Why visit Acadia?
Acadia, the hidden gem of Maine, is not just a National Park, but a fun-filled adventure! With ever-changing seasons, it never fails to mesmerize. From lush flora to fascinating wildlife, each corner unveils a unique landscape—beaches, rocks, mountains, and forests—all in one awesome place. Plus, it's compact enough to explore in a few days, leaving you time to discover nearby wonders like Bar Harbor or even hop on a ferry to Nova Scotia. Nestled in the Northeast's heart, this tranquil spot will leave you craving for more. Challenging hikes, leisurely walks, camping amidst nature, and easy access to nearby towns for city exploration—Acadia has it all!
Maximize your time at Acadia National Park
Before heading to Acadia, we made a game plan for all the exciting things we wanted to do. We strategically grouped hikes together so we wouldn't have to zigzag across the park. We even checked the weather to make sure it matched our hiking ambitions. Our hiking lineup included the thrilling Beehive trail, the scenic Ocean trail from sand beach to otter point, the awesome North and South Bubble, and we couldn't resist adding the entire Jordan Pond loop and Gorham Mountain to our list. Outside the park, we made a detour to the Indian Preserve to check out those gigantic Adirondack Chairs—totally worth it!
Since we had some downtime between hikes, we decided to cruise along the full Park Loop Road. And of course, we couldn't resist the temptation of exploring Bar Harbor. We indulged in some shopping and satisfied our taste buds with delicious food (because, why not?). Just before sunset, we made a quick stop at the Bar Harbor lighthouse, secretly hoping for some magical sunset action (which sadly didn't happen), but hey, it was still an awesome spot to soak in the scenery.. Make sure to walk to the left of the parking lot and walk down the path all the way down to the rocks. That is where you get the best photograph.
Oh, you've got to secure your spot on Cadillac Mountain! It's a hot ticket, so book in advance. Now, if you're not up for the hike, no worries! They've got this reservation thing going on for sunrise, sunset, and daytime visits. Sunrise slipped away from us, but boy, did we hit the jackpot with the sunset! We arrived early, basking in the beautiful sunshine on Cadillac. Then, we packed a yummy picnic dinner and drove to the lower parking lot for the incredible Blue overlook. Let me tell you, the view from up there was absolutely mind-blowing! The mountain and the sunset merged into a breathtaking spectacle, showering us with pure golden goodness. It was like magic unfolding before our eyes. Trust me, you won't want to miss it!
Where to stay?
If you love camping I highly recommend Blackwood's Campground. It
was in the heart of Acadia and within 20-25 minutes driving of everything we did.
(you need advance reservations) It also had their own private ocean path that we
got to see the most EPIC sunrise and it was a 10 minute walk.
Or you can stay in Bar Harbor. We did both so we could have a shower before heading home and we wanted to walk all over town. Bar Harbor is definitely worth spending the day walking around. Great street photography and of course ALL things blueberry since that is the highlight of Maine. You must try Jordan's Restaurant. Hands down the best blueberry pancakes with homemade maple syrup I have ever had.
Final Thoughts
Remember, life is too short to hold back. Embrace the thrill of reaching new heights, both metaphorically and literally. Who needs a full night's sleep when you're out on an incredible journey? Surround yourself with like-minded adventurers, and encourage each other to step out of your comfort zones. Seek out new experiences, create memories that will last a lifetime. Don't just dream it, live your bucket list to the fullest! Because, in the end, it's all about living life to the absolute max!
PS you have to try the Beehive trail. 1.2 miles straight up the mountain for some excellent technical adventure.
Don't forget to check out my Acadia Photo Album.