Things To Do
Hulls Cove Visitor Center
Hulls Cove Visitor Center should be the first stop on your list. Conveniently located close to the bridge to Mount Desert Island, the visitor center is your one-stop shop for information on Acadia. Informative displays and park rangers are there to answer all your questions and advise on the latest conditions. Park entry passes can also be purchased here. Best of all, the visitor center serves as a hub for many of the shuttle lines and the large parking lot means it's a great place to leave your car for a day of shuttle hopping to explore many parts of the Park without the hassle of fighting for limited parking.
Explore downtown Bar Harbor
Whether you are looking for a souvenir, a good book to read by the shore, or some tasty food and drinks, Bar Harbor has it all. You can easily spend a full day exploring the shops and parks, and we highly encourage spending at least some time here. We will have some meet ups to explore the town during our week, but feel free to check it out solo or with your group. The highlight will be our Rehearsal Dinner at Leary's Landing- the closest Irish Pub to Ireland in the US!
Bar Harbor Shore Path
A flat, paved trail along the NE coast of Bar Harbor providing scenic views of the islands surrounding Acadia. The trail is 1.5 mi long but you can leave it at any point.
Bar Island Land Bridge
Only accessible 1.5 hours before to 1.5 hours after low tide, this land bridge connects downtown Bar Harbor to the nearby Bar Island. It is flat and about a mile long, just watch your step on the wet rocks and make sure to leave Bar Island before the bridge falls back beneath the tide! Bar Harbor Tide Chart: https://www.usharbors.com/harbor/maine/bar-harbor-me/tides/
Charlotte Rhoades Butterfly Garden
A lovely small park bordering the cove featuring many gardens of flowers and plants. Known for attracting many different species of butterflies and other pollinators such as humming birds and bees. They also host weddings, which is how we heard of them. There is a small parking lot at the entrance to the park. It is also just up the road from downtown Southwest Harbor, a quieter version of Bar Harbor with several cute shops and eateries.
Eagle Lake
Beautiful mountain lake with crystal clear waters. The lake is surrounded by carriage roads and is fully walkable with very little elevation gain. Visit the lake for a relaxing stroll or picnic, or bring your fishing gear or kayak for a fun day on the water. Please join us for a fishing trip/hangout we are planning for Eagle Lake during the week. Note that swimming is not allowed. There is parking on the North side of Eagle Lake Road, but it fills up fast and you may need to park on the side of the road. It is also accessible via the Northeast Harbor Shuttle line.
Thunder Hole and Sand Beach
Thunder Hole is one of the more popular attractions in Acadia. The natural combination of underwater caves and the incoming tide combine to make for some loud and wild eruptions of seawater (if you catch it at the right time, otherwise it can sound like a disappointing gurgle). We recommend checking it 2 hours before high tide for best results. Less than two miles up Park Loop Road from Thunder Hole is Sand Beach, a small section of Acadia coastline where families can escape for a fun day at the beach. Parking is available all along Park Loop Road for either attraction. Feeling brave? The Bee Hive Loop is on the path from Thunder Hole to Sand Beach and provides fantastic views of Acadia's coast if you're adventurous enough.
Acadia by Carriage
Would you rather spend an hour or two resting your feet while sightseeing from a horse drawn carriage along Park Loop Road? Acadia by Carriage provides 1-hour tours for $48 per person and 2-hour tours for $84 per person, all departing from Wildwood Stables on Park Loop Road. The Island Explorer Bus (4 Loop Road) stops at Wildwood Stables.
Bass Harbor Head Light Station
This lighthouse is at the southernmost tip of Mount Desert Island and is known for it's striking view of the sun as it sets to the West. There is a short trail that provides scenic views of the lighthouse. This is also a great location to stargaze.
Abbe Museum At Wild Gardens Of Acadia
At the Wild Gardens of Acadia, you can see over 400 native plant species in thirteen sections designed to represent natural plant communities found within Acadia National Park. The garden is open year round and is located at the Sieur de Monts Spring and Nature Center, 2 miles south of Bar Harbor near the intersection of Park Loop Road and Route 3. There is no additional fee to view the gardens; you only need your park entrance pass.
Jordan Pond House Restaurant
Did somebody say popovers? Make sure to book your reservation for a breakfast or brunch at the Jordan Pond house overlooking Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains! If you forgot to reserve your table, the restaurant does accept walk-ins but the line forms before opening. We suggest arriving early, enjoying the view of the Bubble Mountains over Jordan Pond, then hopping on line before the restaurant opens to secure your table. The restaurant also has a large gift shop attached full of great souvenirs. Before you go, ask us for the secret way to best prepare a popover (which was kindly passed down to us from a friendly neighbor in line while waiting for our table)!
Echo Lake Beach
Echo Lake Beach is one of the locations in Acadia that permit swimming and even allows for the use of floats! Spend a few hours soaking in the sun on the sandy shores or take a dip in the lake. Echo Lake Beach is accessible via a paved path from the parking lot to a connector boardwalk onto the beach.
Sunrise drive up Cadillac Mountain
One of the most highly recommended activities and surprisingly - something we haven't done yet! Drive up Cadillac Mountain to the highest peak in the park for an incredible sunrise view. Reservations are required with time limits for both sunrise and daytime passes. Please note: 30 percent of the vehicle reservations will be available for purchase at 10 am 90 days in advance of the reservation date. 70 percent of the vehicle reservations will be available for purchase at 10 am two days in advance of the reservation date.
Stargazing at Jordan Pond
For a quiet night under the stars, we recommend visiting Jordan Pond via the end of the parking lot just up the road from Jordan Pond House Restaurant. Here, you have easy access to many clear views of the pond with a few good options for laying down a blanket to gaze up at the sky. The trail is very dark at night, so good walking shoes and a red light flashlight or headlamp are recommended.
5k Carriage Roads Fun Run
Yes, we know we are crazy for wanting to run a 5k during our wedding weekend, but how else can we justify eating that fourth slice of cake at the reception? You can walk, run, crawl, or cartwheel across the finish line, whatever feels best for you. This is of course for fun, but beat the bride and groom and you could win a special prize! If you're interested in participating, let us know!
The Asticou Gardens
Open from dawn to dusk, the Asticou Gardens houses multiple garden and nature centers where you can take a stroll or visit one of their many pond trails. Please visit their website for information on parking and garden/pond descriptions.
Carroll Homestead
Visit the Carroll Homestead, a time capsule of early settlement before Mount Desert Island became a tourist destination and Acadia National Park came into being. Please visit the national park website for driving or shuttle directions.
Ferry to Cranberry Isles
Great Cranberry Island, the largest of the Cranberry Isles, has a spectacular view of Mount Desert Island and the mountains of Acadia National Park. The island is about two miles long by one mile wide, accessible via ferry service from Mount Desert Island. Make sure to check ferry times and reservation information before planning your visit!