Bar Harbor (Pass By)

We will briefly tour Bar Harbor, making sure to see some of the "cottages" left from the Gilded Age summer residents who made such a lasting impact on this island. Much of old Millionaire's Row burned when fire swept the island in 1947, but the fire stopped before destroying the town. Many of today's most picturesque inns and hotels, once served as vacation homes for high society families from further down the coast.

Park Loop Road (Pass By)

Acadia National Park is really just a few minutes' drive from the center of Bar Harbor. Let me show you some of the reasons they once called this area, Eden.

Eagle Lake Acadia National Park

There are many long, deep lakes across Mount Desert Island. Eagle Lake, which we will see as we head toward Cadillac Mountain, is one of the most picturesque.

5 minutes

Cadillac Mountain

The highest point on the island. The first place a new dawn touches the United States for much of the year. Cadillac Mountain provides sweeping views of nearly the entire outline of MDI. We can see Bar Harbor and the cruise ships in Frenchman Bay from one side, and a beautiful view of the open ocean and many of the small islands that dot the coastline between here and Portland. After taking some time to explore the summit, I'll point out a few of the landmarks we are about to investigate from closer up as we continue our journey around the Park Loop roads.

45 minutes

Wild Gardens of Acadia

One of the oldest sections of the park, the first area to change color the past few years in autumn, and a beautiful place to begin a hike up Dorr Mountain, or to take a leisurely stroll along the lovely Jessup Path boardwalk. With the ocean waiting just around the next mountain, we won't be able to spend hours here, but I'll be sure to tell you why I return here so often and give you reasons to come explore further on your own if you can.

20 minutes

Sand Beach (Pass By)

I will point out the trailhead for the famous (and harrowing) Precipice and Beehive trails. Then, show you one of the only sandy beaches for miles. From here, groups eager to get a few steps in, can walk along the gorgeous Ocean Path, stepping out whenever you like onto the great slabs of granite which slope down into the restless waves. If you choose to walk, I will let you enjoy some time by the ocean without me, while I find a place to pull over further down the road near Thunder Hole, then meet you along the path to point out some of my favorite places.

Ocean Path

Grand, sweeping views of the ocean, and the chance to walk along one of Acadia's most beautiful coastal trails. You will have the option to walk part of the Ocean Path, or to drive and stop a few times for photos at the best overlooks. This is often one of the busier parts of Acadia National Park, but I know the hidden pathways where we can see the best views and enjoy the ocean without tripping over tourists.

30 minutes

Thunder Hole

A unique rock formation where the waves can crash with a thunderous boom when the conditions are right. Even at times when the thunder is lacking, this area, lined with harbor roses, asters, and other small, lovely things which peek out from among the harsh granite, is such a breathtaking example of all that is best about Maine's dramatic coastline.

10 minutes

Otter Cliff

The Ocean Path runs from Sand Beach, past Thunder Hole, and all the way to Otter Cliffs and beyond. The entire way boasts some of the most amazing coastline, and lovely sections of pine forest with incredible moss and lichen. Otter Cliff is one of my favorite places to return to in the evenings. Especially to watch a moon rise from the ocean. We will pass the castle-like section of roadway, enjoy the view that so often fools travelers into thinking they've seen a whale, and hear how it surprised the very first visitors who came across the Atlantic to explore this island. This longer tour has the option to stop here. I love the way the trail winds through the woods just before opening onto one of the best ocean views in Acadia.

15 minutes

Little Hunters Beach

Winter storms have damaged the path leading down to the beach. I will still do my best to show what I can of this cove where the rocks add their own music to each crashing wave.

10 minutes

Jordan Pond

Jordan "Pond" is a very deep, very clear, glacially carved lake. You have probably already seen photos of the iconic bubbe hills or the "Bubble Rock" which seems to balance so precariously from the side of one of them. We will decide, as we finish enjoying the Ocean, whether to complete the last bit of the Park Loop Road and stop by Jordan Pond, or, if we will drive to one of my favorite Rockefeller bridges, then out along the edge of the Park to explore upscale neighborhoods of our modern summer residents, to see gardens and an extended scenic drive along Sommes Sound before wrapping up the tour at one of my favorite out of the way places where nature and history meet in a peaceful setting. Either way, you won't be disappointed with your choice.

15 minutes

N/A

A lovely drive along a winding road and a stop to enjoy one of the most impressive and lovely of the Rockefeller bridges. If we choose to head this way, rather than visiting Jordan Pond, we will continue out of the park to see some of the larger summer homes in affluent areas along the edges of Acadia. Perhaps a stop at a beautiful garden, or a part of the Rockefeller's old estate, before driving along the only fjord on the eastern seaboard of the United States.

10 minutes

Little Long Pond

We have the option to explore a place that still echoes with the history of the family who did so much to build Acadia as we know it. A beautiful pond, with paths to explore, wildflowers, and the sound of Loons calling. This is one of many stops your guide might choose to include, time permitting.

20 minutes

Northeast Harbor

For a short time in summer, so many pleasure craft, fancy yachts, and a few lobster boats standing out like workmen at a garden party, fill the harbor, one might almost skip right across from one to another. In Fall, as the summer residents flee south for warmer weather, this town, and the busy harbor, begin to empty. I like to stop here for a clean washroom if anyone needs. It's also a pretty place to take a short stroll, photograph a picturesque harbor, and to take a look at a few lobster traps which make for a great show and tell moment to talk about our hard-working lobstermen.

10 minutes

Asticou Azalea Garden

A lovely garden we can walk through. There is a deep history to this place and even a storied past to some of the plants here. Sometimes though, it is best enjoyed without a guide filling the air with stories. Just a quiet stroll and some pictures together with gorgeous blooms all around. This is one of many stops your guide might choose to include, time permitting.

15 minutes

Somes Sound (Pass By)

Scenic drive along the only Fjord (fjard??) on the east coast of the US. It is possible to spot eagles, osprey, and even a seal or harbor purpose breaking the surface of the water as we drive along this beautiful, deep inlet where the ocean cuts our island nearly in half.

Duck Brook Bridge

The carriage road bridges grew increasingly beautiful with each subsequent project. This tri-arched granite faced bridge spans a rocky stream in one of my favorite settings in all of Acadia. This is one of many stops your guide might choose to include, time permitting.

15 minutes

Acadia National Park (Pass By)

Depending upon the weather conditions, and partially on how quickly you want to move between locations, I will adjust our route to showcase the areas that will be most beautiful that day, and which I believe your group will find most impactful. There are many areas this list does not mention, which I love to showcase whenever I can. A tour with a local guide should be an experience you wouldn't find by exploring alone. I get to live here. My advice before you visit is this. Enjoy fully whatever you are able to see while you're here. Think less of seeing everything (checking stops from a list) and more about fully experiencing this place in all the unique light and magic of waves and wind that moved a generation to create the only national park to be made up entirely of gifted land individuals deemed too special to keep to themselves. Then, plan another visit!