The more I see the northeast of the United States, the more I love it. It would have me if it weren’t for the harsh winters and minimal diversity. My mom and I seem to favor road trips for our travels together so Maine was our first official stop in our summer tour de force. I’m a big national parks gal so spending a few nights in Maine to visit Acadia National Park on our way to explore Canada was a must. Life advice: if the road gives you the chance at a scenic stop, take it.

One thing I love about going northeast for the summer? Those cool, cool breezes. It’s honestly heaven. I am 100% game to sport a jacket in the summer over the southern summers where you never feel cool (but constantly feel sticky) in those spicy months. I will be honest though, I hadn’t visited Maine before this trip, and having explored nearly 20 national parks in the U.S. I wasn’t truly expecting much from my visit to Acadia. 

That being said, I’m always happy to be (positively) wrong when it comes to travel. There is such a charm to New England that I love but Acadia mannnn… it was so lush. The waters ranged from mostly a deep navy to sometimes lighter blues and greens. There were trees galore and beautiful paths for hiking or simply strolling. Climbing around the rocky cliffs (very carefully with these knees) and popping a squat while eating a picnic lunch was just… ideal. 

If you’re looking to experience your own Maine adventure here are some tips and favorites from our adventure:

1. Book Your Stay Well in Advance + Within 15-20 Minutes of the National Park

   We ended up booking a room in a Victorian house in Ellsworth, which was at least a 30-minute drive to the park. Now don’t get me wrong, being farther out can and should be cheaper but time is also money. If you want to try beating some crowds and get started in the park early, staying closer is better. Places to stay do book up really far out though, so if you want a shot at something closer, plan your visit many months in advance at minimum.

2. Plan Out Your Day to Avoid Backtracking

   Acadia National Park is mainly a loop, so I’d highly recommend mapping out stops you want to make and any hikes you want to complete in advance. From there, you can sort out which days you want to do what. When I say that the park is a “loop,” I mean it’s one-way for the majority. So if you miss a turn, besides the option of parking farther away and walking… you have to drive the loop all the way around again to get back to the spot you’re looking for. I mean, it’s not a massive park but… that still takes some time.

3. Spend a Day Strolling Around Bar Harbor

   This is such a cute little town with tons of restaurants, shops, spots to sit and people watch, and, obviously, the harbor for pretty water views and envious boat watching (or maybe that’s just me). You could easily spend a day here and it’s the perfect respite between hiking days in the park, to enjoy those fresh Maine breezes. Here are some favorite eats:

   • Jordan’s Restaurant - Great spot for breakfast. We went for the blueberry pancakes (cause those tiny Maine blueberries are amazing) but left loving the quiche special with potatoes. You can’t go wrong and I love a local institution.

   • Lunch Bar Harbor - Let me tell you, I’m not a massive sandwich gal but these were AMAZING. I still dream of that Italian #1. 

   • Mount Desert Island Ice Cream - Even if the breeze is cool, everyone needs an ice cream stop in the summer. 

4. Check If You Need Reservations

   When we visited, entry to the park did not require reservations BUT if you wanted to visit Cadilac Summit Road within the park, you needed a reservation. I was able to get one the next day but I honestly wouldn’t risk it, since you may not be so lucky. You can easily grab a reservation here! Reservations are usually required during busy seasons so if you’re going before May and after October, you might not need one.

5. You Don’t Have to Be an Extreme Hiker to See Beautiful Views 

   I was traveling with my Mom, and she is not a big hiker. Not to say that I am but I do enjoy most moderate hikes (though we know sometimes those AllTrails reviews are lies) and I’m able to go for longer. Acadia provided so many easy paths and trails that we could do together such as:

   • Cadillac Summit Loop Trail

   • Jordan Pond Trail

   • Otter Cover Trail 

   • Gorham Mountain Trail

   • Ocean Path

6. Explore the Neighboring Areas

   This is where car travel is a beautiful thing. You can drive, explore, and turn down any road that sparks your fancy. I was surprised by how many mobile-style homes there are around Maine (simply because I wouldn’t think they’d keep warm in those long New England winters) but the landscapes are just so gorgeoussss. When I make my millions, I’ll be buying a house in New England. 

   Outside of Acadia, there are other parks and viewpoints to explore as well. We took a drive out to Schoodic Point and even though our weather was a bit dreary, the rocky edge with some nearby paths was incredibly cool to see. The water slams into the rocks giving a somewhat eery vibe - at least on a cloudy day - but also grants a massive appreciation (and slight fear) of nature. 

   There are also a ton of local shops, bakeries, antique stores, and more along the drive around the park. Take your time, explore the area, and you’ll be sure to bring back some really cool finds.

For more Maine captures and other travel tips, stops, and inspiration, follow @accentgolden on social!