Acadia National Park

Acadia Na On the second day, we explored the area outside the park’s core—driving to Seal Harbor, Asticou Azalea Garden, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, and Bass Harbour Lighthouse one by one. We also hiked the Acadia Mountain Trail—here’s the full scoop! 🌊 Scenic Stops Along the Drive Seal Harbor: Fun fact—we didn’t see a single seal here! 😂 But it’s still a quiet, pretty coastal spot to stretch your legs. Asticou Azalea Garden: Such a lovely little garden! It has all kinds of plants and a serene “dry landscape” design—super calming. Bonus: There’s a restroom here, which is a lifesaver during road trips! 🚻 Northeast Harbor: The visitor center nearby also has a restroom—handy for refueling. The harbor itself is peaceful, with boats bobbing in the water. Bass Harbour Lighthouse: Honestly, it was a bit underwhelming. If you’re not a lighthouse fanatic, you might find it pretty “meh” 🤷‍♀️. 🥾 Acadia Mountain Trail (Must-Hike!) (Check out Photo 2 for a sneak peek!) Trail Stats: 2.7km main trail + 1.3km connecting trail, max elevation 208 meters. Pro Tip: Hike clockwise—trust me! The climb up to the summit is worth it for the views: you’ll see sweeping ocean and forest vistas that take your breath away 🌲🌊. Hike Breakdown: The first 1km uphill is totally doable—no crazy steep parts. The 1.6km downhill, though? Tricky! The path is rocky and uneven, so take your time and watch your step—safety first! ⚠️ The 1.3km Brook Trail on the way back is mostly flat—easy walking to wind down. A Little Scare: We ran into a hiker who got injured on the trail—she’d called for help. On our way down, we passed 4-5 groups of rescuers (23 people total!) carrying foldable stretchers. We couldn’t help but wonder how they’d get the injured hiker down that tough downhill path—major props to their hard work! 💪 By the time we got back to the parking lot, ambulances were already waiting. Parking & Facilities: The trailhead parking lot is small, but there’s a basic restroom here. 📅 May Travel Notes (Early Off-Season Pros & Cons) ✅ Pros: Way fewer people—no crowds, easy parking! Bar Harbor’s street parking is free and unlimited (yes, really! 🆓). No ticket needed for Cadillac Mountain—save that cash for lobster! ❌ Cons: Lots of shops and some visitor centers are closed—don’t expect to do much shopping. Some restrooms are locked too—plan accordingly! 🦞 Post-Hike Lobster Feast Shoutout to Hannaford Supermarket in Bar Harbor! They sell live lobsters for $16.99/lb, and they’ll even steam them for you for free. We brought ours back to the hotel and ate a whole fresh-steamed lobster each—so juicy and sweet, it was pure heaven! 😋 #Acadia #USNationalParks #MaineHiking #LobsterLovers