Acadia National Park, Maine

The only US National Park in New England, Acadia National Park lies close to the pretty town of Bar Harbor, Maine, attracting almost 3 million visitors a year. Why not make this your next vacation destination and hunt for your perfect accommodation with FlipKey?

About Acadia National Park

This is the oldest designated National Park east of the Mississippi, and it took the name ‘Acadia’ in 1929. The park spans over 47,000 acres, most of which are located on Mount Desert Island. It’s home to more than 273 species of birds, making it a popular spot with local birdwatchers, and you’ll find the Maine state bird, the Chickadee, here.

Dining in Maine absolutely has to involve seafood of some kind, and with lobster and clams this fresh, it would be a shame to miss out! Make sure you stop off at Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, just before you cross onto Mount Desert Island. Open since the 1950s, this family-run eatery is the best place to try Maine Lobster, lobster stew and steamed clams.

While you're here, don’t miss the park’s beautiful beaches—Echo Lake Beach is the most popular, with warm water and golden sands.

What to do

From hiking and biking to horse-drawn carriage rides, there’s plenty to see and do in Acadia National Park. The park has over 120 miles of hiking trails and carriage roads, but one of the easiest and least strenuous for families is the Bar Harbor Shore Path, which starts at the town pier.

You’ll find an extensive selection of carriage roads which are closed to cars, ideal for exploring on a mountain bike. Park Loop Road runs for 20 miles and is a popular spot with cyclists, and you can rent bikes in Bar Harbor.

Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride at Wildwood Stables from May-October and stop off at the Jordan Pond House. Built in the late 1800s, you can enjoy afternoon tea and popovers on the lawn, with spectacular views.

Top travel tips

The nearest airport is Hancock County, just 10 miles from the park, with direct flights landing from Boston’s Logan Airport. Bangor International Airport is about an hour’s drive away.

The Island Explorer bus system covers most of the park, stopping at various points of interest – and it’s free. There are bike racks on the bus too if you want to bring your bike.

The weather here can get chilly in the evenings even during the summer, so wearing layers for hiking or boating is a good move.

Not just for lovers of the great outdoors, Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor are a great choice for your family vacation. With over 300 rentals to choose from, you could search for your own cozy shorefront cottage with FlipKey.