Mount Desert Island, Maine
Mount Desert Island condenses the fabled Maine coast and woods into a single magical spot. Salt-splashed fishing villages dot the southwest lobe, while Bar Harbor, on the east, bustles with restaurants and lodging options. Painters of the 19th-century Hudson River School were among the first to celebrate Mount Desert’s wild natural beauty, and their art encouraged wealthy industrialists to build summer estates thoughtfully incorporated into natural settings. Half the island falls within Acadia National Park.
Acad ia National Park Visitor Center • off Rte. 3, Hulls Cove • 207 288 3338 • 877 444 6777 (camping reservations) • open mid-Apr–Jun: 8am–4:30pm daily; Jul–Aug: 8am–6pm daily; Sep: 8am–5pm daily • adm • www.nps.gov/acad
1. Bar Harbor
Grand mansions still line the shore of this lively resort town on Frenchman Bay. Bar Harbor functions as a tourist center for the island. It’s also a convenient base for visiting Acadia National Park or taking a schooner cruise.
2. Cadillac Mountain
It’s worth rising very early to hike or drive up 1,527-ft (465-m) Cadillac Mountain to catch the first rays of the sun to strike the US. Lay-a-beds should plan on savoring amazing panoramas at sunset.
3. Thunder Hole
Swift tides and wind-whipped waves pounding the craggy ledges at Thunder Hole force air and water into a deep crease beneath the rock. Under the right conditions, spectators are rattled by a ground-shaking thunderclap coming from the hole.
4. Jordan Pond House
For a touch of gentility in the wilderness, nothing beats sitting in Adirondack chairs on the grassy lawn of the Jordan Pond House, where you can enjoy their famous popovers with afternoon tea. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner.Jordan Pond House • Park Loop Rd., Seal Harbor • 207 276 3316 • open 11am–9pm mid-May–late Oct • www.jordanpond.com
5. Sand Beach
Rugged cliffs and jumbled ledges line most of Acadia’s shoreline, but thousands of visitors flock to this 870-ft (265-m) stretch of sandy cove to sunbathe. Swimming is bracing, as the ocean water rarely exceeds 55° F (15° C).
6. Abbe Museum
Explore 10,000 years of Native-American culture in this 50,000-item collection devoted to the heritage of Maine’s Wabanaki peoples. In summer, see demonstrations of basketry and wood-carving.Abbe Museum • 26 Mount Desert St., Bar Harbor • 207 288 3519 • open late May–early Nov: 10am–5pm daily; winter: 10am–4pm Thu–Sat • adm • www.abbemuseum.org
7. Carriage Roads
To preserve a state of auto-free tranquillity, John D. Rockefeller Jr. constructed 45 miles (72 km) of carriage roads through land that he donated to Acadia National Park. They are still reserved for hikers, cyclists, cross-country skiers, and equestrians.
8. Southwest Harbor
A snug harbor tucked inside two lobes of Mount Desert Island, picturesque Southwest Harbor is the tranquil alternative to Bar Harbor. Take a lobster-hauling boat ride or catch the Cranberry Isles ferry here.
9. Bass Harbor Head and Lighthouse
At the southern tip of Mount Desert, Bass Harbor Head towers above the sea on the ruptured face of a continental plate. From the lighthouse you’ll be gripped by panoramas of sky and deep blue ocean.
10. Hiking Trails
To penetrate the deep wilderness or get up close and personal with the mountains of Acadia National Park, use the network of more than 120 miles (193 km) of trails. They range from easy to extremely strenuous.
Tip: Acadia National Park is one of the most visited parks in the National Park system. For summer visits, reserve lodgings far in advance. Tip: Check out Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound.
