A Family Trip to Acadia National Park: 5 Days with Kids in Southwest Harbor, Maine
Acadia National Park is the kind of place that captures everyone’s imagination—parents and kids alike. Picture rocky shorelines, mountain views, hidden beaches, and the thrill of spotting a lobster trap being hauled from the sea. For our family of five (kids ages 3–9), the magic was in balancing active days exploring the park with slow, charming moments in a quieter harbor town.
We chose Southwest Harbor as our home base—a smaller, less crowded alternative to Bar Harbor. From here, we could reach Acadia’s main sights in 10–15 minutes while enjoying peaceful evenings, local restaurants, and short walks to the water.
Here’s exactly how our five days unfolded.
Day 1 – Scenic Drive & Camden Stopover
We landed in Boston and drove the scenic Route 1 to Camden, Maine (about 3.5 hours). The drive offered plenty of coastal charm, and Camden was a lovely stop for the night.
- Hotel: Lord Camden Inn—very nice, with an ice cream shop just outside, but a bit too central on Main Street for a group with five kids. Next time, we’d pick something a block back for quieter evenings.
- Activities: Wandered the harbor and green space before walking Main Street.
- Dinner: Peter Otts on the Water—great kids’ menu and relaxed atmosphere.
- Treats: River Ducks Ice Cream located right outside the hotel.
Day 2 – Echo Lake & Our Southwest Harbor Airbnb
With our Airbnb check-in not until 4:00 p.m., we spent the afternoon at Echo Lake Beach—and it was spectacular.
- Calm, sandy entry safe for all ages.
- Refreshing (but not freezing) water.
- Bathrooms and changing rooms on-site.
- Beautiful mountain backdrop.
After picking up groceries, we checked into our Airbnb at 126 Seawall Road. We took a short walk to the shoreline and Manset Dock, spotting horses at the stables across the street.
Dinner: Pizza and salads from Little Notch—10/10 from everyone.
Day 3 – Lobster Cruise & Bar Harbor
We started the morning at the dock for the Lobster Fishing & Seal Watching Cruise (10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m., arrive by 10:00).
- Grabbed coffee and food at Sunrise Café, right at the dock, before boarding.
- This cruise was perfect for our younger kids. While actual lobster fishing trips are only available for kids over 8 due to safety rules, this was a great alternative for our 3–to 9-year-olds.
- The kids saw the process, touched lobsters, and spotted seals.
- Tip: Bring layers—it’s cold on the water even in summer.
Lunch: Geddy’s Pub—12:45 reservation directly across from the harbor. Excellent food, great kids’ menu, and a seamless transition from the cruise.
Afternoon in Bar Harbor:
- Walked the Shore Path for beautiful harbor views.
- Treat stop at Mount Desert Ice Cream near the Village Green.
Day 4 – Acadia’s Park Loop Road
We began at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor) to obtain our entry pass and details for the Junior Ranger Program. From there, we drove the scenic Park Loop Road, making these stops:
- Cadillac Mountain Summit – Reservations for parking are required and sell out quickly. We booked over a month in advance, and everything before 9:30 a.m. was gone. Highly recommend making this your first stop—it was already very hot by 9:30 a.m. Our entry time was 9:30 (Pass 1, Pass 2).
- Sand Beach – Gorgeous but busy; go early if you want to stay. We skipped this time since we’d enjoyed Echo Lake the day before.
- Thunder Hole – Fun to watch the waves crash.
- Jordan Pond – Crystal-clear water framed by the twin peaks of the Bubbles, plus a scenic loop trail. The Jordan Pond House is famous for warm popovers and tea, but parking was insane. There’s an option to get popovers to go, but expect long lines.
- Otter Cliffs Beach – Our favorite stop by far.
Navigation tip: The loop is one-way in parts. If you head toward Jordan Pond from Cadillac Summit, you’ll hit a dead end and have to backtrack. Instead, go from Cadillac Summit to Sand Beach, and make Jordan Pond your last stop.
Lunch: We packed lunches and also stopped at lobster shacks along the way. Ended the day with a late lunch at Beal’s Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor—lovely setting and another chance for the kids to see lobsters and boats up close.
Day 5 – Sea Princess Cruise & Cranberry Islands
After packing up in the morning, we headed to Northeast Harbor for the Sea Princess Cruise (12:45–3:30 p.m., arrive by noon).
- Address: 26 Sea St, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662
- Food is allowed onboard (no glass bottles).
- Scenic ride through Somes Sound (often called a fjord).
- 45-minute stop at the Cranberry Islands—small shops, green space, and a lobster shack.
- Lunch tip: We were glad we brought our own lunch. The lobster shack didn’t have much for kids beyond chips, so we picnicked on the green while the kids played.
- We grabbed beers at the shack and enjoyed the view while they ran around.
That evening, we enjoyed a parents’ night out at Peter Trouts Tavern, a cozy local spot within walking distance of our Airbnb—so good and definitely a local favorite.
Extra Southwest Harbor Favorites
Coffee & Treats:
- Little Notch – Coffee & bakery (take-out only on Mon & Wed, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.)
- Milagro Coffee Bar
- Salt Shop Ice Cream
Dinner Options:
- Little Notch – Pizza, sandwiches, salads (take-out only on Mon & Wed, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.)
- The Upper Deck – Casual, outdoor terrace seating with a view
- Little Fern – Nicer dinner with kids or date night (reservations available)
Final Tips for Parents Visiting Acadia
- Book early: Cadillac Summit parking reservations sell out weeks in advance—especially early morning slots.
- Pack layers & rain gear: Weather changes quickly, and mornings on the water or summit can be chilly.
- Plan your route: The Park Loop is one-way in spots. Go from Cadillac Summit to Sand Beach, and make Jordan Pond your last stop to avoid backtracking.
- Mix your days: Alternate active exploration with slower-paced afternoons so kids (and parents) don’t burn out.
- Bring your own food on certain excursions: Especially the Sea Princess Cruise, where island food options are limited for kids.
Bottom line: Acadia offers a magical mix of mountains, sea, and small-town charm. Southwest Harbor gave us space to breathe while keeping us close to the park’s highlights. It’s the kind of trip where kids end the day sandy, happy, and exhausted—and parents end the day with a full heart and a camera roll of memories.
