elizabethadventuresblogNew England is known for its vibrant fall colors, but did you know the best family-friendly road trip is through Maine? The state has so much to offer from fall festivals and activities to endless roads and trails lined with vibrant reds and yellows in the month of October.
Below I’ll share the perfect 3 day road trip through Maine, filled with fall activities, good food, all the fall foliage and when the best time to go is!
*This post is sponsored by Tripscout and Visit Maine.*
Things to Know About Maine
Maine is the easternmost state in the United States, sitting on the border of New Hampshire, Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. This means Maine is the first in the United States to see the sun rise everyday, so fitting in a sunrise adventure is a must! It is also the 9th least populated state so you can explore without ever feeling overcrowded.
The state of Maine is best known for its jagged, rocky coastline, lush forested interior, abundant waterways, wild blueberries and endless seafood. The state is also full of rich history, having been founded as a state back in 1820!
When to go to Maine?
If you’re looking for fun fall October activities, there is no wrong time to visit the state of Maine. You can see some of the amazing fall activities in the guide below to help plan when you want to take your road trip.
If chasing fall foliage is your goal, the first two weeks will give you the best chance to see peak colors. Every year will be different though depending on the fall temperatures and rainfall knocking down leaves. Cooler temperatures in October mean the leaves will change earlier in the month, while warmer temperatures will bring later colors, even into the third week.
You can use this fall foliage tracker to get up to date fall color information. (https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/report/index.shtml)
The Ultimate Maine Itinerary
Below I’ll be sharing a day-by-day breakdown of activities, fun places to eat and bonus stops along the way! This will take a lot of planning out of your trip so you can just enjoy your time exploring all Maine has to offer in the fall.
Day One:
Head to Treworgy Family Orchards for a fun fall day at the pumpkin patch! They have a corn maze, apple orchards, pumpkin patch, tractor ride, farm animal feedings and playground for kids to enjoy. Bonus is everyone that does the corn maze gets a free ice cream cone at the end!
Other Activities in Bangor:
- Downtown Bangor Fall Sidewalk Art Festival
- Downtown trick or treat- the last Saturday before Halloween
- Bangor City Forest for a hike
- Maine Discovery Museum
Where to Eat in Bangor:
- M Thai
- High Tide
- Coach House
- Timber Kitchen
- Brewer Nutrition
- The Tarrantine Inn
Where to Stay in Bangor:
Comfort Inn and Suites: This is where I stayed. It has a large continental breakfast, was located near the highway and provided me with a pack and play.
The Tarrantine Inn: a historic Victorian bed and breakfast, walking distance to downtown and a restaurant.
Residence Inn by Marriott: a block from the waterfront trails, rooms with kitchens for families and a pool.
Day Two:
Explore more of Bangor or enjoy a hike on the Bangor City Forest boardwalks before heading over to Ellsworth. The drive from Bangor to Ellsworth is a fall dream. The highways and roads are lined with deciduous trees, so they are full of color in the fall.
Once you arrive in Ellsworth, head to the Downeast Scenic Railroad for a fun, fall-themed train ride! During October, the train is decorated for fall and stops at a small pumpkin patch where riders get to pick out a pumpkin to take home. The staff will hand out snacks and pumpkin decorating stickers for kids to use the remainder of the ride. It’s the perfect fall family activity! You can purchase tickets on site, but I’d recommend booking in advance here to make sure you get a seat.
After the train ride, head back to the charming town of Ellsworth to explore the antique shops, wander the art galleries, take in the historic brick buildings and enjoy time down by the river. You can either stay in an accommodation in Ellsworth or Bar Harbor as they are only 30 minutes apart. Depending on where you wish to stay, enjoy an evening around Ellsworth or drive into Bar Harbor and walk downtown.
Other Activities in Ellsworth:
- Visit the L.L. Bean outlet store for some family gear
- Picnic at Ellsworth Harbor Park
- Visit the Green Lakes National Fish Hatchery
- Enjoy the beaches around Branch and Graham Lake
Where to Eat in Ellsworth:
Where to Stay in Ellsworth:
Lucerne Inn: located between Bangor and Ellsworth, this 200-year-old inn has historic charm, a restaurant and pool.
Under Canvas Acadia: A unique glamping experience for the entire family with dining options available. Tents can accommodate 2-7 depending on size booked.
Hampton Inn: located in Ellsworth, this hotel has a continental breakfast, a 5 minute drive to downtown, pack and play available, and a pool.
Day Three:
Spend the day adventuring around Acadia National Park chasing the fall foliage. Acadia is a family friendly park, with a lot of easy, short trails for kids. If you want to beat the crowds, start your day early or aim to go on a weekday. Fall colors tend to draw in a lot of crowds. Entry tickets can be purchased at the park entrance, but be sure to pay the national park fee ahead of time to make entry easier. You can purchase a pass in advance, here.
Here are the best family friendly trails in the park:
- Jordan Pond: 3.1 miles round trip
- Ocean Path Trail: 4.5 -/+ miles round trip (thunder hole is a must-stop)
- South Bubble: 1.2 miles round trip
- Cadillac Mountain: .5 miles round trip (reservation required)
- Eagle Lake: 5 -/+ miles round trip
- Jesup Path: 2.2 miles round trip
- Great Head Trail: 1.6 miles round trip
- Ships Harbor Trail: 1.4 miles round trip
- Wonderland Trail: 1.3 miles round trip
- Little Hunters Beach Trail: .6 miles round trip
Sand Beach is a perfect spot to lay out a blanket and let the kids play in the sand while you enjoy the views of the rocky coast and Atlantic Ocean. The Wild Gardens of Acadia are another great spot to enjoy the fall colors and have a family picnic.
Other Activities in Bar Harbor:
- Mount Desert Half Marathon (October 20th, 2024)
- Sightseeing boat tour
- Bike rentals to get around the park and town
- Ghost Tour Bar Harbor (age 6+)
- Island Arts Octoberfest Craft Fair
- Acadia Night Sky Festival
Where to Eat in Bar Harbor:
- 2 cats
- Side Street Cafe
- Havana
- Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen
- Merchant & Frye
- Royal Indian
- Cafe This Way
- Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor:
Port Inn: perfectly located to walk to downtown Bar Harbor and avoid paying to park, quick drive into Acadia, continental breakfast and pack and play available. (This is where I stayed)
Ivy Manor Inn: located in the heart of downtown, charming historic building and lively outdoor bar space with concerts and bonfires.
Bar Harbor Inn & Spa: located in downtown Bar Harbor, ocean/harbor views, restaurants, pool and a full service spa for a more relaxing stay in town.
Bonus Days:
If you’re able to add on to this three-day itinerary, I’d recommend one to two more days in Bar Harbor to explore Acadia freely! I spent one extra day here and would have loved to see even more of the park.
Another option is to drive three hours south to Portland, Maine’s largest city. Portland is a unique city experience with its coastal ports and old town charm. Below is a list of places to stay, eat and activities in and around Portland if you’re able to add it as a stop on your road trip!
Activities in Portland:
- Children’s Museums and Theater of Maine
- Walk the Black Cove Park Trail
- Explore the Old Port neighborhood shops and historic brick buildings
- Hike Fore River Sanctuary
- Scenic Drive to view lighthouse: Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge, Portland Head
- Deering Oaks Park: playground, pond, pool
- Alewive’s Brook Farm pumpkin patch
Places to Eat in Portland:
- Monte’s Fine Food
- Gorgeous Gelato
- Sur Lie
- Fore Street
- Central Provisions
- The Highroller Lobster Co
- Artemisia Cafe
- Nom Cafe
Places to Stay in Portland:
Port Oasis Airbnb: Located in the Parkside neighborhood with quick freeway access, walking distance to Deering Oaks Park, feels like home with a pack and play and high chair available, in-apartment yoga studio and quaint outdoor patio.
Hyatt Place Portland: Located in the heart of the Old Port neighborhood, has continental breakfast, views of the city and bay and a pool.
Portland Harbor Hotel: Located in the heart of the Old Port neighborhood, has views of the city and bay, a quiet courtyard with a bonfire pit and restaurant.
Maine is an amazing state full of rich history, unique landscapes and countless fall activities. You can learn more about the state and what to do at VisitMaine.com. It is an amazing resource to gather ideas. If you use this guide to plan the ultimate fall road trip through Maine, be sure to come back and let me know in the comments!
Happy Travels,
Elizabeth
Like it? Pin it!
