Acadia National Park On a Budget
Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park, Maine
Since then the park and its wildlife have been carefully preserved with the exception of carriage roads with granite bridges and two gate lodges which were designed under the philanthropy of John D. Rockefeller so that visitors might access the park more easily. Today the park consists of more than 47,000 acres with some 40 different species of wildlife, many native plants, and opportunities for outdoor activities.
Sights
Being a national park, some of the most notable features of the region exist in the beauty of its natural scenery. Acadia's landscape is marked by woodland, rocky beaches, and glacier-scoured granite peaks like Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the United States' East Coast. Any time spent in the park might lead visitors to see some of the local wildlife which consists of critters like red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, white-tailed deer, moose, beaver, porcupine, muskrats, foxes, coyote, bobcats, and black bears. On the coastline and smaller islands, it is also common to catch sight of marine animals like whales, seals, and seabirds.From the tallest mountain, through dense sweeping forests, to Maine's rugged coastline and the islands skirted by waves, Acadia National Park embodies a landscape teeming with natural beauty, native wildlife, and the lure for adventure.
Neighborhoods
Bar Harbor is the home base and hub of activity neighboring Acadia National Park. The streets of Bar Harbor are lined with specialty and shops and galleries, featuring handcrafted Maine items from jewelry to maple syrup, as well as the works of local artists. There is a selection of outdoor outfitters to gear you up for any adventure from hiking in Acadia to kayaking on the coast, many stores selling practical Maine clothing, and yet others that feature designer trends. Antique shops will take you on another kind of adventure, while specialty stores will reel you in with the lure of kitchen accessories, tea supplies, soaps, candles, and other quirky gifts. The town is also home to many historic buildings that still stand today, giving Bar Harbor the charm of another time and place.Activities
Some of the most popular outdoor activities in Acadia include hiking and biking along trails or carriage roads, bird and wildlife watching, and mountain climbing. As mentioned earlier, these roads were financed by John D. Rockefeller and stretch about 57 miles. They are motor-free and are intended for the use of hikers, bikers, horse riders, and horse-drawn carriages. Some within the park are open for cross-country skiing and limited snowmobiling in the winter months.Park Loop Road offers the easiest way to see the sights by car with many parking lots and pullover points along the way. By foot, Acadia has over 120 miles of hiking trails and paths that range from a category of very easy to strenuous. Some of the more popular hikes include Beehive Trail, Gorham Mountain Trail, Precipice Trail, and Great Head Trail. Other notable features of Acadia include Schoodic Peninsula, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff.
Food and Dining
While visitors are sure to find Maine's staples (clam chowder, lobster rolls, and blueberry pie) and so much more in the neighboring town of Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park does have a single gem of its own. The Jordan Pond House Restaurant sits with a view overlooking Jordan Pond and the North and South Bubble Mountains. The tradition of having tea and popovers with this view was first established in the late 1800's, though the original restaurant was rebuilt due to fire. The teahouse is open seasonally for lunch, tea, and dinner-reservations are recommended.Burning Tree Restaurant is another popular restaurant on the outskirts of the park. A casual eatery in Otter Creek, it is a great stop for well-spice locally sourced seafood. A greater variety of cuisine can be found in Bar Harbor Bar which features anything from pub fare and farm-fresh cuisine to international flavors and fine dining al fresco.
Transportation
In regards to public transportation, Island Explorer is a shuttle system that features eight bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers of Bar Harbor.Park Loop Road is the main avenue for navigating Acadia. 27 miles long, the road begins at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (near Route 3 on the northern side of the island) and connects the Park's lakes, mountains, forests, and rocky coast.
By air, the nearest airport is Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, located 12 miles from Bar Harbor and Acadia with a daily scheduled airline service to and from Boston. Bangor International Airport is located about 50 miles away and is serviced by Delta Air Lines, US Airways, and Allegiant Air.
By car from Boston, follow I-95 through to Bangor (exit 182-A, 395), then pick up Route 1A to Ellsworth and follow Route 3 to Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park makes up the area surrounding Bar Harbor.
Related
For more information, check out this amazing guide to Acadia National Park.Looking for a party hostel in Las Vegas or San Diego? Traveling alone to NYC or LA? Want a budget hostel in San Francisco?
