Escaping to Acadia’s Summer

Day 0️⃣ Portland Day 1️⃣ Hiking + Lakeside Stroll + Mountain Top Sunset + Beach Stars Daytime: Climbing Beehive Trail; Listening to waves at Thunder Hole; Jordan Pond Loop Trail Evening: Watching sunset at the top of Cadillac Mountain Night: Stargazing at Sand Beach Day 2️⃣ Island Loop + Lighthouse + Small Town Morning: Driving around the loop—spotted a mother deer and her fawn along the way; Visiting Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse + the rocks crowded with visitors Noon: Wandering around Bar Harbor town Evening: Flying from Bangor ✈️ back to NYC 🎫 Important Reminder: Cadillac Mountain Tickets From May to October, if you want to drive up to the mountain top—whether for sunrise in the morning or sunset in the evening—you must buy tickets on recreation.gov. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM two days in advance, so set your alarms! They sell out fast during peak season ⏰. 🧗 Beehive Trail This trail isn’t long, but it’s quite a challenge! There are several sections where you have to climb up cliffs using iron ladders or grip rocks with your hands and feet—total hands-on climbing. It’s not suitable for kids or elderly travelers ❗️. But the moment you reach the top? It’s totally worth it! You’ll see Sand Beach and the entire bay in the distance, and the warm breeze blows gently—so relaxing that you’ll feel totally immersed in the view 😌. 🌊 Thunder Hole A quick stop right by the road! When waves crash into a rocky cave here, they make a loud, rumbling sound like thunder—super fun to watch and listen to 🔊. It’s a small spot, but the unique “thunder” effect makes it a must-check! 🌳 Jordan Pond The loop trail around Jordan Pond is incredibly pleasant—takes about 2 hours to finish. Here’s a little breakdown of the path: 7 AM to 11 AM direction: Shady boardwalks (perfect for escaping the sun!) Around 12 o’clock: Rocky sections (easy to walk on, just watch your step) The rest: Smooth dirt paths (super leisurely) It’s ideal for a slow afternoon walk—you can take your time, enjoy the lake and mountain views, and let the calm vibe sink in 🌞. 🌄 Cadillac Mountain Sunset They’ll check your ticket when you drive up the mountain. You can park in the top parking lot or along the mountain road—and once you get out, you’ll be greeted with unbeatable panoramic views! The wind at the top is strong, so bring a light jacket to stay warm 🧥. As the sun slowly dips below the horizon, the entire mountain glows softly golden in the sea’s reflection—it’s so vast and peaceful that you’ll just want to stand there and soak it all in 🌅. 🌌 Sand Beach Staring up at the starry sky while listening to the sound of waves is so romantic! Pro tips: Bring a waterproof mat (the sand can get damp at night) and warm clothes (it gets chilly by the sea after dark). Wait a little later, and you’ll be able to see the Milky Way clearly—pure magic ✨. 🦞 Lobster Recommendations (Can’t Miss!) The Travelin Lobster: My favorite spot! The whole lobsters are amazing—fresh, sweet meat 🦞. Just note that there might be a long line, and eating lobster takes time, so set aside plenty of time to enjoy it slowly. Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound: The big iron pots at the entrance are super eye-catching! You can pick your own live lobster and have it cooked on the spot. ⚠️ Tip: Don’t choose too big a lobster—larger ones have thicker shells, tougher meat, and are hard to peel. Around 1.5 pounds is perfect! Dorr Lobster Seafood Market (in Bangor): Prices are much cheaper than in Acadia. You can buy live lobsters and ask the shop to cook them for you, or grab ready-made lobster rolls and crab meat rolls. The value for money is unbeatable 💰! #Acadia #Maine #Portland