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Taking the Kids: Bragging rights from Acadia National Park

By Eileen Ogintz, Tribune Content Agency on

It's also known for souvenir shopping. "You can get crazy souvenirs here, like bags of moose poop candy. It's just chocolate, but it's a pretty funny gift to give someone," said Darrin, 11, from Portland.

"Get a stuffed moose. Even though I live in Bar Harbor, I have one," said Harmony, 11. The Moose, of course, is Maine's state animal and you will see everything moose and lobster here -- socks, PJs, T-shirts, keychains, holiday ornaments, magnets. ... As well as plenty of things with blueberries. (Maine raises 99 percent of all the wild blueberries in the country and you'll see wild blueberry bushes throughout Mount Desert Island.)

"Blueberry pancakes are the best," said Willow, who lives in Freeport. Picking blueberries not so much. "Picking blueberries takes forever ... and if you keep eating out of your bucket, it takes even longer," she added.

The best part: You can leave the car wherever you are staying to explore Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island and Acadia -- there is a free Island Explorer bus system that goes all around the island and the park.

Families, especially wealthy families, have been coming to vacation on Mount Desert Island for generations. In fact, Acadia National Park exists because a few of them, including John D. Rockefeller Jr., donated land and worked hard to preserve it as a national park. Rockefeller paid for the Park Loop Road and the carriage roads -- first built so he could have carriage rides around his estate -- and where so many people bike and horseback ride today. (No cars!)

Kids will love going over and under the famous stone bridges (most also paid for by Rockefeller) past streams and waterfalls. You can check out some of Acadia's lakes and ponds (there are nine of them) from the carriage roads, including Eagle Lake.

"My favorite thing to do in Acadia is bike around Eagle Lake," said Molly, 12, from Bar Harbor.

It's easy to rent bikes in Bar Harbor. Make sure to wear a helmet and remember that everyone yields to the horses, bikers, hikers and walkers.

 

Maine kids also have some gear suggestions for visiting kids:

"I always take some extra clothes hiking so if there's a place to swim, I can put on dry clothes and not have to keep hiking in wet shorts," said Frannie, 13, from Portland.

"The essentials for hiking are a water bottle, snacks, lunch and bug spray. The bugs are so bad up on the mountains," said Zoey, 11.

"I always pack some Band-Aids and Neosporin in my bag," said Cat, 12, from Portland. "If anyone is going to fall down or get blisters, it's going to be me."

Most important, says Adam, 11, from Bar Harbor, "In Acadia, take only pictures and leave only footprints."

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)


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