Trip to Acadia (Mount Desert Island)

01 Jul 2020

tl;dr An old guide to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine.

Travel Up from New York City

• Lunch in Portland, Maine: Stop at Duckfat for incredible poutine.
• Scenic Route: After Portland, skip I-95 all the way. Instead, take I-295, then switch to US-1 near Brunswick for a picturesque coastal drive. Adds about an hour but worth it.

Where to Stay

• Short Trips: Stay near Bar Harbor. It’s the main hub with restaurants and nightlife, and you can walk back after drinks.
• Longer Trips: Anywhere on the island works.
  • We stayed near Southwest Harbor, which felt more authentically “Maine” with fewer crowds.
  • Perks: Quiet area, fire pit, tasty lobster shack nearby, and close to Seawall Campground for scenic dinners.

Town Vibes

• Bar Harbor: Main tourist hub with lots of restaurants, nightlife, and close to major hikes (10-20 min drive).
• Northeast Harbor: Upscale vibe with fancy homes; feels like the Hamptons.
• Southwest Harbor: Quaint and quiet. Great if you want peace, but it’s 30-40 minutes from the main hikes.

Top Hikes (Ranked)

1. Beehive Trail
   • Iconic hike with metal rungs for climbing—great adrenaline rush! Includes a beautiful pond-side trail.
2. Sand Beach
   • Near Beehive, one of Maine’s rare sand beaches. Perfect for a post-hike stroll.
3. Beech Cliff Trail (via Beech Cliff Loop)
   • Quick 1.5-mile hike with steep ladders and stunning views at the top. Great for a lunch break.
4. Gorham Mountain
   • Easier than Beehive but just as fun. Offers ocean views and optional adventurous cliff-side detours.
5. Thunder Hole
   • Dramatic rock formation with splashy waves. Timing is key; it wasn’t very loud when we visited.
6. Bar Island Walk
   • During low tide, walk across the sandbar to Bar Island. The island’s hike is average, but the sandbar experience is unique.
7. Jordan Pond + Bubbles
   • Popular but crowded. Scenic views and a chance to try popovers at Jordan Pond House (if it’s not too busy).

Restaurants

• Charlotte’s Lobster Pound
  • Delicious lobster rolls with a bonus: goats in the back! Pick up food and eat at Seawall picnic benches for water views.
• Eat-a-Pita
  • Great breakfast spot near Southwest Harbor with surprisingly top-notch service.
• Café This Way
  • Located in Bar Harbor. Don’t miss their breakfast if you’re hungry.
• The Reading Room
  • A “fancier” spot in Bar Harbor. Decent food, NYC-level prices, and a romantic outdoor space overlooking the harbor.
• Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream
  • Thick, dense ice cream that absolutely hits the spot.

Other Activities

• Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain
  • Classic Acadia experience. Drive to the peak for stunning views. Note: Early wake-up can wreck your day from exhaustion!
• Bioluminescent Kayaking
  • Magical and worth the 1.2-hour drive. Highly recommend this experience!
  • Castine Kayak Bioluminescence Trips
• Climbing Adventure
  • Challenging but exhilarating. Perfect for thrill-seekers!
  • Acadia Mountain Guides
• Sunset Sail
  • Cheesy but worth it—the best sunset I’ve ever seen. Drinks on board make it even better.
  • Downeast Windjammer Sunset Sail