Visiting Acadia

We will be in Acadia in 2 weeks (!!!) and are trying to nail down our itinerary a little more than explore Acadia. We will have 4.5 days to explore. We are staying at a hotel and expecting to arrive at little after lunch on Saturday. Our thoughts were to spend the afternoon exploring downtown bar harbor since we will likely arrive before check-in. The next 4 days we have thing we would like to do, all flexible to move around as we wish.

Things we would like to do are spend a day on the schoodic peninsula, see Cadillac mountain (if we can get a pass), do some hiking, and go some stargazing.

We don't have any firm hiking plans, though hiking along sand beach to the otter cliffs and back is the only thing we wrote down. We are not new hikers, but also not into climbing ladders for hiking trails. I'm sure the view is amazing, but we already decided we won't be hiking the beehive trail. Any must do hike recommendations out there? Or places to eat? Ideas for potential rainy days? We're not really into art museums, but are open to other museums.

in NationalParkby Smacsek

100%

14d

TheReal_CaptDan

14d

Went to Acadia last year. Hands down, you definitely need to do the Beehive Trail hike. It was one of the best hikes I’ve ever done in a national park. Have fun!

Smacsek

14d

Yeah, not gonna happen. I have a fear of heights, I'm ok if I'm up high (like on a mountain) and there is about 2 feet from me to the edge and I'm on a solid surface. Any closer and I get light headed and dizzy. From pictures I've seen of the trail, it's probably not a good idea for me to be on it.

jeremybearimy7

14d

If you don’t like heights, you can go up the back way (which is how most people get down). Or skip it, there’s plenty of other good trails. I don’t like heights and was pretty stressed going up the ladders.

mysorebonda

14d

It’s actually not as bad as the pics make it seem

[deleted]

14d

Agree with the other comment - I never felt unsafe. But you know yourself best

hawktalks

14d

Beech Cliff Ladder Trail is a good middle ground with a few very solid ladders, less intimating than Beehive (which I also did, and found a little frightening, but exhilarating). We hiked Beech Cliff and Acadia Mountain and swam in Echo Lake before getting lobster roll for lunch at Beal’s. Amazing day, and not very crowded at all (in August).

hamburglar0-0

14d

I am listening to you about the beehive trail. But if you go up the back way, you don’t need to use a ladder. I saw people hiking up the back way when we were hiking down so I don’t think it’s uncommon or wrong. Bubble rock was cool, & hiking around the lake was pretty. Those are pretty much the big ones. It’s a relatively small park tbh

Smacsek

14d

Maybe we'll give it a shot coming up the back way then, really wasn't interested in using ladders. And a small park doesn't bother me, I'd rather enjoy it all then only get a taste and wish I had more vacation time to explore

kibethan

14d

We went up the back way!! It was totally worth the view at the top.

hamburglar0-0

14d

I definitely agree! You really can take your time in the park! Lobster rolls are the staple in Maine & tho pricey, I’m sure you could find a decent one anywhere in the downtown area

_VayaConQueso

14d

Definitely do lunch on the lawn at Jordan Pond House. Lobster stew, popovers, and the view of the Bubbles is heaven.

Smacsek

14d

Popovers and tea were also on the list, thanks for reminding me!

30dirtybirdies

14d

Last time I was there I did a kayak tour of the islands out in the bay beyond bar harbor. That was really fun.

There also is (was maybe, it’s been probably 10 years) a great used book store in the area.

The highlight though was watching 2 eagles fight 3 ospreys over a cove while enjoying my morning coffee. Most epic 45 minute wildlife battle ever.

hamburglar0-0

14d

Also! On the Schoodic peninsula there is a free little museum in the Institute! Stuff about WWII & nature! Definitely worth a visit! The downtown area is pretty cool- many shops & ice cream parlors. Keep in mind that the Schoodic peninsula is about 1-1.5 hours from the rest of the park & downtown depending on where your hotel is.

2PlasticLobsters

14d

The one trouble with Bar Harbor is that it's popular with cruise ships. On excursion days, everything is PACKED. On the plus side, the schedule for these is published in several places, like the local guide magazine. We used it to decide when to visit town & when to explore elsewhere.

We both found the Cole Land Transportation Museum really interesting, and I'm not really into vehicles. It's pretty big & would take up most of a rainy day.

allaboutmojitos

14d

Buy a trail map- I love the red waterproof mapadventures map (available from Amazon). There are a billion hikes in Acadia- all beautiful. Great Head trail by sand beach has beautiful views, both Bubbles, carriage roads, Acadia mtn.. you can walk across the land bridge at low tide to bar island. If you like botanical gardens, there are a few, antique stores, there are some tours on boats that are fun as well. As for rain, just get out and hike anyway. Have good footwear- the trails are rocky and can be slippery in places.

Ned_herring69

14d

Im a local. Trail map is the only advice i give and i give it every time.

beckystitches

14d

We visited Acadia last summer. For stargazing we went to Cadillac Mountain after the sunset registration time. There were no guards and just made sure we were down before the road closed. There weren’t many people left up there and so beautiful with a clear sky. Also, hiked to the top of Cadillac Mountain which was a decent incline but no ladders etc. Jordan’s Restaurant in Bar Harbor for blueberry pancakes. Also, don’t miss walking across the bar and seeing the tide pools. Jordan’s Pond restaurant is the only place to get popovers. Look for reservations now! Go for lunch NOT dinner. The dinner menu isn’t as good in my opinion. The walk/hike around the lake is nice too.

Random-Cpl

14d

Precipice trail was awesome

Elderberry-Famous

14d

It’s closed because falcons nest there. Only opens in August.

Random-Cpl

13d

Ah bummer

eshaw111

14d

I’d recommend the Beehive trail for sure. Soooo good

Practical_Tell_7091

14d

You can reach the top of Beehive by taking the non rung route so you can still see sand beach. The hike to bubble rock was pretty cool and some great views. The trail around the pond is nice especially if your staying for food or tea. We enjoyed pretty much all the hikes and that was with hauling kiddos with. I will say go super early to get to places or just take the bus because parking is pretty hard on weekends and even some weekdays.

Smacsek

14d

From what I saw, the bus won't be starting up until mid/late June so we'll have to drive. Thanks for the tip about going early. This early bird won't have an issue. My partner might have an issue with that though!

LilRedditWagon

14d

Schoodic Point is one of my favorite places on earth! We camped in that area & went every evening. Enjoy!

archeranne

14d

The Schoodic Peninsula is my favorite part of the park. We were in Acadia at this time last year and it was amazing

Elderberry-Famous

14d

Stop at the park center- they’ll give you current info on trail conditions and closures. I’d try a longer trail- don’t just run to Beehive like 90% of the tourists. You can hike up Cadillac rather than drive- it’s a nice hike. Kayak, rent bikes. Lots of restaurants right in town. Definitely stop for ice cream! Enjoy.

Just_Looking_Around8

13d

Some great park tips here already so I'll focus on lobster. There are great lobster places downtown by the water. But you'll pay tourist prices. Research lobster shacks that are away from town but still on the island. I think we paid 1/3 the price just 10 minutes from town. It allowed us to have lobster more often than we thought we would.

damien12g

14d

I don’t like heights. Done Angels. Beehive was a little sketchy. No way around that. Better to be safe. But also won’t hurt to push past that shit and tell your brain who’s boss

Smacsek

14d

I keep trying to convince myself, but when I'm getting dizzy and nervous watching someone else up high while I'm on the ground, I should probably start small rather than skydiving like everyone tells me to.

And honestly, is rather enjoy my vacation rather than feel like I'm having a panic attack.

damien12g

13d

I hear ya. But you are missing out on a lot of cool things. I get the nerves. Shakes. Feel like I’m gonna fall off the ledge. But I muscle through it. I know you can too. Start small.