love it.

4. Leave your car in the hotel or campground parking lot. Acadia
has a terrific shuttle system. You can get off most anywhere in
the park and re-board when you’re ready. Save on gas and the
aggravation of driving too.

5. Enjoy some local culture. If you happen to need a break from
the great outdoors, head into Bar Harbor. You’ll find lots of
funky little shops, some great restaurants, and even a movie
theater or two. If you’re there for the 4th of July, take part in
the annual pancake breakfast, town parade, lobster bake, and
fantastic fireworks. They come highly recommended.

6. Take a bike ride. Bring your own or you can rent them from one
of several shops in Bar Harbor. Then head on over to the park and
hit one of the carriage roads. A word of warning… they are all
at least a bit hilly, so if you have small children or out of
shape family members, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Stick to a short ride around a single lake. Eagle Lake is a great
solution.

7. If you have teens, try rock climbing. A couple of outfits in
town will fit you with the right gear and then take you out to
Otter Cliffs (on the ocean) or Bubble Rock and teach you rock
climbing skills and techniques. Great fun!

8. Although when you’re hiking the trails of Acadia, you may feel
as though you’re far from civilization, in reality, you’re no
more than an hour or two from Bangor, the nearest “big” city. And
right outside the park boundaries is the town of Ellsworth, which
has a movie theater and small mall, not to mention the local
Wal-Mart if you need to restock your camping supplies.

9. Acadia has accommodations for every kind of family. There are
many fine campgrounds on the island, including Bar Harbor
Campground, where you can choose your own campsite, be it ocean
view or in the woods. You can also camp right in the park, as
long as you’re comfortable with very few amenities. If you want
something a bit less rustic, then one of the many cabin and
cottage places may be more to your liking. But Acadia’s
surrounding towns offer a host of bed and breakfasts, motels, and
hotels to suit nearly every budget and preference.

10. There is something for everyone in Acadia, no matter what age
or ability. Outdoor activities abound, of course, but there are
also opportunities to soak in Maine’s rich history and modern-day
culture. Kids might like to spend an evening at Pirate’s Cove, a
popular miniature golf venue. Hiking, walking, biking, boating,
exploring… Acadia has it all!

So, for your next family vacation, you can’t go wrong if you
spend it in Acadia National Park.

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