Jen’s Guide for Fun with the Kids

The following guide includes things that I’ve done as a mother, science camp counselor, educational program coordinator, and most importantly, as a kid growing up in Acadia. Whether you're hiking the BIGGEST mountain or touching the COOLEST creature in the touch tank, I hope this list helps you create some wonderful family memories together. Enjoy!

We’ve created a Google map with all of the locations for your convenience. Click here to interact with the map.

Fresh water swimming

Ponds End at Long Pond- Grass picnic area, small swimming beach with sandy bottom, dock to swim out to, and ropes to separate the small swimming area from boat traffic. There is a boat launch nearby and a canoe/kayak rental across the street. No lifeguard. Porta Potty during the summer season.

Echo Lake- Sandy swimming beach with lifeguard in Acadia National Park. Has bathrooms and changing areas.

Lakewood- In the woods within Acadia National Park. Short walk from parking area off dirt road. Sandy beach with a gradual slope into the water, which makes it good for kids. No lifeguard or bathroom facilities.

Beaches

(Note: In the state of Maine, the word “beach” does not necessarily imply sand!)

Sand Beach- large beach of soft, “sandy” crushed shell in Acadia National Park. Cold water and can be very busy and difficult to park in July and August. Bathrooms and changing areas. Lifeguards between Memorial Day to Labor Day

Compass Harbor- wonderful 10 min hike to protected rocky and sandy beach, warmer water. No lifeguards or facilities.

Seal Harbor Beach- Town beach with sand and a playground. Shallow warmer water. Bathroom across the street. No lifeguards.

Seal Cove- pebble beach, grass picnic area. No lifeguards or facilities.

Pretty Marsh Picnic Area- nice 10 min hike down to a gazebo and very rocky shoreline in Acadia National Park.

Hikes for little legs

The Bar- walk across a sandy, rocky bar exposed at low tide to Bar Island. BE MINDFUL OF THE TIDE! People get stuck every year.

Beech Mountain Trail- 2 mile round trip, steep at times, summits at an open mountaintop with fire tower. Great blueberry picking in August.

Flying Mountain- .3 mile to summit, open views of Cranberry Islands. Continue .6 mile to Valley Cove beach for lunch and an ocean swim.

Hunters Beach Trail- .3 mile to beautiful rock beach following Hunters Brook along the way.

Ship Harbor Nature Trail- 1.2 mile loop through woods and along the ocean.

Little Long Pond- .5 mile along beautiful fields on private Rockefeller Carriage Roads. Boathouse and swimming area make a wonderful picnic spot. Continue just a bit further for fields of blueberries in August.

Great Head- Loop just east of Sand beach, up to 1.6 miles long. Breathtaking views.

The Beehive- The BEST trail for true adventurers! Iron rung ladders, cliff edges and spectacular views all along this near vertical .6 mile hike.

Climbing and Sea Kayaking

Acadia Mountain Guides offers a “Family Climb”, min age is 6, as well as a climbing camp and adventure camp.

Atlantic Climbing School offers a “Family Climb”, min age is 8.

There are several sea-kayaking outfitters on Mount Desert Island, including Maine State Sea Kayaking, Coastal Kayaking Tours, and National Park Sea Kayaking. Check to see if they offer a family trip.

Boat trips

Dive-in Theater with Diver Ed aboard the Starfish Enterprise - Eddie is the one of the funniest people I’ve ever met and is wonderful with kids. This popular nature boat trip is not to be missed!

Nature tours- many boat companies run 2-hour nature cruises around Frenchman Bay. See seals, porpoise, birds, and lighthouses.

Lulu Lobster Boat ride- haul lobster traps and get a nature tour to boot!

Acadia National Park Programs

ANP has a junior ranger program for kids complete with activity booklet and ranger led programs.

Acadia Quest is a wonderful scavenger hunt type program in the Park.

Camps

Acadia Mountain Guides offers a Youth climbing and outdoor adventure camp.

Camp Beech Cliff, located on Echo Lake, has activities such as arts and crafts, sailing, and ropes courses. A top notch summer day camp.

College Of The Atlantic has two camps both of which focus on nature awareness and environmental education. Jen taught here for several years. Family Nature Camp and Summer Field Studies (children only 9-3 daily) are both a week long.

YMCA summer camp, traditional camp activities including sports, arts and crafts, swimming, and outdoor activities. They also have specialty camps including soccer, sailing, and gymnastics.

Summer Festival of the Arts is a day camp offering classes taught by professional artists and teachers in music, dance, visual arts, creative writing, and theater. An amazing program for children!

“Oh no! It’s raining- what now?” Inside stuff and touch tanks

Dorr Museum of Natural History- wonderful touch tank, and great exhibits of many different animals.

Abbe Museum- Museum of Maine’s Indigenous Peoples.

Acadia National Park Visitor Center- great 3-D map of the Island, bookstore, and short movie about Mount Desert Island and the Park.

Sieur de Monts Nature Center- small but nice indoor nature center, located next to the Wild Gardens of Acadia.

Reel Pizza- pick a family friendly movie, order a pizza, and enjoy it from the comfort of their couches!

Libraries

Somesville Library- the most charming little library in the world, with a fantastic children’s room and a stunning view.

Southwest Harbor Library- 5 star library with award winning children’s room

Northeast Harbor Library- an outstanding and well stocked children’s room

Bar Harbor Jesup Library beautiful building with children’s room

Seal Harbor Library- super small and super cute with an amazing view. 276-5306

Shopping

Stone Soup- great toys and clothes

Sherman’s Bookstore- kids books, toys and games

Carroll Drug Store- large selection of games and toys

Naturalist Notebook- super cool science store and museum

Out of the Pod- seasonal clothing store

Evening Activities

Outdoor movies- Bar Harbor offers movies out an inflatable screen in Agamont Park from mid-July through mid-August. Find the schedule here.

Acadia National Park Ranger Programs- Acadia offers a wide variety of ranger programs, including some very interesting evening events. Both Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds offer evening programs, and there is also an evening hike, beever walk, and stars over sand beach. Check out the Ranger Calendar for schedules.

Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf- 36 holes of mini golf with lots of fun scenery and props to keep you entertained.

Take a Twilight Haunted History Tour with Red Cloak Tours and learn some fun, spooky local history.