I'm a transplant(NY refugee) that's been in Kennebunk for a few years. We usually go up to Bar Harbor for vacation but this year I'm leaning towards a mid coast town.

It's my wife and me with 2 & 4 year old girls. Bar Harbor is fun for us but I don't think it will be ideal for toddlers. I'm leaning towards Boothbay Harbor right now.  It looks like it checks all the boxes beaches, aquarium, and botanical gardens. My parents are coming in so we will have a few nights with a babysitter and we never get to go out alone.

Does anyone have feedback on the town?  Family friendly, beaches for toddlers, restaurants and entertainment?  If so any recommendations for where to stay.  We will be going up week of 8/20.

ETA: If that's not a good place any other ideas within 3 hours of Kennebunk?

Ft. Knox in Prospect.  Right at the edge of your three hour distance.

I'll check it out thanks.

I had driven by Ft. Knox a bunch of times on my way up to Acadia but finally stopped to check it out on my last trip. Pretty neat. I expected it to be like most of the other forts where there is  not much left but a stone building. This was much more than that IMO.