Acadia National Park - Day Trip
 

Please give advice for a day trip to Acadia/Mt Desert Island in mid-September. We are staying in Lincolnville, and don't mind a long day. We'd like to do some hiking (not strenuous) and go to the top of Cadillac Mountain. I'm also looking for lunch recommendations in the area.

If, sadly, I had only one day, I'd pack a sandwich from Morningglory Bakery in. Bar Harbor, then drive to a trailhead (I'll have to think about which I'd choose...)

After my hike (and eating my sandwich at the prettiest view), I'd drive the loop road, including Cadillac mountain, stoping on occasion to enjoy the view.

~Liz

For something totally non-strenuous, I'd recommend the trail around Bubble Pond. Afterwards, you can reward yourselves with afternoon tea & popovers at the nearby Jordan Pond House! http://www.thejordanpondhouse.com/

Well September is quickly approaching and I've done a little more research on this topic. We would probably arrive on MDI sometime around 10 AM. These are the things we want to try to do, but it might be overly ambitious.

- Loop Road (Seal Harbor, Otter Point, Thunder Hole, Wild Gardens, etc)
- Cadillac Mountain
- Jordan Pond for Popovers and maybe a short hike
- Carriage Roads - walk or bike (are bike rentals available?)
- Bass Harbor Lighthouse

Then maybe dinner somewhere on the west side of the island. Is all this doable in 8 hrs?

I think I'd skip the popover's stop on this schedule. You can park and do short walks at a number of places along the loop road, that would be my choice. Then have dinner at Cate This Way in BH.

~Liz

Agree on skipping the Popover stop. there are many hikes and walks along the loop drive that you can choose from. I think you can do all the things you want as long as you don't pick a multi hour hike/walk.

If by the west side you mean Southwest harbor-we had a nice meal at Red Sky. On a much more casual me we had good lunch at Dockside in NEHarbor. I think both SWHarbor & NEHarbor are far nicer than the town of Bar Harbor. Way less crowded and touristy in general.

Thanks Liz and yes for your suggestions. I think we would prefer the Southwest Harbor area over Bar Harbor for dining.

The more I read, the more I think we will want to spend time on the carriage roads. Carriages of Acadia sounds nice, but I don't think we would be able to take pictures as easily as if we walk or bike. I don't want to spend a lot of time finding bike rentals, but I'm afraid walking won't allow us to see as much. The bridges look marvelous and I'd like to take pictures. Any ideas?

You will see some of the bridges from the loop road. If you rent bikes at one of the places on Cottage St., you will have to bike a distance to get to maybe see one bridge...l just don't think you have time. You'll also need to leave time to get over to southwest harbor for dinner...which will add that time to get back to Linconville.

~Liz

Liz,
I was afraid that would be the answer. How long will it take to get over to Southwest Harbor? Do you have any additional dining recommendations over there?

It's about a 20 minute drive to SWHarbor depending upon from where you start. The distance to Lincolnville from Bar Harbor or SWHarbor is about the same. I recently read a nice trip report by someone who spent time on Mt Desert Island and they mentioned several restaurants. Do a search and you should find it. There was a restaurant in the the little shopping center where the Post Office is that was good. Can't remember the name, but SWHarbor is tiny and there is just the one post office. You turn left off Main St onto Clark Point Rd. Its across the street from Red SKy.

You could sign up for one of the horse drawn carriage rides, but they fill up fast, no bike rental and a nice little tour guide as you go!