cchottel

I'm going to be spending seven-days next week in a cottage near Acadia NP and want to take part in a variety of activities.

Obviously I want to see the park (although because of some health problems, long treks or steep inclines are out), I am going on both a whale watch and a seal watch. More so just to get out on the water.

I'm not much of a shopper, but I like browsing occasionally at unique shops and wondering the streets of small towns. I like history and love the arts. I travel to take photographs as much as to see the sights. I especially like small villages and fishing boats.

I've seen the list of major attractions in Bar Harbor, but can't find much about the other villages on Mt. Desert Island. Usually villages around a major tourist attraction have their own specialties to lure the traveler. Are any of these a "must see" for their own uniqueness?

Also, I see a ton of restaurant favorites in Bar Harbor, but what about near these other villages? I don't imagine I'll only be in Bar Harbor at mealtimes.

Thanks for any help. I know I should have posted this sooner.

elberko

Hmmm, I don't think there really ARE any attractions in the other small towns. Not that they aren't worth seeing, but there is very little shopping, just basic food shops, etc.

Mount Desert is more about outdoor activities, wamdering around you will find plenty of photo opportunities.

~Liz

elberko

BTW, this is very early for the area, some seasonal places might not be open yet.

cindyj

There definitely are other villages worth visiting, and the drives between offer many good photo spots. Unlike most national parks, Acadia is made up of somewhat separated parcels of land so seeing the park and the villages goes together. Driving around Mt. Desert Island you will go in and out of park land with villages, etc. in between. elberko is right that there aren't any 'major' attractions, but still worthwhile. Northeast Harbor is home to yachts and millionaires, but the little shops are nice and visiting the harbor a must. The azalea gardens at the Asticou Inn might be in bloom. You'll find good restaurants in all towns, although maybe a bit more rustic than in Bar Harbor. There are also a lot of small galleries all over the island. Although elberko is right that outdoor pursuits rule for some of us, there is plenty to do that I'm sure you will enjoy, and many short coastal walks that are beautiful. Be sure to go to the Jordan Pond House for popovers. Early in your visit be sure to go to the info center to see what's happening and maybe find out about any special historic sights. (The Abbe Museum for native American heritage comes to mind.) check the official park website.

bassharborbaby

The Southwest Harbor Tremont Chamber of Commerce (acadiachamber.com) will have all sorts of information about the quiet or westerly side of Mount Desert Island. Southwest Harbor has just about everything that Bar Harbor has but less of it (okay, no movie theatres). In the Bass Harbor area, you will find Bass Harbor Head Light which is highly photographed and best to catch with morning sun and high tide. Ship Harbor Nature Trail and Wonder Land are fairly easy and are close to the Seawall section of Acadia. The Head of the Harbor restaurant in Southwest is open and it is under the same management that has made Thurston's in Bernard so popular. There are also many opportunities to be out on the water. The Swans Island Ferry leaves from Bass Harbor or you can take the mail boat from Northeast. Have a great vacation.

jroth

The best I can tell you about Mt. Desert Island is that it is pronounced "dessert" - like what you eat at the end of a meal.

cchottel

Thanks, I'm here. Went into Bar Harbor and it looks like a great place to stroll for a few hours. Have already realized the "dessert" pronunciation. I'll try the ideas of cindyj and bassharborbaby. Thanks for everyone's input. I'm off to explore!

karen67

Hopefully you are still near Bar Harbor and receive this reply. My husband and I visited Acadia National Park last summer and loved it! Our favorite restaurant was the Burning Tree just outside of Bar Harbor near Otter Creek.

We also thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Lulu's lobster boat. We originally planned on doing a whale watch tour, but the owners of the B&B we were staying at said that other guests went on the tour the day before and never saw any whales. We really enjoyed the lobster tour and learning about "lobstering". The guide is EXCELLENT!!! Here is the website:

http://www.lululobsterboat.com/

Another favorite was kayaking with National Park Sea Kayak on the west side of Mt. Desert Island. www.acadiakayak.com
It was a cloudy day, but the water was extremely calm and we saw sea lions (or harbor seals?) swimming close by. It was a great experience!

I am also an avid photographer, and really enjoyed taking photos all across the island. My favorite spot, however, I think was of the Bass Harbor lighthouse, in the fog.

Enjoy your stay!

Scarlett

My friend lives in Bass Harbor .. she has a Plein Air School ... if you want to take classes
If it were not for those winters... we would be so tempted to live there ~