The Ultimate 10-Day Maine Coast Road Trip Itinerary for Families

Ah, Maine. You will forever have my heart with your hauntingly mesmorizing beauty, bountiful seafood, and affable, stripped-of-nonsense inhabitants. Quite frankly, I didn’t want to bury the lede with this one. Our trip to Maine was, quite possibly, one that will forever live inside my heart for reasons I can both name and also just understand as a feeling.

We are last minute vacation people. Both my husband and I are very much “type b” people and fly by the seat of our pants for most everything in life. Vacations? We often plan them a week out and usually avoid a set itinerary. We have a loose idea of what we want to see in any given location, but we also like to see where the day takes us. Some of our most fun times on vacations are the ones we didn’t necessarily plan in advance. That being said, going to Maine with a family for 10 days does take a bit of pre-planning. While finding a last minute roadside B&B at the end of a long day may work when it’s just my husband and me, I had to be a bit more thoughtful with our 10-year old in tow.

I spent a bit of time researching the different coastal towns in Maine to figure out exactly where we wanted to be. We had vacationed in Bar Harbor when I was first pregnant, and we knew we wanted to get back to Acadia National Park. Other than that, everything else was fair game. We would be flying into Boston (it was much cheaper than flying into Portland, ME) and wanted to start up at Bar Harbor and work out way down the coast. I liked the idea of getting to know the state and and the coastline from the view of a car window before we dove head first into getting out and experiencing it first-hand.

We had a total of 9 nights and we ended up with this itinerary:

Ongonquit (1 night)
Bar Harbor (3 Nights)
Camden (2 Nights)
Kennebunkport (3 Nights)

I will deep dive into what we did each day (where we stayed, what we ate, activities and tours) but for now, here is the overall itinerary:

Day 1: Landed at Logan International. Drove 1.5 hours to Ongunquit to sleep for the night.
Day 2: Ongunquit to Bar Harbor
Day 3: Bar Harbor
Day 4: Bar Harbor
Day 5: Bar Harbor to Camden
Day 6: Camden
Day 7: Camden to Kennebunkport
Day 8: Kennebunkport
Day 9: Kennebunkport
Day 10: Kennebunkport to Salem, MA to Logan International Airport

Day 1: Boston to Ongunquit

We likely would have flown into Portland, ME, but we normally fly Delta and the price to fly into Boston was half the cost of flying into Portland so we were willing to suck it up and drive a bit more. We rented a car from Avis. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for a different car if you don’t like the one they have assigned to you. They gave us a car that was not of the same class that we paid for and we wanted something a bit roomier knowing the car would become our second home-away-from-home. They put us in a small SUV for no additional costs. So remember friends, do not be afraid to ask for something you want! You’ll be surprised with what you get!

We stopped around 11p and stayed at the Mariner Resort in Ongunquit. It was about 1.5 hour ride and after a day of travel, we just wanted to crash. For what we needed (a comfortable bed and shower), it was perfect for the price. It definately has that motel-vibe but it was very clean with an easy check-in/check-out process. If I was staying longer in Ongunquit, I have Anchorage By The Sea and Cliff House Maine bookmarked should we ever chose to return. Both were recommended to me by a friend who travels there often.

Leaving DTW and the Mariner Resort Hotel

Day 2: Ogunquit to Bar Harbor

We were up and on the road by 8am as we wanted to make a few stops along the way and take our time in order to see as much as possible on the road to Bar Harbor. We knew we were going to see much of the coast as we made our way back down, so we took the fastest possible straight shot. First (unplanned) stop? Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME. I had a friend who went there, so we made a quick pit stop to check out the campus. Lovely!

Back on the road and we set the GPS for Wiscasset. I read it was rated the “prettiest Maine town”. We stopped off to first see Castle Tucker, a historic mansion once owned by a prosperous shipping family. It was super interesting to see how wealthy Mainers lived in the 1800s, albeit perhaps a bit too long of a tour for children (skip if you are traveling with any kid who is not an intense history buff). Unfortunately, we were there on a soggy day, which put a damper on exploring the town of Wiscasset as we didn’t have umbrellas. We did stop by and see the famous Red’s Eats, a very popular roadside lobster shack, of which my family did not have the inclination to wait in the long line. Next time! We also popped into a quirky antiques shop with an even more interesting shop keeperwhi was located near “Shin Bone Alley” and we had a few laughs about how that street must have gotten its name. I’m not sure if I agree with the “prettiest town in Maine” moniker, but it was a worthwhile stop, nonetheless.

Castle Tucker, Red’s Eats, Trifles Antique Shop and Shin Bone Alley: Wisscaset, Maine

Our stomachs were growling since we passed on the line at Red’s Eats, and we chanced upon the cutest town to stop for lunch, Damariscotta. Known for their oysters (oysters are not my thing), this town felt like the first bit of true Maine charm. Easily accessible from Route One, I only wish we had more time to bum around. We had lunch at the King Eider’s Pub, a definite must, and perused a few of the local shops and boutiques. By this point, we were all getting antsy to get to our final destination, so we didn’t hang around for as long as we might have otherwise.

From there, we made the rest of the drive to Bar Harbor (a little over 2 hours) and settled into our new digs for the next three nights. After extensive research (and much deliberation) we splurged a bit and stayed at The Salt Cottages. When we visited Bar Harbor a decade ago, we stayed in town at the Bar Harbor Inn. It was great and I’d highly recommend it, but we wanted to be closer to Acadia National Park as we planned to spend the majority of our time in the park.

The Salt Cottages: Bar Harbor, Maine (Hotel Room)

The Salt Cottages did not disappoint! 5 out of 5 stars and we would 100% stay there again. My tween said it was the “coolest”. It’s located near the Hulls Cove entrance to Acadia National Park and this little resort has a mix of waterfront cottages and hotel rooms with an incredibly impressive views of Frenchman Bay. It has a retro coastal vibe yet is full of super luxe details (the beds are are super comfy and I’m picky about beds). We stayed in not one, but two different rooms. We originally wanted the one-bedroom cottage which features a pull out couch, but sadly they were sold out when I went to book. We started out in a hotel room with two queens and when someone checked out of a one-bedroom cottage, the awesome front desk staff got us into it. Great things about The Salt Cottages? They have a glass of prosecco waiting for you upon check-in, nightly s’mores, lawn games, a little snack bar, pool and plentiful outdoor seating. We highly recommend staying here, especially if you’re traveling as a family. (Pro Tip: If you want to be closest to the water views, book one of the hotel rooms! They are cheaper and they have the best unobstructed views of anything else on the property.)

Day 3: Bar Harbor

We got an early start to the day after having breakfast at The Salt Cottages. Given the fact we were at the park in early June, we didn’t have to fight insane crowds but I am reading this is a park that is becoming increasingly busier so if you can avoid it during the peak summer months, you may enjoy it a bit more. We started off with two easy hikes, the Ocean Path and the Ship Harbor Trail. Both super relaxed hikes but just know that means they will be a bit more crowded due to the ease of the trail. We let our son pick our next hike and he went with Gorham Mountain Trail. Okay, so this is listed as a “moderate” trail but I did NOT find it to be moderate, lol. It’s definitely a rocky climb up but the views once you get up there make it 100% worth it.

Acadia National Park

We then drove the Park Loop Road (27 mile drive) over to Jordan Pond. Be sure to stop at Thunder Hole along the way. Kids love this one! If you’ve never been to Jordan Pond, you may want to secure a reservation at Jordan Pond House. This is a restaurant is famous for its popovers and after you eat, you can take a beautiful easy hike around the pond. Not to be missed!

We decided to take the Jordan Pond hike and then head into town for a bite to eat. We weren’t picky about where we stopped to eat because we were famished. Luckily, we chose well! Galyn’s has been around since 1986, and I tend to gravitate towards places that have weathered the storms and been around awhile. Delicious food all-around, and I highly recommend eating out on their little patio/balcony for great views of the bay. We shopped around town for a bit and decided the pool was calling. Much to our surprise, when we got back, we found out we were able to switch from our hotel room to one of the stand-alone cottages. (Shout out to Miles for making that happen for us!) We lounged by the pool, soaked our feet, and enjoyed some damn good blueberry beer.

The Salt Cottages

We then explored Fisherman Bay at low tide, unearthing little shells and pretty rocks. The Salt Cottages is within walking distance of a fantastic laid-back restaurant, The Chart Room. I tried muscles for the first time (amazing), my husband had his first boiled lobster of the trip and our son had fun walking up and down the pier while waiting for dinner. The view was spectacular in a really chill setting – 100% our cup of tea.

The Salt Cottages, Low Tide, The Chart Room

Day 4: Bar Harbor

We had a leisurely morning, as the one thing I did plan was a nature boat cruise with Bass Harbor Island Cruises. It was a gamble because you book these cruises in advance in order to ensure your seat, but you never know if the weather will comply. We got lucky and it was a crisp but sunny day. Unfortunately, this is the day our son started to feel unwell. He spent most of the tour cuddled up and sleeping but we really enjoyed it. Bass Harbor Island Cruises is the way to go. There are a lot of larger/more commercial operations but this was started by a family in the early 90s and is currently run by the 3rd generation. The husband and wife team were incredibly informative and we were able to see Cormorants (these crazy birds that dive bomb to incredible depths), seals, puffins and witnessed the process of pulling up a live lobster trap.

Bass Harbor Island Nature Cruise

We planned to do another hike at Acadia after our nature tour and stop for lunch at Thurston’s Lobster Pound, but unfortunately, with our son not feeling well, we spent a little time back in town and went back to The Salt Cottages to rest, relax and decompress and enjoy our last night in our new favorite place.

Day 5: Bar Harbor to Camden

We were bummed to leave Bar Harbor but excited for what Camden had in store! The morning was another rainy one, which always makes it easier to head out on the next leg of a road trip in order to seek new adventures. We had an early morning reservation to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. Given the weather, we white-knuckled it up there but were engulged in fog and couldn’t see a thing. I just could not leve without seeing SOMETHING pretty so we swung by Jordan Pond one last time. We did a quick (and muddy) hike and decided it was time to seek greener pastures.

Cadillac Mountain & Jordan Pond

On our way to Camden, we finally got our fix of a lobster pound and had delicious lobster rolls at Young’s Lobster Pound and got the obligatory souvenir t-shirt…check, check!

We wanted to try a B&B while in Camden for a bit of a different experience. We found one that would provide a cot so all three of us could fit into one room – The Blackberry Inn. The innkeepers were so lovely and kind, the room was clean and the breakfasts were delicious. If you’re looking for something other than your standard hotel, B&B’s really are a great way to go.

Raining again, our B&B was within walking distance from town, so we grabbed their complimentary umbrellas and set out for town. We walked around the charming historic town, admired all the beautiful boats in the harbor and grabbed an early dinner at Sea Dog Brewing Company. We also walked to the other side of the habor and had a delicious cocktail at 40Paper Bistro and Bar. We went back for a restful night at the Inn knowing we had a full day the next day with much better weather on the horizon.

Young’s Lobster Pound & Camden

Day 6: Camden, Rockland & Owls Head

We had a wonderful breakfast at our B&B outside on their patio and were so happy to see the sun again. We decided on a day of exploring some of the towns surrounding Camden. We wanted to make the most of our time and see as much as possible. Some families like some downtime and rest, but we are more of the pack-it-all-in mentality. We headed to Rockland, a super cool artisan community known as the “Gateway to the Penobscot Bay”. This is a very active fishing port so what it lacks for in harbor charm, it makes up for in interesting art and really good restaurants. Had I planned it better, I really wish we had eaten at In Good Company. We spent some time perusing the local shops and galleries. Be sure to stop into the Farnsworth Art Museum to see some of the Wyeth Family works. We also spent a good amount of time in the lighthouse museum which was actually more interesting than I had anticipated.

It was at the museum that we got the idea to visit the Owls Head Lighthouse and I am so glad we did. Absolutely gorgeous setting! We didn’t have much of a plan after that and ended up driving around to small coastal towns in the area to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. We took the day slowly, observed out the car window and just enjoyed an afternoon of exploring a part of the country we may never see again.

We had reservations for a sunset sail with Maine Schooners and headed back to Camden in the late afternoon. If you can fit a schooner trip into your itinerary, it’s a must. Gorgeous to be our in the Camden Bay, they let our son help raise the sails and even drive the boat! You can bring your own snacks and beverages on the boat, so we stopped at the local grocery store before we departed to grab a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers. The two-man crew was super knowledgeable and provided a super laid-back evening for everyone on board (I believe there were 15 of us). It really sits in my memory as a beautiful part of our vacation.

After the sail we went back to Salty Dog (ok, ok, we were at the mercy of a picky 10-year old) for a couple of appetizers and walked back to the B&B to call it a night.

Day 7: Camden to Kennebunkport

We were good with the amount of time we had in and around Camden. I don’t think I’d extend it to more than two days unless we were making it a home base for a week-long vacation in a rental home. One last breakfast at our B&B and we mapped out our route to Kennebunkport. We knew we wanted to see as much as we could along the way and luckily I’ve got a friend who has been summering in Maine at their family home her entire life. She gave us a good list of a few things to see along the way: New Harbor and eat at the Pemaquid Lobster Co-Op and visit Pemaquid beach, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, and Round Pond and stop by visit the Granite Hall Store. We didn’t get to New Harbor but we saw the Lighthouse and absolutely lvoed the Granite Hall Store. Such a cool, creaky, old-timey store with LOTS of fun Maine treasures in it. We definitely took our time getting to Kennebunkport stopping wherever the moment urged us to along the way.

Once we finally got to Kennebunkport, we checked into our final accommodations at The Lodge at the Cove. By the time I went to book accommodations, a lot of the hotels were unavailable (perils of last-minute travel), but this was a lovely little place and suited our needs perfectly. It’s very much geared toward families with a pool, poolside bar and snacks, nightly s’mores and movie nights, and lots of board and table games. The rooms were spacious and clean and even had a little seating area outside of each room. We immediately hit the pool for a bit and then walked up to what was, by far, the best dinner we had the entire trip. If you are in Kennbunkport, do NOT miss Mabel’s Lobster Claw. I had The Dutchess (scallops, lobster and shrimp in a white wine sauce) and I’ve been dreaming of it ever since. Not to mention, the ambiance was great.

Day 8: Kennebunkport

The Lodge at the Cove provided a very nice continental breakfast with lots of kid-friendly options. We headed out to explore the town. On our way we stopped to see the Bush Family compound (from a distance, ofcourse) and were told that if you see a Texan flag flying, they are in residence. Low and behold, the flag was flying! We visited St. Anne’s-By-The-Sea Episcopal church which is a beautiful old stone church where they often hold service outside overlooking the water.

We spent a lot of time in town perusing the shops and taking in the local scene. We had a lunch a Alisson’s Restaurant. It’s a bit of Kennebunkport institution having been there since the early 70s. Get the lobster bisque… you’ll thank me later! We decided we were up for chill afternoon and stopped and got a 6-pack of Blueberry beer and spent the afternoon on Goose Rocks Beach, a 3-mile stretch of sand with beautiful views of the coastline. Dinner was at The Boathouse Restaurant (again, because we were flying by the seat our pants and didn’t make many restaurant reservations in advance we just went with whatever had availablity). The food was good but had an even better outdoor deck for great ambiance. Back to the Lodge at the Cove for s’mores and got ready to make our last day in Maine a good one!

Day 9: Kennebunkport, Ongonquit &

It was my birthday and unfortunately, I woke up feeling pretty crummy. I think I caught whatever my son had been fighting the entire trip. (Turns out when I got home, I tested positive for COVID – gah!) But I was NOT going to let that ruin our last day and my birthday. We headed into Ongonquit and loved all the adorable little shops. This is such a cute town and I wish we had more time there! We got lucky and a local art fair was happening and I had some of the best blueberry pie ice cream from Sweetpeas I’ve ever had. Happy Birthday to me!

We took a walk on The Marginal Way, a 1.5 mile stretch of paved coastal trail that had some really stunning views. From there went went to York on a suggestion from some good family friends. If you want a good old fashioned beach town vibe, this is it. It has a huge arcade, great sandy beaches and ocean views, and the iconic Nubble Lighthouse. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at The Lobster Cove (great views!!) and headed back to Kennebunkport for my birthday dinner.

My husband made reservations at Wandby Landing which is rooted in Italian-style food and was very very good. We were luckily seated by a window overlooking their gorgeous gardens which was an extra birthday bonus. We did mention it was my birthday but, alas, no special treatment or complimentary dessert. I’m not even sure the host or server wished me a happy birthday (even though they asked if we were celebrating a special occasion)… but maybe that’s not a thing on the east coast.

Back to our hotel to pack up and get ready for our last full day and evening flight home.

Day 10: Kennebunkport & Salem, MA

We had a late evening flight so I wanted to make the most of the day. We went for one final walk around the area we were staying and headed into town for a few last purchases. Coming out of a shop, who do I see? None other than former First Lady, Laura Bush! SO EXCITING!

I was really wanting to visit Salem, MA so we decided to make that part of our trip back to the airport. We had a fun day learning about the Salem Witch Trials, visiting the local shops, the old cemetary and stopped for an appetizer at Notch Brewery and Tap Room. I am putting this on my list to go back as we didn’t really have enough time to do all the tours and see all the things! With that, we headed back to Logan International Airport in the evening and got home around midnight.

Things Worth Noting When Planning a Trip to Maine

Weather is fickle. Pack for everything: cold mornings, rainy days, warm afternoons. Wearing layers will be your best friend. Do not expect to swim in the ocean unless you are cold-blooded! So if your kids are looking to swim, book a place with a pool.
Good walking shoes are your best friend. If you need recommendations, you may find my article on my favorite functional but stylish sneakers helpful in deciding what to pack.
If you can hold off going during the super busy season, wait on booking some of your tours, especially if they are on the water. We got lucky and both of our nature/boat tours were on nice days but we spoke to a couple that said all of their tours ended up being cancelled due to weather and they did not get their money back.
Summer is great but Acadia is getting more and more busy every summer. Consider a September or October trip if you can swing it. Trails will be much less crowded and you’ll have an easier time getting reservations at places like Jordan Pond.
Wisacasset? I could probably have done without it. I personally felt there were much prettier towns. But if this is on your route, for sure make a stop.
I wish I could give suggestions on Portland, but we will for sure be include this as a stop in a future trip as I hear the food scene is exploding!
This feels like a state you could explore for week’s on end and still not get the full picture for all this gorgeous land has to offer. Maximize your time by doing and seeing as much as possible. Next time, I’d love to see more of the inland and its rolling hills and forested areas.

Our Maine Favorites (Listed By Town)

If you want to know more or need additional details, please reach out to me! I’d be more than happy to answer any questions to help make your trip more enjoyable!

The Ultimate 10-Day Maine Coast Road Trip Itinerary for Families

Day 1: Boston to Ongunquit

Day 2: Ogunquit to Bar Harbor

Day 3: Bar Harbor

Day 4: Bar Harbor

Day 5: Bar Harbor to Camden

Day 6: Camden, Rockland & Owls Head

Day 7: Camden to Kennebunkport

Day 8: Kennebunkport

Day 9: Kennebunkport, Ongonquit &

Day 10: Kennebunkport & Salem, MA

Things Worth Noting When Planning a Trip to Maine

Our Maine Favorites (Listed By Town)

Bar Harbor

Camden/Rockland

Kennebunkport/Ongonquit

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