Spring Break Ideas: Maine Edition

Look out your window — with snow beginning to thaw and temperatures creeping up, all signs point to the jubilant florals of spring. As much as a reprieve from winter may appeal, spring means it's time to get out your travel books, hit the web, and plan your spring break trip. Skip the long lines at theme parks and the busy streets of New York for an outdoor adventure in Maine. These spring break ideas will provide everything you need to feel relaxed, invigorated, and ready to embrace the season.

Spring Break Ideas in Acadia National Park

Looking for a spring break one-stop-shop? Search no further than Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. Bring your hiking boots — Acadia features non-standard hiking excursions that capture the natural beauty of Maine's landscape. Traverse the ladders and ledges of the Beehive near Sand Beach. Keep in mind: though your kids will ascend the mountain like billy goats, this trail can be a challenge for adults with adult fears. If you’re a sucker for a good sunset, set your alarm and hike (or drive after April 14) Cadillac Mountain, the first place to see the sunrise in the United States.

Not all the adventure in Acadia is uphill. The rich history of the region has given way to miles of carriage roads. If you're visiting in late spring, we recommend the loop around Jordan Pond where you can stop for lunch at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant for tea and delectably buttery popovers. With all this daytime activity, spend your evenings in complete relaxation — the cozy cottages at the Mira Monte Inn & Suites are ideal for families. Plus, with its delicious restaurants and late night activities, Bar Harbor makes a perfect spring break home base for kids of all ages.

Island Hop Til You Drop

If you’re not ready to tackle the expansiveness of Mount Desert Island, but crave a taste of island living, spend your spring break hopping the Casco Bay Islands outside of Portland. Start your Maine spring break by taking the ferry to Peaks Island, just 17 minutes outside of Portland. Once known as the Coney Island of Maine, Peaks Island offers a beautiful setting with a historical flair. Explore the Fifth Maine Museum to discover the island’s military and cultural history, and then finish the day with a golf cart tour of the coast. For older children that can handle a longer ferry ride, make the hour-long journey to Chebeague Island. Rent a fleet of bicycles when you arrive at The Bikerman and traverse the corners of the island. If you have your clamming license, search out the inlet coves around the island for divinely fresh seafood.

Shopping: Maine Style

Looking for a spring break idea that will satisfy both you and your mall rats? Shopping in Maine isn’t glossy malls and carbon-copy clothing — it’s bargain hunting with a local and outdoor twist. Head up to Freeport to visit the L.L. Bean flagship store, complete with a gigantic Bean Boot out front. This store is not just about browsing — put your new gear to the test with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, archery outings and more, hosted right on-site. The Kittery Trading Post near York, ME, is just an hour outside of Boston and mere minutes from Portsmouth, NH. At this veritable mecca of recreation gear, stock up on all the obscure and elusive equipment you need to conquer the great outdoors.

Water, Water, Everywhere

If you're raising a family of beach bums, combine a Maine beach vacation with an ocean life extravaganza. Start by play Ahab for a day and hopping aboard a whaling boat. With seven different species of whale in Maine's waters, you can keep your kids entertained by challenging them to spot them all. If you prefer your ocean life to be slightly less gargantuan, ride along in a lobster boat and help the rugged sea captain pull in the lobster traps. This sea excursion may even inspire your kids to try whole lobster during your spring break adventure (though we’re not making any guarantees!).

Explore the North

While many of these spring break ideas keep you on the coast, northern Maine is a rugged and more uncommon alternative. Gather up your woodsy kids and venture into the vast wilderness in the Maine highlands, where your fellow travelers are more likely to be moose than people. Play the moose tracker in Baxter State Park, and explore a number of short hikes that leave from South Branch Pond Campground. For something short and sweet, venture 15 minutes up the South Branch Falls Trail and discover a series of small waterfalls. Plus, as you stretch your legs around the Park, you'll be able to take in the sublime views of Maine's highest peak, Mount Katahdin. If you prefer your thrills to be water-based, strap on your life jacket for the epic whitewater rafting of the region. Opening in April, Maine's whitewater rafting is revered by first-timers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. High water levels from snowmelt make rivers like the Kennebec and the Penobscot mother nature's perfect roller coaster rides. If this list is any indication, Maine is a veritable paradise for a spring break with kids. Whether you crave land or sea, whale or moose, you'll find everything you need to give your kids (and yourself) a thrill with these spring break ideas.

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