• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Champagne Tastes®
  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipes
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure

    10 Things to do Near Acadia

    Published: Oct 10, 2021 · Modified: Aug 3, 2022 · Leave a Comment

    graphic reading "top 10 things to do near acadia".
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure or good food, Acadia’s got it all! Here are our picks for the top 10 things to do near Acadia National Park.

    graphic reading "top 10 things to do near acadia".

    Are you planning a trip Acadia?

    Along with the Smoky Mountain National Park, Acadia is one of the most popular national parks on the east coast.

    Even if you plan on leaving some things to chance, it’s a good idea to know what your options are.

    Here are some of our favorite things to do at Acadia National Park.

    1) Walk the Ocean Path Trail to Sand Beach + Thunder Hole

    Sand Beach.
    Sand Beach

    Ocean Path Trail is a 2.2-mile easy stroll along a picturesque section of Maine coastline. It will take you from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole to Otter Point.

    Acadia is known more for its rocky shorelines than its inviting, sandy beaches. That said, the park does have one sandy beach area called, appropriately, Sand Beach. The water’s chilly but the view is lovely!

    Thunder Hole, a sea cave, is an easy 0.7 miles from Sand Beach. The path is concrete and packed gravel.

    Thunder Hole at Acadia.
    Thunder Hole

    If you get the timing right and arrive at Thunder Hole about two hours before high tide, you may get to hear the thunderous crashes that give this feature its name.

    Thunder Hole at Acadia
    Thunder Hole

    We weren’t there at the right time to hear the “thunder”, but this spot was still crowded.

    Thunder Hole at Acadia
    Thunder Hole

    The trail continues with a bit of unevenness and some staircases as you gradually climb up to Otter Cliffs (110 feet high!) and down to Otter Point, offering more great views of the ocean.

    The views on this trail are probably what you’re looking for when you come to Acadia!

    2) Go for a Bike Ride

    Schoodic Loop Road, one of the things to do near Acadia
    Schoodic Loop Road

    Acadia is known for its fantastic bicycling opportunities.

    For a challenging workout, try biking one of the carriage roads within the park.

    These multi-use roads, built in the early 20th century, amount to 45 miles of crushed rock surfaces and are closed to motorized vehicles. So pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders can explore the park safely.

    These hilly roads will get your heart pumping!

    Need some gear recommendations? Check out our post on mountain biking gear for beginners, which will help you out with ideas like half-finger biking gloves, the Rupumpack daypack, or the higher-end Osprey daypack.

    For a (somewhat) easier biking experience, head to the Schoodic Peninsula. The Schoodic Loop Road is a little more beginner-friendly.

    3) Explore the Shops + Restaurants in Bar Harbor

    Bar Harbor has all the charm of a quaint harbor town mixed in with the shops and restaurants you’d find at an ocean boardwalk.

    We loved exploring the artisan shops, gift shops and bookstores. And we especially loved the food!

    Choco-Latte Storefront, one of the things to do near Acadia
    Choco-Latte
    Choco-Latte Menu.
    Choco-Latte Menu

    Our favorite coffee shop was Choco Latte for both breakfast and coffee. We loved their signature Choco-Latte (a slightly sweet chocolate latte) so much that we had it four times!

    We also enjoyed their bagels, and I loved the breakfast croissant with veggie sausage.

    Choco-Latte at Choco-Latte.
    Choco-Latte at Choco-Latte

    Looking for a spot for lunch or dinner?

    Atlantic Brewing Company Storefront, one of the things to do near Acadia
    Atlantic Brewing Company

    Try the Atlantic Brewing Company. We enjoyed beer-braised mussels and panko-crusted fish and chips (with haddock), plus a flight of their home brews.

    I was so inspired by their food that I came back and made beer mussels at home!

    Beer Mussels at Atlantic Brewing Company.
    Beer Flight + Beer Mussels at Atlantic Brewing Company
    Panko-Crusted Haddock Fish + Chips at Atlantic Brewing Company.
    Panko-Crusted Haddock Fish + Chips at Atlantic Brewing Company

    4) Eat at a Lobster Pound

    Want the true Maine lobster experience? Head to a lobster pound!

    Our favorites were Abel’s Lobster Pound (for a gourmet-style lobster experience) and The Travelin’ Lobster (for more classic lobster pound vibes).

    Classic Lobster Roll, Garlic Aioli + Chips.
    Classic Lobster Roll, Garlic Aioli + Chips
    Lobster Dinner with Corn, Mussels + Butter
    Lobster Dinner with Corn, Mussels + Butter

    5) Watch the Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain

    One of the most popular things to do in Acadia National Park is to watch the sunrise from the top of Cadillac Mountain.

    Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain's North Ridge Trail.
    Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain’s North Ridge Trail

    You can either hike (4.4 miles round trip) or drive to the summit of the mountain.

    Trekking poles can be super helpful while hiking! I love these Kelty trekking poles. For a higher-end option, try these Black Diamond Alpine carbon trekking poles.

    The official summit can be a bit crowded, but another lookout just before the summit offers the same breathtaking view without the extra people.

    Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain's North Ridge Trail.
    Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain’s North Ridge Trail

    6) Visit the Wild Gardens of Acadia

    The Wild Gardens of Acadia offers easy walking and a great opportunity to check out the native plant life of Acadia.

    Wild Gardens of Acadia sign, one of the things to do at Acadia

    When we visited in early September, the autumn colors were fantastic and it wasn’t very crowded.

    The nearby Jesup Path was an easy loop trail with a boardwalk running through a forest of white birches.

    Perfect for a relaxing day out!

    Ground Ferns and Trees in the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
    Ferns Near the Wild Gardens of Acadia

    7) Walk Around Jordan Pond

    The Jordan Pond Path is a popular trail that skirts the edge of the deepest lake in Acadia.

    It’s one of the most accessible trails in the park, and offers plenty of chances to enjoy birds, plant life, and views of the pond and mountains.

    Jordan Pond

    There’s a restaurant near the pond that draws crowds. And it’s the access point for some other popular and scenic trails, including the route to the two mountains nicknamed “the Bubbles“.

    Loon on Jordan Pond.
    Loon on Jordan Pond

    8) Hike (or Climb) a Rung and Ladder Trail

    Rung and ladder trails are famous within Acadia. The views are incredible!

    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail.
    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail

    Does that mean they’re for everyone?

    Well – no. You shouldn’t attempt some of these trails if you’re afraid of heights! Be prepared for quite a bit of rock scrambling along cliff edges.

    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail.
    Rung + Ladder Section on the Beehive Trail

    But if that sounds like your idea of a great time, you’re in for a treat. The Beehive Trail promises you gorgeous ocean views — and a pretty big jolt of adrenaline.

    The Precipice and Jordan Cliffs, also rung and ladder trails, are closed part of the year for peregrine falcon nesting.

    9) Visit the Schoodic Peninsula

    The Schoodic Peninsula is the only part of Acadia National Park that is on the mainland.

    It’s about an hour away from the main part of the park, but that means there are noticeably fewer people!

    Waves at Schoodic Point.
    Waves at Schoodic Point

    The peninsula has a loop road that is perfect for biking. It leads you along a dramatic stretch of rocky coastline where the waves crash and the seagulls wander.

    Seagull at Schoodic Point.
    Seagull at Schoodic Point

    10) Take a Ferry to Another Island

    Ferry service is available to several islands within or near Acadia. Not only is it a convenient way to get around, but it’s also pretty scenic!

    You can ferry between Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, both within Acadia National Park.

    Or you might decide to hike, bike or picnic at some of the smaller islands in the area, like Great Cranberry Island or Little Cranberry. The Cranberry Cove ferry will carry you to both of those.

    You could also ferry out to Isle au Haut off the coast of Stonington, Maine. This island, part of which is managed by Acadia National Park, is a truly remote but beautiful spot with a tiny village, plenty of hiking trails, and a campground.

    Clearly, there is no shortage of things to do in and around Acadia. This list might get you started, but there’s no question you’ll find more opportunities the farther you explore this beautiful corner of Maine!

    « Abel’s Lobster (Mount Desert Island, Maine)
    Evans Orchard + Cider Mill (Georgetown, KY) »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • Sardine Fish Cakes in a stack with sauce on the serving tray
      A Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2023 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.