Family Road Trip Adventure: Acadia National Park & Beyond
This summer, my family hit the road for an epic East Coast adventure! From a 90th birthday party to camping with ocean views, lobster rolls, blueberry ice cream, exploring one of the most beautiful National Parks in the U.S., and 4th of July on the beach, this trip had it all.
Here’s a peek into our weeklong journey from Rochester, NY to Maine and back — with lots of memories made along the way!
Day 1: A Party and Pool Time in Massachusetts
Our trip kicked off with a special celebration not too far from home — my grandma’s 90th birthday party! From there, we drove to Albany where we dropped off our dogs for the week and then we were officially on our way. We made it to Marlborough, MA, our first overnight stop, and checked into the Embassy Suites. Even after a long day, the girls squeezed in a quick swim before bedtime.
If you ever find yourself needing a hotel near Marlborough, MA, I highly recommend staying at the Embassy Suites. It was perfect for our family of 5 (two queens in the bedroom and a pull out couch in the living area), breakfast is included, the pool is fun, and all the staff we encountered were very nice and accommodating.
Day 2: Destination — Maine!
Fueled by the Embassy Suites breakfast, we got back on the road toward Maine.
We made a lunch stop in York, ME at the Bagel Basket, which was perfect for a quick bite. And we even had a chance to visit the York Library because I needed to print our national park pass for the THIRD time. We realized we forgot it at home at the Embassy Suites, and they gladly printed a copy for us. But then, you guessed it… we forgot the park pass at the hotel. Luckily the York Library offered printing services for $0.20/page.
Travel tip for families with 4th graders: Your 4th grader gets the family into National Parks for free! Get your free pass here.
Around 4 PM, we arrived at our campsite at Bar Harbor Campground, and WOW — the ocean views were amazing! The girls immediately made friends with a sweet family from Michigan, and they spent the evening running around and picking wild blueberries right by our site while.
That night, we headed to Beal’s Lobster Pound in Southwest Harbor, where Mom and Dad enjoyed whole lobsters, and everyone shared the most delicious blueberry pie with homemade Udder Heaven blueberry ice cream. We ended the day with s’mores by the campfire under the stars.
Day 3: Fog, Lobsters, and Popovers
We woke up to a foggy, mystical morning — but nothing could dampen our Acadia excitement! After a leisurely breakfast at the campsite, we explored Acadia National Park, hiking up South Bubble to see the famous Bubble Rock. Despite limited views due to the fog, the kids were still pumped to complete the hike and celebrated by cartwheeling at the top.
We stopped at the Jordan Pond House hoping to grab some lunch and try the popovers, but it was so busy, we decided to head into Bar Harbor Lunch instead. We ended up at West Street Café, where Mom and Dad savored lobster rolls, and Mom sipped a refreshing blueberry lemonade.
After a little shopping, we boarded a LuLu Lobster Boat Tour — a highlight of the trip! We watched lobster traps being brought up to the boat, and then the kids got to band lobster claws and we all held a live lobster. Out at Egg Island, seals popped their curious heads up near the boat. We even spotted a lighthouse peeking through the mist as we learned about the life of lighthouse keepers.
We knew we couldn’t leave without trying the famous popovers at Jordan Pond House, so we headed back there for dinner. The popovers and the view did not disappoint! After dinner, we checked out Jordan Pond, grabbed ice cream, and the kids played soccer with our camping neighbors. We wrapped up the night telling stories around the campfire with our new friends.
Day 4: Land Bridges, Thunder Hole, and Cadillac Mountain Views
A sunny, hot day called for early adventure! Dad tackled the Beehive Trail at sunrise (brave soul), and coffee and donuts greeted the rest of us when we woke up.
We all headed to Bar Island via the sand bar at low tide — such a cool experience! There’s only about a 3-hour window around low tide to make the trek safely. I couldn’t believe how much cooler the air was when we were walking across the sand bar.
After lunch at the campsite, we enjoyed the campground pool before exploring more of Acadia. We visited Thunder Hole just before high tide (if you’re lucky, you might get splashed!), then had a picnic dinner at Sand Beach where the kids played in the waves, and Dad even braved a dip in the chilly ocean.
We wrapped up with a scenic drive up Cadillac Mountain (reservation required — book ahead!), catching the sunset before returning to camp for one last night of s’mores.
Day 5: Hot Tent Packing and Lots of Ice Cream
Thursday morning was all about breaking down the campsite — and it was hot. We cooled off with a quick swim in the pool before hitting the road to North Shore, MA.
Along the way, we stopped for brunch at Martha’s Diner in Ellsworth, where my crab benedict was perfection. We also made a stop at Martel’s Ice Cream in Scarborough, ME to meet up with a friend we hadn’t seen in quite a while. It was great to see her, meet her kids, and stretch our legs a bit. She also shared some delicious chocolate chip cookies that she makes and sells at Cafe Luna in Scarborough. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend stopping by to pick one up!
Later in the afternoon, we checked into the charming Briar Barn Inn in Rowley, MA (absolutely loved this hotel – highly recommend for families, couples, girls weekends, or even solo getaways!), then grabbed Otto’s Pizza for dinner and visited family vacationing in Gloucester, MA. In Gloucester, we enjoyed ice cream number two of the day from Long Beach Dairy Maid and also picked up a lobster roll from Surfside Subs (arguably the best one!). Fireworks dotted the sky on our drive back to the hotel.
Day 6: Fourth of July at the Beach
The 4th of July started with breakfast at Briar Barn Inn and a swim in the pool. Then we stocked up on snacks and a boogie board for a full beach day at Long Beach with family. It was a fun-filled day complete with sunshine, sand forts, wave jumping, and milkshakes.
Dinner came from Surfside Subs (more lobster rolls!), followed by fireworks on the beach. Nothing beats watching the sky light up over the ocean to end the holiday.
Day 7: Homeward Bound (and Reunited with Our Pups!)
Saturday morning, we packed up and began the drive home. After picking up the dogs and enjoying lunch in Albany, we made it back to Rochester, NY, tired but full of memories (and lobster and blueberries).
Final Thoughts & Tips for Your Own Acadia Adventure:
✅ Don’t forget your 4th grade National Park Pass — or at least remember where you put it! Grab yours here.
✅ Reserve your Cadillac Mountain drive ahead of time. The views at sunset are unforgettable.
✅ Embrace the fog — it made our lobster boat tour even more magical.
✅ Pack layers! The temps can vary drastically near the ocean.
✅ Acadia is less crowded earlier in the day and later in the afternoon/evening. Take advantage of that and try to go early or late!
✅ Maine is basically built on lobster, wild blueberries, and ice cream — lean into it!
We loved this family adventure — from National Park hikes to coastal towns, camping to charming inns, and all the delicious food in between. If Acadia is on your bucket list, start planning — it’s a trip you will never forget.
Have questions about visiting Acadia or planning a New England road trip? I’d love to help! Drop a comment below or reach out anytime.
