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NFT: Suggestions for stopover between ADKs and Maine

mattlawson : 5/26/2015 1:26 pm
Hey there, will be traveling this summer between the Lake George area and Acadia National Park in Maine, would love any suggestions to help break up the trip as we travel from Acadia back to upstate NY. Without traffic we're looking at 9 hours and that is going to be a lot for our small child who is 1.

This past weekend we were travelling and she was great for about 4-5 hours then lost it... did not sleep like we thought/hoped....

Any recs between ME / ADKs would be appreciated. Open to anything. B+B, cabin, camp, anything.
tons of spots  
pjcas18 : 5/26/2015 1:30 pm : link
in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Not sure the actual distance or how off the path it based on how you travel, but I have camped at Gunstock (awesome - right on lake Winnepesaukee (sp?) and has tons to do - ziplining, lakes, boating, etc. - like everywhere practically in New Hampshire), Loon Mountain - bigger than Gunstock and more to do, and just some random campgrounds.

and then Burlington, VT is cool - not sure how close that puts you, but I was in Burlington the past few summers, and there is a lot do to there too on Lake Champlain and tons of local uniqueness.
Not sure if this would be good for you or not but  
Bold Ruler : Mod : 5/26/2015 1:58 pm : link
Santa's Village is right across the Vermont/NH border on the NH side on the way to Acadia (obviously depending on the way you'll be going). It's a pretty nice low key amusement park themed around the North Pole, it has a small water park, reindeer to feed etc...

It might work for you.
Yep +1 on Santas Land  
VTDAD : 5/26/2015 2:57 pm : link
Also Story Land is nearby.... my kids loved both of them
back in the day.

They used to let you pack in a picnic lunch,
if you want to avoid paying for on site food.

If you're coming up the coastal route, Kittery Trading Post
and LL Bean in Freeport are possibilities... but maybe not as much fun
for the kids.

Have a great trip.... I have many fond memories of camping at Acadia
as a kid


RE: Yep +1 on Santas Land  
mattlawson : 5/26/2015 3:21 pm : link
In comment 12300947 VTDAD said:
Quote:
Also Story Land is nearby.... my kids loved both of them
back in the day.

They used to let you pack in a picnic lunch,
if you want to avoid paying for on site food.

If you're coming up the coastal route, Kittery Trading Post
and LL Bean in Freeport are possibilities... but maybe not as much fun
for the kids.

Have a great trip.... I have many fond memories of camping at Acadia
as a kid




weve done this one already, not sure about which route yet but thanks!
1 year old is too young  
pjcas18 : 5/26/2015 3:24 pm : link
for those places IMO.

We've been to them too, and 4 or 5 is the perfect age, 7 - 8 begins to be a stretch, 10 they're begging you to leave.

Clark's trading post might be good, they have live animals, a bear show, train ride, and a "wolf man" that scared my 3 year old for months.
I took my kids to Santa's Village when  
mikeygiants : 5/26/2015 3:48 pm : link
she was 1 and she had a great time! We've been back twice, great park! Storyland and Whales Tails were pretty cool too!
I stand  
pjcas18 : 5/26/2015 3:50 pm : link
corrected.

I didn't catch the age age of your child  
VTDAD : 5/26/2015 3:56 pm : link
in the original post. I've traveled that route many times...
heading to Giants training camp, going back home
to Maine, going to Bowdoin and UMO. If it were me, I'd opt
for the fastest route, w/ a one-year-old and find your stops along the route.

From LG, I'd go down the NW, through Fort Ann and into Rutland. 4 to I89
south. Off in Concord, Route 4 to Northwood NH and then cross country to
Alfred, ME and pick up I-95 in Biddeford. North on I-95 , then off on the coastal route (I295) just North of Portland through Freeport, Brunswick,back on I-95 in Augusta Waterville and Bangor and then south down east to MDI.

I think you might be able to cut a few hours off that 9 hours and the mix of secondary roads and turnpike isn't too bad. The worst is Brunswick North on 95 IMHO

The Route 2 choice across No. VT, into NH and Maine is the worst. Narrow 2 lane roads, huge logging trucks and no place to pass.


If you use VTDAD's route  
njm : 5/26/2015 4:11 pm : link
you'll go right by Dartmouth. Probably a decent place to get a meal and stretch your legs.
Dartmouth is on route  
VTDAD : 5/26/2015 4:30 pm : link
but a bit of a side trip up 91 and pretty pricey.

Lebanon NH has a nice green with a fountain and a couple of
casual eateries. Woodstock VT also has a nice green, but is touristy
and of course, Long Trail Brewery in Bridgewater..... kid friendly and decent food.

Real important that you avoid the York ME toll
plaza on I95 during the summer.... you can wait a long time
northbound and southbound.
I like to stop at Dover NH on the way to Acadia  
sb from NYT Forum : 5/26/2015 5:24 pm : link
...it's a cute arty college-type town with a brewery and other good places to eat, it's on the Maine border about 4 hours from Acadia. There's a town green with playground and I think in the summer on Friday's they have live music at the town green. Not sure if it's every Friday.
RE: I didn't catch the age age of your child  
mattlawson : 5/26/2015 5:46 pm : link
In comment 12301028 VTDAD said:
Quote:
in the original post. I've traveled that route many times...
heading to Giants training camp, going back home
to Maine, going to Bowdoin and UMO. If it were me, I'd opt
for the fastest route, w/ a one-year-old and find your stops along the route.

From LG, I'd go down the NW, through Fort Ann and into Rutland. 4 to I89
south. Off in Concord, Route 4 to Northwood NH and then cross country to
Alfred, ME and pick up I-95 in Biddeford. North on I-95 , then off on the coastal route (I295) just North of Portland through Freeport, Brunswick,back on I-95 in Augusta Waterville and Bangor and then south down east to MDI.

I think you might be able to cut a few hours off that 9 hours and the mix of secondary roads and turnpike isn't too bad. The worst is Brunswick North on 95 IMHO

The Route 2 choice across No. VT, into NH and Maine is the worst. Narrow 2 lane roads, huge logging trucks and no place to pass.



thank you very much. i've been looking at routes because my wife is pretty insistent that we stick to 95 and 295 and go around Boston but the last time we went that way was an absolute nightmare. I see it as an opportunity to see parts of states that we don't normally see especially now that we live in Virginia
go around Boston  
pjcas18 : 5/26/2015 6:13 pm : link
? I don't think your wife meant Boston.

it would be silly since the whole trip is north of Boston.

I think she meant in Maine go 95 to 295 to 95 and I agree with her but that part of Maine is crazy, like 30 to 40 miles or more between exits, make sure you don't cut it close with gas.

if she meant go around Boston the only reason for that would be sightseeing in and around Boston.

I don't even think you'll touch Massachusetts on this trip from Lake George to Acadia (unless for some reason you want to).
The route she's thinking of  
mattlawson : 5/26/2015 8:22 pm : link
Is Albany to Boston to Maine
As a former Portland, ME resident  
SanFranNowNCGiantsFan : 5/26/2015 8:53 pm : link
I'd venture there. Awesome city, though it's probably out of your way. Acadia is awesome. You'll love it.
Portsmouth, NH is another nice town to take a break in.  
yatqb : 5/26/2015 9:03 pm : link
And York, ME has a nice zoo and amusement park.
Yes, definitely recommend Portsmouth, NH.  
SanFranNowNCGiantsFan : 5/26/2015 9:11 pm : link
Check out USS Albacore. Very cool tour. It's amazing how small those subs were back in the day. And if in Portsmouth & interested in grabbing a brew, swing by the Press Room. Great bar. Drop my name, Haha.
If you go  
giantsblue1 : 5/26/2015 9:48 pm : link
Through Dover NH there is a Childrens Museum that is good for little ones. If you like beers there is a bar named The Thirsty Moose in both Dover and Portsmouth
Lake Winnipesaukee  
skifaster : 5/26/2015 10:02 pm : link
We stayed at Silver Sands about 10 years ago for a sailboat regatta. Nice sandy beach for kids.
Silver Sands - ( New Window )
RE: As a former Portland, ME resident  
mattlawson : 5/27/2015 11:21 am : link
In comment 12301379 SanFranNowNCGiantsFan said:
Quote:
I'd venture there. Awesome city, though it's probably out of your way. Acadia is awesome. You'll love it.



been to Portland before, we are going to be staying elsewhere in ME as well. Really liked Portland, had great indian food there actually.
when is your trip?  
pjcas18 : 5/27/2015 11:35 am : link
if you plan it right you can pass right through Quechee, VT and go to the hot air balloon festival.

It's June 19 - 21.

My wife keeps nagging me to go to it, but we have something come up that weekend every year. Looks fun.
It's after that  
mattlawson : 5/27/2015 3:31 pm : link
After July 4
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