My family had a challenging season, and we were craving a getaway. We thought about a tropical location but decided to simplify things by keeping it local. After brainstorming beautiful New England spots, my husband surprised me with a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine.

To be honest, I had been craving a bit of sand, ocean, and fresh juice served in a pineapple, but, to my surprise, I got sand, ocean, fresh juices, an idyllic panorama, and unique experiences I will cherish forever. We went in early fall when the leaves were beginning to change color. I can only imagine Acadia National Park’s beauty when fall is at its peak — or when spring is blooming, or, of course, when the magic of summer is in full force.

Getting there

We left early in the morning, and our drive was approximately 5.5 hours from our home in Brookline. This included rest stops to stretch and change diapers. It’s a smooth drive, and there are many options for experiences along the way — Portland, Maine, is a great halfway point!

Where to stay in Bar Harbor

We stayed at the Harborside Hotel and Spa, mainly because we wanted the pool and view. As far as the hotel room and hospitality went, we were satisfied but not wowed. So, if you are mainly looking to explore the Bar Harbor area, there are many cute hotels and Airbnb rentals close to the center of town. However, if you are looking for a relaxing place with the option to swim in a pool with a fantastic view, I would recommend this place.

Where to eat

For meals at your hotel or Airbnb, or for snacks while hiking and walking around, there is a Hannaford Supermarket right in town as well as a small organic and natural food store called A&B Naturals. This place also makes fresh juices and smoothies to order, coffee, teas, and quick refrigerated meals — there is a microwave and a few tables to enjoy it all.

One go-to place for lunch and dessert for us was Thrive Juice and Bar Kitchen. This place was a dream find for fresh juices, protein smoothies, nourishing salads, acai bowls, and delicious cookies.

For other meals, we really enjoyed Cafe This Way. The food tasted amazing, and the place was super family friendly. The children’s menu was fantastic, and I was especially impressed with their children’s appetizer — carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, grapes, apples, and bread served in a cute muffin pan. Our girl loved it. They also provided crayons and paper to keep her entertained. I should also mention the hip atmosphere and vibe. A great find!

What to do

Sunrise

The sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain is the first visible sunrise in the U.S., and, if that is not special enough already, the view is spectacular! It is a must. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Bar Harbor center. If your little ones are early risers, this will give you something spectacular to do together. If not, I still recommend waking the family up one morning to experience it!

Sand Beach and easy hikes

Sand Beach is ranked as our number one New England beach. It’s truly breathtaking — turquoise water with yellow natural shell sand, and cliffs and greenery all around. We went there every day of our stay, sometimes to enjoy the beach and sometimes to enjoy hiking around it with its crazy, beautiful views.

Thunder Hole

This rock formation by the shore is a cute stop. When the waves come crashing in, it makes a loud thunder sound. The kids (and the adults) will definitely have a fun memory of it.

Biking

There are many bike rentals in the area. We spent the majority of one afternoon biking around Eagle Lake. Again, amazing views and, for us, it was an especially memorable experience as it was our girl’s first time riding a bike with her dad.

Bar Harbor center

Bar Harbor center is cute and quaint. There is green space to enjoy an ice cream from a local shop or for little ones to run around. There are also lots of cute little shops to visit.

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park turned out to be a great getaway. If you are looking to stay close to New England for your next road trip, this amazing spot is easily accessible from the Boston area — and I highly recommend it for families!

This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for 2024!