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Top 49 things to do and attractions in Acadia National Park
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Top 49 things to do and attractions in Acadia National Park

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Wanderlog staff
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• updatedNov 27, 2025

Nestled along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and adventure waiting to be explored. From the breathtaking views atop Cadillac Mountain, where you can catch the first rays of sunlight in the U.S., to the thunderous waves crashing at Thunder Hole, this park offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and exhilarating experiences. Whether you're hiking through lush forests, strolling along sandy beaches, or taking in the panoramic vistas from rocky cliffs, Acadia is a place that captivates the heart and soul of every visitor.

As you wander through this enchanting park, you'll discover a mix of iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the serene Jordan Pond, where the reflections of the surrounding mountains create a picture-perfect scene, or savor a delicious meal at the historic Jordan Pond House Restaurant. With its charming towns like Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor serving as gateways to adventure, Acadia National Park invites you to immerse yourself in its diverse offerings. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the wonders of this remarkable destination!

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We scoured through the internet and read through 43 reputable sites and blogs like Condé Nast Traveler and The Points Guy. We gathered all the results in one place and ranked them by how many times they were mentioned so you know you're getting the best of the best. Just look for the "mentioned by" tags on each place like these:
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1Cadillac Mountain

4.8
(1507)
•
5.0
(3766)
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Mentioned on 
+26 other lists 
Mountain peak
Nature & Parks
Mountains
Cadillac Mountain, standing at 1,530 feet, offers a trail with informative plaques and stunning panoramic views from the top. The mountain is also known for hosting events like the Acadia Night Sky Festival's Shuttle to the Stars, where visitors can join astronomers and park rangers to observe constellations and other night sky features using binoculars and telescopes.
I hiked the north ridge trail to the summit to witness the beautiful sunrise. But to get a parking spot there you need to be there really early. Otherwise you will struggle to find a spot. Anyway, it was awesome to see the sun like this. No trees, no houses or whatever in the way. Just the wind, the sun and you. And a few other visitors of course. I started the hike around 3 AM and arrived at the top around 4 AM. Sunrise was at 5:39 AM. That is plenty of time to see the horizon turning red. Until the sun emerges in a bright red light. Awesome!
Waerjk — Google review
What an incredible experience. Make your reservations to drive the mountain drive. Explore every backroad possible. The views were amazing and the fall colors were stunning. Pictures don’t come close to showing how beautiful they were. Take the time for this drive.
Greg B — Google review
Despite it being windy and cloudy thwarting our views, it was a beautiful trip up the mountain. I loved being in the cloud! There were fresh ripe wild blueberries, and beautiful trails to explore. I highly recommend! You must make reservations in advance to access Cadillac Mountain. Tickets go on sale 30 days in advance.
Cacayla — Google review
We managed to get a summit mountain road pass 48 hours prior and it was an AMAZING sunrise. It was very very very cold though. Would highly recommend seeing this sunrise.
Ashley P — Google review
So grateful to have the opportunity trekking on the north ridge trail to see the sunrise. Even though I should wake up at 4.30 AM, the experience was worth it. The view while climbing up the trail was magnificent, great opportunity to have great bonding with friends. On the summit, the view was amazing, you wouldn’t regret to be there. Besides, you could also use car to reach the summit. However, just make sure that you bought the ticket online.
Michael S — Google review
Known for the first bit of sun, we ventured out for sunset. Beautiful view of mountains, ocean, and lakes. Perfect view from the summit road overlook.
Kelli M — Google review
Best views in Acadia! I highly recommend the hike up, especially in the fall. It’s also a great place to see the sunrise, and there are several overlooks facing east on the hike up you can stop at for sunrise so you can enjoy the view crowd-free (expect huge crowds at the summit for sunrise). If you’re driving, you MUST have a reservation!
Via D — Google review
Gorgeous views! Lots of visitors so it’s hard to find parking. Also, you must have a reservation to enter for the sunrise viewing.Good luck with that! We had to take what was available so we went at 10am. It was packed, no parking and also govt shutdown so services were limited.
Anessa M — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Cadillac Mountain

2Thunder Hole

4.6
(3182)
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4.1
(1120)
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Mentioned on 
+24 other lists 
Scenic spot
Nature & Parks
Hiking area
Geologic Formations
Thunder Hole is a natural rock inlet where waves crash with a thunderous boom and high-flying foam, especially when the seas are rough. It's accessible via the Ocean Path Trail from Sand Beach or by car. The waves sometimes create incredibly loud sounds as they roll into the cavern-like inlet, occasionally shooting water as high as 40 feet into the air. Visiting an hour or two before high tide offers the best chance of experiencing this phenomenon.
Thunder Hole is one of the must-see spots in Acadia National Park! When the waves hit just right, the water crashes into the rocky inlet with a deep, thunder-like roar — it’s an incredible natural sound and sight. The area offers gorgeous ocean views, dramatic cliffs, and great photo opportunities. Timing is everything — the “thunder” effect is strongest a couple of hours before high tide, so plan your visit accordingly. Even when it’s calm, it’s still a beautiful stop along the Park Loop Road and well worth a quick visit. 🌊⛰️📸
Megha A — Google review
Lookout area to look at the waves near ocean level. A small section has stairs, other area is simply rock easily walkable. There's small parking lot across the street and a very small visitor center. Nice but similar to other viewpoints.
Anh D — Google review
The star rating isn’t related to the natural beauty of the location it’s just the time we went there was NO action. Beautiful scene, parking was fine, a little over crowded but otherwise a good stop. My only recommendation is to do your research and plan your trip according to the tides/ weather to actually see the majestic natural beauty of Thunder Hole or you may leave a bit disappointed like we did.
James C — Google review
Thunder Hole is one of the most fun and unique spots in Acadia National Park. When the waves crash just right, the water hits the rocks and shoots up with a loud boom like thunder. It’s amazing to watch and really shows the power of the ocean. The best time to visit is about one to two hours before high tide when the waves are strongest and the splash can reach impressive heights. Be ready for some sea spray because it’s all part of the fun. The viewing area has railings and is easy to access, but it can get crowded during peak times, so go early if you can. It’s a quick stop but absolutely worth it, exciting, beautiful, and a perfect example of Acadia’s wild coastal energy.
Zoe M — Google review
Cool pop off spot. You have to go about an hour or two before high tide so it’s busy then. The thunder sound made doesn’t sound the same on video, must hear in person! Prepare for some splashes and crowds along the holes rail. There are also a lot of great rocks to take in the views from.
Lauren H — Google review
Thunder Hole along with the entire Acadia National Park coastline is breathtaking. The color of the rocks against the light green color of the ocean is beautiful. Easy to access the viewing points.
Jamie W — Google review
Come at high tide and walk down to the lowest part of the viewing area for the best experience! Thunder Hole is a beautiful and fascinating work of nature that highlights the power of the ocean. Parking is limited, but the coastal walk is lovely, so if you have to park further away, just enjoy the walk there. Dogs are allowed, but make sure you hang onto them near the edge.
Via D — Google review
We call this The Quiet Hole. This is the second time we've been here and it was fairly sedate both times. Supposedly the best time to see it is two hours before high tide but that didn't work for our schedule.
Joshua R — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/places/thunder-hole.htm•(207) 288-3338•Tips and more reviews for Thunder Hole
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3Sand Beach

4.8
(962)
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4.5
(937)
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Mentioned on 
+22 other lists 
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Sand Beach is a picturesque cove-style beach known for its serene setting and fine pink powder made up of tiny shell fragments. The beach offers opportunities for wading, swimming, and scenic hikes along the Ocean Path Trail to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff. For a more challenging adventure, visitors can explore the Great Head Trail or the popular Beehive Loop with its adventurous rock faces and iron rungs.
Beautiful place and can be busy. Parking can get tough but don't hesitate to park on the side of the street (right side) and hike. Great Head is also a hike right next to this beach. Beautiful views from this spot and of course water is cold but great to swim on a hot day or kids to play. Another mile hike to Thunder Hole from here. These spots in Acadia are very busy during day in June, July and August. So better to get there early park and hike near by places.
Sharath N — Google review
We visited on a Monday morning in late June 2025. There was plenty of spots in the parking lot when we visited around 6:30AM. We came straight after we did Cadillac Mountain for Sunrise. A few of us went to hike Beehive and the other smaller ones went to the beach. The parking lot is shared for those who want to get to beehive trail head which is just across the street. There was large restroom facility and changing rooms as well. There were tables and benches and trash cans. The site has plenty of infrastructure. Because we came earlier in the season it wasn't super crowded yet. I think the park had just started running their shuttle buses that weekend. There was a long hike down to the beach with lots of stairs. I'm not sure if there was ramp access somewhere. You would have to carry all your beach stuff down with you. It was also quite chilly when we visited and no one was really in the water except for maybe their feet. From the beach you can also see all the way up to Beehive which was fun to see all the people going up the mountain side. There is no alcoholic beverages allowed, no glass containers, no fires, no camping, no feeding wildlife and no flotation devices. During the summer from June 15-Sept 8 there are no dogs allowed, no boat launching, no fishing and no surfing. There is also no lifeguard on duty. Overall this was a very nice beach given all the limitations I already stated.
David L — Google review
Beach area is beautiful during day time! We also went there for stargazing at night - dark sky filled with millions of little stars, along with the moon reflection on the water and the sound of the waves made it one of the most tranquil experiences ever!
Chloe N — Google review
This beach is beautiful, but it is *so* crowded, even in October (which isn’t exactly beach weather). When did Acadia get so insanely popular?
Via D — Google review
It's a very picturesque beach with mountains and cliffs all around. Perfect for romantic stroll. The place is very child and animal friendly, many families come there to take pictures together. *Despite parking lot being huge it may be difficult to find a place to park. We had to wait for 10min for a spot. Many people park there to hike nearby mountains.
MiLord — Google review
Cool spot to explore the sandy area or just sit and enjoy the weather. We came a week before peak season and it was still relatively crowded and parking was rough. During peak season they say arrive by 9am or hike in by trail.
Lauren H — Google review
Visited the 3rd week of October, very busy but beautiful stop! Stars at night are also amazing here, make sure to bring a headlight though.
Savannah P — Google review
One of the first stops on our drive through the Acadia National Park Loop Road and really enjoyed Sand Beach. The parking lot is not that large but most people don't stay long so there is a chance you can get a spot close to the beach. If not, there is parking on the Loop Road. There are a few steps down to the beach where the sound of the surf is quite loud and the waves hit the beach. The beach does have large amounts of sea weed when we visited giving the beach an amazing dark green color. The beach is not that large, but the views are amazing. Large rocks border the sides of the beach giving the area that typical Maine coast feel. Beautiful and worth the stop if driving the Loop Road through Acadia.
Jamie W — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Sand Beach

4Bar Harbor

Mentioned on 
+19 other lists 
Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is a charming town that serves as the gateway to the stunning Acadia National Park. Visitors can explore Cadillac Mountain with its scenic trails and panoramic views of the town, bay, and Cranberry Islands. The area also features Sand Beach surrounded by mountains and the picturesque Shore Path along Frenchman Bay. Additionally, Bar Harbor offers a variety of family-friendly activities such as paid programs for kids and outdoor adventures like biking, ice skating, and fishing.
Maine, USA•http://www.barharbormaine.gov/•Tips and more reviews for Bar Harbor

5Bass Harbor Head Light Station

4.4
(4562)
•
4.1
(744)
•
Mentioned on 
+18 other lists 
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Historical place museum
Lighthouses
Perched on a sea cliff, the Bass Harbor Head Light Station is a historic 1858 lighthouse in Maine that offers stunning views and rocky paths leading to photography vantage points and tide pools. It's one of the most photographed lighthouses in the state, attracting around 180,000 visitors annually. While you can't tour the inside of the lighthouse, its picturesque location makes it a popular spot for visitors.
Cool spot! A short walk will take to a few flights a stairs.. then out into the rocky cliffs. A bit of work to get a view of the lighthouse.. but well worth it. Such a great perpective to see from. Would be amazing to see at sunrise or sunset... Parking can be tough, but it's worth it if the queue is not too terribly long.
Justin N — Google review
A Quintessential Maine Experience ​Bass Harbor Head Light Station isn't just a lighthouse; it's the postcard-perfect image of the Maine coast brought to life. Standing sentinel over the rugged, wave-battered granite, this iconic station is an absolute must-see when visiting Acadia National Park or Mount Desert Island. ​Unforgettable Views ​The views here are truly breathtaking. From the short, easy trail that leads you to the viewing area, you get an immediate sense of the wild, untamed beauty of the Atlantic. The classic brick structure of the 1858 lighthouse contrasts stunningly with the green pines and the deep blue water. ​The experience of descending the wooden stairs and carefully navigating the rocky shoreline to get that classic, low-angle photograph is worth the minor scramble. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes! It's one of the few places where you feel completely immersed in the dramatic coastal landscape.
Joseph H — Google review
Definitely a must if you’re in the area! Get there early as parking and spots at the rocks are very limited, especially during busy seasons. I went the first weekend of November which isn’t considered a busy time and there were still a good amount of people and there were only two parking spots open an hour before sunset. The views were amazing! I love sunsets and always go hunting for a nice spot, this one is top of my list. The perfect spot to enjoy and relax for a while.
Letícia N — Google review
My husband and I visited the Monday after the 4th of July weekend. It was pretty busy in the mid-afternoon when we arrived, but we fortunately got a spot pretty quickly. The lot is small and at rhe wrong time of day you could be waiting awhile. This is a beautiful lighthouse with gorgeous views. The cliffside has steps descending and then rocks you can scramble over for better views and pictures. Thankfully, my husband is adventurous and took some great shots for us. This is a must see. Definitely try to come when it is less busy (so not at sunset) if possible.
Jackie A — Google review
During our visit we sat in a line of cars for close to an hour to get a parking spot. Then walked down a windy rocky trail to view the light house. It was okay but to be honest after judging the wait, the crowds, and what it was I could have done without. The views are nice though and most of the people friendly and courteous.
Jeff S — Google review
This is a beautiful lighthouse on the south side of Acadia National Park. If you are daring abd climb out onto the rocks you can get a spectacular shot. But even from the less challenging trail it is one of the most beautiful places with the waves crashing on the rocks and the lighthouse and the bouy bell clanging. Not to be missed when visiting Bar Harbour and Acadia.
Suzan M — Google review
The Bass Harbor Head Light Station has two separate trails that offer two separate views of the Light Station. There is a very small parking lot near the entrance to the two trails, maybe fits about 12-15 cars. The lot was full when we arrived so we parked on the street with a long line of cars close to the "no parking on the road" sign and received a violation notice as the park ranger drove through the area. Be careful. With it being mid October of 2025 and the Gov shutdown, we thought the rules were a suggestion, our bad, follow the rules. The trail to the left of the parking lot takes you out to a few stairs that lead you down to the rocks so that you can walk on the rocks and get some great views of the light station and the coast. Great spot to sit on the rocks and enjoy the views. The trail to the right of the parking lot takes you down to the light station where you do get additional views of the coast line. Smaller area with fencing around, but great views Overall, it's a fun spot to check out.
Jamie W — Google review
Lighthouses are already magical, but a lighthouse placed where you can capture both it and the sunset is next tier. During the seasons where the weather is good, a lot of people tend to also want to catch the sunset here, so be prepared and come early to get a parking spot. Also be prepared to have people get in your way if you're wanting to take pictures, because the evening I actually got to see the sunset, there were at least 50 people also out on the rocks with the same idea, if not closer to 100. Nevertheless, the sunset is always a beautiful thing to see. Honestly, I was more enamoured with the view towards the east, with the colour of the water, and how the rocks seemed to glow in the evening light. My one disappointment was that the lens of the lighthouse was not on, or perhaps not functioning. That would have made it perfect.
Aimée — Google review
116 Lighthouse Rd, Bass Harbor, ME 04653, USA•https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/bass-harbor-head-light-st…•(207) 288-3338•Tips and more reviews for Bass Harbor Head Light Station
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6Jordan Pond

4.8
(414)
•
4.0
(3045)
•
Mentioned on 
15 lists 
Lake
Pond
Jordan Pond is a picturesque 187-acre mountain lake in Acadia, formed by glaciers and surrounded by majestic mountains. Visitors can enjoy the serene waters and take a leisurely stroll along the Jordan Pond Trail, which offers stunning views of the Bubbles across the water. The area also features a tea house and restaurant known as Jordan Pond House, offering delightful afternoon tea and popovers with reservations recommended.
Beautiful 3 mile hike in the morning. Parking fills up so get there early. Clockwise goes along elevated log trails and a few rock scrambles but the 2nd half is an easy walk. One of the most majestic trails in all of Acadia. Saved this one for the very last hike after a week long of moderate and challenging hikes. Great way to end our time in Acadia.
Lisa B — Google review
A nice place for short hikes and picnic. Notice that it's pretty crowded and in high season you won't have parking 10am to 4pm . IMO nice but not wroth the hype
Amit M — Google review
Beautiful lake with a nice hiking trail around the edge! The trail is pretty rocky on one side and these plank boardwalks on the other, so definitely wear hiking boots. The trail is pretty crowded and parking is a disaster, but the pond itself is lovely.
Via D — Google review
Easy hike for the whole family! Highly recommend getting there early in the morning during the fall season due to the popularity and the flat hike. Beautiful all around.
Marina M — Google review
We went really early and it was quiet nice walk. Got busy after an hr but still ok. By the time we left, it was terribly busy. So suggest going early like 7-7:30 am for the trail, finish that and then go to the restaurant - upstairs they have the grab and go section for food with nice upper deck outdoor seating. Also has a gift shop - slightly overpriced because same stuff can be purchased in bar harbour town for a lot cheaper.
Mamta K — Google review
Beautiful and peaceful trail around the pond with stunning views of the lake. Easy walk with a mix of boardwalks and dirt paths, but there’s a fork where you can veer off for some fun rock scrambling and climb to the top for amazing views. Totally worth it if you’re up for a bit more adventure!
Shachar A — Google review
Beautiful place to stop if you get hungry or for a good flat hike for any age. Food is great and service is great. But kids and folks any age will love the hike around the pond. So beautiful, so quiet and peaceful. You can view Twin Peaks and also take a detour to Bubble Rock if you want. If you are doing Park Loop drive and need a stop. This is a good place. So plan accordingly.
Sharath N — Google review
We stopped here in the evening of our 1st day when the crowds were gone and we had rhe trail mostly to ourselves. It was very cloudy and cooler temps, but I loved seeing it like this. We didn't walk the whole trail, but did see a good amount of it. The gift store at the teahouse was still open and we also stopped in there. Lots of lovely souvenirs and an overall fun place to look around. This is a great place for all ages to explore; the trail is mostly flat and accessible from the parking area. Definitely recommend stopping by early morning or after dinner when the crowds are gone for the day.
Jackie A — Google review
Mt Desert, ME, USA•Tips and more reviews for Jordan Pond

7Jordan Pond House Restaurant

4.0
(3273)
•
Mentioned on 
+11 other lists 
$$$$expensive
American restaurant
Gift shop
The Jordan Pond House Restaurant is a historic stop known for its tea with popovers and jam, as well as larger meals that offer a view of the pond and mountains. Situated along the Park Loop Road, visitors can drive through the park and make stops at various attractions such as overlooks, beaches, horse and carriage ride stables, hiking paths, gardens, and museums.
One of my favorite meals during my visit to Maine. Had reservations for dinner on the last day of the season 10/26. And although the menu was extremely limited and we were the absolute last table being served, it did not affect the level of service and quality of meal. Our server Jackson was super nice and knowledgeable. The popovers are a MUST (so good!) The chicken caesar wrap was perfect👌🏻, the grilled cheese was an elevated version and delicious🙌🏻! And the side of chips completely complimented the meals👍🏻 Also loved how cozy and welcoming the entire dining area was and the picturesque view of Jordan Pond 🫶🏻 Highly recommend making reservations and checking out this dining experience when visiting Acadia National Park! (Check seasonal hours of operation before showing up!!)
Susan Z — Google review
After hiking all afternoon — finishing with a beautiful 3.7-mile loop around Jordan Pond — we were ready to refuel and had zero desire to drive back into town. With mild skepticism, we decided to try the Jordan Pond House right there in the park… and we were pleasantly surprised! They seated us right away (despite the dinner rush) by a window overlooking the lake — the kind of view that makes you instantly forget your sore legs. Our server, a friendly and funny student from Eastern Europe working for the summer, was a highlight: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. We shared the Spinach Bacon Blue Cheese Salad, New England Baked Haddock with mashed potatoes and veggies, Lobster Stew, and of course, the famous Popover Sundae. Everything was excellent — my husband ranked their stew (bisque) in his top two of the entire trip, and the Popover Sundae? Pure indulgence, the kind that makes you consider hiking another 3 miles just to justify it. My Lavender Honey Bee gin cocktail was so good I happily ordered a second round. Ending our hike at Jordan Pond House turned out to be a perfect choice — beautiful trail, great meal, sunset views, and happy bellies.
Adriana F — Google review
We decided on a walk around Jordan Pond after a dinner in town when the crowds were gone for the day and parking was easier. I hadn't made reservations for lunch or dinner here knowing we were here at the busiest time of year, but I was interested in seeing the restaurant. We had reservations for sunset on Cadillac Mountain and decided to stop in for dessert before we headed up. Dimitar was our very kind and warm server and the other staff were also friendly and warm. The restaurant was quiet at this point after the dinner rush and we were able to appreciate rhe history of the place while waiting for our dessert. The popover sundae we had heard so much about was delicious- big enough that I am glad we decided to split one, though. Definitely recommend saving room for dessert or coming here for just this, as we did. On our next trip to Acadia I would love to have lunch outside. Highly recommend stopping here for the history, service, and food. And the gift shop! Lots of great stuff there, too.
Jackie A — Google review
Came here for dinner and it was delicious. We shared some lobster bisque, clam chowder, lobster Mac and cheese and lobster roll. Everything was really good. The drinks were really good too. We sat outside and the view was amazing. We were served by Lucky who did a great job of making us feel good. Whilst the food is expensive, we thought that it made up for itself and the service was great. In particular you cannot miss the popovers. They are amazing and taste great with butter and jam.
Lachlan P — Google review
We wanted to stop here while in Acadia, and we thought it would be neat. We weren't sure about the popovers, they seemed like a novelty. After dining here, I realized that you cannot skip this, and popovers are amazing. The regular popovers are light and fluffy and go well with the strawberry jam and butter. The chicken pot pie was one of the best I've ever had, and slapping it in a popover instead of crust was inspired. For drinks, we went with the herbal blueberry iced tea and the blueberry lemonade, of course. Both were delightful. We sat in the restaurant around 11 am on the Friday before Labor Day, and only had a 15 minute wait. Don't try to go at peak times, aim for just before or after.
Derrick W — Google review
Hands down the BEST popovers and strawberry jam! Popover Pot Pie was also AMAZING! I got this half turkey sandwich on rye w lentil soup. It was flavorful and delicious. The sandwich didn't come toasted which I was expecting but it was actually good soft and more cold as is. So no complaints there. I recommend getting the thousand island on the side which was very tasty! Actually it was kinda nice to have a cold turkey sandwich with a warm flavorful bursting lentil soup. Highly recommend. I would go back in a heartbeat! Please please make a reservation!! I made mine months ago and SO glad I did! One of the first people to be seated at 11am when they open! Also don't be alarmed with the huge line!! If you have a res, move yourself over to the left and you will be seated!! The line is for folks who are trying to "walk in" without a res. The service and quality of food really was spectacular! We would've sat outside bc of the gorgeous weather and view but opted out since there were lots of bees. There is also a gift shop here that is worth checking out. The prices are high so be warned. I thought the prices at the restaurant was reasonable. Two popovers for $10. I am going to check out their new popover cocktail bar hopefully tomorrow! This is first come first serve, no reservations but if all you want are popovers this is a good option! Thank you for the lovely experience! Will be back!
Justine C — Google review
Parking was difficult but I’m glad we were patient and found a place to park, so we could enjoy the Jordan Pond House Restaurant. The place was packed but our wait to be seated was only 20-minutes. We were able to take an amazing selfie from the upper observation deck. I particularly enjoyed the Jordan Pond House lobster stew and warm popovers.
Pam M — Google review
The popover pot pie was good, menu said there were potatoes in it, there were not. By far the best clam chowder I’ve had. The clams were not chewy at all. The lobster stew was so good. All was very hot with great flavor. Had the popover sundae with blueberry ice cream. We both highly recommend this. It was very good. We did have a 35 minute wait but it was worth it. The service wasn’t great, but they were busy. The atmosphere and view more than made up for any issues. Overall we would definitely go back.
Amanda H — Google review
2928 Park Loop Rd, Seal Harbor, ME 04675, USA•http://jordanpondhouse.com/•(207) 813-4342•Tips and more reviews for Jordan Pond House Restaurant

8Mt Desert Island

4.8
(143)
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4.9
(2962)
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Mentioned on 
+10 other lists 
Island
Nature & Parks
Mt Desert Island is a picturesque Maine island featuring several villages and part of Acadia National Park. The island boasts the work of architect Robert Savage, who designed over 300 buildings in the area, including the Colonial Revival-style Callendar House. Once a summer retreat for the affluent, it was transformed into a tourist destination in the mid-1800s. Preservation efforts by Charles W. Eliot and George B.
The island has got to be my most favorite place in the world. It has everything from small beautiful towns to amazing hikes and long trails
Joel R — Google review
We came upon this beach at lowtide. How very interesting to see seaweeds in this form!
Elissa R — Google review
Bar Harbor and Acadia are both on this stunning island, but you don't need to venture into either to view breathtaking scenery. I was there late October. Zero crowds, no problem parking anywhere.
Cindy — Google review
The BEST vacation I've ever had and I've been to the Caribbean and Europe! You get everything from mountains to beaches to cute little towns to wildlife right in front of you. Acadia is just breathtaking too. It takes about 30-40 mins to get from 1 side of the island to the other as well, it's the perfect family vacation.
Erin H — Google review
Spent 2 days on the island. Acadia National park was beautiful. Loved walking downtown Bar Harbor.
Angela R — Google review
Island in Maine. Lots of lobsters, granite, fog and water. There's a national park here. It's pretty cool.
Greg H — Google review
We come up here almost every year. Boring? Maybe. Or maybe we just found the perfect laid back, outdoorsy, dog friendly place in the USA to unwind and recharge.
Mick L — Google review
I worked there Flagging for the most part it was really exciting to be there fresh air and the views were awesome people were friendly and understanding to the delays really nice place
Gary N — Google review
Maine, USA•Tips and more reviews for Mt Desert Island

9Park Loop Rd

4.5
(1622)
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Mentioned on 
+11 other lists 
Outdoor Activities
Scenic Drives
Park Loop Rd is a 27-mile scenic route that winds through Acadia, Maine's sole national park. The road offers breathtaking views of the park's diverse landscapes, including rocky hiking trails, ocean vistas, and tranquil lakes. Along the way, visitors can stop at lookout points to admire the scenery and may even spot some of the local wildlife, such as loons in the lakes and streams.
Maine, USA•Tips and more reviews for Park Loop Rd

10Otter Cliff

4.9
(74)
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4.5
(316)
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Mentioned on 
10 lists 
Cliff
Nature & Parks
Geologic Formations
Otter Cliff is an iconic 110-ft-high pink-granite cliff located in Acadia National Park. The cliff juts out into the water, offering stunning views of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. Visitors can access Otter Cliff via the Park Loop Road, a 27-mile central artery that provides access to various park attractions such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond.
Otter Cliffs at Acadia National Park is simply breathtaking. The stunning views, the scenic drive along Park Loop Road, and the dramatic coastline make it a place worth experiencing. I had the opportunity to spend a few hours here with a wonderful couple during their intimate elopement, and the beauty of the location truly enhanced the experience. Traveling from Virginia made this visit even more meaningful for me. Photographing such an important moment surrounded by the rugged cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean was an experience I will always remember. If you're considering a place for an unforgettable elopement, Otter Cliffs is an incredible choice.
Debbie P — Google review
Perfect spot for climbing. Easy to moderate climbs can be found on the left side of the cliff with a steel bar anchor( which is an odd choice for an anchor). A lot of moderate to hardish routes don't have a fixed anchor. Makes no sense in my opinion but ok. Climbing while the waves crush beneath you feels out of this world. Beautiful!
Arda Ü — Google review
The Otter Cliff is a 33-meter-high granite rock on the east coast of Mount Desert Island. Pedestrians can access the rock via the ‘Ocean Path’; there is a parking lot nearby on the Park Loop Road. In the summer months, the rocks are a popular spot for climbers.
Hubert T — Google review
so it was way down from road level and I did not feel like going down, but most of the pictures you will see in bar harbor stores. - it's from here. it is a wonderful viewpoint that overlooks the coastline and consists of interesting granite rocks. The parking lot for the Otter Cliff Overlook is quite small but it’s not as busy of an attraction as some of the other highlights at Acadia National Park.
Sanjay G — Google review
Very dramatic views. A beautiful spot.
Andrew D — Google review
We were lucky and got a parking spot here. We walked along the cliff area, and it was beautiful. You can walk here from Thunder Hole as well. Just get on the Ocean Path.
Donna S — Google review
Wow. Stunning views and you can see otters running around. Ot is amazing experience in the Acadia. It is must visit place in Acadia to enjoy the nature's beauty.
Suresh B — Google review
Excellent sunset climbing (with an interested audience looking on). Various difficulties to choose from and if you are a first time climber or interested in climbing with a guide, check out the climbing store in Bar Harbour.
Maggie W — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Otter Cliff
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11Ocean Path

4.8
(6)
•
4.7
(989)
•
Mentioned on 
7 lists 
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Ocean Path is a 2-mile coastal walking trail that parallels Park Loop Road, offering stunning views of cliffs, coves, and beaches. Starting at Sand Beach and extending to Otter Point and Otter Cove, it provides access to popular overlooks like Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs. The gentle slopes along this remote section of Acadia make for a breathtaking walk with incredible views of cliff-side beaches.
Wonderful easy trail from Sand Beach to Otter Point with several scenic spots in between. We took the Island Explorer bus from hulls cove visitor center to Sand Beach and then started the trail from there. Then we walked up to otter point stopping at Thunderhole and several places in between. We then took the bus all the way back to visitor center. We took many pictures at different view points. Very enjoyable trail.
Sanjeeta P — Google review
The Ocean Path begins at the Sand Beach car park at Newport Cove and runs parallel to the Park Loop Road along the spectacular rocky coast to Otter Point at the southern tip of the peninsula. There are several car parks and tourist attractions along the way, such as the Thunder Hole, the Monument Cove and the Otter Cliff.
Hubert T — Google review
Stunning walkway filled with gentle slopes overlooking cliff-side beaches on one of the more remote sections of Acadia. Highly recommend at least going for a drive along this route, but a short walk along any segment can lead to incredible views! 👍
Noah W — Google review
Nice easy hike along the cost
Alex D — Google review
Worth doing, I have a handicap yet it was doable, just very straining on the legs
Paul R — Google review
Beautiful path along the ocean with many opportunities to walk down onto the rocks to view the ocean. Parking can be difficult. The farther down the path you get the more parallel street parking available.
Kris M — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Ocean Path

12Great Head

4.8
(84)
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4.5
(235)
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Mentioned on 
+6 other lists 
Scenic spot
Outdoor Activities
Park
Hiking Trails
Great Head is a picturesque trail in Acadia National Park, offering a 1.7-mile round trip with stunning forest and ocean views. For a more adventurous hike, the Beehive Loop provides a challenging 3.2-mile trek through forested gullies and pink granite boulders, featuring iron rungs and staircases for added excitement. Those seeking solitude can explore the pine-scented trails of Sargent Mountain via the South Ridge Trail or embark on the St.
This is the best hike I've ever done. It had everything: a sandy beach, rocky shores, forests, beautiful ocean views, and lots of scrambling (which is so fun!). We had perfect sunny skies, and even though it was around 42 degrees, we ended up in t shirts in the sunny areas. We explored a cave, took several rests to admire the ocean, and dipped our feet into the Atlantic. We loved it so much, we plan on coming back next year.
Elizabeth F — Google review
A very beautiful trail with some really amazing views. The trail via sandy beach is a short one but it has some inclines and rocky patches which makes it moderately difficult. The views from the top are worth every difficulty. Parking is small but the right side of the road is permitted parking. The Sandy beach is also nice, however water is cold most of the months except summer. Must visit point in Acadia.
Pratik B — Google review
Very nice little hike! Definitely more than just a walking trail, a good amount of rocks to climb & rugged trails. I’d call it a moderate level hike. Nice loop trail, with a shortcut if you don’t want quite as long of a hike. Gorgeous views at many points on the trail! We walked across Sand Beach and went up the stairs at the far side of the beach to get on the trail. But the parking at Sand Beach was quite insane.
Sheila G — Google review
Great trail! Definitely lots of steep rocks, cliff views and climbing spots, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids under 6. But overall beautiful views and very scenic
H L — Google review
Great trail loop with a small parking, some parts of the trail are quite technical and will require full ankle, knee and hip mobility but the declivity is minimal and is great for all ages and hiker category. On sunny days the view of the coastline is great and offers glimpses of the sand beach nearby. I recommend this trail
Mr B — Google review
Beautiful cliffs and views. Nice loop and fun to stop on rocks and lay down in the sun and look at the ocean. Not too difficult some climbing up / over rocks.
Caroline S — Google review
Beautiful hike with a great view!! It is also accessible from sand beach.
Savannah P — Google review
This was well worth the hike. It was a good path for the most part, and the views were well worth it! You def should do this!
Michael E — Google review
Great Head Trail (Acadia National Park), Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://npplan.com/parks-by-state/maine-national-parks/acadia-na…•Tips and more reviews for Great Head

13Wild Gardens of Acadia

4.6
(721)
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4.0
(88)
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Mentioned on 
+6 other lists 
Park
Nature & Parks
Botanical garden
Hiking area
Gardens
Located just south of Bar Harbor, the Wild Gardens of Acadia offer a rustic setting with streams and paths reminiscent of the Jesup Trail. This Bar Harbor Botanical Garden features over 300 native species labeled in nine separate display areas, providing a typical representation of Mount Desert Island and Maine's coast. Visitors can explore native trees, wildflowers, and ferns while enjoying picturesque streams and trails.
We visited the Wild gardens of Acadia early in the morning even before opening time and we walked the Jesup path. We really enjoyed the walk and saw a bull frog and a porcupine. We initially went to the left and the path ended at a lake that was covered in fog and looked beautiful. Then we retraced our steps and went in the other direction and came to the boardwalk surrounded by grass on either sides. There is a paid area to visit where we can view samples of all the wild plants and flowers that grow around the national park. Parking is easily available and I would definitely recommend a visit to the wild gardens when in Acadia.
Neha V — Google review
Loved it! The different biomes are separate in their own little areas. Everything is well labeled! The nature center is open 9-5 and the gardens close at 6. Definitely recommend if you like knowing about the plants around you.
Sydnie C — Google review
Diverse gardens ranging practically every biome found in Maine/Acadia. So many goldenrods and asters in bloom when I went (a personal favorite). On the small side but packed with information. Definitely want to come back during a different time to see what else is in bloom!
Amy C — Google review
We're always fascinated by flora and appreciated that this garden curated so many of the plants you can find throughout the park. I've been a long time fan of Sarracenia pitcher plants and was excited to see so many here!
John C — Google review
We visited in late September so the garden was starting to wind down, but the trails were flat and level which was a welcomed change after hiking 5 peaks in the park! More beautiful scenery!
Tracy S — Google review
It’s a small botanical garden that I thought was ok. The real show is behind it where the board walk goes into the forest. Thought you will walk through it in like 20min, more if stopping for birds
M L — Google review
So many hikes to choose from! We chose the Emory and Homan paths. Steep, challenging climb, but the views were worth every step!
Dawn M — Google review
Awesome area to stop check out the awesome local plants. Plenty of seating to sit and enjoy the gardens. Even saw a porcupine hanging out in the gardens.
Forest L — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/places/wild-gardens-of-acadia.htm•(207) 288-3340•Tips and more reviews for Wild Gardens of Acadia

14Southwest Harbor

Mentioned on 
7 lists 
Southwest Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, is a charming town with a population of 1,756. It encompasses several villages and is often referred to as the Quietside due to its tranquil atmosphere. The area is well-known for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, attracting visitors throughout the year. While Bar Harbor serves as a popular starting point for exploring Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor offers a quieter alternative with its community feel.
Maine, USA•Tips and more reviews for Southwest Harbor

15Precipice Trail

5.0
(287)
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5.0
(265)
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Mentioned on 
6 lists 
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
The Precipice Trail is a challenging and thrilling hiking experience that takes you up the steep eastern face of Champlain Mountain in Acadia National Park. This trail involves navigating through fault lines and shelf systems with the help of iron rungs, ladders, handrails, and wooden bridges. It's more like a via ferrata climbing route than a traditional hike, requiring boulder climbing in the first half and using rungs and ladders in the second half.
I absolutely loved this hike. I wouldn't recommend this if you aren't physically fit or have an extreme fear of heights. If you're on the fence about it, I would 1000% go for it. You won't be disappointed and glad you accomplished this amazing hike!
Dan V — Google review
Beautiful hike, I would say hard because all of the railing and height. But views were rewarding! We visited in fall, so no issue with the parking and not overcrowded. We wore sturdy boots, which is a must here!
Marta S — Google review
Very strenuous. More climbing than hiking. Rewarding views along the way and at the top.
Dean E — Google review
Fantastic hike. Free as you don’t have to enter the park. Parking is plentiful along the road in the early-mid mornings. Much much less people as compared to beehive hike (which is in the park and thus you have to pay). Extraordinary views. It’s fun/challenging but not too long. Took me exactly 1 hour total (35 minutes up the Precipice and then 25 down the Orange & Black trail). Granted, I’m fairly fit and did it as a workout, and with excellent hiking conditions (dry, cool, breezy). My guess is it would take most about 2-3 hours when taking their time and rest breaks. Caution: if you know you’re not in at least average shape, this might not be the hike for you. Also, if it’s rainy weather or if you’re afraid of heights, it might not be a good idea. Overall: it’s one of my all time favorite hikes, and I liked it better than the beehive. If you want a taste of Precipice but to a slightly lesser extent, and don’t mind the crowds and parking headaches, try the beehive hike in the park.
Ryan E — Google review
One of my favorite trails. Rock scrambling, vertical sections, cliff faces. Bring plenty of water this is a steep trail a good workout
William R — Google review
Awesome fun hike! The first 0.9 miles is a non-technical climb (No Mountain Climbing Gear Required). At 65 years old, my wife & I made it to the top in 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you are afraid of heights or not somewhat in decent shape, this hike is not for you! There is lots of rock scrambling, hiking along cliffs and climbing metal rungs drilled into rock in the early 1900's in the real steep areas. We hiked Beehive first and then Precipice the same day. We can't wait to get back in the area to do it all again!
Donald M — Google review
Has to be one of the best national park hikes out there! Great views along the entire trail, and so rewarding once you make it to the top. The way down is much easier, and still beautiful.
Joe B — Google review
Amazing but quite hard trail especially if it’s raining. Make sure you’re in shape as once you start, the way back is even harder unless you reach the top and take an alternative trail.
Volt — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Precipice Trail
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16Abbe Museum

4.5
(344)
•
4.2
(360)
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Mentioned on 
+4 other lists 
Temporarily Closed
Museum
Art museum
Heritage museum
History museum
The Abbe Museum is a modern institution that offers a deep dive into the culture of the native Wabanaki people through various exhibits and events. Located on Mount Desert Island, it is one of the anchor attractions in Bar Harbor, bustling with activity and offering plentiful lodging and dining options. As a Smithsonian affiliate, the museum provides an opportunity to learn about Maine's Native American culture, art, and history. The museum's affiliation with the Smithsonian ensures high-quality displays and educational experiences for visitors.
We really enjoyed this museum. I had read about it in the book, The Orphan Train, and since we were going to be in Bar Harbor, I thought it would be an interesting place to visit and learn about the indigenous people. The museum is only a couple of floors but it is jam packed with information.
Lina H — Google review
Very well done exhibits combining history culture and art. Even the local art from children was amazing.
Charles I — Google review
Very nice museum showcasing the areas native tribes. Works ethically with the tribes to repatriate artifacts. There is an active archaeology lab in the building that you can view.
Matthew T — Google review
This is a must-see if you are in Bar Harbor. My husband and I spent about an hour and a half exploring the exhibits, learning about the Wababaki history, admiring artwork, and checking out the gift shop. There is something of interest for everyone - lots of history to put everything into perspective, fashion, art, tools and weapons, and so much more. I only wish we were still here for the big festival the weekend after we left. I was looking forward to stopping here as part of our vacation and am so glad we had a chance to do so and took the time. Highly recommend you do the same to get an idea of the history of the area.
Jackie A — Google review
A MUST while you’re in Bar Harbor in my opinion. A very well curated museum showcasing Wabanaki history and culture- I will definitely be back next time we’re in the area as we were limited on time.
Katie K — Google review
Excellent museum highlighting the Native History of the area. Wonderful to walk through. If you like to trad all the descriptions, allow 4 hours or so.
Benjamin B — Google review
A great museum that I highly recommend. Beautiful and modern exhibits with some changing content. Listen to speakers in local languages, contemporary music, and two short films. Very friendly staff. It's amazing how much is in the space. Remember to go downstairs too. I had wanted to see the large room but it was closed.
Doris E — Google review
We had a great experience visiting. Shop staff were knowledgeable about the museum and town and very friendly. There's something for everyone to learn here and the exhibits are clear, engaging and creative. In the shop there are a range of things to buy including beautiful artwork by native artists.
Matt ( — Google review
26 Mt Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•http://www.abbemuseum.org/•(207) 288-3519•Tips and more reviews for Abbe Museum

17Bar Island

4.7
(35)
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4.6
(208)
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Mentioned on 
+3 other lists 
Island
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Bar Island is a small island that can be reached on foot during low tide, offering forests, walking trails, and scenic views. Bar Harbor, the town connected to the island by a unique sand bar, embodies the best of Maine with its rugged coastlines, fishing villages, and mountain peaks. The area is known for its stunning coastal beauty and a community that lives in harmony with nature.
A natural wonder! It’s pretty neat to be able to walk across to an island when the tide is low! But beware!!! When the tide creeps back in, and believe me it sneaks up on you as it is quick but subtle you will get stuck on the island. There is a water taxi that will come and get you for a pretty penny but it’s best to know the tide schedule before you check this land bridge out.
Elizabeth P — Google review
Pretty nice, didn’t go on the hike just walked across when the tide was low. Beautiful walk and you can find some really cool things!
Ashley H — Google review
Great to experience once. It is amazing to see the trail covered during high tide and completely clear during low tide. Island offers a great deal of hiking trails to the outdoorsman.
Matt F — Google review
A great hike. Check the tide charts since you can only walk to it during low tide.
Kenny F — Google review
Had a blast wading in the water on the land bridge as the tide came back in. The hike was short and relatively easy, although some slopes.
John D — Google review
Very neat place to visit. I had never been to a tidal island before. You do need to be careful that you time this correctly. Dry passage is only available around low tide. Not the best for low mobility- the soft pebble ground is not the easiest to walk on. Once on the island, there is a short hike to an overlook to see back towards the mainland.
Erica C — Google review
So fun… except we tried to drive our car down on the beach at the urging of a New Yorker and got stuck in the sand! 10/10 would not recommend, unless you’ve got 4 wheel drive. Good thing she was outspoken enough to get a bunch of guys to push our car out or else we, along with our rental car, might still be there. Or washed out into the bay, which might not have been too bad lol! Go at low tide, look under rocks for starfish and under seaweed for crabs, you won’t be disappointed! We even found a hermit crab(we let him go of course). Spent hours here, which just flew by. I did find some beach glass, not much though.. cool mollusk shells abound though, along with tons and I mean tons of snails.
Monica C — Google review
loved this adventure but the tide comes in surprisingly fast!!
Kelly N — Google review
Gouldsboro, ME, USA•Tips and more reviews for Bar Island

18Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co

4.5
(2956)
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4.5
(26)
•
Mentioned on 
4 lists 
Temporarily Closed
Whale watching tour agency
Boat tour agency
Marina
Sightseeing tour agency
The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company is a well-established provider of unforgettable marine adventures during the summer months. Offering an array of tours, including thrilling whale watching excursions and serene sunset cruises, this company invites visitors to explore the stunning waters around Bay Harbor.
Wonderful experience! Saw several humpback whales over the course of several hours, and was fully informed throughout by the announcements guy, who fully explained everything we saw. Staff was really friendly, and the boat was great. Conditions were windy and not great, but that didn’t stop our ship: we raced through the 6-7 ft waves at 35mph, and ultimately found what we were after. It was cold, even in the middle of summer, so definitely bring warm things even if it’s sunny and warm on shore. The experience is really unforgettable, and easily worth the price of admission. Highly recommend!
Jon K — Google review
My husband and I decided to immerse ourselves in Bar Harbor with a whale watch. It was truly amazing! One of the best experiences ever! The crew was knowledgeable and taught us about a wide variety of marine life. You watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. I would recommend this your to anyone. Definitely worth every penny!
Brent R — Google review
I booked this for my husband and I the day off on a holiday weekend. So I’m happy we were able to still score tickets. We done the Happy Hour Sunset Cruise. The staff was extremely kind, polite, and very well educated on the history and area around where we sailed. There were plenty of snack and beverage options on the boat. The views were spectacular! If I had to give any advice I’d say dress accordingly, it’s windy if you choose outdoor seating and when that sun starts to set it gets cold. But luckily there were plenty of seats inside to warm up and block the wind!
Shelby S — Google review
I apologize for my language but you would have to be a bougie person to write this any less than five stars. The three of us did this 2 1/2 our cruise at Sunset with a bar for $120. Stunning sites of the area as well as spotting of bald eagles, seals, and many other animals. The first hour was narrated for the Sunset Cruise in the last hour and a half was just riding around jamming to music enjoying drinks and sights. You arrived back at Sunset to a bustling Harbor community and a beautiful evening.
P K — Google review
While looking online to book a cruise, we came across this option. It was a very nice cruise with an informative narration by Gene. We rode through the harbor and around Acadia national park. We also came very close to a lighthouse and were able to take many pictures, and look for seals. We did see an eagle in a nest, seals, and many other birds. After the first hour, they turn music on, and it turned more into a relaxed atmosphere with looking at the sunset and enjoying the views. It was a good experience, and we would definitely do it again.
Jeff — Google review
Our sunset cruise with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co was great. We got to see many species of birds, including a bald eagle, and harbor seals. It was overall a wonderful evening experience. Highly recommend to enjoy their difference cruise options while in the Bar Harbor area.
Jake H — Google review
Got on the afternoon tour in July and it was a beautiful day in land. It was a bit foggy in the ocean but the crew took us to a different spot that they went on that morning and we saw a lot of humpback whales in separate areas. It did take us a while to find them but on our way back was when they were active and looking for food. Sunset was a plus. I wore 3 layers of clothing on board with head covering. I also sat inside during the ride because it was freezing to sit outside. They have a souvenir photo for purchase. Bring snacks just in case the tour goes longer than expected. They ran out of food on the boat. Also get there early to find parking. Bar Harbor is a tourist heavy town. I would recommend this tour.
Shay B — Google review
We had a very pleasant experience. We went in September on a very rainy day but got a great view of the seals, got to see a bald eagle and porpoise (they sort of look like dolphins). They have an inside and outside sections, was a little cold outside but the view was much better. Was a great day. Only down side was that they only take cash for the snacks and bar so make sure to bring some
Nataly B — Google review
1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.barharborwhales.com/•(207) 288-2386•Tips and more reviews for Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co

19Blackwoods Campground

4.5
(430)
•
Mentioned on 
+3 other lists 
Campground
Nestled in Acadia National Park, Blackwoods Campground offers a rustic camping experience with tent and RV sites. The site is steeped in history, reflecting the principles of park landscape design from the 20th century. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, it is part of the larger development of Acadia National Park. With about 306 sites set in a forested environment, this campground provides a serene setting for nature enthusiasts.
Very nice big campground. Stayed 3 nights. It's very quiet and about 15min drive to Bar Harbor. Awsome free bus service that stops in ft of campground every hour and brings you throughout the park with many stops and also service Bar Harbor. Bathrooms where clean but no showers.
Gunflint E — Google review
We had a lovely time at the Blackwoods Camp Ground (less the rainy weather) Our campsite was well maintained (A029) and walkable to two different restrooms. (Make sure to bring your own hand soap as it is not provided in the bathrooms.) The drive to Bar Harbor is roughly 15-18 minutes. It was fairly quiet when we’re there for 4 nights.
Marissa W — Google review
Stayed here multiple times, first time back to Acadia in years, and this time with the kids in tow. They did great and we had a great time. I always wish I could stay here longer but normal life awaits. Site is easy access to two island hopper lines. My only comment is I wish there was a showering place (not pay) on site. Highly recommend for seeing the park at all times of the day.
Daniel L — Google review
Blackwoods Campground is nice, clean, and peaceful. As other reviews have mentioned it is advised to take your own hand soap to the bathroom because there is only hand sanitizer available. My wife and I haven’t done much tent camping so she felt safer with all the other tent campers around us. We enjoyed our 2 nights there and the adventure of using the coin operated showers just outside the campground. While planning your trip just start saving your quarters (for the showers😀) and enjoy your adventure!
Danimal G — Google review
The campground is quieter than I expected. The bathrooms have hand sanitizer and running water, but no showers. The sites aren't too clustered together for comfort, but it's not like you're secluded from others unless you get lucky. Everyone we met was lovely as were the staff. You can get wood on highway 3 just outside the entrance to the park, none sold inside.
Sydnie C — Google review
We camp here every year and love it! We love the peace & nurture surrounds - easy access to trails and coast for sunsets. Super clean—bathrooms, campsites, trash areas. Dog friendly! No showers, but there is one close by!
Grace R — Google review
We stayed in B138 which close to the South Cadillac Mtn trail and bathroom. Apparently no RVs are aloud in the B loop so it was pretty quiet. There is no soap in the bathroom so take your own. The picnic table and fire ring were in really sad shape for an NPS campsite.
Paul K — Google review
Nice quiet campground in a densely wooded forest setting. Great place to relax and enjoy nature.
Fred J — Google review
155 Blackwoods Drive, Otter Creek, ME 04660, USA•https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232508•Tips and more reviews for Blackwoods Campground

20Otter Point

4.8
(47)
•
Mentioned on 
+3 other lists 
Peninsula
Otter Point is a stunning location along the Ocean Path in Bar Harbor. It offers beautiful views, with easy parking nearby and little pockets of tide pools to explore on the rocks. It's recommended for those seeking privacy during sunrise or sunset, as it's not as busy as other parts of the park. The area provides a pleasant and clean environment, with the sound of buoy bells adding to its ambiance. While it can be touristy at times, the breathtaking scenery makes it worth a visit.
Sure you could see a sunrise from higher from Cadillac Mountain. But i don't think it will be a better sunrise than from otter point, in the middle of the rocks and so close to the see you can follow the sun woth the horizon line. Breathtaking. Best sunrise spot in my opinion.
Emma F — Google review
Definitely a place to stop and watch the sunrise from! Higher point and open view!
Mark J — Google review
Beautiful coastal hike Otter Point is a scenic, mostly easy walk along Acadia’s rocky cliffs with stunning ocean views. You’ll pass crashing waves, tide pools, seabirds, and classic Maine shoreline. Great spot for photos and a peaceful break from busier parts of the park.
Vance D — Google review
gorgeous cliffs and walking path along the ocean!
Lisa R — Google review
One of the more touristy areas in the park, but absolutely worth the stop. Beautiful views all around. If there is no parking, just circle back and check later or park farther down on Park Loop rd, there is plenty more to see.
Nick W — Google review
Otter Point, we almost didn't stop but so happy that we did! All of the Ocean Path is gorgeous but be sure to come here too! It's amazing and has an easy parking lot near by. There's a beautiful lake and little pockets of tide pools to look at on the rocks. Insanely beautiful!
Kt R — Google review
Great place to watch the sun come up. Not as busy as some of the other parts of the park. Plenty of parking. Couple folks walking their dogs. Pleasant, clean. The clang of the bouy bell in the water really made for nice auditory ambiance.
Bruce R — Google review
Went to Otter Point for today's sunrise. 08/20/2020. These photos were from my phone but I did take numerous shots with my Canon 7D which I am sure will be fantastic. I recommend this location if you want a little more privacy while viewing the sunrise in Bar Harbor, Me.
Richard — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME, USA•Tips and more reviews for Otter Point
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21Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport

4.5
(44)
•
Mentioned on 
+3 other lists 
Airport
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, located just north of the causeway connecting the mainland to Mount Desert Island, offers direct flights from Boston through partnerships with Cape Air and Jet Blue. The airport provides convenient ground transportation options and free parking, a rare find in commercial airports. While commercial flights are limited mostly to Boston, private jets are also welcome. Visitors can choose from over 30 highly-rated hotels in Bar Harbor at affordable prices.
For convenience Bar Harbor airport cannot be beat. Commercial flights are very limited, but available mostly to Boston. You can also bring in your private jet. Parking is free which you do not often find in a commercial airport. There are a limited number of gates and there is no jetway.
Perks A — Google review
My first time at such a small airport and I was SO impressed by the hospitality and professionalism of the staff here. They allowed us to move things around in our luggage to stay under 50 lbs. They also handled our bags with such care and had us watch them open our bags when it was necessary through security. Biggest highlight was the airport's dog, Henry the Corgi, who was the sweetest little guy. Petting him before getting on the tiny little Cessna was such a stress reliever. Huge thank you to all the staff here for getting us and our belongings through security and to our destination safely, and with such genuine enthusiasm. You guys rock!!
Haley S — Google review
One of the best boarding experiences I ever had. The staff was very kind and highly professional. Though it's a small local airport but has all basic amenities and facilities.
Umer F — Google review
Flown there, amazing airport.
Ethan E — Google review
Excellent airport with two runways and a seaplane ramp. Fbo is competent Busy airfield with lots of regional traffic that tend to use the nearest runway vs what ever the windsock is doing so of course pay attention. Lobster can be had by walking to end of the runway.
Glenn R — Google review
The way an airport should be. (Awesome bathroom inside the check in point and bottle filling stations)
Susie W — Google review
Small, quick and easy. No complaints. A note about New England winters, small planes don't do well so winter travel can be unpredictable, but otherwise this little airport is comfy and reliable.
Natasha P — Google review
Rosalee was amazingly helpful! Very kind and considerate to our needs.
Tracy V — Google review
115 Caruso Dr, Trenton, ME 04605, USA•http://www.bhbairport.com/•Tips and more reviews for Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport

22Bass Harbor

Mentioned on 
4 lists 
Bass Harbor, located in Hancock County, Maine, is a charming village nestled within the town of Tremont on Mount Desert Island. This picturesque area is renowned for its well-protected natural harbor and ranks as one of the most productive lobster ports in the state. The island itself is famous for being home to Acadia National Park, drawing thousands of visitors each summer who come to revel in its natural beauty and recreational offerings.
Tremont, ME 04653, USA•Tips and more reviews for Bass Harbor

23Thirsty Whale Tavern

4.4
(2873)
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4.0
(2292)
•
Mentioned on 
3 lists 
$$$$affordable
Restaurant
Hamburger restaurant
Sandwich shop
Seafood restaurant
The Thirsty Whale Tavern in Bar Harbor is a popular local pub known for its casual seafood dishes, including fish sandwiches and chowder. It's one of the few spots open past 10pm, making it a go-to for nightlife in the area. The tavern offers a divey atmosphere with wooden paneling and friendly servers. With 14 taps featuring Maine beers, it's an ideal place to unwind after exploring Acadia National Park.
We went at around 1 pm and there was no wait time to be seated, the person at front created a table for my family of 4. (Thank you!) The server was super nice, always checking in and making sure everything was good. I saw that she was running back and forth from the kitchen and basically served all the tables inside which was impressive. The wait for the food was long, the table next to us was waiting for maybe 30+ minutes for two dishes, but it was peak lunch time so take that into consideration. I had the lobster roll and was great, super fresh, the sauce was good. The bread with the lobster roll was also amazing, i loved how soft yet crunchy it was. We also got the lobster bisque which was super creamy and yummy. The crab roll was exceptional! We also had the famous fish sandwich and the fish was super soft. You can tell everything is fresh from the kitchen! Everything came to around $88 before tip for my family. I definitely would recommend this place!
Tancey L — Google review
Amazing place! This place was the gem of our food trip to Bar Harbor. It's kind of a "Divy" bar/restaurant that has exceptional food and a great local vibe. We absolutely loved it - ate here 3 times in the 5 days we were in town. - Food: This was probably the best fried seafood platter I have ever had. I'm a long time (40+ years) fried seafood fan - early Legal Seafood and No Name in Boston as references and this was truly amazing - fresh, perfectly cooked. REALLY good. Lobster bisque was very good. Lobster salad - Excellent! Burger was perfect. Blueberry infused beer was exceptional. - Service: Excellent. Staff are very attentive, friendly, no pressure, very helpful! - Atmosphere: As noted, a fun local place. Highly recommended if you're in Bar Harbor. Loved this place.
Mark H — Google review
This was one of the restaurants that was recommended to us. We stopped in after a day of hiking and exploring the park. We had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table. This place was jamming on a Saturday night. The food and drinks were very good. I and the lobster roll and lobster bisque. Both of them were very good. The waiter was attentive and kept us topped up with water and checking in. This place has a great atmosphere and has been here for years. I would recommend it. How can you go wrong with a great name like this? Enjoy!
Rob M — Google review
We stopped in here after hiking Cadillac Mtn and we not disappointed! We started with freshly shucked oysters and then split the famous fish sandwich with fries and 6oz loster roll with coleslaw. The food arrived quickly and was very fresh! The lobster roll was delicious, but the fish sandwich was the true star here. Amazing piece of fish, lightly breaded and served on fresh bread. One of the best I ever ever eaten! Highly recommend this place. Service was fast and friendly too. (Sorry, no pics of the fish sandwich because we ate it too quickly!)
Kathryn R — Google review
We have tried dining here the past two times we have visited Bar Harbor and could never get in, always a line out the door. This time we did! Made it in for lunch sat at the bar and enjoyed the best Whole belly clams, New England clam chowder and fish and chips EVER! And local Maine hard seltzer- Blueberry flavored of course. Bartender was so friendly and kind. Would definitely return again
Pia S — Google review
The vibes are pretty good and it’s decently priced however I will say the crab and lobster roll are alright and the lobster bisque is just pure cream no lobster chunks. The clam chowder is your standard New England fare nothing super special but it’s a good delight at a good price, especially the special having with both the roll and the clam chowder which I highly recommend although our service was great from our waitress. The front lady seemed to not be courteous and we had to ask about being say while waiting infront of her the entire time lol
Arthur T — Google review
We came here specifically for fried clams and they did not disappoint! So fresh, perfectly battered and fried. We also had some amazing fried pickle spears (a special) and some clam chowder, which was pretty good as well. Amanda, our server, was amazing. So quick but making sure every guest had what they needed. I would definitely come here again! The atmosphere was lively but not obnoxiously loud.
Kristin M — Google review
Cool place to check out while in town, the lobster roll im pretty sure is the best I've had in town so far. The blood orange Margherita was good, had a bit of a kick to it but good. The whale water cocktail was very tasty! Would highly recommend checking it out while in town
Jay — Google review
40 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.thirstywhaletavern.com/•(207) 288-9335•Tips and more reviews for Thirsty Whale Tavern

24Hulls Cove Visitor Center

4.5
(2539)
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4.4
(1223)
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Mentioned on 
+2 other lists 
Temporarily Closed
Visitor center
The Hulls Cove Visitor Center is the main visitor complex in Acadia National Park, offering maps, souvenirs, and ranger-led activities. It provides direct access to carriage roads and serves as a hub for park transportation with plans for expanded parking and improved traffic flow. The center is a popular starting point for the scenic 27-mile park loop road, which showcases stunning fall foliage and breathtaking overlooks.
We were here the Monday after the 4th of July weekend. We only had a few minutes as I messed up the hours and thought they were open til 5. It is a long walk up the stairs; not a problem for us, but if you hsve mobility issues, use the upper parking lot. This is the place to go to get your bearings as well as collect Passport Stamps. Rangers can help you ascertain appropriate hikes and let you know about activities (the Star Gazing on the beach was amazing!) taking place.
Jackie A — Google review
A nice visitor center with lot of information available, the rangers are very helpful and guides you very well. You need to climb 52 steps to reach the center. Ample of parking space and great point to start your Acadia journey. You can buy your entry pass and it also has a souvenir store.
Pratik B — Google review
7-24-2025 so many cars. All-day parking was an issue. After driving around the parking lot at Jordan Pond, I just dropped off my family and I kept driving around till they finished. At one point there was a traffic Jam, no cars could move...a park employee should have been directing traffic. Our time for Mt. Cadillac was noon. We got to the top and once again had to drop off my family. I found a spot 18 minutes later. Sand beach same thing. Once parked the park was awesome!!!
L C — Google review
Everyone is so kind! We took #4 bus and got off at otter point. We walked back up to sand beach and that worked well as the buses weren't as filled there. It's a beautiful hike!
BL — Google review
We mainly stopped at the Hulls Cove visitor center to park our car and use the free island explorer shuttle. This was so useful to avoid searching for parking at different points of Acadia as it can get very crowded during peak season. Honestly during peak times in a day (mid morning), finding a parking spot at the visitor centre was also very difficult. You can use restrooms, refill bottles, buy any souvenirs, buy the weekly passes for entrance and get any information you want at the centre. The people working there are so kind and are happy to help especially with shuttle timings and routes.
Neha V — Google review
We visited on a Monday afternoon in late June 2025. There were parking spots when we arrived. I don't think it's super crowded here because there really isn't much of a visitor center. You could go inside and they had a tiny exhibit area with mostly large maps of the park. They have 2 lines, one for park passes and one for information. The information line was always long and this is where we had to go for our junior ranger booklets. There are also the National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp here. Don't forget all the other ones in Acadia NP like at the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Cadillac Mountain Retail Store, Thunder Hole Retail Store, Jordan Pond Retail Store, Little Cranberry Island. They were all different stamps. There was a small merch store here as well which took up about 1/3 of the visitor center. Also there are bathrooms here. Other than these things there is no real other reason to be in this visitor center. It's more of a way station. However I know the brand new Visitor Center just opened up on the road just outside the park with a huge exhibit space and 300 parking spots. The only other thing about this visitor center is that at the entrance there is the typical National Park sign "Acadia National Park". If you wanted to walk over and take a official photo with it. Unfortunately it's not a very pretty background. It's just trees and parking lot.
David L — Google review
We visited Acadia national park in Maine USA to see sunrise on Cadillac Mountain at 4.52am it was really beautiful. It's the first place where sunrise rise is seen in USA. We went by car from jersey city. We then drove to Hulls Cove Visitor Center and parked our car. We then visited the centre to be guided regarding hikes in Acadia national park. We collected maps. They gave us bus route timings to different treks. We then caught bus number 5 to go to Jordan Pond. We reached in 20 minutes. We then went first for a small trek to a nearby trail called Carriage Road and finished it. So beautiful with a small stream flowing, lovely bridges and awesome trees. Then went as walk-in to the Jordan Pond Restaurant and booked a table for the 4 of us, we got it in 25 minutes. Then had an amazing yummy lunch and went for a lovely walk around the most beautiful and big lake though they call it a Pond. Then we returned in the evening to catch bus number 5 back to the visitor center. Please do visit when in Acadia national park. Memorable. Dr. Narayan Pratap bangalore
Pratap N — Google review
Start here when visiting Acadia National Park. The Rangers are super helpful and answer questions, handout maps, give directions, etc. There is a great bus system here also, ran by the park service. We parked our car and rode the bus to all the sites along the way.
Wendall D — Google review
25 Visitor Center Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/places/hulls-cove-visitor-center.htm•(207) 288-3338•Tips and more reviews for Hulls Cove Visitor Center

25Bubble Rock

4.8
(373)
•
4.5
(388)
•
Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Scenic spot
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
Bubble Rock is a popular hiking destination in Acadia National Park, featuring a large boulder perched on the edge of South Bubble Mountain. The rock offers unique views of Jordan Pond and the surrounding valley. To reach Bubble Rock, hikers can take the Bubbles Divide Trailhead from the Bubbles parking lot. The hike is short but steep, requiring sturdy footwear, especially in wet conditions. Despite its precarious appearance, Bubble Rock provides easy platforms for capturing stunning photographs from both east and west sides.
We hiked in from the south side off Jordan pond it was super steep and rocky to get up but super fun. Glad we came up and not down. The Northern trail back down to Jordan pond was nice because it had nice defined steps. Easier to navigate down hill. Super fun and great views on a clear day.
Travis G — Google review
I hiked around the Jordan Pond and wanted to hike up one Bubble Rock. It happened to be the south Bubble. It is a nice short hike up there with some interesting spots where you need to climb a little. That was so much fun. The view from up there over the Jordan Pond is amazing 😍. Definitely a must see. Finding a parking spot there can be tricky. The day before I went there and had no luck. You can go there really early to get one or just take one of the buses that go to the Jordan Pond House. From there you would need to hike along the pond but that hike is nice too. That way you combine two hikes into one👍🏼.
Waerjk — Google review
Bubble Rock is one of the most iconic and beautiful sites in Acadia, and well worth the hike. Make sure to carry on to North Bubble for another spectacular overlook down onto the valley below. Parking at the trailhead is very limited, so plan to start early—we arrived at 9 am in early October and still had to wait for a spot to open up. Though we got lucky and didn’t have to wait long, the cars lined up behind us were likely waited at least 15 minutes to get a spot. When we finished our hike, there was a line of 10 cars trying to cram into the little lot, including one idiot who decided to block off the entire road, causing the next 20 cars back on the road to be stuck waiting, too, whether they were interested in hiking there or not.
Via D — Google review
The south bubble can be a great add on to the Jordan Pond loop trail which we did and LOVED! It has some strenuous climbing at points mid way/higher up if you add from the Jordan Pond Loop trail but recommend if you’re comfortable with moderate-slightly strenuous hikes!
Katie K — Google review
We drove by this hike many times, and the parking lot was either full or very busy. We went in the morning at about 6, and there were only a few people on the trail so we mostly had it to ourselves. The view was amazing to rest and look at. Out and back, moderate, steep rocks you need to climb.
Emily R — Google review
This is a gorgeous hike in Acadia National Park. It’s pretty easy with some mild elevation change and several stairs but otherwise quite fun and well worth the effort. It took about an hour round trip to do the South Bubble hike.
William T — Google review
This place had the biggest amount of people than in any other hike. But everyone could get a nice photo! We chose this spot for a snack- views beer amazing and there was enough space to relax in the solitude.
Marta S — Google review
Beautiful and pretty challenging hike, with lots of rock scrambling. We started from the Jordan Pond Path with the ascent first then came back on Bubble Divide back to the Jordan Pond Path. Would absolutely not recommend coming down the south bubble trail to jordan pond, as it could be scary with the rock scrambling would also not recommend while raining.
Savannah P — Google review
Park Loop Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA•http://www.nps.gov/index.htm•Tips and more reviews for Bubble Rock
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26George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History

4.7
(159)
•
4.7
(86)
•
Mentioned on 
+2 other lists 
Temporarily Closed
Natural history museum
Museums
The George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History is situated in the former headquarters of Arcadia National Park and is dedicated to showcasing the natural world of Maine and its surrounding regions. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, touch marine creatures in a tidal pool, and admire dioramas of local coastal wildlife. The museum also features a gift shop offering nature-related gifts and books. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to learn about Bar Harbor's wildlife through engaging displays that offer insights into Maine's ecosystems and wildlife.
Loved it. Would have enjoyed going to school here, appreciate the way all different disciplines are incorporated. I do want to know why wasn't 'museum diorama maker' or 'museum taxidermy specialist' on my career list when I was looking at colleges?
Gemini.BigDog — Google review
Great little place. The exhibition is spread all over the space creating an all encompassing environment. It's also interactive. Great dioramas, a nice collection that represents both ocean and land dynamics of the parklands. Worth a visit. This place is special.
Bill D — Google review
Awesome museum! Bigger than it let's on a lot of specimens to see. What made it most interesting was the fact that the animals were taxidermied by students! 20/10 reccomend
Jasmin S — Google review
This is a wonderful museum! It may be small but they have put a lot of work into the exhibits! Our kids age 11,10,9,8 and 8 months loved it! They enjoyed seeing the animals and the skeletons! The adults in our group especially enjoyed learning new facts about the animals in this region! We would absolutely recommend going if you are near the Bar Harbor area! It is free but the ask for donations. It is a worthy cause!
Sherry K — Google review
Wonderful little museum. My 5 year old daughter loved it, and so did I. Small but packed with a lot of interesting stuff. We spent a good hour here on a rainy late October afternoon while visiting Acadia National Park.
PM — Google review
Compact, informative nature museum just minutes from central Bar Harbor. Pay as you wish donation admission. Hosts the excellent Touch Tank Talk family program led by an Acadia Park ranger. Great for kids of all ages. Highly recommended.
Kevin M — Google review
Great Museum! Free will donation. All exhibits are made by College of the Atlantic's very talented students. The tide pool touch tank is great. Rangers know what they are talking about.
Mark F — Google review
The George B. Dorr Museum is worth checking out while visiting Bar Harbor. My daughter loves animals so we decided to check out the museum on a rainy morning during our week stay in Bar Harbor. We were highly impressed by the variety of animals and details on display created by past students and professors. While it is a small museum, it is packed with beautifully preserved animals and a good amounts of hands on items to explore.
Emily M — Google review
105 Eden St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.coa.edu/dorr-museum/•(207) 288-5395•Tips and more reviews for George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History

27Sieur de Monts Spring

3.9
(10)
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4.0
(38)
•
Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Spring
Nature & Parks
Historic Sites
Hot Springs & Geysers
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Sieur de Monts Spring, located in Acadia National Park, is a historic springhouse dating back to the early 20th century. The park offers various attractions such as overlooks, beaches, hiking paths, and the Abbe Museum and nature center at Sieur de Monts Spring. Visitors can explore Bar Harbor independently or join guided tours to learn about the town's history and its connection to wealthy dynasties like the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts.
One of our stops on the loop in the park
Jennifer R — Google review
This is a good place by itself. But if you consider the access to the walking trails nearby, it makes it one of my favorite places to go walk. The Jesup trail to the Great Meadow is one our families favorite places on MDI.
Justin B — Google review
A lot of very easy trails within here, although nothing terribly exciting or 'must see.' This is not some place you *have* to see while in Acadia.
Kim — Google review
Nice visitors center the spring is a bit odd. You have to see it. We had a little taste even though it said not to. The Native Museum up the hill is great. Love love loved the native plant gardens. Fantastic.
Greg M — Google review
Take in everything when in Acadia National Park.
Shea M — Google review
Not much to do but there are trails you can get from there, like Jesup Trail for one.
Mary C — Google review
A lot of trail and learning opportunities to be had here
Kyle F — Google review
(Translated by Google) Nothing to see (Original) Нечего смотреть
Татьяна П — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Sieur de Monts Spring

28Sieur de Monts Nature Center

4.5
(239)
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4.3
(4)
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Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Visitor center
Hiking area
Park
The Sieur de Monts Nature Center, located in the historic Spring House complex, is a hub for learning about the nature and science of Acadia National Park. One of its notable exhibits focuses on the impact of climate change on the park, highlighting how rising temperatures could affect various ecosystems and species within Acadia. In addition to this educational exhibit, visitors can explore attractions such as the Wild Gardens and the Abbe Museum at the Wild Gardens.
This place was absolutely beautiful! The hiking trail we took was well worth the views.
Alejandro M — Google review
Very nice place and not super crowded. Nice short walks in the nature with some wildlife. If you have the time take the climb, it's intense but short and has some amazing views
Amit M — Google review
We visited here on a late Monday afternoon in late June 2025. There were plenty of parking spots in the parking lot. There is a bathroom also located in a separate building off the parking lot on the other side. The visitor center was open when we visited. There were 2 ranger staffing the inside who were super friendly. There is a small merch store here as well and a number of exhibits all around the walls. There were more exhibits to look at here than at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center but the merch store was a lot smaller. They also have their own National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp for this location. We looked around inside for about 15 mins before walking out to check out the gardens themselves.
David L — Google review
This nature center is fantastic!! So many trails and plants/flowers to see! I love it so much! I was also happy to see that you can get a stamp for the national park passport here too - it’s right by the register when you walk in the gift shop. They also had “bark ranger” and “junior ranger” stamps here!
Sammy W — Google review
A lovely garden of native plant species! I can now differentiate between Maple trees and Birch trees! 😅 The place is peaceful and I’d recommend stopping by here to learn about the plant and wildlife of Acadia!
Swap — Google review
Great hikes and garden right behind the center. Staff very knowledge. Great experience
Bob G — Google review
Beautiful area with many species of birds. The gardens are very nice and the Jesup trail is a easy path through this wonderful habitat.
J L — Google review
Wonderful little garden put together by the National Park Service. Information from park rangers was interesting. Will come back to see more of the area.
Michael S — Google review
2 Sieur de Monts Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/sieur-de-monts.htm•Tips and more reviews for Sieur de Monts Nature Center

29Lulu Lobster Boat Ride

4.9
(382)
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Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Sightseeing tour agency
Tour operator
Embark on the Lulu Lobster Boat Ride for an immersive experience in Maine's lobstering tradition and local wildlife. Captain John will guide you through Frenchman Bay, pointing out harbor seals and eagles while sharing insights into lobster fishing. You'll get to participate in the process by hauling traps, measuring lobsters, baiting traps, and returning them to the water.
Interactive and really great trip for our mixed aged group (65, 69, 39, 9, 7). Chris was a lovely guide and answered all our questions. Tony was a great captain and very kind to all the kids on the boat. We lucked out and pulled in multiple lobsters (including a female with eggs)& a crab and saw lion's mane jellyfish, seals, & porpoises, and the views of the coast from the boat are beautiful. Definitely recommend the trip for anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the lobster industry & get out on the water.
Dawn K — Google review
Went on a boat tour with Lulus and had a great time. The boat Capitan was friendly and we checked (3-4) traps which resulted in one lobster and a handful of crabs. The boat guide was very nice and entertaining with plenty of local knowledge. Boat was clean and seating was roomy. Would not recommend sitting in the front left if you want to take pictures as the views are limited and pictures through the windows didn’t turn out well but otherwise a pleasant experience.
James C — Google review
If you’re craving a fun, hands-on taste of Maine’s coastal life, Lulu Lobster Boat Tour is a must-do. We hopped aboard in Bar Harbor for a breezy 2-hour cruise, where our captain (a salty local with endless stories) steered us through Acadia National Park’s stunning waters. The highlight? Trapping live lobsters right from the ocean floor—watching them haul up the pots was like a mini National Geographic episode. It’s family-friendly (kids loved the “lobster school” lesson), affordable (around $50/adult), and runs rain or shine—ours was a perfect sunny day, but the covered cabin kept us comfy. Pro tip: Book ahead for peak summer slots. Five stars for the mix of education, eats, and epic scenery. Can’t wait to go back!
Hendra W — Google review
My husband, 12 yr old son, SIL and myself went on a trip yesterday. We had Emily as our tour guide and I can’t remember the captains name.we had such a good time. They allowed my son to band the lobster and even drive the boat. Emily was super friendly and I would highly recommend your tour company!
Rae D — Google review
This was a great experience! Our narrator Linda and Captain Tony taught us so much about lobstering and the entire Bar Harbor ecosystem. We got to see several lobsters and crabs that Captain Tony pulled up in his traps. Highly recommended activity for all ages!
Jeff C — Google review
Add this as one of the ‘must do’ items on your itinerary to Bar Harbor. Our family had a blast and absolutely loved this tour. Not only do you learn more about lobstering, you also get a tour of the bay, a lesson on local history and information on local marine life. Both our tour guide and captain were fabulous. This trip is appropriate for any age.
Brittany A — Google review
This boat tour exceeded my expectations! We were looking for an activity to do the morning of our elopement in Acadia national Park and this 2 hour boat tour perfectly fit the bill! We saw seals, a lighthouse, and several lobster and crabs. We learned so much about the industry of lobster fishing which was so interesting. Our guides were so funny. Highly recommend!
Bryna T — Google review
We had an awesome experience on our boat tour! Galen did an excellent job keeping everyone entertained while teaching us all about the lobster industry as well as the other wildlife in Bar Harbor. The captain was friendly and entertaining as well. We loved it!
Lorie C — Google review
55 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•http://www.lululobsterboat.com/•(207) 288-3136•Tips and more reviews for Lulu Lobster Boat Ride

30Seawall Campground

4.6
(379)
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Mentioned on 
+2 other lists 
Campground
Nestled in the serene southern end of Acadia on Mt. Desert Island, Seawall Campground offers a tranquil retreat for tent campers and families seeking a peaceful getaway. Situated near Southwest Harbor, this campground is a bit further from the bustling attractions, providing a quieter experience amidst rugged coastal beauty. With four loops, including three dedicated to tent camping, it provides basic facilities and walk-in campsites for those looking to disconnect slightly from modern amenities.
By far our favorite campground in Acadia. Campsites are clean and spacious. Bathrooms were clean and accessible. But the location is everything. It has close proximity to southern harbors and a short drive from the main park. Amazing picnic area just steps from the campground. Overall it makes the top of our list for recommended campgrounds.
Johnathan B — Google review
Stayed at Seawall for three nights while in the park recently. Check in was very easy and the rangers were helpful in explaining the campground rules. My site was in the A-loop and was very well maintained. Bathrooms and water were conveniently located to the camp sites and were well kept. It is a bit of a distance from the Bar Harbor side of the park and driving through the Southwest Harbor is slower speeds, but the traffic through was minimal. Exploring the towns on this end was a good experience as they were not as busy as the other side. Even considering that most of my park activities required driving to the other side, I still thoroughly enjoyed staying here.
Jordan O — Google review
While this is the quiet side of the island, I feel there are nicer campgrounds with the same ambiance for the same price. This is about 30 minutes from the more popular Acadia attractions, so we completed the quiet side in 2 days and found ourselves driving 30-60 minutes one way to get to the other attractions. We were super excited about this trip but a lot of factors made us leave early. We had a group of 8 split between two sites. It states you can have two tents at each site, park one car, and are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. The one site had just enough room to do so. The second site was too small to fit two tents and safety light a fire, so we had to go to the site next door for a fire to keep 8 people warm and cook food for 8. There was no way to have two tents, the fire, a picnic table, and park…check the sites carefully I did and it still wasn’t accurate enough. We chose our loop/sites purposely for the characteristics, including flushing toilets and sinks. Upon arrival we were informed that the bathrooms in our loop were being renovated so we had porta-pots throughout the loop…so no flushing toilets or sinks, which we needed. The other loop wasn’t walkable enough to have 8 people walk back and forth, especially in a rush. Luckily (or unluckily for us) the toilet was right out front of our site…convenient-ish for 8 people but our part of the loop ended up being the most crowded so there were 14 people using one toilet that doesn’t flush. We checked in Saturday, by Monday our site stunk horribly, we ended up leaving early on Tuesday but it still stunk and had not been dumped. It’s also just disgusting to have to see that and sit in that smell. I do want to note that the park staff checked the toilets frequently, stocked them, wiped them down, and they were clean, but not emptied. The park staff were super friendly and great, this was just not a good trip for us overall…couldn’t start a fire because of rain two days and were freezing, rained so hard that all 4 tents took on water, gear inside, clothing, essentials, etc were soaked or destroyed (on two different days); a child got sick for two days, sprayed tents and ourselves constantly but still found ticks inside our bags of fresh, unused clothes, etc. It was cool to hear the buoys dinging on the water.
Lauren H — Google review
Everything was great except the design of the restrooms. Who puts transparent windows with a restroom stall? Also operate it to an open position? I was walking around the facility towards the women's restroom when i saw a young guy on his tip toe looking through a window, later realized the window looked into a toilet stall.
Fahmi K — Google review
Absolutely beautiful! Each side had ample room to sit and enjoy. The trees throughout the camp made it private where you sat. On top of that, everything, even the bathrooms!, was well kept and spotless clean! We can't wait to go back!
Brucedeborah D — Google review
Seawall Campground is an official national park campground for Acadia, but it’s a good 20-40 minute drive from the main attractions of the park (depending on where you’re going). The only spot it’s close to is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. It’s dog friendly and has water and bathrooms, but no showers. If you’re bringing a dog, you can sign them up for the Bark Ranger program here! (Metal tags available at the Hull Cove Visitor Center gift shop.)
Via D — Google review
The rangers were awesome with the kids. Our site was very clean and had decent service for verizon. Easily fit a 29ft camper and a ram 2500 beside it
Ryan F — Google review
Much more out of the way than Blackwoods Campground— you’ll have to drive to get to Acadia’s main attractions, and the closest town (Southwest Harbor) is not as tourist/camper-oriented as Bar Harbor. Convenient for sunset or sunrise visits to Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and only a 5 minute walk to the Seawall picnic area (great for stargazing and sunrises) or a 15 minute walk to the natural seawall (beautiful at sunset). The campsites are a bit more separated from each other than the ones at Blackwoods, and the amenities are otherwise the same (flush toilets, potable water, and a dumpster, but no showers).
Ingrid M — Google review
668 Seawall Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, USA•http://www.recreation.gov/camping/seawall-campground/r/campgroun…•(207) 244-3600•Tips and more reviews for Seawall Campground
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31Island Explorer

4.4
(178)
•
Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Transportation service
The Island Explorer is a free shuttle bus system that operates on Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, providing convenient transportation between park destinations and nearby village centers. This allows visitors to explore Acadia without the hassle of parking or the need for a car. The bus has multiple routes, including one that links the village center to the national park's Campground Route (No. 1), with departures approximately every 30 minutes from the Village Green.
One of our cruise ports was Bar Harbor, Maine. We used the free Island Explorer bus service to go through Acadia National Park. The service had several different routes that were easy to navigate with the help of workers at the stops or the bus driver. All you needed to do was ask. The Village Green station was where we boarded, and it had maps. The station was about 0.4 mile from the Royal Caribbean cruise port. We never had a wait long for a bus and there was always room. We were there the last week of September, and it wasn't too busy. Not sure how it would be during the Summer. Acadia National Park is beautiful!
Cliff P — Google review
Loved catching the bus and exploring the park. The downside is it is unreliable. If you have a later reservation, for dinner for example, you need to plan 1. Bus service can run early causing you to miss your bus or it can run late and 2. If the bus is full, you will have to catch a later bus and depending on where you are in the park, the next bus may not come for an hour or two or more!. You can arrive at the bus stop TEN MINUTES early only to discover the bus already came and went!! That is extremely inconvenient!! On one bus, when the driver was about to leave 5 minutes before it was scheduled to leave,another passenger called the driver out in front of everyone. The driver appeared angry, shut off the bus and left us there while she went to the restroom. I would just say, this is a great way to see the park but you have to plan for the bus service disrespecting your time.
Just M — Google review
All of the drivers and staff were so wonderful!! We learned so much from all of them. They gave us great tips for a great trip. You can tell they all love their jobs. I am so happy this service was available! Very well organized!
Nicole B — Google review
This is fantastic! Rif De a comfy bus that leaves the Free parking lot at Acadia Gateway of course several other stops and takes you over the bridge into downtown Bar harbor right in the green! No traffic to sit in wasting your fuel .. free did I say free? And beyond that super comfy.
Bev S — Google review
What timing/blessing that the bus to Trenton, driver inquired where we were headed and when we said Hadley campground, he said get on board! Saved us time and he was full of a great personality! Please let him know we were thankful and a few more like him in our world would be a good thing!
Steve V — Google review
We planned to ride the island explorer in bar harbor but were refused boarding because we had two Brompton folding bicycles that were too small to fit in the bike rack. While I understand that it is the policy of the shuttle line to not allow bikes on board, these bikes fold to be about 16x16 inches, smaller than folding stroller (which are allowed). These bikes fit in a carry on bag, and if we had packed them in a carry-on bag, the shuttle service would have allowed us to bring them on board. Most public transportation services that restrict bikes on board the vehicle (I.e., municipal bus lines) exempt folding bikes from this restriction for the reasons I described. Applying this policy in this way is needlessly rigid and arbitrary.
Gwen P — Google review
I hate to give such a bad review, because the bus is great to avoid the hassle of trying to find parking during busy season. However, I have to warn everyone: DO NOT WAIT FOR THE LAST BUS OR THEY WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED THERE!!! We were waiting at the Jordan Pond stop for the last bus of the day at 6:10 pm. The last bus driver showed up, and the first thing she said to everyone waiting at the bus stop was "I can't take you all". This caused a panic but instead of providing a solution, she took whoever she could and left the rest behind. Luckily, I made it on the bus, but about 10 people did not. I hope they made it back home, but that bus driver definitely did not care.
S S — Google review
This bus service is amazing and free. If you stay anywhere in Bar Harbor and want a free way to get around, this is perfect. Otherwise you pay for parking almost everywhere you go. Leaving from the park visitor center, this bus is a great way to visit Acadia National Park. Just don't try to catch the last bus of the day to get out, because they are strict about the number of passengers and you might miss out if it's full from a previous stop. During the day and in the morning, this is the best way to get through the park, in my opinion. In Var Harbor, the main stop downtown is in the middle of all the restaurants and shops.
Ian M — Google review
19 Firefly Ln, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•http://www.exploreacadia.com/•(207) 288-4573•Tips and more reviews for Island Explorer

32Northeast Harbor

Mentioned on 
3 lists 
Northeast Harbor is a charming village nestled on Mount Desert Island in Maine, USA. It's a popular summer destination, attracting both visitors and affluent residents, including the Rockefeller family. The island itself is renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, with Acadia National Park being a major draw. Nearby Bar Harbor serves as a gateway to the park and offers stunning views from Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast.
Mt Desert, ME 04662, USA•Tips and more reviews for Northeast Harbor

33Scenic Flights Of Acadia

5.0
(489)
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5.0
(284)
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Mentioned on 
+1 other list 
Sightseeing tour agency
Tours
Flight school
Tourist information center
Air Tours
The Saltair Inn, located in Bar Harbor with views of Frenchman Bay, offers classic bed-and-breakfast accommodations in a three-story Victorian home. The Master Suite is ideal for winter stays with its jetted tub, heated bathroom floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows providing ocean views. A recent Scenic Flight experience provided breathtaking moments and spectacular panoramic vistas of Acadia from the sky. The smooth booking process, easy check-in, and friendly staff added to the overall enjoyable experience.
We had a wonderful scenic flight. Tate our pilot did an excellent job. He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and history and made the tour very informative and interesting. He was great at putting our mom at ease, as she is a very nervous flyer and vowed she’d never ever fly in a small aircraft - but she did and she loved it!
TexCat — Google review
This was the best views of the park by far! Saw the park from a boat tour, drove the park, then did this flight tour at the end of the week. I recommend saving the flight for last to be able to recognize certain things from the air that was seen earlier in the week. My pilot Erin was great, she is an excellent pilot and knew all kinds of interesting facts of the park and surrounding areas. Being a solo passenger I was a little apprehensive about doing it but very glad I did, Erin was very welcoming and made the trip very comfortable. A must do at Acadia
Grizzle 2 — Google review
We booked the "All Acadia" 35-minute flight and it did not disappoint. As a pilot, my wife and I take to the air on most vacation destinations to get a greater appreciation of the area. On Friday, Erin was our pilot, and she did an excellent job flying the Cessna 172 on fantastic cloudless day. She was super knowledgeable of the area and its history. It was a plus to exchange experiences of boating and flying in South Florida and the Bahamas. We highly recommend the aerial tour, and we will be back!
Al R — Google review
My recent experience with Scenic Flights was surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable. Even though the plane was compact, the seating felt cozy and well spaced. The crew was wonderful throughout, especially Erin, who was incredibly kind, attentive, and made the journey feel genuinely welcoming. Takeoff and landing were smooth, announcements were clear, and the crew stayed clean and calm. The entire experience felt organized and relaxed, with thoughtful service and a friendly atmosphere. Overall, a pleasant trip and special thanks again to Erin for the great hospitality.
Abhinav S — Google review
We had an amazing experience with Scenic Flights of Acadia! Our pilot, Erin, was skilled, knowledgeable, funny, and kind—she pointed out landmarks and shared great insights that made the flight unforgettable. The views of Acadia, the coastlines, and the sparkling waters were breathtaking from above. The whole experience exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend it—especially if you get Erin as your pilot!
Keshav P — Google review
I had such an incredible time flying with Erin! She’s super friendly, easy to talk to, and just has this calm, confident presence that immediately puts you at ease. From takeoff to landing, everything felt smooth and relaxed. She pointed out so many cool spots and shared great little bits of info along the way — you can tell she really loves what she does. The views were absolutely unreal, and Erin made the whole experience feel personal and special. I left with the biggest smile on my face — it’s one of those things I’ll be talking about for a long time. Couldn’t have asked for a better pilot or a better experience!
Sean — Google review
This was one of the best activities I did while on vacation in Bar Harbor! Jack was my pilot and we did an amazing job. He was very knowledgeable about the island and made it a great experience for me. It was so neat to see the whole island from a bird’s eye view and see areas I wasn’t able to get to on land. I would highly recommend this experience and company to anyone coming to Bar Harbor!
Cara C — Google review
I took the All Acadia Tour with pilot Erin, and it was absolutely incredible! The entire flight was smooth, comfortable, and full of breathtaking views of the park and coastline. Erin was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole experience feel effortless. You really get to see Acadia from a whole new perspective — the mountains, islands, and shoreline are stunning from above. This is something you have to do if you’re visiting Acadia. 100% worth the time and money!
Madelyn H — Google review
1044 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605, USA•http://www.scenicflightsofacadia.com/•(207) 667-6527•Tips and more reviews for Scenic Flights Of Acadia

34Little Hunters Beach

4.8
(98)
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4.5
(88)
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Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Little Hunters Beach is a hidden gem along the Park Loop Road, offering a serene and less crowded experience compared to other beaches in the area. The rocky beach boasts expansive views of cliffs and the ocean, making it an ideal spot for engagements, proposals, or small elopements. While there are some challenges such as roadside parking only and potential difficulty accessing certain areas due to rocky cliffs, the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings make it worth a visit.
An unseen gem when traveling through Acadia! There is no sign for this location or a parking lot, you’ll need to see it based off your map and there is a small pull off for vehicles by a set of stairs leading you down. There is a small trail off to the side allowing you to overlook the beach with some cliff views. Walking down the stairs you’ll get access to the pebbled beach. I’de definitely recommend taking a moment to sit and listen to the waves roll and crash the rocks. It’s such a unique sound and unlike other locations!
Michael S — Google review
Absolutely love this gem for a place to go rock hunting and the sound of the rocks rolling on the ride is amazing. Great place to just connect with nature with not a whole lot of tourist there.
Theresa R — Google review
I visited here in the early 1970s and again in the 1980s. This is the most magical, soothing, happy little cove and beach. It is one of my happiest places on Gaia. Human frailties disappear and tranquility reigns. Listening to the beach pebbles sing to each other is one of nature's gifts... 🎁
Gary L — Google review
Such a beautiful stop very short walk! Its a beach filled with both large and small pebbles. One of my favorite stops!
Savannah P — Google review
Very slippery, but otherwise this is a gorgeous large rock beach. The rocks are like river rocks, rounded smooth and beautiful. Geologically fascinating how many different stones are there. Some small tide pools at low tide too.
Emily L — Google review
Little Hunters Beach in Acadia National Park is pure magic! Tucked away with just a few parking spots right by the trail, this hidden gem feels like your own private escape. The short staircase leads to a stunning cobblestone beach where the waves create the most soothing rhythm — a lullaby you can only dream of. At low tide, you can carefully climb the rocks for even more breathtaking views. Peaceful, beautiful, and absolutely worth the stop!
Melissa J — Google review
Gorgeous little beach! Sound of the waves crashing against the rocks is amazing💖✨️
Dr. S — Google review
Nice little secluded outlook. Great for some pictures of the wooden steps. Better for Milky Way shots but didn’t get a chance
M L — Google review
Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA•Tips and more reviews for Little Hunters Beach

35The Claremont Hotel

4.5
(255)
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3.9
(29)
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Mentioned on 
+1 other list 
Hotel
Resort hotel
The Claremont Hotel, a historic waterfront establishment dating back to 1884, was purchased by hotelier Tim Harrington in September 2020. After a $15 million renovation, the hotel now offers warm rooms, suites, and cottages with a blend of old-school charm and modern luxury. The guest rooms feature seaside chic decor with pastels and patterned textiles while the cottages exude a designer take on Maine camp style.
I absolutely loved my stay at the Claremont Hotel. The rooms were perfect, and the whole place was beautifully decorated with so much charm. I do wish they had a hot tub, but everything else made up for it. I really enjoyed getting drinks at the cute Harry’s Bar. The drinks took over 20 minutes, but the staff was so sweet and welcoming. Dinner at Little Fern was great, and I loved starting my mornings with their coffee. Would definitely come back.
Langley — Google review
Dinner with family, had to figure out how to seat us so they crammed us all in when we could have used one extra table. Service was good, lots of drinks require a little extra time. Food was good, recommend salmon as it's the simplest item on the menu. Youngest members were not very savvy eaters so can't vouch for much else but the curry dish was said to be very good and with no real heavy spicy heat. Beautiful location, buildings and grounds. A hike up the hill from the marina so prepare for walking up steps. Really nice attentive dock crew and will put your boat on a mooring and will transport you with their dedicated fetch. Might try staying there sometime!
Leah W — Google review
We spent 2 days at the Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor as part of our Maine trip. Upon arriving at the hotel, we were greeted by staff at the front desk who welcomed us with a glass of blueberry champagne, took us for a tour of the property and generally told us to make ourselves at home. one criticism, the rooms are small but with luxury bedding, a spacious bathroom and comfy bed/pillows. we had many questions about the park and were given maps, advice to download alltrails and recommendations for hikes and restaurants. we spent most our time outside enjoying the property (stellar weather), sitting by the pool, and most of all, morning coffee on the deck enjoying the most magnificent view.
Virginia D — Google review
We had a lovely stay at the Claremont. All the amenities you’d want with a stunning waterfront view. Our room was quaint but had most creature comforts (hoping for a fridge but we made do). Great place to stay if you want to be outside the more busy town of Bar Harbor but want quick Acadia park access. 3 onsite food options (4 if you include the coffee shop).
Daniel — Google review
Rooms and the resort grounds are absolutely beautiful, just as pictured. We were shocked at the lack of service when we checked in - no one offered help with our bags, orient us to the property, ask if we needed help with reservations or the spa or other amenities, or asked why we were staying or if we were celebrating a special occasion (and we were staying in one of the very fancy expensive cottages) - I was truly shocked at the poor service on arrival for the level of property that this appeared to be. I had to specifically request a map of the property from the front desk and Staff seemed annoyed to have to dig one up for me. We were the lucky ones - the couple in front of us checked in after 4pm and their room wasn’t even ready yet. We arrived to our room where we were staying for four nights and found two sets of towels and an envelope to tip the housekeepers - because no one from the resort helped to get us to our cottage, we were on our own to figure out the lights, the fireplace, the kitchen, etc. We got settled and went down to fish camp, where the service was slow and the food was literally some of the worst we have had in years. We went back up to Harry’s bar, and the local bartender was fabulous. The drinks were great and it did redeem the night. Overall, it will function as a base camp for us, but I cannot imagine us returning here. We have waited years to come here and have a getaway at this resort and it does not feel special like the treat and escape we had hoped it would be. we had planned to spend a day just here on property at the spa and enjoying the grounds, but given how poor the services are, we will be finding other things to do until our flight home which is unfortunate.
Vivian L — Google review
Had a lovely 5 day stay. Lovely property on the water with beautifully maintained grounds. Good food & cocktails. We were early in the summer season and some staff seemed to still be in a learning mode which will get better as the season progresses. Loved the pool area but would have enjoyed the peace and quiet of the setting rather than the music being played. Overall a fantastic stay.
Eleanor W — Google review
Beautiful grounds and the best staff! They went above and beyond to make a marriage proposal the most memorable day! Roberto even made a bouquet of flowers for the special moment. We are so grateful have found the Claremont!
Christine P — Google review
5 stars all around. Accommodations, staff and food were absolutely wonderful. Speaking of wonderful, Do Not miss the harbor boat tour. The Lady Clare is an immaculate vessel staffed by a charming and capable crew. They knew the harbor and were very happy to answer any and every question.
TERRY G — Google review
22 Claremont Rd, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, USA•https://theclaremonthotel.com/?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=goo…•(207) 244-5036•Tips and more reviews for The Claremont Hotel
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36Sea Princess Cruises

4.7
(543)
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4.5
(16)
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Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Tour operator
Embark on a unique cruising experience with Sea Princess Cruises, departing from Northeast Harbor and offering a distinct perspective of Mount Desert Island. Witness wildlife, charming summer residences, and the Cranberry Islands while navigating protected waters. The scenic nature cruises provide opportunities to observe seals, bald eagles, historic homes, and the picturesque fishing village of Islesford on Little Cranberry Island. Additionally, marvel at the stunning beauty of Somes Sound Fjord's mountain peaks and rugged shores.
It was great! Winston the naturalist was wonderful! He engaged everyone to join in. The stop was great we enjoyed talking with park ranger in museum. Met a wonderful lady who lives there year round since 1950 and all her kids and grandkids live there too! The boat was comfortable and we enjoyed all the information.
Connie L — Google review
My wife and I took the 930 to 1215 tour out of Northeast Harbor around several of the islands and up into the sound. The naturalist was very knowledgeable and friendly and ready to answer any questions. The boat captain and crew were very attentive and made sure that everybody got a look of anything to see. We saw lots of birds, porpoises, as well as lighthouses and the other magnificent scenery around Acadia National Park. Well worth the price. Pictures to follow.
William P — Google review
Had a great time on Sea Princess today. We saw seals, various sea birds, and even a bald eagle. Also got to learn some great facts about the park and lobster culture in the area. Highly recommend going on the morning tour with a National Park Ranger, and making sure you get the park cancellation stamp at the Islesford Historical Museum.
Jess L — Google review
A well run tour from Northeast Harbor. Plenty of space on board for all. Shaun and Betty are both really experienced and knowledgeable. We headed out in blue skies and by the time we had gone out to Little Cranberry island the sea mist had rolled in. This didn’t spoil the trip however. Shaun steered us towards lots of interesting things along the way. We passed Bear Island Lighthouse. We saw seals and bald eagle and lots of sea birds. We sailed into the fjard (a fjord to the rest of us) and saw the lovely summer cottages. I highly recommend this trip!
Morag C — Google review
Our cruise led by park ranger, Tess, was perfect. She was very knowledgeable about the area and kept our attention during the entire trip. We stopped for about 45 minutes during which time we wandered around Little Cranberry Island. We saw seals and even a bald eagle. A highlight of our time in Acadia!
Amy C — Google review
We visited on a Tuesday morning in late June 2025. There was plenty of parking spots and they said you could park anywhere that didn't say reserved or no parking. So we parked under a bunch of trees since it was supposed to be a pretty warm day. We booked the 9:30AM Islesford Historic Cruise with the NPS Ranger over to Little Cranberry island. We booked the cruise months in advanced and it looked like the cruise was sold out. We at least had a very full boat. Check-in was at 9AM and we just walked up tot he building and there was a window there where we talked to the admin staff. We paid about $400 for 7 adults, 2 children and 2 toddler/infant. We were told that once we had checked in, we would just wait down by the dock where the granite bench was and the ranger would tell us what to do from there. We sat in the last row in the back when we got onto the boat. It was a little difficult to hear the ranger talk sometimes. There were actually 2 rangers on the first tour because they also shuttle the 2nd ranger to the Little Cranberry Island where they station the Islesford Historical Museum run by the NPS and also provide tours while the cruise ship is docked at the island. We decided to do our own thing and skipped the tour. You only get like 45 mins on the island itself and there is just so much to do and see. Before the cruise begins they do a safety talk and then it's off out of the harbor. They drive by a number of old historic buildings and lighthouses and circle around multiple times and make sure both sides of the boat can see and get good pictures. They identify a bunch of wildlife as well. They have laminated maps and info sheets they pass around for wildlife identification. One of the coolest stops was around the Bunker where all the seals were sun bathing on. Sadly this tour is not far enough north to see the puffins. On the island itself there are restrooms. There are also a couple of food shops if you didn't bring your own snacks. We did grab some food at The Salty Fisherman. It's directly adjacent to Little Cranberry Lobster store. When you arrive you actually walk by the restaurant that inspired the Krusty Krab and it looked pretty spot on. There are a couple stores on your right as you walk down the dock to the island itself. Immediately on your left is the Islesford Boatworks. They seem to have children activities inside. I got scolded because I tried to take pictures of what it looked like and they have a strict NO PHOTOS rule because there are youth working in there but I only had adults present in my photos so it worked out. Then right behind that on the left is the Islesford Historical Museum. There was a number of exhibits in there and also a small merch shop and NPS Passport Cancellation Stamp. One of my cousins wanted to mail a post card to himself so he quickly ran into town to do it but the rest of us wanted to check out the food place for a snack. Sadly after we got the food and ate it, it was basically time to go back. We only had a min to step into the couple of shops on the pier as we raced back to the boat. I took a few photos and had quick conversations with the owners but that was it. In the future definitely wouldn't mind coming out on different ferry and stay for the better part of a day exploring this island. We headed back and made some more stops along the way hunting for wildlife. The cruise lasted about 3 hrs and when we got back we were still hungry and luckily the Bucking Lobster food truck was right there in the middle of the parking lot and the food was very good. Overall a great cruise experience with Sea Princess and NPS. They did allow strollers on the boat as well but they needed to be folded up and they were stored in the center. Honestly with us only being on the island for 45 mins, I'm not sure if it was worth it for my little 1 and 3 year old nephews. Not sure if we would do this exact cruise again but maybe a different one the next time we visited.
David L — Google review
This was a great tour of bear island, the cranberry isles and somes sound. Also, a nice lunch stop in Islesford. Maureen, a retired park ranger, was our guide and she was awesome! So many stories, area information and she was just a great person. I’ve been coming to the island for years and can’t believe this was my first trip on the sea princess! I highly recommend for anyone wanting a view from the water at a reasonable price.
J L — Google review
Very enjoyable cruise where you can see so much from the water. Loved seeing the Seals especially. Only suggestion is to have padded seats and backs as two hours on a piece of wood hurts after awhile
Karla K — Google review
26 Sea St, Northeast Harbor, ME 04662, USA•http://www.cruiseacadia.com/•(207) 276-5352•Tips and more reviews for Sea Princess Cruises

37Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines LLC

4.4
(454)
•
4.0
(13)
•
Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Cruise agency
Transportation
Ferry service
Ferries
Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines LLC provides a trip aboard a historic schooner to see the stunning vistas of Acadia National Park. Sail past lighthouses, lobstermen, and cliffside mansions in this world-class cruising area. This event is perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy the beautiful views without too much congestion.
I traveled to Bar Harbor with a family group and attended this cruise twice, with different family members each time. I joined the sunset cruise and also did an afternoon cruise. I really enjoyed each cruise though each were very different experiences. The sunset cruise was very busy with a full boat, a nice guitarist on board who was singing, and there was a bar where drinks could be purchased. We actually boarded earlier than we were originally advised so arrive early and allow plenty of time for parking in downtown. We got lucky and had a very nice sunset. The afternoon cruise was half as busy so lots more room to move around. There was some fog which shifted, returned, and then shifted again. There is no bar or music on the afternoon cruise so bring refreshments and just enjoy the ride! I’ve seen reviews here that the staff were not interactive and I didn’t find that to be the case at all. The captain pointed out interesting places and provided information when appropriate. Please note this is not a nature cruise but you may chance upon wildlife. If you just want a nice cruise into Frenchman Bay on a beautiful schooner this is great.
Lisa F — Google review
We had a wonderful time on the Margaret Todd Schooner! She was so majestic looking while docked in the bay. The weather was perfect for our sunset cruise and we couldn’t have asked for a better excursion. Highly recommend your team!!
Susan S — Google review
Such a beautiful and relaxing experience. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The ride was so smooth and the ocean was like glass for us. If you’re looking for something to do at sunset, I 10/10 recommend booking the Margaret Todd. The staff were super friendly and it was such a nice way to wind down the night.
Kaitlynn M — Google review
We booked a round-trip on the Cranberry Cove Ferry through Downeast Windjammer. It was a quick ride on a spacious, comfortable boat. The service was on-time and the crew was friendly. We had a fun day on Great Cranberry! It's definitely worth a day trip if you're on MDI for the week.
Christine A — Google review
A beautiful, tranquil sunset cruise. When we decide to travel to Bar Harbor for vaca with our dogs in tow, we never thought we’d be able to take them on a sail boat. Now these guys frequent small fishing boats, so I knew they would enjoy this and boy did they ever... They loved all the attention, the wind in their hair, and one even fell asleep during the cruise. The live folk music was a lovely touch. We also enjoyed being able to purchase a beer on board. Truly a beautiful evening on the harbor and if we ever come back, we’ll gladly book another sail.
Eva — Google review
I have a mobility impairment and followed the directions in advance. I walked where I could walk, and my partner brought the rollator down. some staff were very helpful, including the woman at the staircase on the boat, the young man on the other end, and Kate and a manager who has a 2 Hour Dr. drive who helped to push me up the steep ramp. Make sure people know what it will take to get down. I thought the boat was over subscribed which distracted from the enjoyment of the cruise. There was not much wind and it ended up being a very short Ride but I was able to see a great sunset and appreciated the opportunity to be on the water. I hope you will consider selling fewer tickets, maybe increasing the price point. I know you need to make money and cover your costs but so many people made it much less enjoyable. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate.
Lillian M — Google review
Beautiful and relaxing sail around Frenchman's Bay in Bar Harbor. Cool reproduction of a four masted sailing schooner. The crew is friendly and full of information. You can help raise the sails or sit back and relax. Great way to spend a few hours and we'll worth the ticket price. Go for it and have a beautiful day on the bay.
Mike M — Google review
Beautiful cruise around Frenchman bay. Boarding process was seamless. We were invited to volunteer to help raise the sails! Cool experience. Bring layers it gets chilly in the evening. Drinks and excellent on board entertainment made the night! Highly recommended.
Sam H — Google review
1 Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://downeastwindjammer.com/•(207) 288-4585•Tips and more reviews for Downeast Windjammer Cruise Lines LLC

38Cadillac Mountain

4.9
(1520)
•
Mentioned on 
+1 other list 
Park
Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, offers stunning 360-degree views of pink granite slopes, soaring birds, and rare sub-alpine vegetation. Visitors can either hike the 2.2-mile North Ridge Trail or take a seven-mile road to reach the summit. The Gorge Path provides a special hiking experience with granite steps and waterfalls while offering breathtaking views of Dorr Mountain and Bar Harbor.
It's a great 180 degree view with fantastic, large rock formations that you can walk on to get an even better view. Weather is unpredictable. We were in the clouds at the top, but once we came around toward the city view side, it was sunny. The summit was still in the clouds. The prepared trail is easy, and I saw people with mobility issues successfully using it slowly: however, there are steps. If you go off trail onto the rocks, it becomes more interesting and feels write safe because many of the rocks are relatively flat. The small gift shop has a limited variety of snacks and drinks but tons of souvenirs. You need to make and pay for a reservation online address of time at recreation.gov
Shawn P — Google review
We got to the summit about 3pm and the views were spectacular on the drive up. Once at the summit, the fog moved in so we had to go back down a little ways for clear skies. Definitely worth the trip. I’ve never seen something so magical. Every direction was pure beauty.
Tulsa F — Google review
Sunrise at Acadia Mountain, Peaceful Alternative to Cadillac Watching the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain is truly an unforgettable experience. It’s one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sun each morning, and the views over the ocean, islands, and Acadia National Park are breathtaking. As the sky shifts from deep blue to pink and gold, the whole mountaintop glows, it’s a magical moment that makes the early alarm completely worth it. Make sure to reserve a vehicle sunrise permit ahead of time, they’re required and can be hard to get, especially during peak season, since the number of spots is limited. The road to the summit is well-paved and easy to drive, but it’s best to arrive at least 30–45 minutes before sunrise to find parking and enjoy the colors changing before the sun breaks the horizon. Bring a warm jacket (it’s chilly and windy up top even in summer), a blanket or chair if you want to sit comfortably, and maybe a thermos of coffee. Despite the crowds, the atmosphere is peaceful, everyone just quietly taking in the view together. If you’re visiting Acadia, this is one experience you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Zoe M — Google review
If you’ve ever dreamed of standing on top of Maine with the world at your feet, Cadillac Mountain delivers—360° of pure, unobstructed glory. The views stretch from rocky coastline to forested hills, and catching the sunset here? Absolutely magical. Colors spill across the sky like a painter went wild, while the Atlantic glimmers below. Perfect for a sunset hike or a slow drive to the summit, this spot will leave your camera (and soul) full. Pro tip: Arrive early enough to snag a parking spot—sunset crowds are real!
Lawkaanat — Google review
Beautiful views! Unfortunately we didn't plan the trip and went without warm clothes. It was very windy and cold. Still got to see some breathtaking views! Definitely will be going back next spring when it warms up. 🥰
Julie M — Google review
We visited on a Monday and Tuesday morning in late June 2025. We were able to get a sunrise pass for both days. We had 8 adults trying to all get passes at the same time when the tickets were released. It was not a easy feat especially because we did not have the best reception on our phones. There was plenty of parking when we arrived at 4AM. There were a few other cars in front of us waiting to get in. What they don't tell you is that they start letting folks in a little before the time on the ticket. For Day two we figured that out and went like 30 mins early. Also because sunrise is a little after 4AM in mid-June 2025 it's a early morning wake up and drive into the park. Also we didn't think about it on Day 1 but before sunrise there is DAWN! So the sky was already getting pretty bright and I think these pictures are even better than when the sun actually comes out. Even on Day 2 when we arrived almost 20 mins early there were still other cars ahead of us in the parking lot. We stopped by the large signs in the middle of the roundabout parking lot facing the sun. if you get a good spot you could almost watch it from just sitting inside your car. It was a bit chilly and also windy on one of the days. We walked out a bit at the overlook and got a seat but realize after a few mins more and more people were walking further and further out and getting in our pictures. We had setup timelapses as well. For Day 2 we went even further out and down the summit loop trail. There are nice spots further out on large rocks where you can get unimpeded views and also better view at Bar Harbor. Our first morning was way more dramatic with a giant fog rolling it. My middle son got an amazing timelapse of it happening. Came in from the south and engulfed all the little islands and hit bar harbor which dissipated most of it across the town. Day 2 was also amazing but nothing as dramatic. There were clouds off in the distance so don't know exactly when the sun came over the horizon. Tip is to also bring a seating pad or pillow as all you got is rocks to sit on. I saw some people bring camp chairs and blankets. Hot coffee or beverage isn't a bad idea either. We thought it was worth it to wake up at 3AM but half of group decided to sleep in on Day 2. The parking lot was pretty full both days when we left around 5AM. We saw a couple folks hitch hiking down the road as well. There were people who hiked in because they weren't able to get tickets. We would've picked them up but we had crammed everyone into the minivan and there was just no space. The parking lot is bigger than you think and the overlook are does have paved sidewalk for a wheelchair or stroller. But if you want to walk down it's a relatively flat but rocky hike. There are bathrooms next to the gift shop on the West side of the parking lot. It's kind of hidden in the woods a bit so just follow the signs. The gift shop is a decent size and we wanted to hit it up before it got TOO crowded. They have snacks in there as well. We picked up some merch and most importantly got our National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp. The merch here isn't 100% the same as the other park stores so if you see something you like, i'd say just get it as you may not find it again. Overall we didn't have enough time to explore Cadillac mountain more during on visit as we had another dozen trails on our itinerary but we would 100% visit again maybe later in the morning and do some of the hikes up here at the summit. We also purchased 6AM tickets as backup incase we couldn't get sunrise and we never used them. It would've been full sun by 6AM though. So check sunrise time for when you visit.
David L — Google review
It was a wonderful day for leaf peeping! All the autumn colors were worth the wind exposure. The drive on the mountain provided many photo opportunities. Sand Beach and Jordan Pond House were great stops.
L4ffing D — Google review
What an incredible experience! The drive up was a bit unnerving as there are two paved lanes but many curves. One driver started to cross the line so use caution. However, the views are spectacular, and the experience is a once in a lifetime must do. We even saw a wild porcupine sipping water from a partially frozen puddle.
Cindy H — Google review
Public bathroom, Parking lot, 707 Cadillac Summit Rd Public bathroom, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/cadillac-mountain.htm•(207) 288-3338•Tips and more reviews for Cadillac Mountain

39Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor - Acadia Natl Park by IHG

3.8
(1200)
•
Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Hotel
Conference center
Wedding venue
Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor - Acadia Natl Park, an IHG Hotel is a waterfront resort in Bar Harbor, Maine, offering stunning views of Frenchman's Bay. The hotel features a range of amenities including a heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, boat docking facilities and three dining options. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood at the on-site Stewman's Lobster Pound or take advantage of the dog-friendly policy for small dogs under 30 lbs.
We LOVED this hotel. We enjoyed the pool and hot tub every afternoon/evening. It's a great place to unwind and meet new people from all over. Front desk staff was snooty and did not pay attention to detail. Overall the hotel was very clean, but, the elevator buttons were grimy and the restaurant was not clean. The restaurant was disappointing in every way except our waitress was very attentive and friendly. Free laundry facilities was a wonderful surprise and much appreciated.
Dawn S — Google review
Stayed here to go to Arcadia national park. Overall really nice hotel. Very clean and great location. Had a little trouble finding a parking spot close to my room one night, but with some patience was overall easy to. Beautiful views and right on the water. Hotel advertised breakfast included but we were charged for breakfast, so we didn’t go back. We forgot a bag and they are able to ship it back which is really nice!
M B — Google review
It was the best stay for us. We went and requested for early check in at 11:30 am. Front desk was very friendly and did offer us room within half an hour. Initially we got renovated room but there was no view and we requested for pool/sea view room and we were asked to pay 50$ each day for the pool view with sea view. We were informed that building doesn’t have elevator and rooms are not renovated. Manager showed us the room as well before we could decide. We didn’t mind no elevator and also rooms are big but old . All we cared was we got to see sunrise from our room and the view was all worth it. Every morning we woke up with an excitement to get a glimpse of sunrise from our room and we did see. We walked down one day to get a clear view and it was beautiful. If you don’t want to wake up very early and don’t get the Cadillac reservation, this is the best way to just grab a cup of coffee and walk down to see sunrise . Hotel is well maintained and very neat and clean. We also enjoyed hot tub. They have washer and dryers in the basement which is very helpful. Restraunt also has good food and view. If you own EV then they have free charging stations. There are couple which is very helpful. Room service is what we didn’t like. They didn’t make our beds but did takeout trash and changed towels.
Nisha D — Google review
So, it's two properties, one owner. If you are at the regency building, there are no elevators and you'll be dragging you and your belongings up and down back stairs for the duration. I realize this doesn't apply to all rooms. Room was nice, view was lovely, but being more forthcoming would have been nice. I didn't go on vacation to do more work. I would have for SURE picked one of the other hundreds of options locally to spend my vacation. I don't know about breakfast, it was easier to go to the car and go elsewhere. I was really looking forward to the hot tub, but, alas, 8 people were in it by the time I changed to a suit. Definitely not for me. Oh, and 4pm check in is just greedy, and that goes for any place that does that.
Jamie V — Google review
We went here for our honeymoon and we're greeted with a bottle of wine, chocolates and a lovely note in our room. It was a lovely stay. The room was very clean and had a beautiful view. We would definitely recommend staying here if you plan on exploring Acadia. A free shuttle bus picks up right on the property as well this will take you to various places within the park and to central bar Harbor.
ChelBell T — Google review
We had an excellent stay at the Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor during October. One of the best perks was the free shuttle bus that runs from the hotel to other hotels and into downtown Bar Harbor. It starts early and the last pickup is around 8:45 PM. Highly recommend using it—it runs on tips and saves you from the headache of downtown parking, which can be pricey and limited to 4-hour spots. The full loop takes about 30 minutes, and there are multiple buses. You can even connect to other shuttles that go all the way to Acadia, though we didn’t need that since we had a rental car. 🛏️ The hotel itself was clean, modern, and comfortable. Staff were friendly and helpful. We didn’t eat on-site, but the hotel has everything you’d need: two restaurants for dinner and one for breakfast. No lunch options, but we were out exploring during the day so it wasn’t a concern. 👍 Overall, we’d definitely recommend staying here—especially if you’re visiting during shuttle season. It made our trip smooth and stress-free.
Kelly L — Google review
I just recently started reviewing places we’ve been to that I forgot to in the past. We stayed here in October of 2023. We stayed at this hotel on our trip through all of the New England states the night before visiting Acadia National Park. We took our trip at the end of October and we’re glad to have this hotel so close to the park. We ended up arriving at night after it was already dark out so we did not get to see much that night. We were really hungry and we ate at the fancy restaurant that was inside the hotel. Our servers were really nice and we enjoyed our meals. You could tell that the windows we were seated near probably had a great view of the ocean. We thought that our room was perfect for two adults and two kids. We got changed into our swimming attire and wanted to check out the pool and hot tub. We knew that the pool outside would probably be pretty cold since it was pretty cool out the night we were here. Yes, they had a hot tub out back, but it was jammed packed full of adults and we just did not feel like crowding in. The pool was even colder than we thought it would be and every time you got out of the water you could really tell. The walk from the pool back to the hotel was far enough that we were freezing, but it was October so it was expected. As usual, on vacation I was up before everybody else before the sun had even risen. I walked down to the pier behind the hotel and I kept hearing this splashing sound in the water, but could not see anything because it was dark out still. We ended up going down to breakfast, which was one of the best breakfast spreads of any hotel we have ever been to. By looking out the same windows I had mentioned before, we could see something out in the water moving, but it was too far to tell what it was. So after breakfast, I asked if they wanted to walk down to the water to go check it out. When we got down near the water, we realized that there was a little tiny island in the middle of the water, and those things we saw moving were seals. SEALS! Never in my life I was just so lost for words. Which means those things I was hearing before the sun came up splashing around was probably also the same seals. The kids wanted to play around down the water for a little bit. My son ended up collecting some seashells and a hollow crab show which he thought was really cool. We did end up only staying one night, but we would definitely stay again if we were in the area. We were trying to squeeze seven states in in just 17 days so we had to stay on track and keep moving. We are part of the Holiday Inn Club Vacations and honestly said we could see this eventually turning into one of the resorts if they keep upgrading and adding more family oriented activities. We booked this place on a whim without knowing anything about it but we were so glad we did. We would definitely recommend this place.
Eric J — Google review
Overall, this hotel exceeded my expectations. The front desk staff were friendly, responsive, and very helpful in assisting us with merging our separate reservations. The room was clean, tidy, and comfortable, and the overall environment felt relaxing. Some reviews mentioned renovation noise — in our case, it was only noticeable during the daytime and wasn’t too loud, so it didn’t affect our stay. The location is also excellent. A few minor pieces of feedback: after housekeeping, soap wasn’t replenished (we had lost ours after bringing it to the beach), and the plastic bag for the ice bucket wasn’t replaced. We also checked out the game room, which looked promising at first, but turned out to have limited activities and was geared more toward younger children — I had hoped it would be a pleasant surprise.
Frank Z — Google review
123 Eden St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnresorts/hotels/us/en/bar-harbor/bh…•(207) 288-9723•Tips and more reviews for Holiday Inn Resort Bar Harbor - Acadia Natl Park by IHG

40Oli's Trolley Inc

4.8
(499)
•
Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Sightseeing tour agency
Oli's Trolley Inc offers guided tours of Bar Harbor and the surrounding area, including Acadia National Park. The colorful trolleys provide 1-hour or 2-1/2 hour scenic loops that cover historical and commercial areas of Bar Harbor, as well as the stunning beauty of Acadia National Park. Knowledgeable guides share local history and point out the best restaurants and shops in town. The tour includes a stop at Cadillac Mountain for breathtaking views of Mount Desert Island.
We were fortunate enough to be apart of Jim’s final curtain call tour of the season. He was very informative, great narrative voice and quite witty. Acadia is beautiful. This is a great option if you are unable to hike. Plus, we met Santa!!
Roni N — Google review
Road on Oli's Trolley a few weeks ago and learned so many things about Acadia and Bar Harbor. I live in Maine, so was pleasantly surprised that most of the facts the driver shared, I had not heard before! Did the 30 min downtown tour and loved it so much, I then did the 2.5 hr tour of the national park. Highly recommend! Was a great trip and looking forward to doing it again soon!
David E — Google review
Tour of Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National Park was awesome! Jim was our tour guide and was a wealth of insight to all things historicak, botanical and more! ❤️ Highly recommended 🌞
William K — Google review
This review pertains to the step on guide service that Oli’s also offers to large Motorcoach groups. Bar Harbor and Acadia are set up very well in terms of bus parking and pull offs. Shoutout and kudos to Lizz who coordinated our visit. She was excellent with communication and went above and beyond to make sure our visit was excellent and memorable. In addition to setting us up with a guide, she helped coordinate lunch and popovers for our group. Pricing was fair and it was clear that she is very experienced and skilled at what she does. Mark was our guide and he was very knowledgeable about Bar Harbor and Acadia. He planned and guided us on a thorough visit into the park with multiple stops at top sites. The pickup and drop-off point (Agamont Park) worked beautifully. Looking forward to our next visit to Bar Harbor and will definitely use Oli’s again.
Stephen B — Google review
Came in off a cruise ship and hopped on this 2.5 hour tour of Acadia National Park for $65 per person. Guide was excellent, great driver, two nice stops (20 min) with slowdowns in several places for views. Great way to see the park off a cruise ship and much more enjoyable than a large coach bus with tons of people.
Jodee B — Google review
This was a great trip to Acadia. Our driver (Bill) was entertaining and informative. It was great to see the sights and not ha e to worry about driving or parking.
Charles T — Google review
This was the perfect way to spend our anniversary. Jim was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, kind, prompt and an overall great guide. I would highly recommend this trip!! Loved it!!
Tracey W — Google review
My friend and I did the 4-Hr tour of Acadia National Park. The views were beautiful and our driver Fred was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was also a great way to learn more about the history of the park, and of Maine. The only stop I would recommend removing (and adding more time to other stops) is the first stop at “Sieur de Monts Spring”. There wasn’t much to see there. Other than that, great tour!
Baraka M — Google review
1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•http://www.olistrolley.com/•(207) 288-9899•Tips and more reviews for Oli's Trolley Inc
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41Ocean Path Trailhead

4.8
(478)
•
Mentioned on 
+1 other list 
Hiking area
Ocean Path Trailhead is a picturesque seaside trail that runs along the Acadia coastline, offering stunning views of boulders, landmarks, and wild roses. The 4.4-mile loop begins at the Sand Beach parking area and includes a section passing by Thunder Hole, a natural rock inlet known for amplifying wave sounds at high tides. This easy and mostly flat trail provides a safe way to explore the shoreline near Park Loop Road.
We walked the entire trail and it was a great "hike" with amazing scenery. Lots of area where you can go out onto the rocks to take in different views of the shore/rock formations. It's a pretty busy path with people and dogs- you cannot bike this path. Highly recommend, even if you only do part of it.
Trouvaille B — Google review
This is a beautiful trail in a beautiful place. But let’s be real: this trail is absolutely packed with people. It’s like the Disneyland of national park trails. Literally thousands of people parading down a mostly level path for several miles. If that’s what you’re into, you’ll love it. If you prefer a more tourist-free experience, find somewhere else. With that said, there are beautiful spots to climb out onto the rocks, and the trail is good for kids and/or elderly folks. Also if you continue for a few miles, the tourists thin out and the trail gets more interesting. All in all, a good experience, but be forewarned that you’ll be stuck in a massive traffic jam getting in and surrounded by literally thousands of people for at least the first couple miles.
Jon K — Google review
Beautiful route with great views and photo spots. Much of the first half is along the road. The first half is fairly accessible (save for a few steps on the way up from the parking lot, but this can be circumnavigated by walking on the shoulder of the road in stead of following the path). A popular route, so don’t expect to be alone for any portion of it. Toilets available at the starting point.
Kristin G — Google review
- It took about 2 hours to go out and back. The trail is flat with numerous viewpoints that overlook cliffs. - There’s plenty of parking throughout the park in lots and along the road - The trail features Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs - Acadia charges to enter the park. I’m from out of state so I paid $35 for 7 days. There aren’t any additional fees once you’re in the park unless you’re doing Cadillac mountain (you need to pay $6 online to drive to the peak).
Kelsey T — Google review
This trail comes with beautiful scenery, plenty of forresty, shaded paths, and lots of stairs, so you can feel satisfied with your leg day workout at the end. Plus, if you park in the right place, there's a long stretch of cold, soothing ocean to soak your feet in after your long and tiring ruck. The surrounding city (Bar Harbor) is quaintly picturesque, with plenty of places to stop and eat on your way. 10/10, you shouldn't miss out on Acadia National Park. You've already come all this way to vacation in Maine - explore and touch literal grass!
Whitney V — Google review
The Ocean Path Trailhead starts at the Sand Beach parking lot and is an easy out and back trail where you can see so many amazing sights on the way like the Sand beach, Thunder hole, and otter cliff viewpoint. The path is easy to walk on and offers beautiful views.
Neha V — Google review
Good and easy hike. It was fun to do and stop at the viewpoints. We weren't able to get a good view of the ocean most of the time except for the scenic overlooks.
Emily R — Google review
We hiked from sand beach to thunder hole to otter point. It’s a fairly easy trail with beautiful scenic views. You can also walk out onto the rocks instead of the path. We started around 9am so the trail wasn’t too crowded.
Laura E — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Ocean Path Trailhead

42Paradise Hill Overlook

4.7
(44)
•
Mentioned on 
+1 other list 
Scenic spot
Paradise Hill Overlook, located on Cadillac Mountain, offers breathtaking views of both sunrise and sunset. It is advisable to make a reservation if you plan to visit by car from May through October. Visitors are often left in awe of the beauty of the sunrise and find it a wonderful experience, especially when shared with friends. It is recommended to arrive early to secure parking as it can get crowded.
I don’t know anyone that isn’t humbled by the beauty of a sunrise. It was a real treat to start my day enjoying this magnificent display of beauty. Even more wonderful when shared with friends. Go early to get parking otherwise you’ll be stuck driving by without an opportunity to stop and fully appreciate the experience. 🌅
Cassandra D — Google review
Govt. Shut down, drove right in. Was very nice and deserted. Gorgeous views of the ocean and the stars.
EJ F — Google review
First stop on our acadia park loop tour. We started at hull cove vistor center and this was the first stop. You get a great view of the bay and the islands. Very scenic and picturesque.
Kuldeep K — Google review
Another very pretty overlook. Great views. Not a lot of people
Natalie P — Google review
Beautiful views! Even on a cold rainy day in June!
Mary G — Google review
Overlook was so cool the ocean looked beautiful
Amanda C — Google review
Nice place to park and watch the sunrise
Anthony — Google review
Nothing special in my opinion. The trees are too tall at this overlook for you to really enjoy it.
Sean F — Google review
Paradise Hill Rd, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•https://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm•Tips and more reviews for Paradise Hill Overlook

43The Bubbles

5.0
(13)
•
Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Mountain peak
The Bubbles are a pair of rounded peaks in Acadia National Park, offering stunning views of Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. Accessible via an easy 25-minute hike, the area is perfect for families and couples, with the unique Bubble Rock as a highlight. However, parking is limited, so it's advisable to arrive early. The view from Jordan Pond is picturesque, and hiking the Bubbles Divide Trail provides access to both peaks.
Great hike! Lots of stairs and rock scrambling to get to the top but the views are worth it! We took the route to the North Bubble and there are several overlooks along the way. The trail is mostly shaded but I still recommend packing water, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring a snack to enjoy at the top! I saw a lot of people without any supplies on them. Could be up to a 4 mile hike if you continue to the South Bubble. The parking lot is small.
Sam A — Google review
This is on the south bubble trail. You can try the north bubble trail as well for beautiful lake views but it is kinda steep. The huge bubble rock is carried here by glacier long time back and is an erratic rock which means it's composition is very different from the surrounding rocks. Try pushing the boulder and see if you can get some nice pics here. People get very creative here for the pics.
Nikhil J — Google review
Amazing view. Beautiful clear water. And easy trail.
Gita G — Google review
The Bubbles has a nice view of the valley from the top. Absolutely gorgeous!
Devoe D — Google review
Fun hike in Acadia
Jay T — Google review
GREAT SHORT HIKE!
Joseph C — Google review
Great views
Sean D — Google review
(Translated by Google) Gorgeous !!! (Original) Magnifique !!!
NJ 5 — Google review
Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA•Tips and more reviews for The Bubbles

44Village Green

Mentioned on 
2 lists 
Town square
Village Green is a charming park located in downtown Bar Harbor, offering a serene retreat with its winding paths, gazebo-style bandstand, and a picturesque 17th-century tiered fountain. Visitors can enjoy people-watching and picnics while taking in the old-fashioned light posts and the town's historic clock. Adjacent to the park are entertainment options such as Reel Pizza Cinerama and the art deco-style Criterion Theatre, which hosts movie screenings and live performances.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Village Green

45Agamont Park

4.7
(1764)
•
4.5
(299)
•
Mentioned on 
1 list 
Park
Nature & Parks
Agamont Park, located at the end of West Street in Bar Harbor, is a bustling ocean-side park offering live events, open green space, trails, and picnic spots. The park overlooks the town pier and Frenchman Bay, providing panoramic views of New England coastal life. During summer months, the park is adorned with beautiful blooms and features the historic Shore Path along the rocky shoreline for spectacular ocean views.
Beautiful clean park with a beautiful view of the harbor. Perfect place to eat lunch, ice cream or just for a stroll. We’ve visited at all times of the day, this morning we decided to do 4:30 am for sunrise and it was beautiful. Come visit, make sure not to leave any garbage behind.
Nivializ P — Google review
Large square green space near the coast in Bar Harbor Maine. Great place to sit on a bench and eat your lobster roll, or as we did, a fresh scoop of ice cream. Walking paths lead you through the park where the views of the fountain and waterline are beautiful. The park is really a quiet place to rest for a bit as you walk through the town of Bar Harbor.
Jamie W — Google review
Beautiful park with a beautiful view of bar harbor. We enjoyed more than one afternoon sitting here watching boats come in, listening to live street performers, and just enjoying the plush grass. (Bonus points: Grab a popover and drinks at The Stadium!)
Annah N — Google review
Pretty park with plenty of places to sit and view the harbor. Quaint shopping nearby with a wonderful ice cream shop(Jordan's Pond) and near activities such as Ollie's Trolleys and local boat tours. Clean restrooms nearby. Easy to pay for parking at Kiosk.
Brenda W — Google review
I love this park, beautiful views and good energy. My dog loved it here too! Bring a blanket and lay on the hill overlooking the harbor.
Kay M — Google review
This was a lovely part to visit in downtown Bar Harbor with views of the water and sunset. It was fun to sit and watch people and the beautiful scenery.
Jeff — Google review
Beautiful Maine setting over looking a colorful marina. Several restaurants near by with outdoor seating and meals to go and eat picinic style in the park. Groomed lawn, beautiful flowers. Musicians serenade the park guests.
Tom F — Google review
Very beautiful and clean park, nice place to take a walk or take pictures.
Grace F — Google review
Newport Dr, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•(207) 991-2495•Tips and more reviews for Agamont Park
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46Egg Rock Lighthouse

4.7
(131)
•
4.5
(175)
•
Mentioned on 
1 list 
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Lighthouses
Egg Rock Lighthouse, located at the southern entrance to Frenchman Bay on Egg Rock in Maine, is a unique and iconic structure built in 1875. Its 12-foot-square brick tower and equally cubical lighthouse keeper's house make it instantly recognizable. The area around the lighthouse is now a designated bird sanctuary, with seabirds nesting there.
Beautiful scenery and history. The scenic boat tour took us by it. Loved the wildlife.
D H — Google review
Somewhat interesting history and well known site in Bay Harbor and Acadia area. Best way to see it is on a whale watch of lobster tour. Recommend LuLu' lobster tour as you well get up close, where as whale watch will just point it out from a. Fair distance.
Don D — Google review
You cannot visit without a permit but many cruises will bring you close by for pictures and observation of the historic light. We came by in June and observed seals and pups on the rocks sunning combine that with the views and it's well worth a drive by.
Corey — Google review
Very beautiful. We took a boat tour and got to see it up close.
Kathy F — Google review
Lovely to see all of the seals, and waterbirds. Neat to see what the lighthouse looks like.
Brittany I — Google review
Such a cool lighthouse with great purpose. Stark reminder of how important the lighthouse is and the symbolism that it stands for.
Peter D — Google review
It was in July. Wonderful cruise from bar harbor to egg rock lighthouse!! You can see many seals near the light house!
Zee ( — Google review
We took a Maine Lobster boat tour and went around this rock island to see the magnificent lighthouse. What a sight!
More R — Google review
Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA•Tips and more reviews for Egg Rock Lighthouse

47Echo Lake Beach

4.7
(192)
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4.5
(159)
•
Mentioned on 
1 list 
Beach
Outdoor Activities
Echo Lake Beach is a popular spot in Acadia for sunbathing and swimming. Unlike many other ponds and lakes on Mount Desert Island, Echo Lake allows swimming and is staffed with lifeguards during the summer season. The water here is warmer compared to other swimming spots, making it a favorite for families. It's a great place for children to make new friends and play while parents relax by the shore.
Such a pretty lake and a must visit when in Acadia. The beach area is great, well maintained and has all the necessary facilities like changing rooms and restrooms. The water also wasn't as cold as the ocean water at Sand beach. Parking is available very easily as well.
Neha V — Google review
Amazing place!! One of the few unknown and not super crowded place in Acadia national park. Water are just in the right temperature. There's sand and grass and parking available even in very crowded times.
Amit M — Google review
We visited on a Sunday morning in late June 2025. There was ton of parking spots when we arrived around 9AM. We didn't really have any intention of playing on this beach or going into the water (it was VERY cold by the way) but we were here to do the Beech Cliff Trail with the ladders. This was a warm up test for us to do Beehive Trail the next day. We went down to the beach as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. There were a number of stairs that take you down to the beach area. I think there is a ramp too if you park further back but we parked pretty close to the beach itself. There are trash cans and recycling here. There is also a bathroom with running water and water fountain as well as a ton of changing rooms. The paved asphalt sidewalk ends and turned into a wooden boardwalk that goes pretty car out into the sand and close to the water. The beach was completely empty except for us and the coolest thing was we saw a turtle laying it's eggs. I know turtles get nervous with people and sometimes this causes them to dig fake nests and try again another time. We tried to keep our distance. Overall a very clean beach with coarse sand and a lot of natural debris like rocks and twigs and leaves. If it was warmer I'd have no problem hanging out here. There really isn't any shade on the beach itself but there was at least 1 picnic table.
David L — Google review
Beautiful place to hang out! Went in the fall and the foliage was stunning! The beach was a short walk from the parking lot, making it easy to access. Lots of parking and easy to get to. Highly recommend visiting.
Jillian K — Google review
Great little lake beach on MDI. We got there early and the beach was empty until 11 or so. Even in late July the water was pretty cool but it was way warmer than the ocean and it is protected from the wind unlike the beach. The beach isn't sandy but still fun for kids to dig and play around.
Nathan F — Google review
Lovely views of the lake. Didn't seem overcrowded during mid-week in late August in the early afternoon. Adequate parking lot.
Jemlnlx — Google review
Quiet beach in lovely setting. Water is fairly shallow for a good ways out. Nice to walk around in.
Charles I — Google review
A quiet little beach with wonderful views. The water is quite shallow for some distance. The site offers bathrooms that were clean and a changing area. Be sure to bring a small beach chair.
Stephen R — Google review
Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA•Tips and more reviews for Echo Lake Beach

48Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Park

4.8
(184)
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4.5
(74)
•
Mentioned on 
1 list 
Garden
Nature & Parks
Playgrounds
Nature & Wildlife Areas
If you're captivated by the enchanting world of butterflies, Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Park is a must-visit destination. Nestled in Southwest Harbor, this vibrant park showcases an impressive array of butterfly species, including Meadow Fritillary and Monarchs, making it a visual delight for nature enthusiasts. The park not only offers stunning views but also engages young visitors through its Junior Naturalist Program, where kids can dive into hands-on activities involving butterflies and other wildlife.
My wife and I stopped here on a day with on and off rain. One of the volunteers was working and she couldn’t have been nicer! We ended up strolling through the gardens and had a nice chat, learning lots about various butterflies! No wild butterflies yet in June but had a lovely visit.
Danny L — Google review
What a fantastic find! Beautifully landscaped! Wonderful view of the lake with picnic tables, benches and they even have a swing set. We loved it! Definitely stop in for a quick stroll and give a donation.
Cristie C — Google review
Visited in early October not expecting to see many butterflies but was pleasantly surprised! The grounds were beautiful and even late in the season, we were lucky to see some butterflies. The park was easy to get to and had a small sized parking lot. Great place to stop and visit!
Jillian K — Google review
Don't miss this little garden. The bees and butterflies are beautiful. A naturalist on-site gave me advice for my own yard. Butterflies are fascinating. Check it out!
S S — Google review
We went on a Sunday afternoon in late August. Saw some monarchs, and the flowers were in full bloom and beautiful.
Kim C — Google review
Complete hidden gem on the west side of the island. We bought dinner to go every day for a week and ate it here all by ourselves among the flowers and birds.
M L — Google review
A really lovely little pollinator garden with a beautiful view of the water in the rear. We visited in early August and it was at its peak, with bees and butterflies happily flitting from blossom to blossom everywhere. Very worth a stop.
Karen O — Google review
Gorgeous park with quite a few butterflies! You have to look closely as you drive south, the sign and park are both small and not super visible from the road. Wife and I had the place to ourselves for at least a half hour, this is a little gem in a “less traveled” part of Desert Island
Karl S — Google review
191 Main St, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, USA•https://rhoadesbutterflygarden.org/•(207) 244-9264•Tips and more reviews for Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Park

49Asticou Azalea Garden

4.8
(739)
•
Mentioned on 
1 list 
Garden
Botanical garden
Located in Northeast Harbor, the 2.3-acre Asticou Azalea Garden is a stunning Japanese-style garden featuring vibrant rhododendrons and azaleas surrounding a picturesque pond. The garden opens its gates on May 7th, offering visitors a serene and meditative experience as they stroll along the paths.
Beautiful! It's really worth seeing when in the area! The colors and landscape were just gorgeous. It was so calm and quiet there that we even got to see a little mouse come out from under a bush to snack on some grass. Beautiful place to stop, relax, and just enjoy nature for a few minutes. I definitely felt more connected to Mother Earth while there.
Sabrena — Google review
On my last day in the area before hitting the road, I decided to stop by Asticou Azalea Garden. It was a quiet Tuesday morning, and I was one of the few visitors to the garden. The helpful staff provided me with a map and suggested that I make a donation to visit the garden, which I happily did. I thoroughly enjoyed walking the paths which were delicately raked and taking in the beauty of the garden. I appreciated all of the various sitting areas where I could quietly ponder and reflect, especially the one overlooking the sand garden. If you find yourself near Acadia national park and are looking to do something a little different, I would highly recommend checking this place out.
Courtney F — Google review
Beautiful Japanese-style gardens. Very well curated and maintained. Fun to see with all of the of fall colors. Not very big so it doesn’t take long to talk through it all. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person, which helps cover the costs to maintain it. Really enjoyed this! But I also enjoy seeing trees, plants, flowers, and nicely manicured gardens and landscapes.
Jeff D — Google review
A secret garden? No. But certainly a classic one. The Azaleas… wow! Breathtaking. This Japanese influenced design and garden was stunning. It was well taken care of, and should be continuously upheld. They requested donations at the entrance, albeit was a free experience. We donated so that its integrity could be maintained and the garden beauty upheld. While it is next to the Acadia National Park. We were actually able to enjoy this garden more than we were the park that day. Mid July brought out many enthusiasts of this areas outdoors. Thankfully this garden was there and we were able to have some peace away from how busy it was every where else. Personally I’d have liked to sit and read in this garden and take in the scent of the Azaleas as they linger through the air.
Jordan C — Google review
This garden is really a gem. I have been to Kyoto, Japan. It felt like I was transported back there for a little while! I loved every serene moment I spent there (except for the one where I accidentally dropped my car keys in the lily pond while crossing the stepping stones... 🥴 Fortunately a very nice man with a cane happened by and scooped them out nearly with the hook end.) I highly recommend these gardens!
Nancy S — Google review
Pleasant stroll around the Japanese style gardens. Not huge but well maintained. Very peaceful and wasn't crowed even on a Saturday in season. Hats off to the person who perfectly rakes all the ridges into the walking path and sand garden.
Glenn Z — Google review
As a person who spent 2 years in Japan I was so happy when discovered this place. You should definitely visit it, it's so close to the imperial gardens found in Japan. The variety of plants is impressive, I also love the layout of the garden a lot - so authentic. What impressed me so much is that it's so clean and neat despite the entrance being free. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed my visit. Please, consider donating when visiting, they deserve it for sure.
MiLord — Google review
Great little secret gardens! The gardens are free but suggest a $10 donation. They have a map for when you enter. It’s not super large but was nice quiet well put together garden. Lots of places to sit and relax. Our favorite moment was getting to watch the hummingbirds.
Colin B — Google review
ME-3, Mt Desert, ME 04660, USA•https://www.gardenpreserve.org/asticou-azalea-garden•(207) 276-3727•Tips and more reviews for Asticou Azalea Garden
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What's the weather like in Acadia National Park?

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Acadia National Park for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

  • Weather in Acadia National Park in January
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Acadia National Park throughout the year

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