preeya

Hello,
I'm celebrating my 5th anniversary with my husband and have booked the Hotel Bluenose inn at Bar Harbor. Please could you tell me if its a nice time to visit Arcadia during 29-31st Oct? Will I see some good fall colors? What can I do there during this time, kayaking, hiking, biking? Also, any comments about the hotel Bluenose inn? Suggestions for Vegetarian good dining places needed too.
Thank you-Preeya

1rood

Might want to change that to ACADIA...Arcadia is in Florida and was heavily damaged during Charley.

hsv

I agree with 1rood, although there is another Arcadia in California, bordering Pasadena near L.A.

elberko

I imagine things will be pretty quiet in Acadia/Bar Harbor in late October. A number of things close-up by mid-Oct. I suspect all the leaves will be down by then. If you're looking for quiet, and don't mind chilly, it should be good.

~Liz

preeya

I'm sorry about not doing spell check, did mean Acadia, Maine.
I just want to ask whether inspite of being a little chilly & leaves down, will it be a good place to visit?
Thanks-Preeya

djkbooks

I wouldn't recommend it. For one thing, Bar Harbor is likely to be totally fogged in during your visit. With no leaves on the trees, the scenery will be nearly dismal, compared to the sensational summer scenery.

As mentioned above, it gets very "quiet" there after Columbus Day weekend when all the "seasonal" places have closed.

lybern

Plan on it being winter already. Most places closed. The park will be dead - literally and figuratively. Sure, you can bike and hike, but you won't be seeing it anywhere near its best. If you want to be in Maine, stay further south - between Freeport and Portsmouth, NH. There will be much more going on down there and there's plenty of hiking and biking to do, too, as well as eating. You'll find good eating in the Portland, Brunswick and Portsmouth areas and they tend to now to close down. (Brunswick is a college town and Freeport is home to LLBean that is open 24 hours a day.) Nice places to stay along the coast with good off season prices, too.

sluggo

We were at the Bluenose Oct. 4-5 celebrating our 30th anniversary. Our large 4th fl room had a great view of the bay and we liked the hotel.

We had sunny clear weather and it was cold. As others have said, many restaurants will be closed, including (I believe) the park's Jordan Pond House, and the Rangers will not have programs when you are there. But even if the leaves have fallen, there are many evergreens in the park and the beautiful rocks, carriage trails and sea will still be there. You probably wouldn't want to kayak, but maybe bike rentals will be available and there's always hiking.

For a special dinner, I'd recommend the Bar Harbor Inn downtown. Think candlelight and live harp music. It's expensive, but the food is delicious, the service very good -- and the harbor view is outstanding. When you make reservations, request a window table.

Acadia is a romantic area whatever the weather. Just bundle up and hold hands! Happy anniversary.

preeya

I have already made my reservations and cannot cancel them, so can anyone suggest what would be the best way to celebrate my anniversary during that time 29-31st Oct? Sluggo, anything specific you want me to tell about Blue nose inn? Any ideas from where I can get a good cake as the next day happens to be my hubby's b'day.
I already feel that I'm going to be hugely disappointed due to the weather.
Thanks-Preeya

dfrostnh

OK, NEXT year do a little research before booking. Biking sounds good and, look at it this way, probably more fun when it's chilly than when it's 90. A weekend trip can be a little adventure. Learn to adjust and dig up other ideas. For example, I think you will pass a huge used bookstore on Rt 1 north of Searsport that is an excellent place to spend some time if the weather is iffy. It's in an old chicken barn with antiques on the first floor. The Blue Hill peninsula is just south of the Acadia and would be another place to explore. Check some local newspapers for any activities, lectures, music, etc that might be taking place. Sometimes it's the unexpected/unplanned that becomes the highlight of a trip. Good luck.

chipda2nd

Hey Preeya!! I just returned yesterday from a week in Acadia/Bar Harbor! It was most beautiful! I cannot say much about Bluenose as I just saw it from the outside, but the area in whole is just wonderful (it was my first visit.)

The way I see it is... you are going just for the weekend. While maybe half the places, maybe a little more will be closed then, a lot of the restaurants will be open. I spoke with some staff from all the places we went to and some are trying to stay open until December while others are open all year long. So you shouldn't have a problem finding places to eat for the 3 days you are there. And I highly recommend Acadia Nat. Park. You could spend 2 days doing the "Park Loop Road" if you split it up. There are just so many areas to get out of your car and look at the beatiful scenery - Schnooner Head, Otter Cliffs/Point, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and the Summit of Mt. Cadillac (of course!) come to mind. Just bring something warm to wear and have a great time. Foliage will def. have peaked by then, but I think you will be able to make the most of your trip

preeya

Hey chipda2nd, you really boost my mood to visit ACadia next weekend!! Now I think I might be able to enjoy my 5th anniversary there!
Any other suggetstions as to what not to definiteky miss at all at Acadia, like sights or small trails, restaurants...
Thanks-Preeya

KAC

Don't despair, Bar Harbor is a WONDERFUL destination any time of year. In fact, many prefer off-season when it's not crowded. And the weather can turn into "Indian Summer" during October and November, with gorgeous days for hiking, sauntering, strolling. If cold or rainy, the views from the car can still be awesome in a different way. Poking around in Acadia National Park can fill several days.

Strike out to all of the little harbor towns on Mt. Desert Island: Southwest Harbor, Seal Harbor, Bass Harbor, Northeast Harbor. If the weather is nice, take a picnic out to the Seawall picnic area.

There are many restaurants open at this time of year. Someone already suggested a special dinner at a window table at the Bar Harbor Inn. Also, we really like Galyn's on lower Main Street (the end closer to the water). Michelle's at the Ivy Manor Inn (upper Main) is very special.

There are ethnic restaurants in town, but you'll have to walk or drive by to see which are open now. Here's a site with write-ups and contact info for some of Bar Harbor's restaurants. Call ahead to see what's open. http://www.barharbormaine.com/dining.html

Please come back after your trip and post to tell us about it. Happy anniversary, and happy birthday to your husband. (Let the restaurant take care of the cake. Just call ahead to arrange it.)

preeya

Thanks everybody!! My trip to Acadia was wonderful. We loved everything there, ohh so romantic!! The fog, the islands, the beautiful Park loop road, the cliffs, the pink granite, everyhting was just awesome. Even the Bluenose Inn sent us Sparkling cider for our anniversary. Everyone in the hotel as well as all locals were very nice to give us info. And due ot end of season we felt as if we were theonly few ppl on the island. Sure felt sad while leaving.....but decided to come back again.
Preeya

sluggo

I'm sorry I didn't see your questions before today. I'm glad you enjoyed Acadia and the Bluenose. (We got the sparkling cider, too!) Thank you for posting a follow-up.

KAC

Thank you very much for returning to post a follow-up. I'm especially happy that you enjoyed your visit to Mt. Desert Island. We've found that ANY time of year is a good time to visit that area and the Schoodic Peninsula. In fact, all of Maine is wonderful at any time!

I look forward to hearing about your next visit! Think about going a bit north and east next time to see the Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. It's gorgeous! We now own a place in Winter Harbor and have fallen in love with that area. Email me for more information if you plan a visit to that area.
Mimi email: [email protected]

chipda2nd

hey Preeya! I'm so glad to hear you had a good time! If you dont mind, just to satisfy my curiosity really, were there enough restaurants and stores still open in town? I went for the first time mid-october and it looked like a few were closing the week after I left. Was there enough for you to do??

regardless, I'm glad you had fun. It really was a beautiful spot, stores or no stores, just taking in the natural beauty of the area would be enough to "detox" me for a week or so!