If you live anywhere on the East Coast (or in the country, or Canada, or anywhere really) and haven’t visited Acadia National Park – it’s time to get your butt in gear and start some trip planning. To help, here’s our top-ten recommendations on what to do when you get there.
10. Scramble the Beehive
Like hiking and also want to relive your childhood days on the jungle-gym? The short, sweet, and very vertical Beehive Trail combines great views with fun (and sometimes a little scary) rock scrambles, complete with rungs anchored into the rocks in the pretty hairy sections.
9. Chow down at Beal’s Lobster Pier
You can’t go to coastal Maine and not eat some lobster (shellfish allergies be damned!) – and if you’re going to shell out for the tasty crustacean, you’d might as well get an experience with the meal. Beal’s Lobster Pier is a Southwest Harbor institution – enjoy your lunch while watching the Lobster boats come in with the day’s catch.
8. Bike the Carriage Roads
The Rockefellers used to own much of the land that is now Acadia National Park – their legacy lives on in ~45 miles of crushed-granite carriage roads that crisscross the park. Either bring your own, or rent bikes on-island and go do some 2-wheeled exploration!
7. Get Popovers at Jordan Pond House
Add some class to your Acadia trip with afternoon tea and popovers at Jordan Pond House. If you need a little more sustenance (and afternoon tea proves too sophisticated), the meatloaf sandwich is pretty tasty too! Afterward, take a hike down to Jordan Pond to soak in an iconic view of the Bubbles.
6. Hike Cadillac Mountain
Get up early one morning, throw the theme song from Rocky, and prepare to summit the tallest mountain on the Eastern seaboard within 25 miles of the ocean. You’ll have your pick of three routes up the mountain – if you’re looking for a short, vertical, and fun way up we’d recommend the Gorge Path! Once you achieve the summit, try not to judge the folks that drive to the top…
5. See Some Whales!
Summertime in Acadia gives you the best chance to see whales – Humpbacks, Fin Whales, and Blue Whales. You’ll also probably see Puffins, Porpoises, and Basking Sharks. We booked with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. on their “Whales and Puffins” tour and had a great time. Pro-tips: bring a warm jacket, and if you’re prone to sea-sickness, do the Dramamine thing! Otherwise you’ll be cold and/or sick and probably not having an awesome time.
4. Experience Thunder Hole
A narrow inlet on the rocky coast of Mount Desert Island, Thunder Hole gets it’s name from the sound that emanates as waves force air out of the inlet, which is slightly under water. It’s a super popular attraction, and for good reason – you’ll find yourself hanging out there, waiting to see if the next incoming wave creates a bigger and louder splash sound than the last one.
3. Sea Kayak the Mt. Desert Narrows
There are plenty of great vantage points from within Acadia, but no trip to the Park would be complete without a little time on/in the water. We booked an afternoon tour with Maine State Kayak. Situated in their 2-person sea kayaks, we paddled and paddled around the Mt. Desert Narrows until our arms felt they were going to fall off (5.5. miles total). In exchange, we were treated to seeing Bald Eagles, Harbor Seals, and the shoreline from a new vantage point.
2. Drive the Park Loop Road
If you’re looking to see a lot and not necessarily break a sweat, the 27-mile park loop road will let you drive right to a lot of the action, including Thunder Hole, Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond House, and the Beehive Trail. There are plenty of places to pull off and see the sites, take a photo, or have a picnic.
1. Drink some Maine Beer!
Doing all that other stuff, you’re bound to work up a mighty thirst. Thankfully, there’s plenty of great local Maine brews to choose from. Our favorites are Rising Tide Brewing’s Maine Island Trail Ale and the tried and true Allagash White. Both of them are great summer beers, best enjoyed at the end of a trail overlooking the Atlantic on Mount Desert Island:)
If you read this and still don’t have the urge to point north on Interstate 95, you must not like having a good time.
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