Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park. A 3-Day Family Getaway

One of the things I've learned as my boys have gotten older is that getting everyone together isn't as easy as it used to be. There was a time when family vacations were planned around school calendars, sports schedules, and sleepaway camp dates. These days, getting all of our boys together for a few days feels like a win.

This trip was especially fun because our youngest, Jake, planned most of it. He found an Airbnb in Bar Harbor, Maine, and somehow coordinated family coming in from different places. It took planes, cars, and a lot of logistics to get everyone there, but we made it.

The funniest part came at the end. One of the boys had flown to Maine while someone else drove the car, and it wasn't until it was time to leave that he realized the car had to make its way back to New York City. A 9-hour drive. Somehow that detail hadn't crossed his mind until it was time to head home.

Our puppy Ruby came too, which made it even better.

Now, about the Airbnb. My kids love Airbnbs. They also think I'm a little bougie, and maybe they're right. Call me crazy, but if I'm paying a premium, I don't think the bath mats should be ripped, the beds should smell fresh, the dishwasher should work, and the shower should actually drain. This house had a bit of a haunted feel to it. None of that ended up mattering much, though, because it gave us something hotels can't always offer: one place where everyone could be together.

And the location was spectacular. We could walk right into downtown Bar Harbor, and behind the house was a path that led along the harbor. Morning walks with coffee, evenings by the water, plenty of room to slow down.

Two of our boys live in New York City, where their days are filled with work, noise, and constant activity. What they wanted most was exactly what Maine offered: time in nature, fresh air, some distance from their phones and computers, and time together. One of the highlights was a bike-and-hike through Acadia National Park. There's something about being surrounded by nature that reminds you how good it feels to just move your body and be somewhere quiet.

And yes, we ate our share of lobster.

If you're thinking about visiting Bar Harbor, I'd give yourself at least 3 nights. It's a bit of a trek to get there, so staying a few days lets you actually settle in and see both the town and Acadia without feeling rushed.

What I'll remember most isn't the scenery, as beautiful as it was. It's that we were all in the same place for a few days. Those opportunities get a little more rare as your kids build their own lives, which made this one feel worth every bit of the logistics it took to pull off.