Best Family Vacation Destinations

Leen's Lodge has the best Maine family vacation destinations all within driving distance, not to mention all of the fun you can enjoy here. Some of Maine's greatest natural wonders are just waiting for your family to explore right in our own county, just outside of our Maine cabin rentals. Stay with us and enjoy our adventures, but be sure to take in some of the sites while you're in town as well.

Back to the Introduction | Weather | Natural Wonders | Maine State Parks
Places to Hike | Bird Watching | Whale Watching

Maine Natural Wonders

· TIDES:

The greatest rise and fall of tides on the shores of the continental United States occur along the Washington County coast. The tall pilings at Jonesport, Lubec, and Eastport attest to the gigantic fluctuations of the ocean's level where 18-foot variations are average. Actually, the greatest tides occur way up on the St. Croix River at Calais where the average is 20 feet. At certain times of the year, however, the water level will vary 28 feet every six hours or close to one inch every minute!

· COLORFUL BEACHES:

Within a 40 mile ride you can discover beaches of three different colors: at Perry the sand is a deep red; at Bailey's Mistake the beach is made of black volcanic sand; and at Jonesport the sand is a blazing white making these some of the best family vacation destinations in Maine!

· WHIRLPOOLS:

Tidal currents coming together between Eastport and Deer Island, N.B., form the "Old Sow" whirlpool-one of the world's largest and most dangerous. The whirlpool has tipped over a tanker and chewed many smaller craft to bits. It's at it's best two hours before flood tide so drive down near Dog Island in Eastport to see this Maine family vacation hotspot.

· HERRING COVE BEACH:

On the ocean side of beautiful Campobello Island, N.B., is Herring Cove Beach vacation destination, a two-mile long ribbon of sand and gravel. The beach separates the salt water on one side and a mile-and-a-half long fresh water lake on the other side. It's a perfectly delightful place to beachcomb with spectacular views and your choice of fresh water or salt water bathing.

· REVERSING FALLS:

The tremendous tides cause still another natural wonder-the reversing salt water falls at Mahar's Point in West Pembroke, Maine. This half-mile-long set of falls is undoubtedly one of the least known, but most fantastic natural phenomena in the county. Through a 300-yard gap passes most of the tidal flow which alternately fills and drains both Whiting and Dennys Bay. The salt water flows at a 25-knot speed into bays over jutting rocks which cause the "falls". As the tide current slows, the roar of the water gradually diminishes until, at slack tide, the channel is like a mirror and the sound of birds and the wind in the trees can be heard again. Gradually the direction of the water is changed, the seaweed is swept in the opposite direction, ripples appear around the jutting rocks, and within ten minutes the six-hour-long roar has begun again. Lying along the rocky shoreline are hundreds of fossiliferous rocks bearing imprints of ancient shell forms. The Washington County Development Authority and the town of Pembroke have built a two-mile long road and picnicking area into the Falls. All of these destinations are perfect for Maine family vacations. For more information on Maine cabin rentals or affordable family vacations in Maine, contact Leen's.