August. The month when people pour out of cities all along the east coast with one goal in mind–to reach Vacationland without killing the rest of the family en route. As we here in Maine want you to enjoy yourself (and spend lots of money) in our fair state, we’ve devised this handy guide for parents.
Age: Infant. Babyhood represents the easiest travel you’ll have for the next 20 years, as your baby is basically a piece of luggage when strapped to the carrier. As long as you feed and change it regularly and don’t forget it on the Mantinicus Island Ferry dock, you’re good.
Age: Toddler/preschool. Do yourself a favor. Don’t go. Put up a kiddie pool and a picture of a pine tree in your back yard and call it good. Traveling with 2-4 year-olds requires more luggage than Hilary took on his expedition to Everest. You will be unable to travel on the interstate because you need to be no less than 3 minu
tes away from a rest room at all times. You’ll wind up with seven take-home containers full of kiddy meals in your rental’s refrigerator, because your toddler will take one bite and spend the rest of the meal trying to climb off the deck of The Taste of Maine. (Caveat: ignore this advice if you’re meeting up with grandparents. The free babysitting will be worth the rest of the inconvenience.)
Age: Elementary school. Plan ahead for activities. There are several guidebooks on what to do with children in Maine (no, “losing them in the woods” is not an option.) You may be looking forward to a restful week of shopping and sunning at the shore, but your average child spends 7 hours a day getting information crammed into his head and another 2-6 hours getting bombarded with stimulation via the TV/computer/smart phone. “Sitting” and “strolling” are not their strengths. You know that guilty voice in your head that 
says the kids need more time outdoors? Maine offers you the chance to run them into the ground. Hike up Mount Battie! Kayak on Frenchman’s Bay! Go mountain biking at Sunday River! Rainy day? I suggest the Children’s Museum in Portland or the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor. In addition to offering hours of educational fun, both are located near stylish bars where the off-duty parent can relax with drink.
Age: Middle School. This time of life offers a switch to parents who have spent years mouthing apologies to restaurant owners/fellow campers/the clerks at the LL Bean store (pro tip: the live lake trout exhibit is NOT a wading pool.) Once your kids are in middle school, it’s their turn to be embarrassed by you. Not by anything you do, mind; by the sheer fact of your existence. Seek out activities you can do together, yet 
apart. Stake out opposite sides of Pemaquid beach for the day (they probably won’t drown without your direct supervision.) Let the kids get in line at Red’s Eats 20 minutes before you do, so they can pretend not to know you. Let them loose in the Big Chicken Barn – it’s large enough to keep any number of tweens busy without bumping into their parents. But don’t go too far away, parents! They still want to be close to your wallet.
Age: High school. Peak of the “I’m too cool for this” stage of life, the teen years offer special challenges to parents. You will point out masterpieces at the Farnsworth museum, only to hear, “Yeah, yeah.” “Look, son, the majestic Mount Katahdin!” will be greeted 
with silence, as your kid is too busy texting to take a look at Acadia. Better stick with activities that enable them to meet and mingle with other teens who share the unfortunate fate of being forced to vacation in Maine, with only a non-stop stream of texts to keep them connected with friends back home. If worse comes to worst, drop them off at the Maine Mall for the day. The Portland Museum of Art (and those stylish bars) are awaiting you.
Age: College. Is it nine months in a dorm room with a roommate who never washes his clothes? Exposure to Western Civ 101? Whatever the reason, your college-aged offspring are now happy to go on holiday with the family. They will cheerfully try strange food in new restaurants, patiently wait for the puffins to appear on the puffin cruise, and be willing to rough it in most any circumstance – as long as your rental 
house/camp site has wifi – they’re not barbarians. After years of trying to instill appreciation for art and nature into the kids, you may be surprised to be one-upped. “What was that about a hill and a bay?” you’ll say while lunching in Camden. Your English major daughter will surprise you by quoting, “All I could see from where I stood/ Was three long mountains and a wood;/ I turned and looked the other way,/ And saw three islands in a bay.” Your other daughter, the geology major, will describe the forces that formed Maine’s lakes and mountains as you bike through Oxford County.
Who are these delightful people? you will wonder.Sadly, all too soon, they’ll be drawn away by their jobs and travel with friends. But don’t worry, parents – at some point ion the future, your kids will be desperate parents of toddlers themselves, and the whole cycle will begin again. So please, keep visiting Maine! (and bring your money.)
I have three advance reader copies of Through the Evil Days to give away to one lucky commenter. Just the thing to turn to when you’re stuck in Route 1 traffic!
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
I vacationed in Maine at the age of 45 with my older brother, who lived in Portland at the time. He attempted the “lose her in the woods” technique but I outwitted him.
Don’t forget hiking in Acadia. Or the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Or zip-lining at Sugarloaf. So much to do in Maine.
We would love to visit Maine!
I love this! The ages are so perfectly described. Thanks!
Maine is on my bucket list. It’s a hike from Nebraska but worth it now that the nest is empty and there are no need to leave bodies along I-80
I hate it when you hit post and then spot a grammatical error. The hazards of little bitty text on a phone screen.
I hate it when you hit post and then spot a grammatical error. The hazards of little bitty text on a phone screen.
I’d love to visit Maine, if for no other reason than the scenery and the seafood!
Or just take them to Brown’s Ice Cream in York. Great ice cream….great memories of that place. And then just walk down the road to Nubble Light. Or the arcade at Short Sands. I could go on!!
Don’t forget the wonderful fairs in places like Topsham, Windsor, Skowhegan and other locations in central Maine. Read Charlotte’s web first. While in Windsor, drag them through Hussey’s general store – perfect for a rainy day.
Maine is already on my want-to-go list and now you’ve made it even more so! But one aspect remains in question: what to do with The Husband (who probably doesn’t want to spend a day at LL Bean)? 🙂
I so enjoy visiting Maine, but maybe because I’ve never done it w/ kids in tow! Boothbay is a favorite. My friends own vacation homes in Phippsburg, which seems far away from anything but actually has wifi.
I love the Russ & Claire series! But I read them all too quickly. I purposely hid my copy of One Was a Soldier & saved it to read this summer—much closer to the release of the next book. I’m from upstate NY. Grew up in a little town called Kinderhook, which the residents of Millers Kill would instantly feel at home in 🙂
Please include me in the giveaway & thanks for your generosity.
reneeasmith61 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I always wanted to vacation in Maine. The wife of one of my husband’s cousins – a Maine native – took every opportunity to tell the horrors of the Black Flies. According to her, they would ruin any vacation and Husband would not hear of the trip.
We toured the Old Town Canoe factory when I was a teen, about 1965, still a happy memory. My husband took the gradeschool-aged children to a weeklong program at Colby College one summer and they all loved it. About time for a trip back, I think.
Maybe George Barnard Shaw should have said ” Travel is wasted on the young”.
The wiggly bridge in York is a fun place to visit. My 20 month old loved walking on a real bridge and watching older children catch crabs. Plus, the little island is fun to explore. If it is raining the York Public Library has a great children’s room for toddlers and preschoolers. It has two train tables and an adorable house with its own weathervane, kitchen, and work bench.
OMG! We are traveling by car Labor Day with our very active 3 year old grandson. We’re not coming to Maine unfortunately but now I’m really worried. 8 hrs each way – achhhh
I was lucky. My almost-five-year-old grew out of the toddler/preschooler stage of travel you describe a bit early. We took the bus down to Boston recently and she commented, “this is all we’re bringing?” She’s not a very picky eater, either, which is great when traveling. I second the recommendation of the Children’s Museum in Portland. It’s great and not as overwhelming as the one in Boston.
How very apropos! Articles claiming to be helpful to people attempting to travel with children are most often laughable with their completely unreasonable suggestions. This one hits the nail on the head and, if I’m honest, helps me to understand why I’ve only taken three vacations with my children since having the first of four in 1999. I love the wading pool and pine tree picture suggestion – that’s my style! Your insight is spot on. Thanks for writing a very informative piece on Maine vacation spots while sprinkling it with humor that any honest parent will appreciate wholeheartedly.
We love visiting Maine — our neighbours next door — very similar to New Brunswick, but just different enough to make it intriguing!
We love Maine, it is not far from home and relatives live there. Seafood not to be missed! If you are retired you can go later before everything closes for the summer, before the leaf-peepers are there, and enjoy Maine almost all to yourself! Dee
Trips to Hermit Island for camping is one of my fondest memories of vacationing in Maine with my kids. One year, when my son was about 3, he happily took off down the beach to frolic in the surf. His feet hit that cold Maine water and I swear, he walked on water trying to get out. Funniest thing ever to remember. My daughters, who were 7 and 8 loved to climb the rocks, watch the ocean, and hike on the paths. Special memories for a special place.
Have never had the chance to visit Maine although I understand I have a lot of shirt-tail relatives there. (Any one named Ebacher is kissin kin) Maybe I could connect with some and have a chnace to kill 2 birds(not puffins) with one loevly Maine rock
Nice! We’re heading up in a couple of weeks – 4 days camping and kayaking in Stonington/Isle au Haut, and then 6 days in Moosehead – we’ll be there for the sea-plane fly-in. (And I love going in September – all the tourists have gone home! well… except for us. but we’re not the annoying kind. *grin*) And oooh! would love an ARC of the book – it’s gonna be hard to wait until November!
I’ve only been an arm-chair traveler to Maine. It’s at the top of my want to visit list and the good news is, I’m finally going to set foot in that lovely state in late September!! Whoo Hooooo! So excited!
Had to send this to my grandson’s parents. Loved the 2-4 yr old advice. They are lucky and can come anytime or age…built in babysitters! We live in Bowdoinham in the summer. Love to just sit on the back porch and read my favorite Maine authors.
We’ve been blessed with a kid who was tolerant, and even interested in stuff like the Penobscot Narrows bridge and Fort Knox, who went to camp in Maine and was happy to go visit friends near Acadia after camp for a few days. Now he is going to Bates, so we may have to learn to vacation around our kid – he’ll be too busy and will know Maine too well- He’ll be teaching us.
Love this Julia-plan to share it with friends who just made this trip with their three children!
Spent a few weeks last year (end of August into September) in Scarborough. We are from Washington state and even though both states have mountains, pine trees and the ocean they are very different. Spent a lot of time comparing lobster rolls! !! Acadia, the South Portland light, the Scarborough marsh and Booth Bay Harbour are just a few of my favorite places
Waiting for Labor Day so we can enjoy Maine’s best fried clams at Ken’s on Pine Point Road in Scarborough.
Waiting for Labor Day so we can enjoy the best fried clams in Maine at Ken’s on Pine Point Road in Scarborough.
Just don’t try driving north of Taste of Maine in summer cause the traffic backup in Wiscasset…for no apparent reason…can be annoying!
No smog? Less traffic? Nature? Beauty? Compliant and curious teens who wANT to hang with the family?!?! This sounds too real to be true! We are booking the next family vacation to this Eastern state…. And what better traveling companions to take along on that trans-American flight but a carry-on tote bursting with the Millers Kill book series!
My cousin bought a house in Maine this year, and I’ve been up to visit her. The country side I saw reminded me (and made my homesick for) my own Northern NY roots, but your novels bring me back in a much more exciting way! I’m looking forward to getting to know Maine better, as well as to continue along the journey with Reverend Clare and Chief Russ.
We love Maine – went there last year for the 1st time. We took our very young children to Acadia, and had a blast! My daughter wanted to stay at the Thunder Hole section all day :-). Can’t wait to go back!
We took our older granddaughter (13), a real city child, to Panther Pond this summer and watched her turn into a swimmer/kayaker/fisherchild! No technology involved; she loved it.
The tongue-in-cheek tone in the piece made me chuckle. Good thing I wasn’t drinking my morning tea!
Thanks, Julia — this was hilarious! As a dedicated reader of all your excellent Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne books, I hadn’t realized that you also had such a devastating sense of humor. (And I’d love an advance look at THROUGH THE EVIL DAYS.)
BTW, maybe I misread your advice to parents of high-schoolers, but I think you would want to say, “Oh look, Cadillac Mountain!” if you want them to look up and see Acadia.
Two questions: Does the toddler caveat include aunts & uncles? When did Hillary Clinton scale Everest? Who knew?
Been there, done that! Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
I had fun reading the suggestions about the different ages, and became very sentimental with the part about college kids. Just when your children seem like they’ve morphed into friends, off they go. Btw, Maine sounds like a great vacation spot!
Too funny and too true.
Little do exhausted new parents know that THESE are the easy times! I would add Coastal Children’s Museum in Rockland for the younger set. York Animal Kingdom is still a bargain. And don’t forget how simply magnificent it is to sit & drink coffee while you watch your children climb over rocks, peer into tidal pools, collect shells & discover all the ocean in Maine has to offer…
My vacations at the Black Point Inn led me to write a thriller a couple of years ago with Prout’s Neck as the setting. The female lead was married in the lovely Episcopal Church down the road, and the beach and deck and clubhouse of the wonderful beach club across the road from the inn featured in several scenes of the book. This did not sell at the time I submitted it – but I have enough love and enthusiasm for the settings that I plan to rewrite it and submit it again! I want to share my love of the Maine coast with as many souls as I can! Thelma Straw in Manhattan
After being practically housebound for almost a year following my husband’s diagnosis of leukemia we are hoping to be “released” sometime in the next month or so.. We can’t wait to travel again – we’ll surely put Maine on our list. I’ve read a couple of books set in Maine this summer and would love to see the beautiful scenes that these writers have painted in my mind!!!
A beach in Maine again! What I wouldn’t give to be there now! Kids or no kids….
When I finish chuckling, I think I’ll start a campaign for a vacation trip to Maine . . . .
I first went to Maine as a rebellious teenager. Mom and I were at war. In Acadia, I went in the ocean, probably just to get away, but also to watch my much younger sister and brother. It was so cold, my legs were bright red when I came out, and Mom yelled at me for getting sunburned.
Joyfully, I’m headed to Georgetown Island in a few weeks, with my siblings and 10 year old nieces. We all will be kayaking and heading to the beach, playing games, reading and generally having fun together. Can’t wait!
I love that “ah ha” moment when you’ve taken your child somewhere and they just get it. A quote from my 9 year old nephew that we took on a trip to Gettysburg. While at a rest stop on our upper deck bus tour of the battlegrounds he removed his headphones for the talking tour and exclaimed very loudly “This is the best vacation ever!!”. We’d been to Disney the year before. It has been a favorite memory of mine.
I’ve only been to Maine once and far too long ago. I can’t wait to come back to see and do much more (although lobster rolls everyday is a pretty amazing activity!). I’m an Episcopal priest, by the way, and I love all the Clare and Russ books.
Lucky me, I am Maine now, not too far from where you live….Bridgton/Lakes region. Hope to get the the ocean while I am here. It would make my summer reading if I got your book. I actually live close to your fictional setting of Miller’s Kill. Love the local references.