Top 5 Activities & Travel Tips For Visiting Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor, Maine:

Top 5 Activities & Travel Tips For Visiting Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor, Maine:

1. Rock Climbing: 

   I had to start with this activity due to its uniqueness and because it was a highlight of our trip. I had researched many rock climbing companies in Bar Harbor, but Atlantic Climbing School stood out due to its highly ranked reviews, affordability, and flexibility. Our guides, Matt & Mike, were phenomenal. They were very accommodating to our private group of six people that had varying skill sets, ranging from daredevil to significant fear of heights. I could write more about how amazing this activity was, but I think the pictures can speak for themselves.

   
   
   

   

   

   

   

   

   
   
   

2. Lobster Boat Sunset Cruise:

   This private, sunset lobster boat cruise was one of the biggest surprises from our trip. I had initially been more interested in a sailing cruise, but due to our group size of 8 and desire for it to be a private cruise, we landed on this lobster boat cruise, and man, did it exceed expectations. I mean, when in Maine, a lobster boat cruise should be a top activity, especially with First Mate Jess and Captain Steve at the helm. We booked our tour with Sail Acadia and have zero regrets. The sunset was stunning. We saw more wildlife than we could’ve even expected. We learned so much about the area and the wildlife while sipping on champagne. They even stopped to pull up some lobsters for us to look at and hold for those brave enough. The tour boat included binoculars, blankets, and a bathroom, in addition to some amazing guides and views. We brought our own drinks and snacks. You can also bring a speaker if you want. They warned us before, but packing layers and wearing pants is a pro tip (we visited at the end of August).

   
   
   

   

   

   

   

   

   

3. Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain:

   Speaking of activities unique to the Bar Harbor area, witnessing the first view of the sunrise on the East Coast at Cadillac Mountain is definitely worth the early wake-up call. The views are absolutely stunning. Pro tips in order to enjoy this beautiful sunrise include:

   • Book a ticket for sunrise in advance. It is one permit per car. They only allow a certain number of tickets to see the sunrise each day. 30% of tickets go live 90 days in advance, and 70% are available 10am est, 2 days before the desired day you want to see the sunrise. It’s important to be sitting at your computer ready to purchase tickets like they are about to drop for your favorite artist.

     • You want to arrive AT LEAST 35 minutes before sunrise, in order to appreciate the darkness shifting into beautiful colors.

     • Bring layers, blankets, and something to sit on. It is quite chilly. Our group, despite wearing hats, thick sweatshirts, and long pants, we were very frigid during our sunrise at the end of August.

     • Have a National Park Pass ahead of time. Cadillac Mountain is in Acadia National Park. You’re arriving so early for the sunrise, it's nice to already have your national park pass ready when they ask for it. (The national park pass can be purchased online- an annual pass is worth considering if visiting multiple days).

4. Hiking:

There are so many amazing hikes available in Acadia National Park. I’d like to highlight some key tips for one of the most popular hikes in the park, the Beehive Trail.

• ARRIVE EARLY. Crowds were already starting to build up with long lines at the chain section when we were halfway through the hike. For reference, we did our hike immediately after the sunrise around 6:15am and were grateful to have beat most of the crowds. No matter which day of the week you are visiting, I HIGHLY recommend leaving early - ideally right after sunrise!

  • Parking can be limited. If you arrive after the lot is full, you might have to take the shuttle, which can take up a lot of your valuable time. More information about the Acadia National Park Shuttle can be found HERE.

  • Difficulty of the climb and heights can vary based on the person, but there are alternative routes. We had a group of eight girls doing the Beehive Trail. Some who were afraid of heights really struggled with this hike, but in the end, they were able to overcome their fears and make it to the top. For those who don’t want to push it with their fears of heights, there is another option to get to the top and enjoy the views from a further distance. We ended up meeting two others at the top of the bee hive trail who got to enjoy the views with out doing the climbing portion of the trail. About a quarter mile into the hike, there is a split in the trail, where an alternative loop can take you on a more moderate route that was perfect for our pregnant friend and other more fearful friend.

  • You can only climb up the climbing part of the bee hive trail for multiple reasons, but mostly due to the flow of traffic.  

  • The Ocean Path Trail is a nice trail to walk after the Beehive Trail. They share the same parking lot, and it’s an easy stroll with limited incline, which is a nice pairing after hiking the Beehive Trail. Make sure to stop at thunder rock during high tide to enjoy the storm like noise produced by the water crashing along the rocks. There is also a beach near the restrooms that you can walk down to and enjoy the beautiful sand and ocean views.

5. Explore Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor is such a cute town that has streets filled with quaint restaurants, wine bars, ice cream shops, and endless souvenir stores. Naturally, we had varying lobster dishes, including the infamous lobster rolls, and indulged in everything blueberries: blueberry ice cream, blueberry ciders, cocktails, pancakes, pies, jams, and more. We had a wonderful dining experience at McCay’s restaurant. You can’t go wrong with their indoor or outdoor dining. Another cool outdoor drink spot with food was Garden Lounge and Project Social Kitchen & Bar. There really are so many restaurants and bars that you can walk around the main street.

Bonus Travel Tips For Bar Harbor, Maine:

• A few restaurants and Ice Cream shops only use cash, so stopping at an ATM can be helpful.

• Don’t buy souvenirs at the first store you visit. There are SO many adorable stores that offer varying prices, which is why you don’t want to blow your souvenir budget at the first stop like me.  

• Service can be limited outside of the main town of Bar Harbor. Plan accordingly when trying to coordinate meeting people, getting directions, or if Venmoing tips.

• The weather can vary throughout the day but it gets cooler at night- more than you would expect for a summer night. Pack layers and air on the side of warmer dressing for any early morning or evening activities.

• Plan ahead for transportation from Bangor Airport. The best option is to rent a car and drive from the airport. While there are options to Uber or Lyft, it can be very expensive (Lyft is typically cheaper). The opportunities to use a ride share app significantly decreases the later you arrive into Bangor, creating a risk to be stuck as far as transportation goes. Bus transportation is available most mornings from Bangor to Bar Harbor.

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I hope you enjoy Baaahh Haaabaaahhh as much as I did! Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

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