Bar Harbor and Vicinity (Ellsworth, Winter Harbor: construction, restaurant, club)

[Brodels]

Within your 1-2 hour’s drive guideline:

- If you like to hike, consider the Donnell Pond Public Reserve Land, with several different access points. It will be much quieter than Acadia, and Tunk Mountain, Schoodic Mountain, and Black Mountain lack some of the pizazz of being right on top of the ocean, but they are all spectacular in their own way, and you’ll avoid the crowds.

- Along these lines, the Cutler Coast Public Reserve Land is pretty beautiful. This is up the coast a fair amount, but it has been rated very highly by some publications. The hike along the cliffy coast is pretty nice.

- A day trip to Bangor will give you something completely different, but may be worth pursuing. Check out Stephen King’s house if you’re into that, visit local breweries, have lunch in the relatively vibrant downtown, check out the casino, or just stroll along the waterfront. Maine’s third-largest city (second-largest metro) is a nice diversion.

- Go up the coast to the far-flung communities of Eastport and Lubec. The drive to Eastport is beautiful, and the town is a funky mix of local attractions and summer/touristy things. Lubec is really pretty. Both are worth a visit, but don’t expect large towns with extensive tourist infrastructure.

- Bethel is down the coast. It will be quieter than Bar Harbor, but it’s big enough to keep you busy with decent restaurants, a small brewery, and an opportunity to stroll along the water. There is a pretty state park nearby. On the way you could stop in Bucksport for ice cream, and take the elevator up to the top of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory for a nice view of the area.

- It’s a little bit off the beaten path, but a trip down the peninsula to Blue Hill (with a morning hike of the mountain) continuing on to Stonington for lunch is a really nice way to spend the day. It’s beautiful and much less crowded than Bar Harbor.

The suggestions that others have made about what to do on the island are all good, but if you’re looking for something that’s still tourist friendly but a little less crazy, any of the above options are worth considering.

[American girl]

Maine’s premier historic house museum is in Ellsworth. Woodlawn museum, gardens and Park sits on 180 acres. It’s unique because it contains all of the black family’s original belongings. And, Ellsworth has some good restaurants too. https://woodlawnmuseum.org

[Northern Maine Land Man]

If you go boating, pay attention to the winds and tides. We have huge tides and there are times when you cannot return to your launch site due to fast currents. there are reversing falls on several rivers. Blue Hill Falls were our favorite. We used to run the falls in canoes to practice heavy water canoeing. It is like the standing waves on our larger rivers. We would paddle back up toward the bridge and take out. Then we would carry our canoes or kayaks across the road and launch again.

[mainegrl2011]

hiking, especially away from the ocean and in some cases, near the ocean ... bring bug spray or fly dope or whatever else you might prefer to keep the little critters from sucking your blood

[ShouldIMoveOrStayPut...?]

A. Ocean Path Hike in Acadia (with a stop at the Thunderhole and Sand Beach) is simply a must.

B. Jordan Pond Loop also a great hike, get to parking lot EARLY (before 9:00 AM preferably) or you'll circle forever. Don't get sucked in to the "must do" of having the popovers at the Jordan Pond House, they are overpriced and overrated. Go to the Asticou Inn if you crave popovers.

C. At least one meal at the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, the best of the bunch IMO.

D. See if the West Street Cafe in Bar Harbor still has the $21.95 dinner special with Lobster Roll, Bowl Of Chowder, Fries/Slaw, and Slice Of Blueberry Pie for dessert. After dinner, make sure to take a walk along the Shore Path (just ask any local if you can't find it).

E. Thuya Garden in Northeast Harbor (yeah, I know but it's just a garden) trust me, if you have the time it's worth it.

If you wish to sail on a Windjammer I recommend doing so away from Bar Harbor, you will get more of an authentic, and very likely less expensive experience. Tourist coffee cup, refrigerator magnet and T-Shirt are optional, of course.

[Cuffler]

Just a quick note about "popovers"

We've spent a lot of time in Southwest Harbor and we "discovered" an absolutely jewel of a place in the heart of the town. IT's called, the Common Good Soup Kitchen. The Common Good Soup Kitchen – 19 Clark Point Road, Southwest Harbor, ME Here's the scoop. . You go there in the morning and have FRESH (and I mean just popped out of their huge kitchen) popovers and slather them with all the fixins you can imagine and have a fresh cup of coffee and then sit under an umbrella at a table and pretend you're in Paris! What's the cost? Anything you wish to donate. It's a real blast to go there and the ladies that run the place are incredibly happy to see you there. I've never seen anything like it. Anyway, if you go to Southwest HArbor, you'll find it easily enough. Just look for the fenced in yard with lots of colorful umbrellas and maybe some live music, too. Nice way to have light breakfast for a good cause.
Rome

[Last1Standing]

Cuffler, thanks for that tip about the Common Good Soup Kitchen. It sounds wonderful.

[OutdoorLover]

I think you have to see Cadillac Mountain and some of the spots on the southeast coast near Thunder Hole - it can be crowded but that's because it's spectacular. Crowds will be a lot smaller before mid-morning and after mid-afternoon.

For scenic places to eat, I'd second the Jordan Pond House suggested by Cuffler, you want to eat outside on the back lawn - bee-yew-teeful spot on Jordan Pond with the Bubbles rising beyond, and the food is very good too; then Thurston's Lobster Pound in Bernard - Bass Harbor is gorgeous and little developed compared to Bar Harbor.

While I always go to visit the big "highlights", I do that more in the off hours, and I spend more time on "the quiet side" of the island - basically the part to the west of Somes Sound. It's also very pretty and it's more relaxing. I'll also suggest the Ship Harbor Trail as one in particular if you like nature walks.

If you like unspoiled nature, I'd suggest a drive up to the Schoodic Peninsula. It's not quite as spectacular as Mt Desert Island, but it's still beautiful and it's quieter and cleaner.

[Cambium]

Some great posts and ideas! All taken. Thanks!


I heard for Thunder hole you need to be there 2 hours before High Tide.

[slyfox2]

Go to the visitor center when you arrive. There will be brochures for everything. Don’t think that MDI is just Bar Harbor, there are other towns(of course I do live in Bar Harbor).

There are so many things to do on the island: hiking, carriage rides, horse back riding, various restaurants(I only go to the ones that are open in the winter: Side Street Cafe, Thirsty Whale, Geddy’s, SIPS), but there are many others, lots I have never eaten in. There’s music events. No one should miss going to Reel Pizza for a movie, and having their pizza. If you go to the Criterion, avoid their popcorn.

The newspaper has a to do section. Quaker Meeting is at Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor at 9:00 AM( plug for us Quakers).

Get a copy of Tom St.Germain’s map guide in the Visitor Center, and then go to his restaurant “Jack Russell’s Steak House” opposite the Atlantic Side Motel on Rt 3 in Bar harbor. TOM ALSO HAS A GREAT eggplant parmesan.

PM me for more specifics. I may be the only person here who actually lives in Bar Harbor.