For years, Acadia was on our family bucket list. This summer, a canceled flight turned into the NYC to Acadia National Park road trip we didn’t know we needed. Instead of hopping on a plane, we loaded up the car and hit the highway. Destination: Acadia.

Driving from New York City to Acadia takes about eight hours. But we didn’t want to spend that long in the car in one go, so we broke up the journey—stopping in Portsmouth, NH on the way up and Portland, ME on the way back.

If you’re thinking about planning your own NYC to Acadia National Park road trip, here’s how we made it fun and flexible with kids. Plus, make sure to check out our favorite places to stay and dine at the end of this post for some helpful recommendations.

Day 1: NYC to Portsmouth, New Hampshire

After leaving NYC in the morning, we drove about 4.5 hours to Portsmouth, NH. Once we arrived, we headed out on foot to explore. Portsmouth is charming and totally walkable, with pretty streets and a rich colonial history. We followed parts of the Portsmouth Harbour Trail to soak in the atmosphere.

My daughters are both book lovers, so we happily spent time at the cozy RiverRun Bookstore, which even has an old-school typewriter you can try typing on.

Day 2: Portsmouth to Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor)

We continued to Bar Harbor, about four hours, about four hours north. On the way, we made a quick art break at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art– a small but lovely stop with ocean views and peaceful sculpture garden.

Once we reached the park, we explored Park Loop Road, stopping at highlights like Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, and Jordan Pond. We even swam at Sand Beach. The water is brisk—even in summer—but the forest-meets-ocean setting is spectacular. Even if you’re not into swimming, the views alone are worth the stop.

Day 3: Cadillac Mountain Sunrise, Ocean Path & Whale Watching

We started the day early with a sunrise drive up Cadillac Mountain. We’re not usually early risers, and yes—we were a little grumpy about it—but the views were worth every yawn. Don’t forget to reserve your vehicle pass in advance—sunrise slots fill quickly.

Next up was the Ocean Path Trail from Sand Beach to Otter Point—a gentle, scenic 4.4-mile roundtrip hike along the coast. Think sea spray, cliffs, and postcard views around every corner. We took our time, wandered to viewpoints, and fully embraced our slow-hiking energy.

A highlight was Thunder Hole. If you catch it 1–2 hours before high tide, the waves crash into a small sea cave, making a booming sound and sending water skyward. Nature’s version of a water park—and oddly thrilling.

In the afternoon, we joined a whale watching tour from Bar Harbor. A tip for the impatient among us: spotting whales can take a while, but when one appears? Totally worth it.

Day 4: Biking the Carriage Roads + Jordan Pond

We rented bikes from Acadia Bike Rentals and took the Bike Express Shuttle to Eagle Lake to begin our ride on the Carriage Roads. It was drizzling when we set off, but honestly, it felt refreshing.

Our goal was Jordan Pond. At Jordan Pond House, we skipped the sit-down wait and grabbed drinks and light lunch from the to-go window (highly recommend this shortcut).

We then walked the Jordan Pond Path—an easy 3-mile loop with much-needed shade and serene views.

A dip in the hotel pool wrapped up the day perfectly—and felt very well-earned.

Day 5: Beech Mountain Hike + Scenic Cruise

We tackled the Beech Mountain Trail—a 1.2-mile loop considered moderately challenging, though we found it manageable and beautiful. Pro tip: hike it clockwise for a gentler descent.

In the afternoon, we joined the Sea Princess Cruise—a 2.5-hour boat tour that was easily one of the highlights of the trip. We saw Bear Island Lighthouse, osprey, harbor seals, and stopped at Little Cranberry Island, a 200-year-old lobster fishing village. The cruise ends by gliding through Somes Sound Fjord, where dramatic cliffs rise straight from the water. Our guide was fantastic—engaging and knowledgeable.

Day 6: Kayaking + Drive to Portland

Before leaving Bar Harbor, we squeezed in one last adventure: a 2.5-hour kayaking tour. Options abound depending on your time and interest:

• Acadia Fun Tours: 2.5–4 hour trips, including a sunset paddle
• Maine State Kayak: Great guides and a more wildlife-focused experience

Later that day, we drove to Portland, ME for the final leg of our road trip.

Day 7: Exploring Portland

We spent our last full day exploring Portland’s Old Port District, with its cobblestone streets, brick buildings, boutiques, and bustling waterfront.

Some favorite stops:

• Portland Museum of Art
• Munjoy Hill – a great walk with views and coffee
• Portland Head Light – Maine’s oldest lighthouse

Day 8: Drive Back to NYC

After a final walk along the Portland waterfront, we packed up and headed home—tired, happy, and grateful for our NYC to Acadia National Park road trip, which gave us a mix of nature, small towns, and family time that turned out to be exactly what we needed.

Where We Stayed on Our Trip

Each of these spots was well located, family-friendly, and made for a comfortable stay:

Portsmouth, NH
AC Hotel Portsmouth Downtown/Waterfront – Modern, spotless, and within easy walking distance of everything downtown.

Bar Harbor, ME
Best Western Acadia Park Inn – Basic but solid. Just a few minutes from the park entrance, with well-kept grounds—great if you plan to spend most of your time out exploring.

Portland, ME
AC Hotel Portland Downtown/Waterfront – Excellent location, beautiful interiors, and thoughtful touches throughout.

Where to Eat & Drink (Coffee)

Here are a few standout food and coffee stops—some planned, others happy discoveries:

Portsmouth, NH

• Green Elephant Restaurant – Delicious vegetarian food, recommended by the bookstore staff. A hit with everyone at the table.

Bar Harbor, ME

Portland, ME

• The Honey Paw – Inventive, Asian-inspired dishes

• The Holy Donut – Popular, for good reason

• Flatbread Company – Waterfront pizza spot with killer flatbreads and harbor views

• Bard Coffee – Cozy and consistently good coffee

• Bom Dia Café – A Portuguese-inspired gem with pastries and charm

Looking for more family travel ideas? Check out our 10-Day Family Itinerary from Rome to the Amalfi Coast or our favorite Top 5 Things to Do in London with Teenagers. If you’re ready to start planning your next family getaway, feel free to get in touch with me here or sign-up for our newsletter.