Acadia Essentials: Top 10 Things to Do on Mount Desert Island

Planning Acadia and short on time? We wrap our third visit into a crisp, no-fluff Top 10 for Mount Desert Island—what’s actually worth it, how to dodge crowds, and a few splurge-or-save decisions. You’ll get practical tips on parking, reservations, and timing so you can see more and stress less.

What we cover

• 1) Drive the Park Loop Road (first!)
  Use an audio guide app (We recommend GuideAlong) for context and trailhead callouts; drive at golden hour for easier parking.

• 2) Ride the free Island Explorer buses
  Funded by L.L.Bean; perfect for Sand Beach, Jordan Pond House, and Bar Harbor days without the parking stress.

• 3) Get on the water
  Sunset harbor cruise to Egg Rock Lighthouse or a seabirds & puffins run. We recommend Acadian Nature Cruises.

• 4) Explore the Carriage Roads
  Walk, bike (mind e-bike rules), or book a horse-drawn carriage tour to see Rockefeller’s stone bridges. Check out Acadia by Carriage for carriage tours.

• 5) Jordan Pond House tea & popovers
  Book in advance on Resy; outdoor seating is iconic but expect aggressive bees in peak summer—inside may be happier.

• 6) Explore Bar Harbor and the towns on the Quietside
  Bar Harbor is a town with a lot of history and where you will find lots of restaurants and shops. But, be sure to check out the smaller towns like Southwest Harbor or Bass Harbor.

• 7) Hit the trails
  There are many great hiking opportunities in the park for all ability levels. Christopher recommends trying a ladder trail if you're up for it! To learn more about the trails in the park, this article from Acadia Magic is very helpful.

• 8) Lobster (and wild blueberry pie)
  Beal’s Lobster Pier (Southwest Harbor) and Thurston’s (Bernard) were standouts; prices aren’t 2019 anymore—budget for it.

• 9) Beyond the main loop
  Schoodic Peninsula (ferry + Island Explorer) for rugged coast with fewer crowds; note Isle au Haut for the truly intrepid.

• 10) Cadillac Mountain for sunrise or sunset
  Summer/fall require a timed entry via Recreation.gov. For sunset in peak summer, aim for a 7:00 pm entry window.

Bonus ideas

• Paddle a pond/lake: Echo Lake was a calm favorite; Jordan Pond is gorgeous but parking/logistics are tricky and it’s a drinking water source (no swimming).

• Camp: Seawall & Blackwoods (NPS) are rustic; Smuggler’s Den (private) is convenient for hookups and location.

Timing & logistics cheats

• Do your full Park Loop drive once by car; use Island Explorer after.

• Mid-to-late afternoon often opens parking at Sand Beach/Jordan Pond.

• If seasickness is a thing, pick harbor/sunset cruises over offshore puffin runs.

• Ladder trails close seasonally for peregrine falcons—check status at NPS.gov.

Wine Break
A quick detour to Tuscany: what IGT means, how it differs from DOC/DOCG, and why some “Super Tuscan” styles feel bold but food-friendly.

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