nyc: We are planning a vacation. We will fly to NYC and spend a couple days on the Island. Then we want a more rustic experience in Maine, preferrably at or near Acadia Nat Park. We will essentially have our back packs and little else. We are willing to rent a car once we get out of NYC traffic. The kids are 13 and 16. Any thoughts? Thanks.|||A scenic road trip is the ideal way to enjoy the many wonders of Maine. The first step is getting there, I鈥檓 pretty sure that I95 goes straight from NYC through Boston and up to Kittery. Once you鈥檙e in Kittery, you have many choices to make. Kittery itself has much to offer. Packed with outlet stores and wonderful restaurants, I would recommend making it your first stop in Maine. But before you leave, make sure you spend quality time at Yummies Candy store (www.yummies.com), no words can the amount of sugary happiness spewing out of this store. Continuing northward from Kittery, the next stops would have to be York beach or Old Orchard beach. The two most beautiful beaches in Maine nestled into great rustic tourist towns. With the sand still stuck between your toes, a brief stop in Portland would be a wise decision. There, you can enjoy the Mall of Maine, catch a "Seadogs" minor league baseball game, catch a bite to eat in South Port, or get some rest in one of the Areas many hotels. From Portland, you can either take 95 up to Bangor, or enjoy a scenic route of Maine on Route 1. Once in "downeast" Maine, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Maine. Mount Desert Island is with out a doubt the destination for all those who seek a Maine vacation. MDI is the home of Acadia National Park where you can: Greet the sunrise before anyone else in America at Cadillac Mountain, see crashing waves at Thunderhole, or hike one of many trails the park has to offer. Also on MDI is Bar Harbor, where you can wonder around the great shops downtown, or catch a breathtaking whale watch. No matter how you get there, Maine is going to be a fun and memorable experience for you and your kids. Just sure you don鈥檛 get addicted to the laid-back relaxing atmosphere, we don鈥檛 want to steal you away from your home state ;-)|||You could go by train. No to a traditional road trip, gas is to high.|||Acadia National Park is a great place to go, once on top of Cadillac it is absolutely breath taking! I will tell you though that the area business in Bar Harbor are just plain tourist traps! They are only open during the summer months. Want a true Downeast Maine experience? Actually come to Downeast Maine, which is Washington County! You can see the blueberry fields, which are quite a site. Check out the lobster boats and see the way small towns actually are. For a true Downeast Exprience check out Jonesport. This place truely has the downeast Maine feel. Come during the 4th of July and experience the lobster boat races, now there is something different!http://www.jonesport.com/ Want great seafood? Come to Milbridge and eat. Are you coming around the end of July? Stop in to Milbridge Days, there is a Firemens lobster cookout to enjoy and lots of other great things! http://web.mac.com/dugganphoto/iWeb/Site鈥?/a> http://www.milbridge.org/index.htm I hope that you have asafe trip and get to enjoy our beautiful state!