Acadia National Park covers tens of thousands acres of land, and each year receives millions of visitors. As one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and being on the East Coast, I knew I wanted to make a trip out there. The most popular months to visit Acadia are July through September. A great time to visit is in the fall during peak foliage. I visited at the end of October, while the foliage was vibrant, and it truly made the views even more scenic. Acadia National Park is located mainly on Mt. Desert Island in Maine, as well as Bar Harbor. To learn more about how to spend a few days exploring and enjoying the incredible Acadia National Park, keep on reading!

Accommodations in Bar Harbor

The quaint town of Bar Harbor offers many hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, shops etc… just minutes away from Acadia National Park. Check out my full blog post on Bar Harbor and where to eat here. Since my boyfriend and I booked our trip last minute, we had less options to choose from. I recommend planning your trip to Acadia at least a month or more in advance if visiting in the busy season. Even though places tend to book up in Acadia, we were able to book a room at the Edenbrook Motel about two weeks before our trip. I found the price to be more reasonable compared to the places in downtown Bar Harbor. It may not be fancily decorated, but it was decently spacious, clean, and close to downtown Bar Harbor and Acadia.

Hiking & Sightseeing in Acadia National Park (Easy to Moderate Options)

Acadia offers 58 different hiking trails at various difficulty levels. There are trails and sights for basically everyone to enjoy here, and we leaned more towards Acadia’s easy/moderate trails during our trip. Acadia offers numerous hiking trails, and there are many view points that visitors can access via car. We checked out and explored some very cool and beautiful spots throughout Acadia. Make sure you purchase a pass to enter the park. It is $30 for a private vehicle and the pass lasts for one week. We purchased it online, printed it, and kept it displayed on our dashboard.

Driving on Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road is a 27 mile scenic road that takes you through the heart of Acadia National Park. This road allows access to Acadia’s major points such as Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, Otter Point, Cadillac Mountain, The Wild Gardens of Acadia, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, Bubbles Divide and more! You will do plenty of scenic driving along Park Loop Rd throughout your trip to Acadia.

Day 1

The Bubbles & Bubble Rock

The Bubbles hiking trails are deemed moderate and offer beautiful views of Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, Bubble Rock and the forest. We parked at the Bubbles Divide trailhead parking lot off Park Loop Road which is small, and you may have to come early to get a spot depending on how crowded the park is when you visit. After parking, we began our trek up the Bubbles Divide trailhead. This trail has rocky stairways and formations throughout making it a moderate hike. We hiked about 0.3 mile and arrived at a fork in the path. Here you can chose which Bubble summit you want to hike up to. We began hiking to the North Bubble Summit, which is 0.2 mile from the Bubbles Divide trailhead fork. At an elevation of only 872 feet it doesn’t take long to get to the top, and the view is very rewarding!

From the North Bubble Summit, we backtracked to the bubbles divide trailhead, and went the other direction towards the South Bubble Summit/Bubble Rock. This is a 0.3 mile hike from the fork and again, does not take long. At the South Bubble Summit, there is a pathway which takes 2-3 minutes to get to Bubble Rock. Bubble Rock is a glacial erratic which lays on the edge of the cliff. The rock is stable and set on the cliff, and from certain angles appears like it could roll right off. At the South Bubble Summit, you can take in a breathtaking view of Jordan Pond.

Hiking to both Bubbles from the Bubbles Divide trailhead parking lot comes out to roughly 1.6 miles total.

Parking lot to North Bubble (0.5 mile), backtrack to the Bubbles Divide Fork (0.2 mile), hike up to the South Bubble Summit and Bubble Rock (0.3 mile), and backtrack to the parking lot (0.6 mile) = 1.6 miles. I recommend giving yourself 1.5-2 hours for The Bubbles including some time to take photos and enjoy the view.

Jordan Pond

From The Bubbles Divide parking lot, you can take a brief drive on Park Loop Rd to the Jordan Pond parking lot. From the parking lot you can walk down a pathway to Jordan Pond, which gives access to the Jordan Pond Path; a 3.1 mile loop around the pond. The base of Jordan Pond offers a beautiful view of The Bubbles behind the water. The Jordan Pond House Restaurant is a short walk from here as well. We didn’t eat at that restaurant, but the view from there is stunning and people rave about their popovers.

Day 1 Thoughts

Overall, we did not do too much hiking on day one of our trip as we spent the morning and evening exploring downtown Bar Harbor. If you get an earlier start to the day, you can easily add in another hike to your itinerary. Check out Acadia on All Trails to pinpoint which hikes sound best to you.

Day 2

Wild Gardens of Acadia

The Wild Gardens of Acadia are located at the Sieur de Monts Spring and Nature Center. This is a quick stop to make a long the way down Park Loop Rd from downtown Bar Harbor. The Wild Gardens display hundreds of native plant species and allows visitors to wander along the pathway overlooking the vegetation. From the garden, you can walk over to the Sieur de Monts Spring. Here you can also access some trailheads such as one leading to Dorr Mountain. This can be a relatively quick stop in Acadia if you are just checking out the spring and garden.

Schooner Head Overlook

Drive south on Park Loop Rd from The Wild Gardens of Acadia to arrive at the Schooner Head Overlook. The overlook is just outside of Acadia National Park and prior to the Sand Beach Entrance Station. You can park at the Schooner Head Overlook and walk down a short pathway which delivers stunning views of the water. We took some photos on the rocks along the water and enjoyed the view.

Sand Beach

This is the first point we visited at Acadia National park that required us to show our paid park pass. Entry to the Sand Beach parking lot requires a paid park pass. Attendants working at the Sand Beach Entrance Station will check your prepaid park pass or allow you to purchase one in-person. We paid $30 for a private vehicle pass that lasts for one week. At the Sand Beach parking lot are public restrooms. You can park and check out the famous Sand Beach which is surrounded by mountainous views. Sand Beach also allows access to the Ocean Path; a family-friendly coastal pathway that stretches approximately two miles to Otter Point.

Hike The Bowl Trail

From the Sand Beach parking lot, you can cross the street to begin The Bowl Trail. Here is where you can also access the Beehive Trail. The Bowl Trail is a moderate hike that leads to The Bowl, a large body of water surrounded by the forest and mountains. While this hike has many stairs, I do not find it very challenging. The view of the bowl is very cool and unique. When we visited, the weather was cloudy and the view of The Bowl was very ominous. There is a pathway that goes around The Bowl, and you can take this to get to the Beehive Trail if you wish to take on a more daring hike.

Thunder Hole

If you continue driving south on Park Loop Rd from the Sand Beach parking lot, you will come across Thunder Hole. This is a quick stop to make in Acadia, and offers a nice view of the water along the rocky shores. Thunder Hole will be more intense with a rougher surf. The surf was very calm that day we visited and Thunder Hole didn’t look as treacherous. Overall, we enjoyed Thunder Hole and it is definitely worth the stop!

Popular Spots/Trails in Acadia We Did Not Visit During Our Trip

1. Beehive Trail (difficult hike)
2. Precipice Trail (difficult hike)
3. Cadillac Mountain (hike by foot or by car – highest summit in Acadia)
4. Otter Cliff (sightseeing)

Watch my Acadia National Park Vlog on YouTube here!

Check out my Bar Harbor blog post here!

Read about Acadia on All Trails for more information and specifics on hiking.

The post How to Spend Two Days Exploring Acadia National Park appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

Bar Harbor is a quaint coastal town in Maine, home to some of Acadia National Park. I visited for the first time at the end of October and really enjoyed what this area has to offer. From fresh seafood to local shops and scenic views, Bar Harbor is a top town in Maine to visit!

Accommodations in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is home to numerous hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts etc… Depending on which place you chose, it can get pricy to stay here. My boyfriend and I booked our trip to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor kind of last minute, and had limited options to chose from. I recommend booking your stay at least a month or more in advance, especially if you plan to visit in the summer or early fall. We stayed at the Edenbrook Motel, a more affordable accommodation in Bar Harbor. I found this to be significantly cheaper than the places located in downtown Bar Harbor. It is only a five minute drive to the downtown, and was comfortable for us to stay in.

Edenbrook Motel Rating

Room: 4.4/5 (clean & simple with a shower, mini fridge, AC/heat, and decently comfortable bed)

Check-in process: 4.6/5 (super quick, we received our keys and were off to our unit. They did not inform us of the self-locking doors, so we locked ourselves out and had to go back for a second key)

Price: 4.6/5 (check here for availability and rates)

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Restaurant & Eateries in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is home to numerous seafood restaurants and local eateries serving regional fare. Since we visited at the end of October, many of the restaurants were closed for the season. None the less, we still had many great options to choose from, and really enjoyed the food we ate during our visit.

1. Breakfast at Jordan’s Restaurant

Jordan’s Restaurant was one of the only sit down breakfast spots open when we visited at the end of October. Despite us visiting on a weekday, there was still a long wait for a table. We waited about 45 minutes, and walked around downtown Bar Harbor in the meantime. This is your classic diner-style menu with dishes such as wild Maine blueberry pancakes, omelettes, breakfast potatoes, blueberry muffins, lobster rolls and more. We ordered a plethora of breakfast food and enjoyed every bite of it. The blueberries are incredible here in Maine, so the blueberry pancakes with real Maine maple syrup are delicious, as well as the muffins. My boyfriend ordered an omelette with a side of oatmeal which he enjoyed, and we also had toast and potatoes. Overall, the food is comforting/yummy, the service is super friendly, the prices are fair, and the atmosphere is just like your classic old-school diner.

Jordan’s Restaurant Rating

Food: 4.7/5

Service: 4.9/5

Atmosphere: 4.6/5

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

2. Quick, Healthy Bites at A & B Naturals

A & B Naturals is a food market that also has a smoothie/juice counter. This is a great stop for a quick and healthy breakfast or lunch. We love smoothies and this was the only place open when we visited Acadia that had them. We both ordered fresh fruit smoothies which were delicious, as well as some pre-made bites. I enjoyed a cinnamon roll with my smoothie, and my boyfriend grabbed a nutritious quinoa salad and packaged protein cookie. The prices are a little high as it is convenient, but not too bad (around $7-$10 per smoothie). They only had two people working the cafe when we visited, so we did have to wait about ten minutes to get our smoothies, which wasn’t a big deal. We sat at a bench outside of the store and enjoyed our eats before heading to Acadia National Park. There is a dedicated smoothie place in Bar Harbor called Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen, but they are temporarily closed for the season and reopen next year. I definitely want to try this place the next time I am in Bar Harbor.

A & B Naturals Rating

Food: 4.7/5 (rating is for smoothies/pre-made food, not grocery store section)

Service: 4.5/5

Atmosphere: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.6/5

3. Breakfast Sandwiches and Baked Goods at The Stadium

The Stadium is a casual eatery/gift shop offering amazing breakfast sandwiches, lobster mac and cheese, handmade rolls, baked treats and more. We had breakfast here on our last day in Bar Harbor and really enjoyed it. Their breakfast sandwiches are served on fresh baked rolls, either plain or everything. We got ours with a soufflé-style egg, sausage patty, and cheddar cheese on an everything roll. Their rolls are light, fluffy and perfect for this classic sandwich. I also purchased a pumpkin whoopie pie here and it was fantastic! I did not try the lobster mac and cheese or lobster roll, but I’m sure they are amazing! The people working here are very welcoming and attentive, and the prices are reasonable. The Stadium can get a bit crowded as it is definitely a popular choice for a quick breakfast or lunch.

The Stadium Rating

Food: 4.9/5

Service: 4.9/5

Atmosphere: 4.7/5

Overall: 4.8/5

4. Paninis at Lunch Bar Harbor

Lunch Bar Harbor serves exactly what you expect it to… Lunch (well you can get breakfast here too). This spot is another quick option that offers handcrafted sandwiches, paninis, and soup. They offer unique combinations made with fresh ingredients. I enjoyed a toasted panini to-go with ham, cheese, sliced apples and balsamic. Lunch Bar Harbor also has tables inside for a dine-in experience. The decor encapsulates homey cabin vibes, the service is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

Lunch Bar Harbor Rating

Food: 4.8/5

Service: 4.8/5

Atmosphere: 4.8/5

Overall: 4.8/5

5. Seafood at Peekytoe Provisions

Peekytoe Provisions offers regional seafood dishes and outdoor dining. We enjoyed crab bisque to start, which has a more liquid-y consistency here, but is full of rich flavor. For my entree I had the crabby patty burger ($19) which was incredible. This crab cake sandwich is flavorful, and served on a challah bun with red pepper aioli, pickled onions, lettuce and roasted tomato. This is honestly the best crab cake sandwich I have eaten in a long time! My boyfriend ordered the 6″ hot lobster roll ($26) and found it tasty, but nothing that stands out. The roll can be served hot in butter or cold with a dash of mayonnaise. Both of the entrees we ordered are served with a pickle and fresh coleslaw. For dessert we enjoyed a decadent slice of blueberry pie, which is delicious here. Overall, the service is welcoming, prices are fair considering the nature of the meals (fresh, locally caught seafood), and the atmosphere is outdoor dining only with a cute view overlooking the town. Bundle up on a chilly night if you choose to dine here, or do the takeout option.

Peekytoe Provisions Rating

Food: 4.7/5

Service: 4.7/5

Atmosphere: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

6. American Eats at Side Street Cafe

Side Street Cafe is an American eatery/bar with bar fare, seafood dishes and more. We enjoyed a casual dinner here while in Bar Harbor, but they are temporarily closed for the season as of November 2021. I recommend putting your name on the waitlist when visiting here as it is definitely a popular spot. On a Thursday night we waited around an hour for a table, and it was worth the wait. The restaurant offers dishes such as create-your-own mac and cheese, lobster, salads, starters, soups/chowders, sandwiches, burgers and more. We started with chips and queso, and it was delicious and mild. The mac and cheese is decently creamy and I added sautéed shrimp and bacon to mine which was yummy. You can order either a half portion or full portion of the mac and cheese, and I love how they offer a variety of add-ins. The full portion with added shrimp and bacon ($24.95) is quite hefty and ended up being too much for me to finish. My boyfriend ordered the blackened salmon salad ($21.95) which is a healthier option on the menu, and we both thought it tasted pretty good. Overall, the food is tasty and comforting, the service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively.

Side Street Cafe Rating

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4.7/5

Atmosphere: 4.6/5

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

7. Seafood Rolls at Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound (Southwest Harbor)

Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound is not located in Bar Harbor, but it is a great eatery in the neighboring town of Southwest Harbor. This is about 25-30 minutes southwest of Bar Harbor. This casual joint offers a plethora of regional seafood fare. The crab roll is yummy and served cold, and the shrimp roll is full of lightly-fried baby shrimp. They also have lobster rolls here which we did not try, but I am sure they are great. The lobster bisque is perfectly creamy and thick, and I enjoyed the bacon-wrapped scallops. The prices are in-line with other seafood eateries we came across in Maine ($$), and the seafood tastes very fresh. The service is welcoming and the atmosphere is casual. You order at the counter and are called when it is ready. They have a few picnic tables outside where you can sit and enjoy your food, which is what we did.

Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound Rating

Food: 4.8/5

Service: 4.7/5

Atmosphere: 4.5/5

Overall Rating: 4.7/5

8. Ice Cream at Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream

Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream is a local ice cream shop that scoops up homemade flavors with an assortment of simple toppings. We came here pretty late right before they were closing, so they were sold out of a lot of the flavors. We did still pick some flavors that sounded yummy and enjoyed our scoops. I had the apple pie flavored ice cream which tasted exactly like its name. The ice cream is creamy and rich, and I wish we could have tried some of the other flavors. There was one girl working when we visited and she was very friendly. The shop is cute on the inside and the prices are typical of a more touristy area, but not too high.

Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream Rating

Food: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Atmosphere: 4.6/5

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

Things to do in Bar Harbor

1. Hike Acadia National Park

This is the main attraction to check out while staying in Bar Harbor. Check out my blog post on Acadia National Park here! I share the best hikes and sightseeing to do in the park!

2. Check out Agamont Park

Agamont Park is a grassy area with benches that has stunning views of Frenchman Bay and leads to the scenic Shore Path. Enjoy a breakfast sandwich from The Stadium here as you overlook the scenery.

3. Walk along the Shore Path

The Shore Path is a peaceful walkway along the shoreline with views of Distant Islands such as Bar Island and Sheep Porcupine Island. The path starts at the Town Pier at Agamont Park and passes the Bar Harbor Inn and other private homes along the water. The out and back pathway is only about a mile and a half, and is a mellow stroll along the water.

4. Shop in the Downtown

There are many local shops in downtown Bar Harbor. From clothing stores to gift stores, enjoy shopping or window shopping here.

5. A Boat Tour

Boat Tours seem like a nice thing to do here on a clear day. We did not personally do this during our visit, but we saw the boats in the water by Agamont Park. They offer whale watching tours, sunset cruises and more. Here is a list of boat tour and cruise options offered in Bar Harbor.

6. Walk Across the Land Bridge from Bar Harbor to Bar Island

We did not do this during our trip to Bar Harbor, but it looks like a very cool and unique excursion. During low tide, there is a sandbar that you can walk across that connects Bar Harbor and Bar Island. The hike is about 1.9 miles round trip including continuation of the hike on the Bar Island trail. Here you can experience views of Bar Harbor and Frenchman Bay, but make sure you watch your time as you can only do this hike 1.5 hours before and after low tide. Check out this article for more information.

7. Enjoy a Local Eatery

Try one of the local restaurants, cafes, or bakeries in the downtown. There are many to choose from and I outlined my favorite at the beginning of this article. Maine is known for its fresh seafood, especially lobster, as well as it’s wild blueberries. I recommend enjoying a seafood roll/lobster roll and a slice of blueberry pie while in Bar Harbor.

Check out my Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park vlog on YouTube here!

Check out my blog post on hiking/sightseeing at Acadia National Park here!

The post What to Do and Where to Eat in Bar Harbor, Maine appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.