Acadia's Mount Desert Travel Guide
Acadia's Mount Desert Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Looking for things to do in Acadia National Park beyond the crowds at Sand Beach and Thunder Hole?
Mount Desert Island has a quieter western half—Somesville, Pretty Marsh, Bass Harbor, and Southwest Harbor—where fishing villages, hidden gardens, and a forest reborn from fire tell a different side of Acadia's story.
Starting and ending in Bar Harbor, this loop covers the island most visitors never see.
Top Things to Do
1. Drive the Mount Desert Island Loop—A scenic route through Somesville, Pretty Marsh, Bass Harbor, and Southwest Harbor.
2. Visit Bass Harbor Head Light Station—One of Maine's most photographed lighthouses.
3. Explore the Rockefeller Carriage Roads—57 miles of car-free roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. starting in 1913.
4. Tour the Seal Cove Auto Museum—Vintage automobiles paired with real stories from the island's Gilded Age.
5. Visit the Wendell Gilley Museum—A museum honoring a master bird carver in Southwest Harbor.
6. Walk Thuya Garden and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden—Two of the island's most beautiful formal gardens.
7. See the Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum—The real story of the quarrymen who cut the stone that built cities up and down the East Coast.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Acadia's Mount Desert Loop Driving Tour is a GPS-triggered audio tour covering the island's quieter western half. Most visitors spend 3 to 5 hours exploring the full loop, starting and ending at the Village Green in Bar Harbor.
Free Things to Do
1. Somesville Museum and Gardens - Explore the island's oldest settlement, free to walk through.
2. Thuya Garden - Wander this formal garden tucked away from the main tourist crowds.
3. Bass Harbor Head Light Station - Photograph one of Maine's most iconic lighthouses.
4. Bar Harbor Shore Path - Walk the harbor's edge, or cross the sandbar to Bar Island at low tide.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES:
1. Seal Cove Auto Museum - See vintage automobiles from the island's Gilded Age (~$10 adult).
2. Wendell Gilley Museum - Tour decades of a master bird carver's work (~$10 adult).
3. Acadia National Park Entrance - A valid park pass is required for much of the route.
Food!
Galyn's
A Bar Harbor institution in a converted Victorian boarding house, known for Maine oysters and Peekytoe crab cakes.
McKay's Public House
A Victorian-set pub serving seafood risotto, burgers, and comfort classics in downtown Bar Harbor.
Jordan's Restaurant
A beloved local breakfast spot in Bar Harbor, known for hearty diner classics.
Where to Stay
Luxury
Bar Harbor Inn, Balance Rock Inn—historic, oceanfront properties in downtown Bar Harbor. Roughly $300-$550/night.
Moderate
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, West Street Hotel—historic-style and boutique lodging downtown. Roughly $180-$300/night.
Budget
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, Wonder View Inn—a short drive from downtown Bar Harbor. Roughly $120-$200/night.
1 Day Itinerary
1-DAY ITINERARY:
Morning: Take Acadia's Mount Desert Loop Driving Tour, starting at the Village Green in Bar Harbor.
Afternoon: Stop at Somesville, Seal Cove Auto Museum, and Bass Harbor Head Light Station.
Evening: Return via Southwest Harbor and Seal Harbor, finishing back in Bar Harbor for dinner.
2-DAY ITINERARY:
Add a second day to walk Bar Harbor's Shore Path, cross the sandbar to Bar Island at low tide, or explore the eastern Park Loop Road side of the island (Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Cadillac Mountain).
FAQ's
1. What is Acadia National Park best known for?
Acadia is best known for its dramatic coastline, Cadillac Mountain, and 57 miles of car-free carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr.
2. Is this the same route as the popular Park Loop Road tour?
No. This loop covers the island's quieter western half—Somesville, Pretty Marsh, Bass Harbor, and Southwest Harbor—rather than the busier Sand Beach and Thunder Hole side.
3. Do I need a park entrance pass?
Yes, a valid Acadia National Park entrance pass is required for much of the route.
4. Is Mount Desert Island good for a day trip?
Yes, though most visitors find a full day or two lets them see both the quiet western side and the popular eastern side.
5. Do I need a car to get around?
Yes, this is a driving tour, though many stops also connect to hiking trails and carriage roads for exploring on foot.
6. Is this route family-friendly?
Yes, it's a relaxed, scenic drive suitable for all ages, with several easy trails along the way.
7. What's the story behind the island's fall foliage?
The birch and aspen forest that turns gold every autumn grew in after a massive fire burned much of the island in October 1947—before that fire, the forest looked completely different.
8. How much time should I plan for Mount Desert Island?
A half to full day covers this western loop; two days lets you add the eastern Park Loop Road side as well.
Recommended Tours
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