Jeannie\u2019s Great Maine Breakfast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After watching sunset, you will be ready for breakfast. Bar Harbor is just about 15 minutes down the mountain. Many people stop at Jeannie\u2019s Great Maine Breakfast for a homemade fresh breakfast. We like it because they offer gluten-free options, but the entire menu is delicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hulls Cove Visitor Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens at 8:30 in the summer, so should be your first stop after breakfast. We like to begin our National Park days at the visitor centers. It is where you can find park passes, maps and park rangers to answer your questions and you can shop in the Park Store or check out the art. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can’t do anything else, then driving the Park Loop Road is the best thing to do in Acadia National Park. There are several amazing stops along the way, as well as breathtaking views at every turn. The Park Loop Road is a one-way road for most of the way and going in a clockwise direction so you won’t miss the main stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sand Beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the busiest areas of the park is Acadia\u2019s only sandy ocean beach. It is at the beginning of the Park Loop Road\u2019s coastal section. Some people come to swim in the frigid water. We did not attempt to swim, but we did put our feet in. Normal temperature of the water is 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Other people just hang out and play on the sand or hike some of the trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Great Head Trail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a family friendly hike try the Great Head Trail from the far end of Sand Beach. The trail is worth it for the excellent views of Sand Beach and The Beehive. The trail is a gradual grade to reach the highest point at 145 feet above sea level. At this point the ruins of a 1915 tea house can be seen. The trail loop round trip is 1.9 miles but can be shortened to 1.3 miles if you skip a section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thunder Hole<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most popular attractions in the park is Thunder Hole. It is a carved out inlet along the rocky eastern shoreline of Mount Desert Island. The water shoots down here and can make some loud noises. They say that wave sprays here have been seen to reach over 40 feet in height. There are stairs to follow down to see the natural wonder closer. It is a quintessentially Maine landmark that offers more than just the noise; there are stunning views in every direction from the high rocks surrounding the inlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Otter Cliff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most spectacular sights in the park is Otter Cliff. On Park Loop Road past Thunder Hole, is the famous 110 foot high cliff – one of the highest Atlantic coastal headlands north of Rio de Janeiro. We chose to sit here and have a picnic and enjoy the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jordan\u2019s Pond House Restaurant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For an afternoon snack, we stopped at the Jordan Pond House Restaurant for some popovers and tea. The restaurant sits on a hill overlooking a beautiful lawn along the Jordan Pond. It is considered one of the must-dos in the park. People have been enjoying the view and food since 1893. Afternoon tea with popovers is extremely popular, so plan ahead and consider making a reservation. We were able to grab a table in the late afternoon. If you haven’t had a popover before, they are crispy on the outside and soft and slightly eggy on the inside. The popovers were delicious with the jam and the kids enjoyed the fresh squeezed lemonade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somes Sound<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On your late afternoon drive to the lighthouse, stop by the Somes Sound to see what many consider the only fjord in the eastern US. The sound was chiseled out by glaciers thousands of years ago to create an elongated submerged ocean valley surrounded by steep cliffs that nearly bisects Mount Desert Island. To best see the sound by car, take Sargent Drive. From it, you look west across the water to the small community of Hall Quarry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For one of our favorite sites in the park, head to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Among about 80 lighthouses across Maine, it is one of three lights managed by Acadia National Park. It is another one of the busiest parts of the park, but worth the crowds to see this cliffside lighthouse. There is no public access to the interior, but you can view the exterior of the light station via paved walkway. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pretty Marsh<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have time and energy, drive about 20 minutes to watch the sunset at Pretty Marsh. It is located in a beautiful secluded setting on the \u201cquiet\u201d southwestern side of Mount Desert Island. The picnic area in a shady forest of spruce trees is on a hillside overlooking the harbor. It is far enough away from the busier part of the park so if you are looking for a little bit of solitude and beauty you will find it here. If you get there in time for sunset, it is a spectacular place to see it out over Bartlett Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extra time?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you find yourself with more time, hop on your bicycle and explore the forty-five miles of rustic carriage roads. The roads were built to preserve the landscape and take advantage of scenic views. Enjoy the safety of these auto-free roads across the park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy your time and make memories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you choose to hike, bike, paddle or just drive the loop, Acadia is worth the visit. It is one of the best places for sunrises and sunsets, has a variety of outdoor activities, is great for birdwatchers or animal sightings, and is a beautiful park to just have a picnic and soak in the views. In addition, Bar Harbor is a quintessential Maine coastal town to explore. Whatever you choose to do at the park\u2026 make memories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We love visiting National Parks. Often our road trips are planned around seeing the parks. We like to view the highlights, hike, and explore. But we are not hardcore, you won\u2019t see long day hikes or crazy adventures here. We also try to limit our spending, so you won\u2019t find too many guided tours or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"WB4WB4WP_MODE":"","WB4WP_PAGE_SCRIPTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_STYLES":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FONTS":"","WB4WP_PAGE_HEADER":"","WB4WP_PAGE_FOOTER":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[37,40,25,38],"class_list":["post-386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-national-parks","tag-acadia","tag-biking","tag-hiking","tag-national-parks"],"yoast_head":"\n