12 Best Things to Do at Acadia National Park
You must see Acadia National Park. Why? Because it’s absolutely beautiful! And we found the best things to do at Acadia. From the rocky coastlines and quintessential towns to the lush green forests and majestic mountains, Acadia has it all. There is something for everyone. The avid hiker, the photographer, the cyclist, the family, and the person who just wants to see some extremely gorgeous scenery. Before I get into what to do, let’s talk a little about Acadia, where you should stay, and what you should eat.
Acadia National Park
Acadia is located on Mt Desert Island on the east coast of Maine, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its beautiful sunrises, which happen here first every day. Over 3.5 million people visit each year making Acadia one of the top 10 most visited national parks. With over 150 miles of hiking, 45 miles of carriage trails, 27 miles of scenic roads, and 41 miles of coastline to explore, you can definitely find lots of exciting things to do here.
Acadia National Park is very popular in the summer and fall, mainly due to the pleasant weather temperatures and the autumn foliage. Don’t be deterred by its popularity because if you plan ahead, you will find it very easy to do all the best things at Acadia. Let’s start with accommodations.
Where to Stay
Accommodations on Mt Desert Island book up quickly so make sure you make reservations early. You can choose from a variety of options such as motels, hotels, and B&Bs. There are places on and off the island if you don’t mind a short drive. Staying in Bar Harbor will provide you with more food options, such as the infamous lobster rolls or clam chowder.
Check out this motel for a nice, affordable stay with a pool that’s not too far from the park.
If you are RVing, there are many campgrounds on Mt Desert Island and quite a few more off the island but within a reasonable distance from the park.
Top choices for RV campgrounds:
Mt Desert Narrows Camping Resort
Interested in RVing, check out our How to Become the Best RV Trip Planner blog.
What to Eat
Lobster rolls. Have you had one? They are amazing. It’s a bun with lump lobster meat and mayonnaise or butter. Simple, yet delicious. You can find them almost anywhere on the coast of Maine as well as traditional clam chowder. This is definitely the place to get seafood! Yum.
Check out The Travelin Lobster where you can get lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fresh Maine blueberry pie!! It’s outdoor seating but still nice as we were there during a thunderstorm and stayed quite dry.
If you’re looking for delicious Maine blueberry pancakes, look no further than Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast. They are open every day at sunrise and have delicious pancakes, french toast, and their famous strawberry rhubarb fruit spread.
There are tons of restaurants and shops to get food on Mount Desert Island. You can find something for every taste; from fine dining and seafood to pizza, burgers, and ice cream. Or you can just pack your own snacks or meals. There are so many beautiful places to sit, eat, and take in the views!
Getting Around Acadia National Park
During the peak season, Acadia is bound to be busy with tourists. Take the stress off by using the FREE Island Explorer shuttle from June to mid-October. It leaves from Bar Harbor so you don’t even have to drive into the park! Click HERE for more information about the Island Explorer shuttle.
You can also drive, bike, walk, or hike into the park. You’ll have to pay the entry fee of $30 which is good for 7 days. If you plan to visit multiple national parks, check out the National Park Pass. For more information on the National Park Pass, check out our National Park Toolkit HERE.
For more information on bicycle rentals for Acadia National Park, check out these companies:
Best Things to do at Acadia National Park
Bike the Carriage Roads
The Carriage Roads were a gift from the Rockefeller family and consist of 45 miles of paths with 16 historic and iconic stone bridges. Horses, bicycles, E-Bikes, and pedestrians are allowed on these roads. We rode our bikes and found them to be family-friendly and one of the best things to do at Acadia National Park.
Interested in horseback riding or Carriage Tours through Acadia? Click HERE for more info!
Stop at Jordan Pond House
While you’re exploring the Carriage Roads, you need to stop at Jordan Pond House. They have been serving tea and Nellie McIntire’s famous, delicious popovers since 1893! It’s a beautiful little shop and restaurant overlooking Jordan Pond with sandwiches, chowders, salads, tea, popovers, and more.
Sunrise at Cadillac Mountain
One of the best things to do at Acadia National Park is to see a sunrise at Cadillac Mountain. You have to get up early for this one but it’s totally worth it…if you have a day without fog. This is the first place you can see the sunrise in the U.S. from around October to March. It is accessed by the Park Loop Road or two hiking trails, Cadillac South Ridge (7.1-miles roundtrip) and Cadillac North Ridge (4.4-miles roundtrip) which connect to the parking lot at the summit. Be prepared for changes in weather whenever you go by having a rain jacket or sweatshirt. It can be cold and windy any time of the year.
Hike Ocean Path Trail
The Ocean Path Trail is an easy way to see Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point. This 2.2-mile trail follows along the coastline with magnificent views of the ocean, cliffs, and pink granite slabs. You can access this path from the Sand Beach parking area.
Thunder Hole
This natural rock inlet with a small cave in the bottom makes a loud thunderous sound when the right-sized wave of water comes in. There is a trail from the parking lot or you can see it while hiking the Ocean Path Trail. Be patient and you’ll hear it or stand too close and get wet!
Autumn Leaf Peeping
Acadia National Park is a leaf-peeping paradise. Mixed throughout the evergreen trees, the maple, oak, birch, and beech trees all change from bright green to beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. Throw the rivers, streams, and ocean in there, and WOW what a view!
Drive Park Loop Road
This 27-mile scenic drive takes you to all the top spots. Sand Beach, Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond to name a few. Mountains, ocean views, and lakes will keep you wanting more of the best of Acadia National Park.
Hike the Bubbles
The North and South Bubble trails are 1.5-miles round trip. The summits overlook Jordan Pond, Cranberry Islands, and the surrounding mountains. Bubble Rock is a huge rock that was moved here by the glaciers, sitting precariously on the edge of the summit.
Boat Tours
If you love the ocean (and don’t get seasick like me), take a boat tour. There are so many experiences to choose from that I’m sure you’ll find something that catches your eye. Whale watching, puffins, lighthouse tours, lobster fishing, seals, and sunset cruises are just a few of the options. You can also take an Acadia National Park ranger-led tour and learn about the wildlife and nature Mount Desert Island and Acadia have to offer.
Boat Tour Companies to Check Out:
Beehive Loop
This hike is one of the best things to do at Acadia National Park. This 1.5-mile trail is difficult with vertical climbs using iron rungs and granite staircases to ascend this cliff wall but is well worth the scariness. You’ll have beautiful views of the ocean and is a great way to experience the glory of the fall foliage.
Stargazing
There are many places in Acadia National Park where you can do some stargazing and get great nighttime photographs. Cadillac Mountain, Ocean Path, and the Sewall Picnic Area offer great unobstructed views featuring the Milky Way, Saturn, Jupiter, and more. Depending on when you go you could also include a beautiful sunset or sunrise with your stargazing. Check with the visitor centers for more information.
Explore Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is the quintessential Maine coastal town. Quaint B&Bs, unique shops, fabulous restaurants, ice cream shops (we Mainers love our ice cream!), and tons of activities. Whale watching, museums, golfing, you name it, they have it here. Plus, Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park.
Go to Acadia National Park
The only way to experience the best things to do at Acadia National Park is to go there! Make your plan today and explore the beauty this park and area has to offer!
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