Acadia boasts varied and dramatic scenery including a coastline of chiseled granite, the ocean dotted with islands, 17 mountain peaks (together constituting the highest headlands along the eastern seaboard), close to a dozen glacial lakes and ponds, and Somes Sound, the only fjord (a glacially carved, u-shaped valley bordered by steep cliffs) on the East Coast of the United States.
In shape, Mount Desert Island resembles a lobster claw. Many of Acadia's best-known attractions are on the eastern side of the "claw," which is separated from the western side by Somes Sound. The park's western half features five mountains, numerous salt marshes and nature trails, and some of the best bird-watching in New England. The remainder of Acadia National Park consists of the dazzling Schoodic Peninsula and several offshore islands, including Baker Island and remote Isle au Haut.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Acadia For Kids
Activities for Kids
* Begin your family's day at Acadia with a stop at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Children will enjoy the large diorama model of the park and the 15-minute orientation program which is a good introduction to the park's history. The program is shown every half hour.
* Pick up a copy of the free park map and a schedule of ranger-led activities. Children's books on birds, animals, plants and lighthouses are for sale here, as well.
* Kids of all ages can become Junior Rangers. First, they must complete the activities in the Junior Ranger booklet which is available for $1.50 at the visitor center. Then, they join one or two ranger-led programs or walks to receive a Junior Ranger pin.
* Visit the Nature Center, which features displays on park wildlife, guidebooks and brochures. Children can record animals they have seen in the center's logbook. The center is open daily through late September.
* Take kids on Acadia's carriage roads in an open, horse-drawn carriage. Wildwood Stables offers six tours every day. Please see Carriage Roads for more information.
* Go to the water and help kids look for eagles, ospreys, harbor seals and porpoises on ranger-led boat tours. Please see Boat Cruises for more information.
* Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain where children can see many offshore islands.
* Abbe Museum, just a short walk from the Nature Center and down a woodland path, houses Native American artifacts. Here, children can learn more about Acadia's earliest inhabitants. The museum's collection includes prehistoric pottery, bone and stone tools, porcupine-quill jewelry, trade beads, baskets, a birch-bark canoe and a large wigwam. Informal tours are offered daily. The fees are $2 per adult and $1 per child, six through 15 years of age.
* Stop for homemade ice cream at Jordan Pond House.
* Children will enjoy the crashing waves and coarse-grained sand at Sand Beach. Some may want to swim in the cold ocean waters. For those who prefer warmer waters, there is a swimming area at Echo Lake. Both areas have on-duty lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
* Take kids on a short hike. Gorham Mountain is only 525 feet high and offers ocean views. During July and August, you can pick blueberries on some of Acadia's mountains.
* Visit Schoodic Peninsula when it is almost high tide and on stormy days to marvel at the surf's sound and fury. Tide information is posted at the visitor center.
* Begin your family's day at Acadia with a stop at Hulls Cove Visitor Center. Children will enjoy the large diorama model of the park and the 15-minute orientation program which is a good introduction to the park's history. The program is shown every half hour.
* Pick up a copy of the free park map and a schedule of ranger-led activities. Children's books on birds, animals, plants and lighthouses are for sale here, as well.
* Kids of all ages can become Junior Rangers. First, they must complete the activities in the Junior Ranger booklet which is available for $1.50 at the visitor center. Then, they join one or two ranger-led programs or walks to receive a Junior Ranger pin.
* Visit the Nature Center, which features displays on park wildlife, guidebooks and brochures. Children can record animals they have seen in the center's logbook. The center is open daily through late September.
* Take kids on Acadia's carriage roads in an open, horse-drawn carriage. Wildwood Stables offers six tours every day. Please see Carriage Roads for more information.
* Go to the water and help kids look for eagles, ospreys, harbor seals and porpoises on ranger-led boat tours. Please see Boat Cruises for more information.
* Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain where children can see many offshore islands.
* Abbe Museum, just a short walk from the Nature Center and down a woodland path, houses Native American artifacts. Here, children can learn more about Acadia's earliest inhabitants. The museum's collection includes prehistoric pottery, bone and stone tools, porcupine-quill jewelry, trade beads, baskets, a birch-bark canoe and a large wigwam. Informal tours are offered daily. The fees are $2 per adult and $1 per child, six through 15 years of age.
* Stop for homemade ice cream at Jordan Pond House.
* Children will enjoy the crashing waves and coarse-grained sand at Sand Beach. Some may want to swim in the cold ocean waters. For those who prefer warmer waters, there is a swimming area at Echo Lake. Both areas have on-duty lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
* Take kids on a short hike. Gorham Mountain is only 525 feet high and offers ocean views. During July and August, you can pick blueberries on some of Acadia's mountains.
* Visit Schoodic Peninsula when it is almost high tide and on stormy days to marvel at the surf's sound and fury. Tide information is posted at the visitor center.
See a Movie: Reel Pizza
Our friends run Reel Pizza which offers movies in a rather unique environment - comfy living room seating along with food and drink. Arrive 20 minutes early and put your order in for a gourmet beer and relax with a beer. Your pizza will be ready as the previews come up and during intermission you can clear your plates and grab a second beer.
Reel Pizza Cinerama 3 Kennebec Place, Phone: +1 207 288-3811. email:reelpizza@me.acadia.net, [12]. Take your pick of comfy seating and gourmet pizzas, beer and wine, in front of one of two screens. Tickets $6.00 for adults and children. Disability accommodations.
Reel Pizza Cinerama 3 Kennebec Place, Phone: +1 207 288-3811. email:reelpizza@me.acadia.net, [12]. Take your pick of comfy seating and gourmet pizzas, beer and wine, in front of one of two screens. Tickets $6.00 for adults and children. Disability accommodations.
Cool As A Moose - Bar Harbor
The premier t-shirt shop in Bar Harbor (home to lots and lots of t-shirt shops) is Cool As A Moose. They sell their own line of moose t-shirts along with well known brands such as Life is Good, Be As You Are, Old Guys Rule and pirate shirts.
Cool As A Moose is also the only place on the island to find great FISHBOY t-shirts. At last pass they carried Mooski Brewski, Dumbass, Head Up My Bass as well as a few of Fishboy's lobster shirts like Lobster ID and Pot Party.
Cool As A Moose - World famous t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants & shorts, hats, and other items right in the heart of Bar Harbor, Maine at 118 Main Street
Cool As A Moose is also the only place on the island to find great FISHBOY t-shirts. At last pass they carried Mooski Brewski, Dumbass, Head Up My Bass as well as a few of Fishboy's lobster shirts like Lobster ID and Pot Party.
Cool As A Moose - World famous t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants & shorts, hats, and other items right in the heart of Bar Harbor, Maine at 118 Main Street
Mount Desert Oceanarium
Touch tanks, baby lobsters, hatchery, blue lobsters, nature trail and more! Great activity for the kids!
BAR HARBOR SITE
Maine Lobster Museum, Marsh Tour, Lobster Hatchery...
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Sunday mid-May to late October...
Special Group Rates Available by Reservation...
CALL 207/288-5005
SOUTHWEST HARBOR SITE
Marine Aquarium and Fisherman's Museum
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Sunday mid-May to late October
Special Group Rates Availabale by Reservation
Friday, February 2, 2007
Geddy's - Always Good
This time of year not much is open in Bar Harbor but Geddy's restaurant is always handy for locals and tourists alike. Getty's pub menu is reasonably priced especially among tourist priced restaurants in town and the menu ranges from excellent burgers to brick oven pizza, pasta dishes and even great Mexican items. And of course seafood including lobsters out of the tank. Everything is surprisingly good and the meals are consistant. I've never had a bad meal at Getty's and this Insider eats there a lot!
Geddy's is great for the whole family. Kids get special prizes and their dinners are served on a free frisbee. Can't beat it!
Geddy's is great for the whole family. Kids get special prizes and their dinners are served on a free frisbee. Can't beat it!
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