If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you may well have noticed I finally took another trip – yes, I’ve been slowing down lately! – this time to spectacular Bar Harbor and Acadia Park, Maine. This was my very first trip to Maine ever, and I am happy to announce it has been added to my list of favorite places in the world. I invite you along on my adventure through pictures to find out why for yourself and I’m happy to share some of my favorite things to do and places to eat.
So Many Things to Do…
From hiking the many trails in Acadia NP, strolling the shops and shoreline path in Bar Harbor, a gentle canoe ride on the lake, biking through the carriage roads, scrambling boulders as the waves come crashing in, relaxing on the beach, or a drive up a mountaintop to take in the sunrise, there are so many things to do. And each activity has gorgeous photo-worthy and memorable vistas.
Favorite Things to Do:
Hike: The Beehive
Bike: The Carriage Roads
Rock Scramble: Schoodic Penninsula
Stroll: The Shore Path
Canoe: Long Pond
Beach: Sand Beach / Echo Lake
Camp: Smuggler’s Den
Take in the Sunrise: Cadillac Mountain
*****
The Food
What’s missing from these shots are all the amazing seafood dishes I also ate such as: lobster stew, smoked haddock omelet, fish tacos, shrimp pizza, and clam chowder. Seafood is huge in Maine and it’s big feature in every restaurant or roadside stand. Maine is also known for their blueberries and I definitely couldn’t pass on the blueberry pie, blueberry pancakes, and blueberry wine. ‘Popovers’ are another popular menu item in Maine and have been served for over 100 years at the Jordan Pond House. While my travel companions weren’t passionate “foodies” like myself and we packed many meals to enjoy while on our hikes or cooked at the campground, we still managed to get in a few great and memorable places to eat.
Favorite Places to Eat:
For Breakfast: Cafe This Way in Bar Harbor
For Breakfast on the Go: Milagro Coffee in Southwest Harbor
For Lunch & Dinner: Side Street Cafe in Bar Harbor
For Chocolates and Wine: The Chocolate Moose Confectionary in Bar Harbor
For Pizza: Little Notch Pizzeria in Southwest Harbor
******
The Town
The town of Bar Harbor is my kind of town – quaint and charming, full of sidewalk cafes, restaurants and shops. Located right on the ocean, you can take a stroll down the shore path while watching cruise ships, fishing boats, and sailing yachts come and go. Pop in and out of beautiful and historic B&B’s, pet a passing dog, book a whale-watching tour, or just park yourself on a bench and watch the happy tourists go by.
What Truly Made This Trip Special…
So many of my trips are taken solo. It’s not that I’m a complete loner, but not many other people are always able or willing to live the lifestyle I do, which can be pretty random. So what truly made this trip special was the ability to take it with those I love dearly: my parents and my dog. I must admit, it’s going to be so march harder to travel solo after having such an amazing experience with them, and the memories made become all that more special and lasting, and leaving becomes that much more excrutiating. So my last suggestion would be, what surpasses the vistas, the food, and the many activities, is to go to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine with those you love!