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LostViking Says: Named after the French explorer, not the overpriced American vehicle, Mt. Cadillac is a crown jewel of Acadia National Park.This is a challenging hike, but not to difficult for the average family. I'm forty-something and carried my baby girl up on my back without...
turtlebella Says: I highly recommend driving over to the quiet, western part of the Island to visit Somesville. Located at the inner-most tip of Somes Sound (the only fjord on the eastern coast of the US), this is a tiny but charming town. The houses and buildings are almost all white with...
turtlebella Says: Canoeing on Long Pond is something we do every time we visit Mount Desert Island. Once you get past the part of Long Pond where people live, it becomes a most idyllic spot. At one point all of the land bordering the pond is National Park land and so it is nice and quiet. You...
turtlebella Says: There are several sea kayaking outfits in Bar Harbor. I like Acadia Kayak, they take you to the Western Bay, off of Mount Desert Island. It's much quieter over there- fewer boats and lots of wildlife. Every time I've gone we've seen at least one bald eagle, loons,...
Hiking in Acadia National Park
turtlebella Says: My husband and I love to hike. We love mountain views and ocean views. And so Acadia is a perfectly perfect place in my opinion, and surely my favorite place in the U.S. There is something for everyone - from the gentlest hikes your grandma could do to trails where you have...
Go up Cadillac Mountain and watch the sunset
johncudw Says: (or sunrise if its open at that time)This is a September sunset.The water is over on the west side of the island.One of the nice things one can do in the park.even if you don't have a long time to spendthere.1530 feet above sea level
johncudw Says: Good place to take a walk on the beach and view the surrounding landscapeWater is cold even in late AugustThis is view from a January day
johncudw Says: This road in Acadia National Parkfollows the east side of Mount Desert Island, has rocky cliffs, and places to pull out and watch the waves, andhiking trail heads.
Motor Boating in Frenchman's Bay
johncudw Says: There are motor boat rentals in Bar Harborat the docks. We went way around by Ocean Drive and the Beehive. This is the view from there.Be careful of certain marked shoalsand breakwater areas. They are dangerouswith motor boats.Views are nicer on a sunny day, of the island(s)
Drive or hike up Cadillac Mountain (1530 feet)
johncudw Says: Gives a good view of the whole island.This photo is not from the top, but alongthe way. This is Frenchman's Bay with the Porcupine Islands and wall along the roadand rocks on the mountainside, below
johncudw Says: The mountain is near Sand Beach along Ocean Drive and is pink granite, 500 feet abovethe sea. Not as difficult as Sargent Mtn or Cadillac, or Dorr, shorter.Here is a photo of the view across Frenchman's Bay from the summitSand Beach can be seen on the left. Need to wear a...
Mainely Meat: Bar-b-cue and Brew - made right there!
LostViking Says: "Mainely Meat" as its name implies, is no place for namby-pamby veggie fascists - its all about mounds of barbecued delights served within spitting distance of Mt. Desert's very own Atlantic Brewing Company brewery.Not a place for those who frown on paper plates and beer...
turtlebella Says: First off, they have an astounding wine list, apparently they've been written up in the wine media, so I guess it isn't surprising. They also have some yummy cocktails-- mojitos, caiprinhas, etc. We quite enjoyed what I would call the Cuban/American/Latin American fusion...
Mache Bistro: Sophistication in Bar Harbor
turtlebella Says: Mache Bistro is a tiny place in Bar Harbor. While the vast majority of Bar Harbor restaurants are touristy type places, Mache Bistro is a far different place. The food and atmosphere are casually elegant, a little bit of sophistication in the middle of vacation tourism land....
Thurston's Lobster Pound: Best Lobster!
turtlebella Says: Thurston's has the best lobster on the island, and probably the best in Maine! It's a bit off the beaten path but well worth it. Located in Bernard it's on the harbor (Bass Harbor) of a proper working, lobstering town. The restaurant is dockside so you can watch lobster...
michellesbistro Says: OUR INN KEEPER RECOMMENDED THIS FOR SANDICHED TOGO AND IT WAS SO CUTE WE ENDED UP EATTING THERE.GREAT SELECTIONS AND AWESOME BREAD. CHICKEN SALAD & PANINES
TempNomad Says: Be very wary if you decide to rent a vacation home with Baer Property rentals. We had a pleasant enough experience in Summer 2007, but after our "early bird" deposit was cashed in Oct/Nov of 2007 for the following summer, we heard nothing until six months later, just before...
TempNomad Says: While it's very lovely, the shop streets are crowded and kitschy. It's fun to go and wander around to check out the trinkets, but avoid buying too many lobster key chains or t-shirts. Instead, get an ice cream (preferable from MDI Ice Cream!) and walk down to the water to...
turtlebella Says: If you like good beer. Even if you don't but your spouse or best friend or family member back home does. You need to visit Bar Harbor Brewing Company, just outside Bar Harbor proper.This tiny microbrewery makes some of the finest beer ANYwhere. Their stout, Cadillac Mountain...
johncudw Says: This is the street with many restaurantsand shops, and goes down to the harborwhere the docks are.There are art galleries, outdoor outfitters,and specialty gift shops.The waterfront has a good view of the bayand the Porcupine Islands.Nice place to walk around and...
Plan a Mount Desert Island vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Mount Desert Island locals
Mount Desert Island, Maine - MDI is an island off the coast of Maine. It is probably best known for Acadia National Park, and it's larget town, Bar Harbor. It is a busy place in the summer, as it is a summer vacation...
2 members live in Mount Desert Island
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This National Park has so many walking, hiking, boating, swimming, and historic options that you could just wander around for weeks and always try something new. Don't discount the smaller trails. Not...
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Bar Harbor - Mount Desert Island
This is the view looking back at Mount Desert Island from Frenchman's Bay on Bar Island, the first of the Porcupine Islands One can walk out to this island on a strip of sand (causeway) at low tide....
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Mount Desert Island- You'll fall in love
Mount Desert Island is really an ideal vacation, for everyone. If you like the outdoors, you're good. If you like shopping, you're good. If you like lolling around at your bed and breakfast, you can...
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MDI is an island off the coast of Maine. It is probably best known for Acadia National Park, and it's larget town, Bar Harbor. It is a busy place in the summer, as it is a summer vacation...
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How did it happen? Maybe New York heated up too much, or my hiking shoes were in a closet for a while... Mount Desert Island was my destination and I went there unprepared. The GPS system through...
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