Acadia

Well we had a few days of Spring here in downeast Maine. Today though does not feel like one of them. It is cold and damp. So here I sit inside looking out the window longing for some warm weather and sunshine.

Today I want to focus on a few more places around the area that you may find of interest to you.

If you follow the television show Survivor, you may recognize this lady. On the show you will recognize her as Tina, the first person voted off a couple years back. To the locals around here and the many visitors that catch her show she is known as “Timber Tina“. The Maine Lumberjack show is a great time for all ages. That one night that you want to drive off the island and check out some of the other towns around would be a great night to catch one of Tina’s nightly show at 7p.m.
This promises to be a fun filled, fast acting show to keep even the little ones entertained. There is plenty off on site parking and even some snacks provided. You will not be disappointed with this educating yet fun filled adventure.

As you are driving along route 3 towards Bar Harbor you will go through a neat little town called Trenton. One place that you will drive by and think to yourself, “self, what is that”. You will find this place just prior to crossing the small bridge onto Mount Desert Island. What is this place I’m talking about? None other then the, Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound. This place will send and ship seafood any time of the year to your home location. However I want to take the time to highlight taking the chance to stop in and eat with them during the season. It will be easy to see this is a familiar place to travelers as the vehicles will be lined up along the road while the parking lot is full. If you are looking for a long lasting business that has proven themselves this is the place. The lobster pound has been doing this since 1956.
If your looking for a fancy place, keep driving. If you are looking for a spot that is casual, friendly, and inviting make a right and stop by. You will start out by picking your lobster of choice. Then let them do the rest for you. This is a great place to stop in for dinner while in the area.

If you are looking for a place just a little out of town that will provide clean, comfortable, and inviting rooms then check into the Acadia Inn. This place has immaculate rooms and grounds. You will also find comparable rates with other hotels in the area. Don’t worry about being out of town. You can take the easy mile walk or jump on board one of the free shuttles that frequently travels by the Acadia Inn. Check online or give their reservations desk a call today. You will find many packages and rates that will fit everyone’s needs.

If your looking to sit back and let someone else do the driving while you tour Acadia. Oli’s trolley would be a great choice. They provide a 1 hour or 2.5 hour trip that will focus on all the highlights of the park. The staff is very informative and will be able to answer questions while giving you a history of the park and area. Save gas and your neck muscles from going in all directions as your driving yourself, let the folks at Oli’s treat you to a guided tour of the area.

One of the great sites you will find along the park loop road while visiting Acadia National Park is (select Places to See). On a calm day you may wonder how in the world this place was named thunder hole. While it still is beautiful on these days, I would recommend a drive here on a rainy or stormy day. It will not take long for you to discover the thundering noise, hence the name.
With ample parking space and easy access this is a must stop spot for anyone. From spending just a few minutes to taking your time to really investigate thunder hole and the surrounding sites, such as Otter Cliffs and Sand Beach, this needs to be on your to do list for sure. Make sure to bring your camera along and snap some photos.

While you visit the area an absolute must if you do nothing else is to check out Cadillac Mountain. If you are an early riser watching the sunrise is an experience you will never forget. Cadillac Mtn. is the first place on the east coast to see the sunrise. You can call home and tell them you was part of a small group of people to see the sunrise first “today”.

There are many ways to experience the mountain. There are local shuttles that will drive you up, you can drive yourself up, or if you are feeling energetic you will find several hiking trails that will lead you to the top.

Cadillac Mountain
At 1,530 feet, Cadillac Mountain is not only the tallest mountain in the park, but also the tallest mountain along the eastern coast of the United States. Rising high above the town of Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain offers magnificent views of the Porcupine Islands and Frenchman Bay. Explore the summit of this granite mountain along a .3-mile trail, which includes wayside exhibits about natural and human history.

Cadillac Mountain is accessible via a winding, narrow, 3.5-mile road. The road is closed from December 1 through April 14 and whenever weather conditions (e.g., dense fog or ice) require.

For more information check out the park website.

What a beautiful day here in downeast Maine. Almost 7p.m. and still 52 degrees. I realize to some people reading this blog 52 is probably a winter day where you are from. Here in the north country that is a pleasant day.

When visiting the area during parts of the season it can be super crazy in the town of Bar Harbor. With lines of cars and people sometimes it is nice to get away from the crowds. This is when I would recommend taking about a half hour drive to Southwest Harbor or what we refer to as the “quiet side” of the island. You will find this little fishing town very appealing. In the town square there are several stores that the visitor and local alike will enjoy visiting. A trip to the town dock to watch the lobster boats unload their daily catch is always a pleasant experience. Once you have visited the town I would then suggest a short drive to Bass Harbor Light House. (Select Places To See)

Upon arriving back in Bar Harbor from your excursions to the quiet side of the island. I would top your evening off with a stroll down main street and finish up with dinner at Galyn’s. Galyn’s offers a superb atmosphere yet still remaining casual enough to go in with your jeans and a sweatshirt. There will be some background music that will surely relax you after a hard day of checking out the park and surrounding area. If you have perfect timing you may just land one of the few seats that look over the bay. With several years of working in the hospitality business in the area I have recommended thousands to Galyn’s. Never has anyone come back with a negative comment. Galyn’s is a definite spot to experience dinner one of your nights in town.

If you are looking for a chain hotel then I would recommend the Bar Harbor Quality Inn. Owners Peter and Sally spend a lot of time and money into keeping this well maintained and welcoming to guests. If you are traveling with kids then they are sure to enjoy the round pool, also the largest commercial pool on the island. If the pool doesn’t interest you then maybe the hot tub will. Quality Inn has a prime location, an easy ten minute walk will land you at the town pier and one mile to the park entrance. Depending on when your traveling make sure to ask about their great weekend specials, holiday specials, and package deals they have running. If you are looking for a little more peaceful and quiet part of the property ask for the “birch hill” units. You will find the staff very informative and helpful during your stay. It is a win/win situation with the Bar Harbor Quality Inn.

While your in the area a must is to take in 18 or 36 holes at Pirates Cove Mini Golf Course. As you move from hole to hole the scenery is amazing. The waterfalls, challenging holes, and even a ship to go aboard will make you step back for sure. With a relaxed and fun atmosphere this is a certain blast for families and singles alike. Just one warning….watch out for the water hazards.

Acadia National Park located in Downeast Maine is sure to have something for everyone. The rugged coastline found along the (see A Quick Tour of Mount Desert Island & Acadia National Park in Places to See) Park Loop Road or across the bay at Schoodic Point, the miles and miles of hiking trails throughout the park, those sweet little fishing spots, carriage trails, or just about anything else you can imagine will be found.

Over the next several days I will cover highlights of the park and spots that you will want to make sure you check out while in the park and area. Stop back and check each day with us for the great scenes to see and things to do here in the park and area.

Today we will look at additional things to do and places to visit while you are in the area. In yesterday’s posts I highlighted a few highlights of the area. We will look at some more in this post.

If you have a sense of adventure for the outdoors, a interest in seeing the island from a whole different perspective, or experience some of the friendliest people in the area, then you will want to stop by Coastal Kayaking Tours. Whether you are an expert or beginner there is something designed for you. Coastal Kayaking offers several packages. No matter what your schedule you will find something that will work for you. These range from 2.5 hours to the granddaddy of them all, a three day camping excursion. You will find very experienced and helpful registered Maine guides that will head up these trips. If you are looking for a great chance to experience the area while spending some time in the great outdoors this is a must.

If you are looking for a superb restaurant close to town yet in the quiet section I have the spot for you. Poor Boy’s Gourmet, the food here is nothing short of amazing. You will find a variety of food ranging from the traditional lobster dinner to Poor Boy’s special “Bottomless Bowl of Pasta”. One of the great things about Poor Boy’s is you will find Kathleen, the owner there to greet you. The staff are pleasant and helpful with knowledge of the area. With easy access to downtown and a casually elegant atmosphere, Poor Boy’s would be a great selection for dinner while visiting the area.

If you are looking for a great experience and a sense of adventure I would highly recommend you take the chance to experience a boat ride upon Lulu. Lulu is a traditional Downeast-style, lobster boat that possesses the character and sea-kindliness for which these tough workboats are reputed. That’s right an actual lobster boat. The same style that you will see local fishermen taking out from the docks each early morning. During this time you will experience how these fishermen make their living. Captain John will explain all aspects of lobster fishing, parts of the trap, learn about other sea creatures that you will come across, and learn many interesting facts about the Maine lobster. Facts such as, lobsters use their leg hairs to smell. This is a great trip that is well worth the time and money.

On this post I want to highlight some local businesses, restaurants, lodging options, and activities that are a must while you visit Acadia National Park area. Each day I will provide information on each of these topics. I will highlight one’s that I would recommend.

Let’s start off with wonderful people at the Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop. This place provides a great service to locals and visitors in the area. I work at a residential facility for “at risk” youth and have used this business many times for renting bikes for day long excursions. The staff at the bike shop is extremely patient and very helpful with newcomers and children. They will take the time to fit every single person to a bike in order to keep everyone safe and comfortable on their trip. They are very informative of local trails that are available to bikers. They can point you in the right direction depending on the skill level and ages of those participating. If you want to experience the great scenery of the park and area on top of a bike, stop in and visit the folks at the bike shop.

Now onto an interest to everyone, food. I have worked in Bar Harbor in the hospitality business on a part time basis for the past few years. When our guests check in they all want to know a good place to eat. Over the next few days we will dig into many of these places well worth visiting. One of the most common questions received from our guests would be, “where do the locals eat?” So today’s highlight is one such place. If you are looking for where many locals eat and a laid back family style restaurant then look no further then West Street Cafe. They provide great food, good portion sizes, and all for a reasonable price. If you are looking for the typical lobster dinner they have that covered. They have amazing crab cakes. If you want to go the seafood route, I would recommend ordering the crab cake appetizer with the traditional lobster dinner for your main dish. If seafood is not your thing don’t worry. They have a variety of food that covers everyone.

Today’s hospitality option will be for those who have teenagers or no children. If you are the person that prefers a bed and breakfast or maybe you have always wanted to try one, then this is the perfect place for you. I know many people when they hear bed and breakfast think they will be sharing a common bath with the rest of the house. This is not the case at the Holbrook House. Each room has its own private bath. Each room has a different theme and can be checked out online. I speak from first hand that the gourmet breakfast is second to none. The Holbrook House offers great atmosphere and friendly staff. Judy the inn keeper will make you feel welcome. She will probably be the first one to greet you and the last one you see on your way out the door. She lives on site and has her door open most times in order to “be there” for her guests. You will feel as if this is your home away from home. Check out the Holbrook House, it is in a very quiet part of town although an easy five minute walk will have you in the hub-bub of downtown Bar Harbor.

Finally, a great activity for everyone would be a trip with Diver Ed. Whether you are a single person visiting the area, a group of friends, a young couple, or the family with little ones this would be a great experience. Diver Ed does an amazing job of entertaining everyone on his boat. He is very familiar with the area and the critters that are on the bottom of the sea. He is a graduate of the local college, College of the Atlantic. Ed also served as former harbor master for the town of Bar Harbor or as the locals say Ba-ha-ba. This two hour long trip is well worth the money that you will spend. Diver Ed will put on his divers suit once in place and go down with camera in hand. You will see first hand the bottom of the ocean. Diver Ed will collect sea creatures and bring them up for all to have a hands on experience with them. This is a trip that you will never forget.

Here we are mid April in downeast Maine. Things are starting to buzz around Acadia National Park and the island. There are many things to do around here this time of year. The friends of Acadia will be busy clearing trails and doing their best to keep the park beautiful. The business owners making those opening day preparations. The town cleaning up the town square and Agamont Park. Charlie, the Harbor Master will be getting the boats aligned and the town pier shaped up. Come mid-June you would think it always looked this way.

If you get a chance to visit the park and the island early in the season, go for it. You won’t find all the shops or restaurants open, but there will be ample opportunities to eat and shop. You will find the big advantage of less people, lower hotel prices, and in my opinion a better time to visit.

Seal cove beach located in Seal Harbor would be a great place to go check out the sand dollars and other critters before it is picked over. Experience the park as spring is coming into season and the clean smell of God’s country.

If you can get up early in the season it is well worth it. Less people, less commotion, and truly will be a memorable experience for all, especially those who love to be outdoors.

If you ever have any questions about the area or if your coming up this way and need more information, don’t hesitate to contact me at outdoorswithnorm@gmail.com

We may just see you around the park this year.