Where to Stay in Acadia National Park with Kids: Best Hotels, Resorts & Family-Friendly Lodging
If you’re planning a trip to Maine and Acadia, I’m sure this is one of the biggest thoughts you’ve had: where to stay in Acadia National Park? The good news is that there are plenty of fantastic family-friendly options, whether you’re looking for a waterfront resort, budget-friendly hotel, cozy vacation rental, or campground surrounded by nature.
For most families, I would highly recommend staying in or near Bar Harbor. Not only is it conveniently located near many of Acadia’s top attractions, but you’ll also have easy access to restaurants, shops, ice cream stops, and all the charm that makes coastal Maine so special.
During our recent visit to Acadia National Park, we stayed at The Seasider Motel in Bar Harbor and found it to be the perfect home base for exploring the area, plus it was budget friendly.
Here’s a breakdown of the best places to stay in Acadia National Park with kids.
Best Area Overall: Bar Harbor
If it’s your first visit to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is hands-down the best place to stay.
Located just minutes from the park entrance, Bar Harbor offers the perfect combination of convenience, walkability, dining options, and family-friendly activities. After spending all day hiking, biking, or exploring the coastline, it’s nice to be able to stroll into town for dinner and ice cream without getting back in the car.
Bar Harbor also puts you close to many of Acadia’s most popular attractions, including:
- Jordan Pond
- Sand Beach
- Thunder Hole
- Cadillac Mountain
- Ocean Path
- The Shore Path
- Acadia’s carriage roads
If you’re planning a shorter trip, staying in Bar Harbor will help maximize your time.
Read also; 2 Day Acadia National Park Itinerary for Families
Where We Stayed: The Seasider Motel
During our visit, we stayed at The Seasider Motel and absolutely loved the location.
The property is located just outside the heart of downtown Bar Harbor, making it easy to access all the restaurants, shops, and the waterfront while still offering a quieter atmosphere.
The rooms are simple yet clean and spacious, the grounds are well maintained and offer outdoor seating and picnic tables, and the free grab & go breakfast was a great way to start our morning.
For families, the convenience is hard to beat. We were able to spend our days exploring Acadia National Park and our evenings exploring downtown, grabbing ice cream, and enjoying the harbor.
Why We Loved It
- Located in Bar Harbor
- Convenient access to Acadia National Park
- Family-friendly rooms that are clean + comfortable
- Free parking
- Great value compared to many waterfront properties
- Free grab & go breakfast
Book your room at the Seasider Hotel!
Best Hotels in Bar Harbor for Families
If The Seasider isn’t available or you are looking for something a little more elegant, there are plenty of other excellent family-friendly options.
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel
Located in downtown Bar Harbor, this hotel offers spacious rooms, complimentary breakfast, and a location that’s hard to beat.
Families will love being able to walk to restaurants, shopping, and along the Shore Path.
Hampton by Hilton Bar Harbor
This property offers larger family rooms, an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast, and beautiful views overlooking Frenchman Bay.
The pool makes it especially appealing for families after a long day of hiking.
The Pathmaker Hotel
Highly rated among visitor’s, this modern hotel located in downtown Bar Harbor is in the prime location for all your family’s adventures, plus the free breakfast makes it easy to fuel up before you start the day.
Best Family Resorts Near Acadia
If you’re looking for more amenities and a resort-style experience, consider one of these options.
Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor
One of the few full-service resorts in the area, this property offers ocean view rooms, an outdoor pool, on-site dining, and plenty of space for families.
Bar Harbor Inn
Located directly on the waterfront, this historic property offers some of the best views in town.
Families can enjoy beautiful grounds, easy access to downtown, incredible sunrise views over Frenchman Bay and a lovely outdoor pool, plus even an onsite spa for some relaxation.
Check prices at Bar Harbor Inn
Best Vacation Rentals Near Acadia National Park
For larger families or multi-generational trips, vacation rentals can be a fantastic option.
Having extra space, multiple bedrooms, and a kitchen can make a huge difference during a national park vacation.
Look for vacation rentals in:
- Bar Harbor
- Bass Harbor
- Seal Harbor
Search vacation rentals near Acadia National Park
Best Campgrounds Near Acadia National Park
If your family enjoys camping, Acadia offers several excellent options.
Blackwoods Campground
One of the most popular campgrounds in Acadia, Blackwoods offers a central location close to many of the park’s major attractions.
Seawall Campground
Located on the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island, Seawall provides a more peaceful camping experience.
Schoodic Woods Campground
Often considered one of the nicest campgrounds in the National Park System, Schoodic Woods offers spacious sites and access to the less-crowded Schoodic Peninsula.
Check out our family’s must have camping gear
Best Places to Stay by Budget
Budget-Friendly
Mid-Range
Splurge-Worthy
Should You Stay Inside Acadia National Park?
Unlike some national parks, Acadia has very limited lodging options within park boundaries.
Most visitors stay in nearby communities, particularly Bar Harbor, and drive into the park each day.
Fortunately, many of Acadia’s most popular attractions are located just minutes from town, making this a very easy setup for families.
How Many Nights Should You Stay?
Acadia National Park has so much to do and see, and I recommend spending at least three nights in the area (although you could easily spend more!)
This allows enough time to:
- Explore the carriage roads
- Visit Jordan Pond
- Hike several trails
- Spend time in Bar Harbor
- Visit Sand Beach
- Explore Thunder Hole
- Watch sunset at Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
If you’re following our New England road trip itinerary, three nights was the perfect amount of time for us to get a taste of the highlights of Acadia National Park.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for where to stay in Acadia National Park, there really isn’t a bad place, but for first-time visitors, Bar Harbor offers the best combination of convenience, dining, family-friendly activities, and easy access to the park.
We loved using The Seasider Motel as our home base and would happily stay there again on a future visit.
Whether you choose a waterfront resort, cozy vacation rental, campground, or family-friendly hotel, Acadia National Park is one of those destinations that will leave your family already planning a return trip before you’ve even left.
