A Coastal Maine Road Trip with Kids (What to Know Before You Go)

We packed in lobster rolls, coastal strolls, lighthouses and one too many “just one more stop!” moments…all within 6 days (that’s all we had). And while it was so much fun, it was also… a lot. Looking back, I’d absolutely recommend stretching this itinerary to at least 8–9 days (or even a couple of weeks if you can swing it). There is just so much to see, and Maine is the kind of place you’ll want to slow down and actually enjoy. This is one of those trips where the timing and pacing really make a difference – what looks close on a map can easily turn into a full day if you’re not careful with how you structure it. Whenever we got in the car, the girls would immediately catch a cat nap, and I was thankful for that! 

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How to Get to Coastal Maine + Road Trip Logistics

For a trip like this, I recommend flying into either Boston or Portland.

• Portland (PWM) is the most convenient if you want to get straight into Maine.
• Boston (BOS) often has better flight options and pricing, especially from smaller cities.
• Bangor (BGR) is the most convenient if you’re flying in/out of Bar Harbor.

From the options above, you’ll want to rent a car. This is a true road trip, and having your own car makes it easy to explore all the small coastal towns along the way. We flew into Albany International Airport for a wedding in Vermont ahead of visiting Maine, so we did a one-way car rental drop from Albany to Bangor.

If you’re flying into Boston, plan for about a 1.5–2 hour drive to southern Maine.

Southern Maine: Kennebunkport, Ogunquit, Portland

This is one of the easiest and most family-friendly sections of the trip, not to mention a great place to start. We stayed at Inn by the Sea for three nights, but we could’ve easily spent 4-5 nights here to explore more pockets of southern Maine. I adore Kennebunkport, Ogunquit and Portland.

Where to Stay (Southern Maine)

These are all hotels I regularly book for clients at my travel agency, LimitLes Travel Group, and I can help you choose the right one based on your travel style and timing. When booked through my agency, many of these properties also offer additional perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, and potential upgrades on arrival.

• White Barn Inn (Kennebunkport) – Classic, romantic New England luxury. Perfect for couples or a quieter stay.
• Inn by the Sea (Cape Elizabeth) – This is where we stayed + one of my favorites for families. Right on the beach with a relaxed, coastal vibe.
• Cliff House Maine (Cape Neddick) – Dramatic ocean views and a resort feel, great for a mix of relaxation and activities.
• Hidden Pond (Kennebunkport) – A more secluded, elevated option with private cottages, a beautiful adults-only pool, and a calm, tucked-away feel.
• Dunes on the Waterfront (Ogunquit) – A relaxed, classic Maine stay with waterfront cottages, plenty of space, and an easy, family-friendly vibe.

Best Things to Do (Southern Maine)

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• Walk the Marginal Way in Ogunquit (easy, scenic, and stroller-friendly)
• Barnacle Billy’s (rum punch in Ogunquit, YUM)
• Walk and shop around Perkins Cove (cute little area in Ogunquit with shops and cafes)
• Ice cream at Scoop Deck (so many flavors near Ogunquit)
• Explore Kennebunkport (shops, harbor views, classic coastal charm)
• Goose Rocks Beach (gorgeous beach in Kennebunkport, great for kids)
• Shop at Daytrip Society (Kennebunkport store with so many cute gifts)
• Eat at Earth (Kennebunkport fine dining)
• Visit Portland Head Light (one of the most iconic lighthouses in Maine at Fort Williams Park)
• Wander the Old Port in Portland for shopping, restaurants, and cobblestone streets
• Brewery hop (Allagash Brewing, Oxbow and Austin Street are all worth a visit in Portland)
• Hop on a ferry or windjammer cruise (Portland has plenty)
• Get a potato donut at The Holy Donut in Portland
• The Children’s Museum and the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum are great Portland staples for kids

Best Lobster Rolls in Southern Maine

• Footbridge Lobster (Ogunquit) – Low-key, delicious and by far dished out the most lobster
• The Clam Shack (Kennebunkport) — lobster rolls & blueberry hand pies
• Highroller Lobster Co. (Portland) – Fun, casual, and creative. Alex loved the lime-mayo hit (and the hat merch)
• Bite Into Maine (Cape Elizabeth) – Classic and consistently good from the famous food truck

Don’t Skip Freeport

When driving up the coast from Portland, make a stop in Freeport, home to the iconic L.L. Bean Flagship Store, especially if it’s back-to-school season when you visit. We bought Nora a new backpack for Kindergarten.

It’s open 24 hours, and honestly feels more like an experience than a store. Think: giant Bean boots out front, plenty of space for kids to run around, and a fun way to break up the drive. It’s a quick stop, but a memorable one, especially with little ones.

Midcoast Maine: Boothbay, Rockport, Camden

This stretch is where things start to slow down a bit- and the scenery gets even more quintessential. We spent one night at Samoset Resort but could have easily stayed for two nights. It’s a great place to slow down and give the kids a breather with the awesome amenities here.

Where to Stay (Midcoast Maine)

• Samoset Resort (Rockport) – Great for families with tons of space and activities. It comes with a playground, a pool, hot tub, golf course and views.
• Camden Harbour Inn (Camden) – If you want something a little more elevated, this is such a good option. It’s boutique, beautifully designed, and right near the harbor so you get that classic Camden feel with a more polished experience.

Best Things to Do (Midcoast Maine)

• Visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay) – Do NOT, I repeat do NOT, miss this stop! We could’ve easily spent half the day here.
• Quick stop in Rockport to see the statue of Andre the Seal (random, fun, and very Maine)
• Stop in Camden for a windjammer sail (perfect spot to get out on the water)

Acadia National Park + Bar Harbor Itinerary

This is the grand finale and worth spending real time here if you can. We were supposed to stay at the Asticou Hotel for three nights, but we had to cut it to two nights because Alex needed to be back for work. This region easily deserves 3-4 nights at minimum. 

Where to Stay Near Acadia National Park

• Asticou Hotel (Northeast Harbor) – About a 15 minute drive from downtown Bar Harbor. Charming, peaceful, and a perfect base for exploring Acadia. Book the cottage if kids are in tow.

Best Things to Do in Acadia + Bar Harbor

• Spend a day in Acadia National Park
  • Sand Beach is especially great with kids
  • Thunder Hole (a natural rock inlet that booms when waves hit—best seen 1–2 hours before high tide)
  • Tide pools at Wonderland (A flat, easy 1.4-mile trail)
  • Popovers at the Jordan Pond House (a must-do experience)
  • Cadillac Mountain (catch the sunrise, first sunrise in the US! But no we did not do this with kids, ha!)
• Walk and shop through downtown Bar Harbor
  • Chocolatte — great coffee
  • Abel’s Lobster — great views, outdoor seating
  • Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard) — away from crowds
  • Cafe This Way for brekkie

How Many Days You Need for Coastal Maine

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You can do a coastal Maine road trip in 6 days (we did), but it’s definitely a faster-paced version of the trip. Ideally, I’d plan for 8–9 days at a minimum so you’re not constantly packing up and moving. Maine is one of those places that’s best enjoyed slowly…whether that’s an extra night in Kennebunkport, a slower morning in Camden, or a full day just exploring Acadia. You’ll want to linger over lobster rolls, explore small towns, and leave room for unplanned stops so if you can stretch it to 10 days or more…I promise it’s worth it!

Final Thoughts: Is Coastal Maine Worth It?

ABSOLUTELY! If you take anything from this post, let it be this: don’t rush Maine! This was one of those trips that felt a little chaotic in the moment (traveling with a 2 and 5 year old will do that), but looking back, it was so special. Coastal Maine is simple in the best way – beautiful scenery, great food, and so many charming little stops along the way. When (not if) I do it again, I’ll slow it down, stay a little longer in each place, and leave more room for the in-between moments.

After doing this trip ourselves, I can honestly say it’s the kind of destination that becomes completely different when it’s thoughtfully planned and fully taken care of -especially if you’re traveling with kids or trying to see multiple regions in a short time. If you’re thinking about planning this trip and want help putting it together in a way that actually feels relaxed (not rushed), I’m always happy to help, especially when it comes to choosing the right hotels and pace!