1 day in Bar Harbor in October - HELP!

Old Aug 10th, 2002, 05:50 AM
  #1  
marisa
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1 day in Bar Harbor in October - HELP!

i will be visiting Bar Harbor for just 1 day at the end of October with my husband and 1 1/2 year old daughter. i know 1 day isn't enough, but we're taking a cruise, so 1 day is what we get...

we are only in port from 7am to 3pm, but are trying to make a plan that will use our time to the fullest extent possible.

we want to see some of Acadia and possibly do an easy hike or bike the carriage roads. right now, our biggest question is should we just opt for a canned trolley tour, or should we try to rent a car? (or maybe neither?!?!?)

the tour is very limited obviously, only making 3 stops. if we have a car, then it's more flexible for our daughter, and we can stop whenever we want to see whatever we want. however, i'm not sure if the logistics of renting a car will work out, because it seems like the only car rentals are at the airport, which seems far from the town pier in BH.

any information you might have to help us make our plan would be greatly appreciated. we like the outdoors, but realize the weather may not be perfect at the end of october. and any ideas on easy ways to access acadia would be greatly appreciated (the island explorer bus would have been perfect but it stops running in sept).

thanks in advance!
marisa

 
Old Aug 10th, 2002, 11:49 AM
  #2  
Debbie
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Marisa-my daughter used to go to an oceanography camp on Mt Desert Island so I have gone there every year for awhile and would be happy to add my 2 cents. The two variables-weather/time of year and your young daughter would make me want to take the tour with time spent back eating lobster/scallops and "bumming" back in Bar Harbor.I think that you would spend too much time getting back to the island airport to get rental car(unless they will bring it to you) to make it work.Although I am not a big fan of tours, I imagine that your tour will take you to the top of Cadillac Mountain and maybe a stop to Jordan's Pond,etc. At that time of the year,weather can change rapidly although I think that it would be wonderful to visit.Mount Desert Island is really way more than Bar Harbor and most people enjoy the other parts that are less touristy.Perhaps you could do the tour,etc. and then come back in the summer or warmer weather to explore more with the bike riding/hiking.The entrance to Acadia Park and Jordan's Pond is actually right next to Seal Harbor(Martha Stewart's summer place) and that is about 9 miles from Bar Harbor.Some places start shutting down after Labor Day and then Columbus Day weekend for the winter.One recommendation that you might enjoy is when the tide is out in Bar Harbor-walk across the high sandbar road to the little island for beach combing.If it is open and bad weather-you also might want to take in a movie at the old theatre in town that is a throwback to the 20's(its listed in the National Registry) and is great fun with red velvet drapes and your own personal viewing box.Any other questions-let me know. Debbie
 
Old Aug 10th, 2002, 03:02 PM
  #3  
marisa
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thanks for all that information debbie. i did some more calling around today, and it looks like a taxi to/from the airport to rent a car will cost about $20 each way...then add on the cost of the rental car and the park admission... and i don't even know how much time we'll really have to enjoy things! i feel like we might feel really rushed about returning the car and getting back to the ship before it departs!!!!!

i am also noticing that there is NO WAY we can do everything in Acadia that we'd like to do. we usually jam-pack our vacations, but this just seems humanly impossible. the car would let us see the most in Acadia, but then we don't have time to eat lobster or browse the (touristy) shops in BH.

anyone know anything about a moped rental? of course, it might not be a good idea in October (esp with a little one!) but i saw an ad about it as a good way to see the park and the loop road. just something i'm tossing around in the back of my head. there was something about infant trailers or tagalong things, so i didn't rule it out.

thanks again debbie for all your help. i really appreciate it!

marisa
 
Old Aug 11th, 2002, 03:08 PM
  #4  
Marisa
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just bumping this up.
 
Old Aug 12th, 2002, 04:01 AM
  #5  
marisa
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not to be annoying here...but is anyone else out there with any more information to share?!?!?!
 
Old Aug 14th, 2002, 05:06 AM
  #6  
Linda
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Marisa,
Bar Harbor is a HIKE from Boothbay. Enjoy Boothbay, and if you have time to visit Bath (south of Boothbay), come to Maine Maritime Museum and have lunch on the deck overlooking the Kennebec River.
Visit beautiful Popham Beach, about 20 min. south of the Museum, if you have time. Linda
 
Old Aug 19th, 2002, 04:44 PM
  #7  
Kim
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Hi Marisa.I just got back from Acadia...what you might want to do is take the shuttle that goes thru the park...you can pick it up at the Village green in bar harbor. It's a bus that take u thru Acadia, and lets u get on and off and different stops...spend as much time as you want then catch the next shuttle that comes around. stop at Jordans pond for lunch, do a little hike around the pond..if possible, call for reservations, as when we were there the wait was about 45 minutes. At the vilage green, there should be the schedule for the shuttles...I saw them all over, and would have definitaly done it if I knew about it before hand. Good luck!
 
Old Aug 25th, 2002, 02:10 PM
  #8  
ally
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do not rent a car. you will be in port and the entire town of bar harbor is within walking distance. why not hire a car (taxi) if you want to do the acadia loop or rent a town car/limo? it would be the same price as renting a car without the hassel.
 
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