Maine,
USA

The big drive. Allow 8–9 hours with stops. Break it up for the kids — plan two solid rest stops. Hit the road early while they're still drowsy.

Drop bags, let the kids explore the room. Don't plan anything ambitious — everyone needs to shake off the car. A short walk around the neighbourhood, then an easy dinner.

Right on the waterfront with outdoor picnic tables — perfect for restless kids. Lobster rolls, steamers, fried clams. Kids can watch the boats while you eat. Casual, no reservations, exactly right after a long drive.

Maine potato donuts — the texture is unlike anything else. Made fresh daily, flavours rotate. The 6-year-old will lose their mind. Get there early — popular flavours sell out. Cash and card accepted.

Cobblestone streets, brick buildings, working waterfront. Walk at kid-pace — let them peek into shops, watch fishing boats, find painted rocks. The 3-year-old will want to be carried eventually. Bring the stroller.

The mail boat delivers mail to the islands — and you can ride along. A ~3-hour loop through Casco Bay touching six islands. But with small kids, the shorter Bailey Island Cruise (~1.5 hrs) or even just the quick Peaks Island ferry (20 min each way, ~1 hour on the island) is better. Peaks has a small beach, ice cream, and golf carts — ideal for little legs.

Keep it easy with the kids:

Back to the hotel. The 3-year-old needs this and so do you. Non-negotiable. Let the 6-year-old do quiet time with a tablet or colouring. Recharge for the evening.

Wide grassy trail along the waterfront — perfect for the kids to run free. Views of Casco Bay and the islands. There's a small East End Beach at the bottom for wading (cold water, but the kids won't care). The narrow-gauge railroad runs scenic rides along the shore if it's operating.

Handmade small-batch ice cream — some of the best in New England. Flavours change daily. The kids will be vibrating. Bedtime immediately after.

Maine's most iconic lighthouse — and the park surrounding it is incredible for kids. Wide open fields, rocky shore to explore, a small museum, and easy walking paths. The 6-year-old can scramble on the rocks (supervised). The 3-year-old will find sticks. Free parking, free entry to the park. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

One of the best sandy beaches near Portland — gentle waves, lifeguards on duty in summer. Cold water (this is Maine) but the kids won't care. Bring sand toys, towels, sunscreen. Parking fills early on sunny days — arrive before 11. Small entry fee per car.

Pack a cooler with sandwiches, fruit, and juice boxes — or grab takeout from Ken's Place in Scarborough (fried clams, lobster rolls, fries). Eat on the beach or at the picnic tables. Keep it simple.

Sun and sand will knock the kids out. Head back to the hotel for naps. The 6-year-old gets screen time. Everyone recharges.

Tiny lighthouse, big open grass field, views back to Portland skyline. Perfect for the kids to run while you sit and watch the boats. The breakwater walk is doable with a 6-year-old — probably too long for the 3-year-old. Great sunset spot.

Grab a quick breakfast at the hotel or pick up pastries from Standard Baking Co. (75 Commercial St) for the road. The drive to Bar Harbor is ~3.5 hours direct, but you're going to make stops. Budget the full morning and early afternoon.

One of the prettiest harbour towns on the coast. Let the kids stretch their legs along the waterfront. Good ice cream, a small park by the harbour, and the famous windjammer schooners. 30–45 min stop.

Check in, unpack, settle the kids. Bar Harbor is tiny and walkable — the main strip is one street. Let the kids run around the village green while you get your bearings.

At low tide, a natural gravel bar connects Bar Harbor to Bar Island — you can walk across. The 6-year-old will think this is magic. The path is about 0.4 miles. Check tide tables and return 1.5 hours before high tide — the path floods and people do get stranded. Carry the 3-year-old on the way back if needed.

Acadia requires a timed entry vehicle reservation for Cadillac Mountain and the Park Loop Road during peak season (June–October). Book these well in advance — they sell out weeks ahead. You'll also need to purchase a park pass ($35/vehicle for 7 days).

The famous popovers with butter and jam on the lawn overlooking Jordan Pond. This is the quintessential Acadia experience. Go early — the restaurant gets a line by 10 AM. Kids love popovers. The view of the Bubbles across the pond is postcard-perfect.

The full loop is 3.3 miles — doable with a 6-year-old but long for the 3-year-old. The flat east side (about 1 mile out and back) is stroller-friendly on boardwalks and perfect for little legs. Turn around whenever the kids flag. Gorgeous mountain reflections in the pond.

Drive the famous Park Loop Road. Key kid-friendly stops along the way:

Pack a cooler — there are no food options inside the park beyond Jordan Pond House. Sandwiches, fruit, chips, juice. Eat at one of the pullover areas or at Sand Beach. Pro tip: grab supplies the night before from Hannaford in Bar Harbor.

If the kids are still going: Bubble Rock — a short hike (0.8 mi round trip) to see the famous glacial boulder balanced on a cliff. The 6-year-old can do it. If they're done: head back to Bar Harbor for naps, ice cream, and pool time.

The highest point on the eastern US seaboard north of Brazil. You can drive to the top. The summit loop trail is 0.3 miles — short enough for the 3-year-old with help. 360° views of the Atlantic, islands, and coast. Go early to beat the crowds and heat. Timed reservation required — book well ahead.

Two short, flat trails on the quieter side of the island that end at the ocean. At low tide, the tide pools are incredible — sea stars, crabs, anemones, periwinkles. The 6-year-old will be a marine biologist for the day. The 3-year-old will find a puddle and stay in it. Ship Harbor is 1.3 miles round trip; Wonderland is 1.4 miles. Both stroller-accessible on the trail portion (not the rocks).

Head back to Bar Harbor. Nap for the 3-year-old. Pool time, ice cream walk, or just sit and do nothing. The kids have earned it. You've earned it more.

Sleep in. Breakfast at the hotel or walk to town. Browse the shops on Cottage Street — there's a toy store, a candy shop, and a bookshop. Let the 6-year-old pick a souvenir. Let the 3-year-old pick a rock.

Small, manageable zoo with native Maine animals — moose, bear, deer, porcupines — plus a petting area and aquarium touch tanks. Perfect scale for a 3-year-old and 6-year-old. About 1.5 hours is plenty. 10 minutes from Bar Harbor.

~2.5–3 hour catamaran trip into the Gulf of Maine. Humpback, finback, and minke whales are common in August. The catamaran is more stable and better for kids than smaller boats. Bring layers — it's cold on the water even in August. Dramamine for anyone prone to motion sickness. The 6-year-old will remember this forever. The 3-year-old may nap on the boat.

Post-whale-watch recovery. Snacks, pool, quiet time. Everyone will be tired from the sea air.

Giant scoops, classic flavours, the kids covered in chocolate. The last sweet moment before the drive home.

Bar Harbor to Baltimore is ~9–10 hours with stops. Leave early while the kids are still drowsy — they might sleep the first two hours. Load the car the night before. Grab hotel breakfast or pack granola bars and go.

Find a rest area or casual restaurant around the Portsmouth, NH or Newburyport, MA area. Let the kids run for 30 minutes. Refuel (the car and the children). Budget 45 min–1 hour.

Pull into the driveway. Unload the essentials. Leave the rest for tomorrow. Order takeout. Put the kids to bed. You did it.