If you are planning a vacation to Acadia National Park, consider securing a rental for your stay. Acadia is located in Maine along the Atlantic Ocean. There are several villages such as Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Trenton and Ellsworth that offer rentals within minutes of the park.http://www.acadiamagic.com/acadia-lodging/bed_and_breakfast.html Rentals such as cottages or vacation houses are ideal for larger families looking for comfortable accommodations close to amenities such as local grocers, medical centers, postal services and other conveniences. Searching for a rental may be done through a travel agent or researched from your own home computer. There are several factors that you'll need to be sure and inquire about before committing to the rental.http://www.mtnlakes.com/WhyML.htm

1. Is the rental available for the specified dates?
2. Is it available monthly, weekly or daily?
3. How many people does the rental sleep?
4. What are the amenities such as cable, air conditioning, wireless Internet, washer/dryer, are basic necessities furnished etc.?
5. Proximity to attractions, local town, medical access, or beach front?
6. What, if any, is the required deposit amount?
7. Provisions for cancellation if needed?

Once you have reserved a vacation rental in the Acadia area, be sure to have the rental information available should you need additional directions to find your rental.

Acadia National Park and the surrounding areas offer many attractions for the entire family. The following points of interest are available for visitors to enjoy during their stay.

• Cadillac Mountain. Reaching 1,530 feet at it's highest point, this is the tallest mountain along the Atlantic coast of the United States. From its peaks, visitors get a bird's eye view of Bar Harbor, Maine, the Porcupine Islands and Frenchman Bay. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

• Islesford Historical Museum. Located on Little Cranberry Island, this museum features exhibits from the Town of Cranberry and its maritime past. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

• Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Seated on Mount Desert Island, this lighthouse is home to the commander of the local Coast Guard unit. It is the only lighthouse on the island. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

• Sieur de Montes Spring Area. Located in the heart of Arcadia National Park, this area includes such facilities as the Abbe Museum, the Nature Center and the Wild Gardens of Arcadia. It is also the hub of many of the hiking trails located within the park. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

• Park Loop Road. This system stretches over 27 miles of the park taking visitors through the forests and along the shorelines. http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm

In addition to Acadia, there are over 30 other natural refuges and parks throughout Maine.

There are also countless activities to take part in while staying at Acadia. Outdoor activities that may include, bicycling, bird watching, boating, climbing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding or swimming.http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm Because the weather can be unpredictable, there are also indoor activities that can be enjoyed, should your trip encounter inclimate weather. The museums, visitors centers, and nature centers have plenty of educational activities and can be enjoyed when outdoor activities have been cancelled.

For Kids. There are many children's programs designed to educate them about the natural element of the park. Depending upon the length of you stay, kids can take part in the Junior Ranger program. These activities are led by a park ranger, providing entertainment and education. And of course, there is always the beach.http://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/justforkids.htm

The history surrounding Arcadia dates back to the American Indians who occupied the coast. In 1604, Samuel Champlain, a french explorer, led an expedition that landed upon Mount Desert Island. In his journals, he recounts the landscape and bestowed the name “Isles des monts Desert” upon the island. During the Revolutionary War, families migrated to the northern corner of the coast to escape the conflict, and established settlements where some of Maine's towns are still located today. It was not until George B. Dorr, a conservation spokesman in the early 1900's, that land along the Maine coast began to become preserved. Dorr slowly acquired property in the Arcadia area and in 1919 President Wilson signed an act declaring Lafayette National Park. It's name was changed to Acadia in 1929.http://www.nps.gov/acad/historyculture/stories.htm