NEW YORK
Transportation to New York:
We flew from the Midwest to Newark Liberty International Airport, and a one way flight out of Portland ME back to MSP.
Currently there are 3 airports into New York, JFK and Newark are the only ones that have a Tram that goes directly to the subway system making it easy to get to your lodging. Otherwise they recommend using a private shuttle. A taxi can be used but usually is not recommended with luggage and usually takes longer depending on traffic.
Newark is smaller and has easy tram access to Manhattan/subway system for getting to your end destination.
JFK is bigger/busier but also has good access with tram to subway.
La Guardia is currently under construction and does not have a tram, you would have to take a Bus, shuttle or Taxi.
Transportation to Hotel: We took the Newark Airtrain to New York Pennsylvania Station and took subway from 34st Penn Station to Central Park area/Columbus Circle which was a block from our first Hotel JW Marriott Essex House.
Transportation during the stay: Most of the time we actually just walked, but subway wasn’t too hard to figure out for longer distances. We purchased a metro card from a machine in the subway system. Its about 3$ per person per ride, basically kids ride free, we had a stroller so we had to use the larger doors and would just swipe for two of us (per the people helping us out J that worked down there). Google or apple maps will actually tell you what tracks to take if you put in locations on your phone, just make sure you are headed in the right direction (uptown verses down ect). We always just asked people that looked like they knew what they were doing when we were confused and everyone always was happy to help us out!Â
Transportation to Governors Island/Glamping at Collective retreats: you can take a Ferry that runs certain hours with last one leaving at 4:40pm from Battery Maritime. If you need to get there after Ferry hours you can schedule a private complementary water Taxi through Collective Retreats.
We were headed to Acadia NP from New York so we took the train to New Haven, CT out of Grand Central Station (which was pretty cool to actually travel to/from there). We rented a car from New Haven station and drove to Acadia NP/Bar Harbor. They have Avis and Budget car rental options at the New Haven train station and you can drop off at Portland ME airport.
Lodging
I really enjoyed staying a night near central park/upper Manhattan and then other nights in lower Manhattan for easy walking access to sites there. I would recommend two nights near Central park/upper Manhattan and 1-2 nights in lower (depending how much time you have, I felt like I wanted more time to explore Central Park, that could be a whole day!)
Our first night we stayed on the south end of Central Park at JW Marriott Essex House: great hotel and location, a bit pricy but I didn’t want to chance anything sketchy staying with the kiddos. Super easy to get to from subway at Columbus circle. Great location for easy access of walking for Central park and most all of the upper Manhattan sites.
Second and third night we stayed at Collective Retreats glamping sites on Govenors Island. LOVED this so much! A bit pricy but really everything is pricy in NY! You can save money by booking a tent that has access to shared bathrooms, or spend a bit more and have your own shower, sink right in the back of your tent! This was totally worth the cost for me and the kiddos. They have whats called an “outlook” shelter that is like a little trailer for option too, this is best option for sleeping with space with a family over 3. They also offer a tent with an extra kids tent but I felt like I wanted the kids in our same tent. We stayed in a tent with a King and got a rollaway bed and somehow figured out how to all sleep in there. There were complementary s’mores/fires at night and a breakfast basket. We also ate at their restaurant which was also fantastic. (NY is truly the city that never sleeps, warning that on Saturday nights they must have several “party cruises” that have loud music up till 4am that go by, really only 2-3 went by that night but I was amazed at the one that went past after 3am! J)
Sites to see: This is definitely a personal preference as there really is so much to see there. We did most of the major tourist sites. I felt like we hit most everything I really wanted to see/do, but I would have spent more time in Central park if we had planned more time there!
What did we see:
First night (we got to hotel around 7pm and managed to squeeze in a couple sites that evening)
Top of the rock-all sites say this is the best view of NY and is at the Rockefeller center. Great views, busy and more expensive at sunset.
Times square– always a must see at night!
First full day
Central Park– So much to see, could really spend a full day there
Vessel-on the West side, then took the High Line which is a raised walkway to little islands, you can get timed reservations (free) to go in but they have had a few people jump off the top so they have closed the inside for now deciding what to do about this.
Little Islands– just south of the Vessel, cool little park built on the Hudson, also can get timed reservations for this (free) they were relaxed on the time, we were late and they didn’t care as long as we had a reservation to show them.
SITC Neighborhood- had to make a stop at Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment door, actually the true door that was filmed is blocked with a chain but you can still take a photo of it. The rest of the street is beautiful front doors and steps so we got a better photo of another one just down a couple doors. Technically the address is 64 Perry Street.
Water Taxi to Governors Island– If you don’t stay on Governors Island I would recommend taking the Ferry over to explore for a few hours and if you can get a reservation at the Colllective reteats restaurant at sunset that would be a great way to experience the views and great location of the place without even staying there. If you go past Ferry hours just make sure to schedule a water taxi!
Views of Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island- we did not go to either but the camp site overlooked both. You can the Staten Island Ferry which I believe is free and this goes right by both for a view of these as well. This might be something I would do on another trip along with more time in Central Park.
Second day: Lower Manhattan
Charging bull– Brad’s request
9/11 Memorial– we just walked around the outside area
Empire State building– walked by
Brooklyn Bridge– walked over it, I would recommend going early morning if you want less people walking with you.
ACADIA/BAR HARBOR MAINE
Transportation to Acadia: We took the Ferry to Manhattan, subway to Grand central station, Train to New Haven, CT and rented a car and drove to Bar Harbor, ME. That was a travel day for us, but fun. The train was the best!
Airport: easiest for flight options and times is to fly in/out of Portland ME. There is an airport closer to Acadia but the layovers and added cost didn’t seem to make it worth it. Was a 3 hour drive from Acadia to Portland ME.
In Acadia NP: We drove to/in Acadia NP, but there is a shuttle you can take while in the park. Parking is very limited on busy days so this could be a good option. We did not use it but could be a good option. We always entered at a different entrance then the shuttle parking entrance.
Lodging:Â
We stayed at Harborside Hotel and Spa right in Bar Harbor. This was a great location and hotel. A bit pricey but had a great pool for the kids, great restaurants on site and great views. Easy walking access to the cute little town of Bar Harbor and views of the Harbor. Quick easy driving access to Acadia NP (only about 10-15’ to the park).
Activities to do and sights to see in Acadia:
There are several boat tour options- most were 3 hours and that seemed long so we chose to do a shorter 1-2 hour ride on a Schooner that leaves right by our hotel.
Lots of biking, kayaking tours- we didn’t do either
Ice cream, meals and T-shirt shops in Bar Harbor – typical little tourist town, great restaurants all with great blueberry pie!
Sites in Acadia:Â
Thunder hole was a neat area where water splashed up in the cave/hole and makes a thunder sound.
Ocean Path great views, easy walk/hike with kiddos.
Beehive loop trail– fantastic view, my favorite! little tough for kids, especially if afraid of heights, we didn’t take kids on here, we each did it solo. Most hikes are short steep ones that can be done in 1-3 hours.
Bubbles trail– good views – can do in less than 2 hours, would be good option for kids
Gorham Mountain– good views and good option for with kids.
Jordan Pond- cool trail around Jordan pond, there is a great little restaurant by the parking lot for Jordan pond famous for its popovers. Always busy, if you get there at 10:30 (opens at 11) that will provide for shortest wait and you should get in right at 11. Could be 2 hour wait but you can walk around the pond while you are waiting so not a bit deal. Easy trail with kids
Cadillac Summit– you can drive up here but need to get a timed entry reservation through recreation.gov website. We booked a time to watch sunrise a few months in advance as they book up quickly. They do open more up a week before and we did book another to watch sunset another night. They tell you to only book one time per 7 days. You can otherwise do some hikes up there. Great views, highest view in Acadia NP.