tuscanlifeedit

This is the third possible trip I've planned for the end of summer, but this one looks more likely to happen than the others.

I do have some questions if anyone wants to weigh in:

We could get a cheap flight to Boston and not use a vacation day to fly. Doing so, we would have 4 nights on the ground on Mount Desert Island. This would include Labor Day weekend.

I have heard that Labor Day weekend is very crowded. Would staying outside of the town of Bar Harbor itself be quieter?

Could we find a room at the time? We just want to relax and don't need any luxury or pampering. However, clean and pleasant surroundings, with maybe a place to sit outdoors, would be great. We don't always use the outdoor space, but it is nice to have. I have no idea what budget to set.

Would it be too crowded that weekend to take boat excursions? Like all sold out or something? Just how crowded is it? ME seems remote to me, but I know nothing about the area.

We would stay the night after flying at the airport in Boston and get up early and go in the morning. I'm looking for airport hotel recommendations. We often do Priceline or Hotwire for airport hotels. Are these good for Boston airport ?

On the last day, which would be a Tuesday, we would get a 7:45 pm flight home.

Do you think this is a decent plan?

jackdonoghue45

Where are you flying out of? Consider flying into Portland, ME(PWM). It has reasonable service and saves about 2 hours, maybe more on that weekend, of driving to Acadia. That is the last weekend for most campgrounds in Maine, so everyone with a seasonal site is going up Friday evening or Saturday morning. All traffic problems are generally south of Portland. Take the inland route I-95 going up, The coastal route US-1 can be very crowded particularly that week end. Mapquest says it would take about a half hour longer, but on that weekend, it could be 2 hours. If you want to take the coastal road for the small towns, do it on the way down.

When I say up, that means north, unlike the Mainers saying Down East.

I have not been in Bar Harbor on Labor Day in many years, but it was not too crowded. There is no longer a ferry to Nova Scotia running out of there, so that eliminates some crowding. There are many small cabins and motels on the way onto the island that you could probably book.

santamonica

hope you have a nice trip. arcadia can be very crowded; maybe the trick is to get to the park early. i'm told the popovers are very tasty.

tuscanlifeedit

I wish we could fly into Portland ME but it's a connecting flight from here, and prices are about double of what they are to Boston.

I've been looking for places to say and I must say that I'm discouraged. It appears that what's in our price range is either full or unsuitable.

I'm just looking for an escape as I've had my share of problems lately, mostly health related, and I just want to go someplace beautiful and relax.

I hate the thought of park being "very crowded." I understood that getting off the main paths was less crowded. Any other feedback?

There seems to be a half decent, clean motel right outside of Bar Harbor that has a lot of what I need: a fridge, a coffee pot and a television, as well as lots of parking. I will find and post a link for feedback. Of course, I've checked tripadvisor.com, but mostly what I have to show for hours on there is a headache.

yk

Do you have to stay in or near Bar Harbor? When we went to Acadia last Sept for a week, we only went into Bar Harbor once. We're not big on shopping and certainly not crazy about the crowds there.

If you're open to staying in other towns, there are certainly a lot more affordable options. And if you don't feel like driving, you can always take the free island shuttle bus to get around. The bus schedule is still pretty frequent UP until Labor Day weekend. It's called the Island Hopper.

Last year we stayed at a place in NE Harbor called Colonel Suites for one night (we then moved to a house rental for another week). Every room is a suite and has a mini fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. Breakfast is included with the room rate. The place is very new and we had a decent stay there.
http://colonelssuites.com/

elberko

We always stay in the same place just outside of Bar Harbor. One of the big plusses is the screened porch with a view of Cadillac and other mountains beyond a big open field. The only minus, for some is that it is VERY dog-friendly, a plus for us. Just in case they still have availability:

http://www.hutchinscottages.com/

~Liz

starrs

I agree with the suggestions of staying outside of town. We were there in August (but not Labor Day weekend) and we spent 2-3 hours in town and that was it. The rest of the time was out enjoying Acadia NP. It didn't feel crowded at all. I wanted to stay at one of the white cottage motor lodges and I picked one randomly. It was VERY simple but it crossed an item off my bucket list. elberko's recommendation is along the lines of the type of place we stayed. I would have loved a personal recommendation. I think you'll get the relaxed vacation you are looking for, if you are willing to stay out of town.

Kwoo

Five years ago we stayed at Inn at Southwest Harbor in Southwest Harbor, which is on Mount Desert Island. Southwest Harbor is much quieter & less crowded than Bar Harbor. The Inn has a lovely porch where you can relax outside with wine or coffee. It's a Victorian Inn. www.innatsouthwest.com

I recommend Thurston's Lobster Pound for a delicious lobster dinner. It was our best meal of the trip. I think it's in Bernard on MDI. If you have the time, drive over to the Schoodic Peninsula for some beautiful, remote & wild coastal scenery. Much less crowded than MDI.

We went in August that year & we didn't think the crowds were unbearable. Bar Harbor, which is pretty, will be the most crowded.

panecott

Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor, on MDI but outside of Bar Harbor and close enough, are options for much less crowded places.

I second the reco of the Schoodic Peninsula and would in fact recommend staying there if you really want relaxation without crowds. I stayed there and Bar Harbor last year in the week after Labor Day and much preferred the Schoodic. Part of Acadia is located there. It's about an hour's drive to Bar Harbor from there, and there are also ferries between it and Bar Harbor.
Check my trip report.

dfrostnh

Why Bar Harbor or MDI? That's a long drive from Boston. We usually head to the mid-coast area, camping in Wiscasset, but we're spending the week of the 4th at some rustic cabins DH found in Bath. (They might be too rustic. He booked them without my input.) I have stayed at Glenmoor-by-the Sea in Lincolnville, just above Camden and like the units with a mini kitchen (frig and microwave) but the problem with that area is restaurants are mobbed on weekends.

The secret to staying in Maine without mobs and traffic is to head to places that are a little out of the way. Harpswell is very rural but Boothbay, like Bar Harbor, is mobbed most of the time plus the traffic can be backed up on Rt 1 on Friday afternoons (expect backed up traffic southbound on Labor Day Monday on I95). South of Portland is an easy drive from Boston plus the beaches are nicer so the entire coast in that area has a lot of traffic. The places with the most shops i.e. Camden and Boothbay, also have the most traffic. We have never had a problem booking a boat ride. My absolute favorite was an all day lighthouse cruise with the Maritime Museum in Bath. They no longer do all day cruises but do shorter trips depending on tides, etc.
The other hint for uncrowded areas is to check a local map for conservation/wildlife areas and/or hiking trails. Usually there is "nothing there" (quote from a waitress) but that is exactly the point. Buy some bag chairs to carry in the car. Donate them at the end of your trip. Bring along basic picnic supplies so you can enjoy a cold drink and snack in some out of the way location. The Pemaquid Lighthouse area is a nice spot and easy to find.