Acadia National Park: Labor Day Road Trip + Lobster Feast Freedom

🏞 Real Experience at Acadia National Park Over Labor Day, I took the kids and friends on a trip to Acadia National Park, and we even stopped by the Portland Lighthouse along the way. 📍 Day 1 We arrived in the evening and checked into Kimball Terrace Inn in Northeast Harbor (with a harbor view). The place was spacious and comfortable, and it’s about a 30-minute drive to Cadillac Mountain. Pro tip: Staying in Bar Harbor is too crowded, and parking is a nightmare. Northeast Harbor is relatively quiet and peaceful. 📍 Day 2 Sleeping in + big crowds = parking chaos 😅. We followed the route: Sand Beach → Thunder Hole → Coastal Cliff Trail (hiked the whole way). The experience at Thunder Hole was just so-so, but the rocky landscapes and sea views along the way were perfect for photos 📸. In the evening, we even tried to shoot the starry sky 🌌 at the small beach using just an iPhone. With little light pollution, the results were surprisingly good! 📍 Day 3 We woke up early to catch the sunrise 🌅 at Cadillac Mountain. After going down the mountain, we headed to Jordan Pond—we hiked by the lake and walked around the pond, and the pace was relaxed and smooth. Lobster 🦞 is a must for lunch! We even brought a few back with us on the way home, kept them fresh in a cooler, and later made lobster pasta and stir-fried lobster with green onions—absolutely delicious 😋. 🎟 Ticket-Snatching Guide (Key Tips to Avoid Mistakes) Create an account in advance; fill in all your address and payment information on recreation.gov beforehand. Best itinerary: Go to bed early the night before, then wake up early the next day to watch the sunrise directly → Visit Jordan Pond → Drive around the island → Explore other attractions. The rest of your trip will go smoothly with this plan. 📝 Summary of Mistakes to Avoid Sand Beach: The beach itself is ordinary and a bit dirty during the day—not recommended. But it’s amazing for stargazing at night 🌌. Bar Harbor: Overcrowded + hard to find parking, unless you’re staying nearby. Thunder Hole: It’s famous, but the experience is just average. Instead, the coastal scenery along the road is more worth exploring slowly. Accommodation recommendation: Kimball Terrace Inn—quiet, spacious, and conveniently located. Food tips: Before entering the island, we had fried rice and noodles at China Hill, which were great; meals on the island are relatively expensive, so you can bring your own snacks or buy some roujiamo (Chinese pork burgers) on Weee! to reheat in the microwave. For lobster, Trenton Bridge Lobster is highly recommended—locals all think it’s the best, and you can also buy live lobsters to take away. #AcadiaLobster #NationalPark #NorthAmericaRoadTrip #FamilyTrip