We checked off another National Park on our list! Each park we visit has something new to see, to offer from landscape, bodies of water, animals, trails, drives/loops and more! Mount Desert Island is the largest island off the coast of Maine and the second largest (behind Long Island, New York) on the eastern seaboard. Widely known as the home of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor. We visit Maine yearly, but not quite this far up in Maine. Buy boy, what a treat! Bar Harbor is a great tourist/visitor town. From main street restaurants, ice cream spots, book stores, and shopping to bird and whale watch tours it really has a lot to offer and its only minutes from Acadia National Park. While Acadia, was the main point of our trip, Bar Harbor was really something to see!
Acadia National Park:
7 day pass, one private vehicle, $25.00 total
Tips:
• Parking is tight in a lot of the pull off locations. Much less parking spaces and lots than most of the National Parks we have been to. Consider checking in at the Visitor center and taking the shuttle buses around.
• Little to no cell service throughout the entire park. Make sure you bring a car charger if you plan to use your cell phone as a camera, and turn your phone to airplane mode to preserve battery.
• For Bubble Rock and Jordan Pond show up early! The afternoon car and people traffic gets very busy!
• For hikes, wear good sneakers or hiking shoes, take a camera, lots of water, and dress in layers even in the summer months the weather is cooler.
• Make sure you map out what you want to see and know what parks of the park they are in so you can determine your park entrance.
Where we stayed:
Harborside Hotel, Spa, Marina
55 WEST STREET, BAR HARBOR, ME 04609 USA
On the ocean in downtown Bar Harbor. Known for its scenic hiking/biking trails, incredible bird watching, and timeless beauty, Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful destinations in the US, and only minutes from the hotel.
Where we ate:
Meet me at Geddy's - A Bar Harbor landmark, Geddy’s has a long and lively history. The menu, however, is thoroughly up-to-date, with local produce and seafood, farm-raised beef, and a contemporary mix of regional flavors.
Rosalie's Pizza Bar Harbor
Making pizza from scratch since 1981, Rosalie's offers the best food and a fun, affordable experience. Come enjoy one of two floors of dine-in seating. Voted Best Pizza in the Bar Harbor Times, located in the heart of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Look for the red neon lights, and join the locals for a great time and a great value!
Ben & Bill's Chocolate Emporium
Ben & Bill's offers quality candies and chocolates made with the original recipes, and numerous flavors of ice cream - 64 hard-serve flavors plus12 of gelato in the Bar Harbor store alone. It's definitely worth a trip!
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co
Provides whale watching, lighthouse & nature boat tours throughout the summer.
