10 Family-Friendly Activities in Eastern Maine You Need to Know About

April vacation is fast approaching, and summer vacation is right on the heels of that. If you have kids, you've likely already started brainstorming ways to keep them occupied and happy while they're off school. Here's a list of 10 family-friendly spots, right in Eastern Maine, that you might want to check out.

When I think of family-friendly, as a parent, I consider this little list of criteria, just so you know where I'm coming from.

A.) Pricepoint

I want something we can all enjoy, that I don't have to take out a second mortgage to experience.

B.) Bathrooms/Accessibility

No matter how many times you tell them to go before you leave, inevitably someone is going to need to use the facilities at one point. Also, is the place easily manageable for all ages: babies in strollers, tiny teetering toddlers and big kids? Can grandma/grandpa join?

C.) Attention vs Overstimulation

Will this keep the attention of my kids but not be too much for those who experience sensory overload?

D.) Snacks

Do they allow you to bring food with you or are there eatery options nearby? I don't think I need to explain this one. (No one likes dealing with kids or parents who are "hangry".)

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Here are places that meet most if not all of those criteria.

1.) Leonard's Mills/Maine Forest and Logging Museum

Located off Route 178 halfway between Bradley and Milford, this space is part  "living history" and part "great outdoors." The grounds are open during the daylight hours, and they often hold special exhibits and events that showcase what life was like long ago.

While they may have some tasty treats as part of the demonstrations during events, the site isn't far from an excellent local ice cream shop, Spencer's Ice Cream, so snacks are nearby, if not on site.

"The Maine Forest and Logging Museum is largely an outdoor experience with much uneven terrain.  Few of our buildings are accessible for persons with disabilities.  Please call ahead if you are challenged so we can help you navigate the Museum.

They have both a gift shop and a restroom and while there is no admission to get in, they do accept donations.

2.) Cole Land Transportation Museum

Right in Bangor, at 405 Perry Road, this museum has so much to look at you could kill hours there, especially if you have kids that enjoy cars and trucks and tanks!

With plenty of free parking, admission for adults is just $12 with military and first responder discounts available. And the good news is, kids 19 years and under are free. They have restrooms on site and are just a quick drive from any number of restaurants.

3.) Maine Discovery Museum

With three floors of exhibits geared towards kids and learning, The Maine Discovery Museum, on Main Street in Bangor has plenty of room, plenty of things to keep kiddos occupied, and plenty of kid-friendly amenities like an elevator, bathrooms, a snack area, and even a spot to drop off coats and boots and strollers when you first come in.

There are things for your artistically inclined little one, for those who love to build things, they have animals to check out, and lots of little nooks and crannies to explore. Admission is $14 per person unless you have a membership. Toddlers 2 and under get in for free. While parking in downtown Bangor can be tricky, there are plenty of places to eat, and other things in town to do which are easily accessible on foot.

4.) Fort Knox & Penobscot Narrows Observatory

Located at 740 Fort Knox Road in Prospect, about half an hour's drive from Bangor, Fort Knox, and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory offer both an expansive space to explore and an amazing view to behold.

There are even some really cool cannons kids can get up close and personal with if they're curious.

Tickets into one or both of the sites range between $2.50 and $9.00 depending on what your age is and where you want to go. There's plenty of parking. Fort Knox might be a bit tricky to access by stroller or wheelchair as its walkways and paths are made of stone or dirt, but the Penobscot Observatory does have an elevator to the top. There's also a gift shop and restrooms. Bucksport, which is a 5-minute drive away, has many options for food and a great waterfront to visit, too.

5.) Jordan Planetarium

The Versant Power Astronomy Center and Jordan Planetarium in Orono, on the campus of the University of Maine, is a stop you should try to make at least once if you can. They offer a variety of different programs from science and space-based to music, to pop culture.

Tickets for the shows range from $7 for adults and $6 for UMaine Students/Senior Citizens and Veterans to $5 for kids 12 and under. They've got plenty of parking, and they have ADA-accessible entrances and ramps if needed. And there are plenty of places in Orono and the surrounding towns if you get hungry.

6.) Scenic Train Ride

A fun thing to do, especially in the fall or over a school vacation, is to take a train ride. Easter Maine has a couple of different options if you're looking to ride the rails.

In Ellsworth, you can park at Cadillac Mountain Sports and hop right on the Downeast Scenic Railroad. This tour takes an hour and forty-five minutes and travels 12 miles of track in the Ellsworth area.

In Unity, you can catch the Belfast and  Moosehead Lake Railroad. Aside from scenic rides, this railroad offers a host of specialty rides like their "Pizza and Whoopie Pie" ride or their "Hot Apple Cider and Dounut" ride.

Both railroads offer a special Santa excursion. There are snacks, bathrooms, and spots to stow wheelchairs or strollers on both trains. All trips are roundtrip with parking available at the spot where you get on and off the locomotive.

Most trips cost about $25 for adults and $15 for kids, with many of the specialty rides offered by the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad coming in a little cheaper, depending on the event.

7.) Bangor City Forest & Orono Bog Boardwalk

If you want to get out and explore the outdoors, but don't want to venture too far from town, the Bangor City Forest and the "Orono Bog Walk" are great options, and they're free.

The City Forest can be accessed from a spot off of Stillwater Avenue called Tripp Drive. A popular place for Geocaching, this trail system is well maintained, features a couple of rudimentary restrooms, and in the case of the Bog Walk, it's a pretty easy-to-navigate path that's well marked. (While it can get a little narrow if you walk with a stroller, it's definitely doable. )

You can bring snacks and there are trash cans available to discard any trash you might bring in. Parking can get a little tight at times, depending on how many others have the same idea you do. But the walk is beautiful and educational and very easy. Keep your eyes peeled for rabbits, foxes, deer, tons of birds, and sometimes bears!

8.) Belfast City Park

About an hour outside of Bangor, and totally worth the ride, is the Belfast City Park, located on City Park Road, this place has something for everyone.

There are places to picnic, tennis courts and basketball courts, a great playground for kids to explore, and an expansive beach to walk in either direction.

There's even a pool to swim you can enjoy.

The park is free and there is plenty of room for parking and activities. There's also a restroom and snack shack on site.

9.) Brewer River Walk

Right across the river from Bangor is a beautifully maintained walking trail that runs along the other side of the Penobscot River.

The Brewer River Walk, which seems to expand every year, is a great place to take kids. The walk itself is not very challenging but offers plenty to see and a number of spots to stop and explore along the way, including the children's garden and picnic tables with built-in chess tables.

The walk borders a couple of restaurants, and there are a couple of spacious parking lots to take advantage of. The path is nice and flat, great for dog-walking or stroller pushing.

10.) Indoor Amusement Facility

We all know that while there's plenty of outdoor fun to be had in Maine, Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate. For those instances, there are a handful of fun indoor places you can check out.

There are indoor amusement spots like the Orono Trampoline Park & Urban Air where kids can run, jump, and play till their little hearts are content. For these two places in particular you will need to sign a waiver before your kid can participate in the activities. They will also need to wear special socks, which you can buy at the venue if you don't have them already.

They are both equipped with restrooms and spots to get snacks. There are even spots for adults to sit and wait and enjoy a beverage or snack while the kids run amuck. The cost at the Trampoline park is $16 per hour to jump plus the cost of socks. Urban Air has packages that start at just under $25. Both these places tend to be loud and bright, which can be a bit much at moments for kids with sensory issues.

Maybe you'd rather bowl or play games than jump around?

In the Bangor/Brewer area, there are a few spots that are open to families who want to bowl or play games like pool or corn hole. The Family Fun Lanes, Bangor Brewer Bowling Lanes, and The Sports Arena.

All 3 spots have ample parking, snacks on site, and restrooms available. Pricing depends on which games you want to play, and for how long. In the evenings, some spots have fun activities like "Glow bowling" that families can participate in, too.

So the next time your kiddo comes to you and says, "I'm bored!" pull up this list, pile them into your car or van, and head out on one of these family-friendly adventures.

Get out with your kids or grandkids and make some cool memories! What else would you add to this list? Let us know!