September 2025 Family Itinerary
Maine in September is absolute perfection—cool mornings, crisp coastal air, fewer crowds, and the kind of scenery that makes you stop mid-sentence just to stare. This trip to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park checked every box: adventure, incredible food, family-friendly fun, and unforgettable views. If you’re planning a New England escape, bookmark this one.Below is our week-long, family-tested itinerary, complete with hikes (from easy to intense), restaurant must-tries, and tips we wish we’d known sooner.
✈️ Arrival Day: Saturday
We flew into Bangor, Maine, which is a small, easy-to-navigate airport—perfect when traveling with kids. We grabbed our rental car through Turo, stocked up on groceries, and headed to Bar Harbor.
Dinner:
🍽 Geddy’s – Bar Harbor
➡️ Must-do and MUST make reservations!
Get the Seafood Pie—it’s legendary and our favorite meal of the entire trip. We loved it so much we went back later in the week.
🥾 Sunday: Iconic Hikes & Tides
We kicked off our Acadia adventures with a mix of adrenaline and easy exploring.
Hikes:
- Beehive Trail (Harder) – Stunning views, iron rungs, and cliffside paths. Our 8-year-old couldn’t do this one.
- Thunder Hole (Easy) – Super short walk and very accessible.
- Bar Harbor Island (Low Tide) – A unique experience! Pay close attention to tide times and wear old or waterproof shoes. Bonus: you can walk here from town—and even from our rental home.
Dinner:
🍽 Side Street Café – Casual, cozy, and absolutely delicious.
🦞 Monday: On the Water & Cadillac Mountain
Morning Activity:
🚤 LuLu Lobster Boat Tour – A fun, educational way to learn about Maine lobstering. Tip: sit up front for the best views.
Lunch:
🍽 Paddy’s Irish Pub – We were starving after the boat tour, and this was a great spot to sit outside and enjoy the harbor views.
Evening:
🌄 Sunset at Cadillac Mountain – The highest point in Acadia and famous for being the first place in the U.S. to see sunrise—and sunset. The views are unreal.
⚠️ Reservation required, so plan ahead!
🧗 Tuesday: Thrills & Town Eats
Hike:
- Precipice Trail – Very intense and not for the faint of heart. Our 8-year-old could not do this one. Expect ladders, exposure, and epic views.
Lunch:
🍽 Thirsty Whale – Casual and perfect post-hike fuel.
Dinner:
🍽 Salsa Verde – A great change-of-pace meal with fantastic flavors.
🌿 Wednesday: Scenic & Family Fun
Morning Hike:
- Jordan Pond Trail – A gorgeous loop around crystal-clear water.
⏰ Get there early—before 7:30 a.m.—or you will not find parking.
Afternoon Show:
🪓 Timber Tina’s Lumberjack Show (4:30 p.m.) – So fun, high-energy, and surprisingly educational. A total hit with the kids.
Dinner:
🦞 Bar Harbor Lobster Pound – Located on the drive back into town and hands-down our favorite restaurant. Literally everything here is fabulous.
🎣 Thursday: Fishing & Local Flavor
Morning:
The boys went on a 5-hour private fishing trip with Fish Acadia and had the time of their lives—catching over 100 fish!
Activities:
- Oli’s Trolley Tour – Insightful and full of great town history. We wished we’d done this on Day 1 for better orientation.
- The Stadium – Despite the name, this is a quaint food spot famous for treats like popovers. Maple butter over blueberry jam = perfection.
Dinner:
🐟 What the boys caught, plus sides we cooked back at the house. Freshest meal of the week!
🌊 Friday: Schoodic Peninsula Day Trip
We took a day trip to the Schoodic Peninsula, about an hour’s drive—and it was 100% worth it.
Hike:
- Anvil Trail – Straight out of a fairytale. Peaceful, scenic, and far less crowded.
Lunch:
🍽 Pickled Wrinkle – Great stop on the way back to Bar Harbor.
Dinner:
🍽 Geddy’s (Again!) – Because the Seafood Pie forever.
✈️ Saturday: Departure
With full hearts, sore legs, and way too many photos, we headed home already planning our return.
🏡 Where We Stayed
Redwood House – 1879 Historic Gem
Located on 5 waterfront acres, walking distance to town, and situated on Millionaire Row, this home was unforgettable.
- 7 bedrooms | 3.5 baths
- Perfect for two families
- Kids loved throwing the football, playing cornhole, and watching waves crash on the rocky beach
- The views alone make this stay worth it
🍽 Food Highlights
- Bar Harbor Lobster Pound – Everything is fabulous
- Geddy’s – Seafood Pie (always)
- Paddy’s – Blueberry Pie
- Ice Cream:
- MDI Ice Cream (healthier option)
- Ben & Bill’s – Yes, they have Lobster Ice Cream
🥾 Activity Highlights
Hikes
- Intense: Beehive (~1.5 miles), Precipice (~3 miles depending on route)
- Moderate: Anvil Trail (2 miles round trip)
- Easy: Jordan Pond (~3 miles), Thunder Hole, Bar Harbor Island (low tide, ~2 miles)
Fishing
🎣 Fish Acadia – 100% recommend a private fishing experience
Family Fun
- Timber Tina’s Lumberjack Show
- LuLu Lobster Boat Tour
Final Thoughts
Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable family memories. September is an ideal time to go, and with a little planning (and early mornings), this destination truly delivers.
If you’re packing for Maine—layers, hiking shoes, and stretchy pants for lobster are non-negotiable 🦞💙
