skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Has anyone been on vacation to Acadia National Park?

3 years ago

I've wanted to see it ever since I was a child and read a book about National Parks that my dad had. It was full of beautiful pictures of all the National Parks. There may also have been more than one book.

So this Spring I'm thinking of driving up there with a friend or two. I have my own pretty picture book with "the best road trips in the world" and am considering doing the one mentioned in this book. It takes you away from the extremely busy areas with all the tourists. I'm also going to meander up there and meander back. No racing up and back. Will stop and smell the roses along the way. It's about an 18 to 19 hour drive if I go the quickest route.

Just wondering if anyone has been there within the last few years? I'm hoping it's nothing like Yellowstone. That was crazy, even 18 or so years ago when I took my kids.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

heritagehd07
3 years ago
Go! It has been 20 years since I’ve been there so I can’t comment on how crowded it is. But it is beautiful. Watch the sun rise from the top of Cadillac Mountain, hike a trail, visit the rocky shores, enjoy a lobster roll, wander the shops in Bar Harbor and bike or walk the Carriage Roads. Have fun.
Kathsgrdn thanked heritagehd07
Annie Deighnaugh
3 years ago
Definitely go. That's a long drive, but if you take the time to make some stops along the way, you can make a really terrific vacay out of it. I haven't been in a long long time, but it's not crazy busy like some of the other national parks. What makes it stunning is the number of environments you see in such a compact area... woods full of fir trees, granite topped mountains, Maine's rocky coastline, lakes, ponds, bays, sand beach...and of course even the McDonald's sell lobster rolls. (Of course what always cracked me up was, when we were in Maine, we saw signs in restaurants that said "fresh pacific salmon" and signs in Seattle that said "fresh maine lobster". Go figure!)

I'm sure you'll get lots of input on things to see and do along the way if you let us know where you might want to stop and for how long. EG, you can stop in the Brandywine River Valley area, that's one of my favorite places to visit...Longwood Gardens, Winterthur, Hagley Museum, Brandywine River Museum, Nemours mansion.

You can stop in Boston of course too...
Kathsgrdn thanked Annie Deighnaugh
Related Discussions
Has anyone used "Neolith" for countertops (or been tempted to)?
Q
Comments (176)
Hi Everyone - we just had our Neolith Calcacutta counters in silk finish installed in our kitchen. I DO NOT recommend going with this product unless you are okay with a number of downsides. We utilized a certified Neolith fabricator who has lot of experience in working with this material. We did the mitered edges so that they were not white as well. Not only was this by far the most expensive product, but it was disappointing as well. You can see the white edges where it was mitered and there are defects from the moment of installation from which I was told are "normal" and acceptable. My seams (only two, that is nice) are VERY obvious and not what I would have expected. The material itself marks up when ANYTHING touches it basically. Put a cookie sheet on it and you have horrible black / gray marks everywhere that do not come out. I have been told you have to be willing to scrub it for that to happen and they recommended using acetone to get them out. Um....so now i am left with counters that cost me over $13k that I am not happy with from how they look (they look great from afar) and that mark up when anything touches it and I have to use a special something to try and get them out and that is not easy. If I could do it again, I would go with quartz or quartzite. These are not worth the pain and suffering along with the high cost and disappointing outcome. I went to some friend's house over the weekend where they had their new quartz counters installed, by the same fabricators we used and they look far superior to ours and they do not have the same issues. I read the reviews on here and chose it anyway and am devastated I did. I wish I had taken these reviews to heart and not listened to the fabricator's comments that these were one off experiences.
...See More
Anyone been to Park City Utah skiing?
Q
Comments (10)
Hi Glenda, my family and I have been going on ski vacations once a year for the last 7 years - usually heading to Colorado. We made it to Park City for the first time last year due to the cheap flights and lodging we found. I can tell you that Park City is amazing - the town, people, atmosphere, and most importantly the snow and mountains. I fell in love with the town and recommend to anyone planning a ski trip. We booked with Park City Lodging and they were great! Very reasonable prices, great location and they can book transportation, lift tickets, activities, etc. I just checked their website and they are offering some pretty great specials. I would check them out (specials page) to make sure you're getting the best deal. I can tell you that staying in town (near Main St.) is worth it! I'm attaching their website for you to check out. Good luck! And have fun! Here is a link that might be useful: Park City Lodging
...See More
Which national parks to visit?
Q
Comments (48)
A number of years ago we did the out-and-back Narrows hike in late May or early June (around Memorial Day). Water was moving but current not too strong. It was beautiful but seemed there were a lot of folks out that day and I would like to do the hike again without seeing quite so many people. Same trip it snowed at Bryce Canyon. We stayed at Flanigan's outside of Zion and I would stay there again. There very well might be nicer places but budget was a big factor in our choice of lodging on that trip.
...See More
Big Bend National Park?
Q
Comments (20)
Jinx - I'm so glad you mentioned Enchanted Rock! I have not thought of that places in ages, and have never actually BEEN, but it used to be on my "go there" list back when I was frequenting a climbing gym. That was so much fun, and the group I was training with was going to be making a field trip to Enchanted Rock to practice bouldering skills, but I wasn't able to be a part of that. These days, I wouldn't feel confident enough to do any climbing (or bouldering, really), but I'd still like to go there to hike. It looks like there are a lot of other hiking opportunities to be found in the Hill Country too. The Twig looks absolutely amazing! Wow, I would love to stay there! (Isn't that chandelier wonderful!) I mentioned Enchanted Rock to DH, in case he wanted to consider something a bit closer to home than Big Bend, but I think he's still pretty sold on trying to go to BB later next year. The Nuevo Terlingua casitas are stellar! If we go, we will likely choose a different accommodation than previously considered (so, not the adobe I shared earlier in this thread), having found a simple little 2-bedroom trailer very near the park entrance that would suit us well. We are staying in southern Colorado this summer, and I ALMOST thought we should just cancel that trip and go to BB instead, but then I went back to looking at photos and videos of the area where we'll be, and I absolutely have to go here again. Spent a lot of time in this area in my younger years, and really want to share it with DH. Weminuche Wilderness:
...See More
User
3 years ago
Do you have a national park annual pass (link to website)?

We went to Acadia in early June 2018, loved it, and want to go again. We rented an rv in the "Narrows Too" campground with a great view of Cadillac Mountain across the bay. When we go again, we want to stay in Bar Harbor because we'd like to walk (not drive) to coffee shops and restaurants. There were plenty of people around in the popular areas, but it was easy to find uncrowded, beautifully scenic hikes. I'd stay a full week for the Park, and as much time as you can spare for the trip there and back :-)
Kathsgrdn thanked User
Alisande
3 years ago
My son and his family went in the summer of 2019 and loved it so much I was grateful they decided to come back. :-)
Kathsgrdn thanked Alisande

Related Stories

TRAVEL BY DESIGN The Father of the U.S. National Parks Lived Here

Adventurer John Muir helped preserve the nation’s natural wonders. His California home shows his domestic side

HOUZZ TV Near Death Valley, a Vacation Rental Gets the Designer Touch

By Mitchell Parker

On Houzz TV, see how two pros use Houzz to create cool vintage style a few miles from one of the hottest places on Earth

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: A Comedian’s Stylish Townhouse Has Everyone Smiling

By Camille LeFevre

This vibrant Chicago home was inspired by a movie director’s eclectic sets and a flair for the dramatic

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: This Dream Midcentury Home in a Forest Even Has Its Own Train

By Mitchell Parker

Original wood ceilings, a cool layout and, yes, a quarter-scale train persuaded these homeowners to take a chance on a run-down property

BUDGET DECORATING The Cure for Houzz Envy: Entryway Touches Anyone Can Do

By Becky Harris

Make a smashing first impression with just one or two affordable design moves

TRAVEL BY DESIGN 9 Vacation Farmsteads Offer a Taste of Country Life

By Mitchell Parker

Have a hankering for fresh air and even fresher food? Try a farmhouse, cabin or well-equipped tent for your next vacation

COMMUNITY Designed for Dogs: 5 Fantastic Dog Parks Across the U.S.

By Vanessa Brunner

Let your favorite pooch run wild at one of these specially designed public spaces. Not close by? Learn how to start a dog park yourself

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Swing Into National Hammock Day

By Becky Harris

Only one day to celebrate such a worthy pastime? Pshaw. Start on July 22 and let these photos inspire you to keep on rockin’

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD My Houzz: Traveling Couple Find the Perfect Parking Spot

By Tamara Armstrong

A dilapidated tin shed becomes the dream home of two nature-loving retirees and their many treasures

TRADITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Park Avenue Pied-à-Terre Paints a Pretty Picture

By Jess McBride

Gilded ceilings, a custom bar nook and exuberant color add flair to this traditional New York City apartment

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

TYPE OF LIGHT FIXTURE GLASS

6

Grocery store games, burger meat for $3,99

35

If things were named to describe them better...

24

To our Canadian Houzz friends

31

Pizza art and science

8