Acadia National Park: What to Do & What to Eat?
We flew to Portland, rented a car, and drove to Bar Harbor with stops in Freeport and Ellsworth along the way. đ Attractions & Activities 1. Portland Head Light The park is free, but parking costs $5. This is Maineâs largest lighthouseâiconic and perfect for photos! đ´ââ ď¸ 2. Bar Island Path The path to the island only reveals itself during low tide (itâs even how the town got its name!). We took photos after high tideâby then, the path was submerged, and the island was shrouded in fog, creating a mysterious vibe. đŤď¸ 4. Jordan Pond A scenic lake surrounded by a loop trail. Nearby, Bubble Rock is another must-see spot (it requires a short hike). If you visit both attractions together, plan for a 4-5 mile walk totalâgreat for casual hikers! đ§ 5. Beehive Trail Acadiaâs most famous trail! Itâs not long, but itâs quite challenging (with steep sections and metal handholds). If youâre not afraid of heights, itâs totally worth itâthe views from the top are spectacular! đ§âď¸ 6. Precipice Trail Think of this as Beehive Trailâs âupgradeââlonger and more difficult. Itâs widely considered the toughest trail in the park, so only attempt it if youâre an experienced hiker! â ď¸ 7. Cadillac Mountain Catch the first ray of sunlight in the U.S. here in the morning! If you drive up, youâll need to buy a ticket ($6). Tickets for sunrise and sunset times must be reserved online in advanceâand sunrise tickets are really hard to snag! đ 8. National Park Canoe & Kayak Rental A great spot to rent canoes or kayaks at a reasonable price. Itâs located on the north side of Long Pondâpaddling on the calm water with mountain views is incredibly peaceful! đś đ´ Food & Drinks 1. The Travelin Lobster The best value for lobster! Just make sure to check their opening hours firstâtheyâre closed sometimes. Their lobsters are fresh, sweet, and wonât break the bank. đŚ 2. Downeast Lobster Pound Decent overall. We ordered the âTripleâ (three lobsters)âplenty of food for sharing, though itâs not the most standout spot in town. 3. Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound Solid choice. We went for a 2-pound lobsterâcooked perfectly to keep the meat tender and juicy. 4. ISF Trading (Portland) A popular spot for sashimi and sea urchin, with tons of recommendations on Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book). The seafood is super freshâdonât miss the uni if youâre a fan! đŁ 5. Jordan Pond Ice Cream Famous for its blueberry ice creamâcreamy, fruity, and packed with real blueberry flavor (a true taste of Maine!). đŤ 6. Ben & Bill's Chocolate Home of the quirky (but surprisingly tasty) lobster ice cream! It has a subtle salty-sweet vibe that worksâgive it a try for a unique Maine treat. Bonus: Blueberry Soda This is a local exclusiveâyou can only find it here in Maine! Itâs refreshing and slightly sweet, perfect for pairing with seafood. 𼤠#AcadiaNationalPark #Maine #MaineLobster #Acadia #Hiking #BeehiveTrail #OutdoorHiking