Looking to spend 3 days in Acadia National Park? You're in the right place.

​Bar Harbor is a picturesque town nestled between the coast of Maine and Acadia National Park. Visitors flock to this quaint town for the delicious lobster, breathtaking views, harrowing hikes, scenic bike rides, laidback vibes, and the perfect temperatures in the summertime. 

We went three years ago in July, and Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park easily rank in my top five places I have ever visited. I was blown away by how beautiful it is, and I have already have an itinerary set for when I visit again. 
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But here is the best 3 day guide of what we did the first time around along with suggestions/tips/recommendations from other seasoned travelers to the area. 

• Traveled by rental car from Boston to Burlington, VT to Augusta, ME to Bar Harbor
• Traveled with my husband and parents
• Stayed at The Hampton Inn, Bar Harbor
• Stayed 4 nights, 4 days

Day 1

• We arrived to Bar Harbor in the early afternoon and took some time settling into the hotel and exploring the downtown area (more on that later) for a grocery store for some snacks for the room. 
• We ate lunch at Finback Alehouse. Delicious crab cakes and lobster bisque. 
• Later, we drove into Acadia National Park to see the sunset at Sand Beach - a perfect place where land meets water to form a striking landscape of pinks, oranges, and yellows beaming off the cliffs in the distant. We ate our snacks and marveled at the sights. 
• We continued on to watch the latter half of the sunset on top of Cadillac Mountain. The sights were truly breathtaking. Our plan was to come here earlier for the full sunset, but it was closed due to being filled to capacity. 

Recommendations/Suggestions: 

• Spend one evening watching the sunset or sunrise from Cadillac Mountain. Get there early! 
• Cadillac Mountain sunrise hike
• ​Later drive down to Sand Beach for some stargazing. 

Day 2

• Started the day early to get to Acadia
• We parked near Sand Beach and took the Ocean Trail from there. Ocean Trail goes along the coast and offers views of the Atlantic Ocean, the famous Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs. 
• Veered off Ocean Trail and took a hike up Gorham Mountain Trail. This hike is steep but a good middle ground hike if you are looking for something challenging but not as challenging as some of the other hikes. You are rewarded with gorgeous views at the top. 
• Drove to Jordan Pond House. *Travel Tip*Make reservations ahead of time. We are so lucky that we did because the place was packed. Jordan Pond House is a perfect midday respite from hiking to enjoy popovers, lunch, and spectacular views of the pond with The Bubbles in the background. 
• In the evening, James and I drove out to Great Long Pond for SUP Yoga. More on this place later. 

Recommendations/Suggestions: 

• Precipice Trail and Beehive Trail for the adventurous and daring souls
• Hike around Jordan Pond (Penobscot Mt.)
• Time your visit to Thunder Hole two hours before high tide. We, unfortunately, did not and didn't get the full effect. 

Day 3

• My parents split off from my husband and me this day. They took a bike ride through the park, and we headed back to Great Long Pond. 
• This time we spent three hours paddleboarding (me) and kayaking (husband). As the name suggests, the pond is long and narrow with gorgeous (I can't stop using this word) backdrops of the mountains. 
• We headed downtown later in the day for lunch and to walk along Bar Island during low tide. 
• Later, met up with my parents for dinner at Galyn's, an upscale restaurant near the water. I ate more lobster bisque, and we watched the 4th of July fireworks. 

Recommendations/Suggestions: 

• National Park Canoe and Kayak Rental
  
• Mainely Meat Barbeque at Atlantic Brewing Company 
  
• Side Street Cafe
• Thirsty Whale
  
• Coffee Hound
  
• Mount Desert Ice Cream
  
• Take time to walk around Cottage Street and the rest of downtown (I wish we had more time to this)

Day 4

• My dad and I woke up early to get in one more hike. We hiked up North Bubbles and had great early morning views of the park. 
• We packed off and left. Sad to leave this beautiful place behind. 

Recommendations/Suggestions: 

• Spend 5 full days here
• Champlain Mountain
• Thurston's Lobster Place
• Go beyond Bar Harbor to Mt. Desert Island where you'll look at Isleboro Deer Isle in the distant when looking from Mt. Battie. 
• Sea kayaking

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
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Nested Bean products are scientifically proven to calm a baby. Their products mimic a parent's touch when their weighted pads are activated. These bean bags on each side makes it feel as if your children is being held.  They guarantee that your baby will sleep better in 1-3 nights.  

Nested Bean's Zen sleepwear comes in five different products: 

Mothers who have used this product have attested that the products are very calming to their babies. Once wrapped in the swaddle, the babies would immediately settle. 

Not only do the parents love the products, but daycares do as well. Moms and Dads reported to buying two of them. One for daycare and one for the house. One mom said that daycare describes Nested Bean as a "miracle worker" for when babies get fussy. 

Nest Bean products are safe, durable, affordable and machine washable. They are definitely something you want to add to your baby registry today. You will be getting the rest and sleep you deserve in no time and then you will be able to wake up to a happier, healthier, and well-rested baby too! Order yours today! 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Step 1: Read Dr. Harvey Karp's book and blog

Step 2: Set up a calming baby room

• Cool temperature with humidifier 

• Blackout curtains

• Sound Machine

Step 3: Establish a bedtime routine

I would breastfeed my son first and then change his diaper, massage him, and wrap him in his swaddle, so he would slightly wake up. 

Step 4: Gently nudge your baby awake when you put him down

Step 5: Offer a lovey when she gets older

Step 6: Around 4 months, do not rush to your baby the moment he cries. Try this instead...

1. Pause for 5 minutes
2. Turn up the sound machine
3. Place your hand on your baby's belly and let it rest there. 
4. Slightly jiggle your baby. 
5. Read more on takingcarababies

Step 7: Read more here

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Step 1: Follow @takingcarababies on Instagram or check out her blog.

Cara is amazing! She is a sleep expert and a former nurse. Her tips have helped tremendously. 

Step 2: From Birth-4 months we kept our son in our room in a bassinet next to my side of the bed. 

This was easy for me to grab him whenever I had to breastfeed. 

Step 3: Around 4 months, we got rid of the bassinet and switched to the pack n play portion. 

Step 4: Around this same time, we moved our son further from away from me but still on the same side as me. 

Step 5: Around 5 months, we moved the pack n play to the opposite side of the room, the farthest away from me. 

Step 6: Around 5 months, we also moved the glider to the nursery. Most of the feedings and bedtime routine now took place in the nursery rather than our room. 

Step 7: Around 6 months, we tried to do as many naps as possible in the crib in the nursery instead of our room. Make sure it's dark! 

Step 8: Around 8 months, we transitioned to the nursery and sleeping in the crib no problem! 

Step 1: Try on your pants

We are all so used to not only being seen from the torso up that our pants have been nonexistent for the past two months. Most of us have been wearing sweatpants, shorts, and even no pants at all for so long. Showing up to school in your swim trunks or yoga pants I'm pretty sure will be frowned upon. 
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To prepare for in-person teaching try on your pants. One, to see if they fit and two, to get used to the feel of them. It's important to train yourself to keep your pants buttoned for up to 8 hours because you can no longer turn the camera off. I highly suggest intervals. Each day wear your pants a little bit longer until you can refrain from ripping them off. No one is no longer going to cut you slack if you forget to wear your slacks. 

Step 2: Practice muting yourself in real life

The principal isn't going to buy the excuse, "It's ok, Mr. Smith, no one can hear my talking because my mic is on mute.," in a staff meeting. Nor is the administration going to like if they go into your classroom for an observation and you are on the phone with your friend because you claim your "mic is on mute." 
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Start practicing now by keeping quiet when someone else is talking. Try turning on the TV and watching the news. Do your best to eliminate all background noise. Refrain from talking. I realize this is extremely hard, but try your best to plaster a big smile on your face and nod your head occasionally. 

Step 3: Realize your whole body will now be seen

We are all used to slightly adjusting our bodies so we are out of the frame to do our texting or crossword puzzle when we are meant to be listening and pay attentioning.
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When we go back to school, we need to realize we can't obscure ourselves to lie our head down or roll our eyes during mind numbing meetings or when a student gives an absurd answer. We can't pick our nose, laugh loudly, swear under our breaths. Everything will be seen like it's 1984. 

Step 4: Practice holding your pee

Teachers have gotten used to the luxury of peeing whenever they felt like it. It will be hard to readjust our bodies to no longer being able to use the facilities when the time arises. We can't just turn our cameras and sound off. We will have full classes once again and extra duties which won't allow us to excuse ourselves. 
See how long you can hold your pee each day to practice returning to normal. If you get a UTI you have succeeded and passed the test! You are ready! 

Step 5: Study your students' faces. 

By now we are used to students not showing up for class or turning off their cameras, so we can't see them. You might want to brush up on what they look like before returning to school. I suggest stalking your colleagues' and administration's social media accounts, so you can remember what they look like as well. "Ohh, Ms. Johnson, you aren't an icon of a cat in real life?" "Mr. Ryan, your legs look quite nice. I haven't seen them in awhile." "Mrs. Tyler, your shins and calves look much different than I remembered." It could be quite embarrassing if you turn off for school and you can't put faces to names. Start studying now! 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

1. Get a few pairs of comfy yoga pants. 

2. Cute scrunchies to pull back your hair.

3. Check out books from the library.

4. Find good podcasts and TV shows to watch.

Listening to: The Bobby Bones Show and The Office Ladies
Watching: Tiger King, Outer Banks, The Office again, Community, Dead to Me, Curb Your Enthusiasm 

5. Going to parks

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Step 1: Research a website you like and find out the kind of blogs they publish. Read. Read. Read. 

Step 2: Read their editorial guidelines and submission rules carefully.

Step 3: Write something you are passionate about.

Step 4: Aim for 500-800 words. That is the sweet spot. 

Step 5: Proofread and edit. Take out any unnecessary words.

Step 6: Add pictures and graphics where necessary. 

Step 7: Submit! 

Step 1: Turn on Calming Music

Step 2: Let him eat what you are eating

Step 3: Let him take control and feed himself

Step 4: When that doesn't work, sing "If You Are Happy and You Know It" over and over and over

Step 5: Shove food into his mouth when he giggles at the song. Do this until he is finished eating. 

Step 6: Go insane! Your child will find this funny and then will eat on his own. You're welcome! 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Step 1: Buy a good pair of running shoes

Go to a local running store and get fitted. 

Step 2: Buy a running watch

Go cheap or expensive depending on what you want the watch to do. 

Step 3: Do dynamic stretches before you run

Step 3: Run 3-4 days a week for 20 minutes

It's okay if you need to do intervals. Run 5 minutes, walk briskly for 1 minute. Repeat. 

Step 4: Cool down and stretch 

Step 5: Hydrate

Step 6: Do core two times a week

Step 7: Cross Train on off days (biking, swimming, walking, hiking, boxing) 

Do you feel like ever since you had a kid toys are taking up your entire house?

f that is the case, I have 10 non toys items that you can gift a toddler that will be just as meaningful and fun, if not MORE, than a toy could ever serve. 

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

1. Book Club Membership 

2. Baby and Mommy/Daddy Yoga Class

3. Children's Museum Pass

 4. Toddler Art Class or Art Kit

5. Baby's First Year Memory Keepsake

6. Swim Lessons

7. Baseball Tickets

8. Zoo Membership

9. Train Ride

10. Kids Cooking Class