Maine’s Acadia | Crisp Mountains & Seas in April

Over the long weekend last week, I flew from New York to Bangor—and three days was just the right amount of time to explore Acadia! April is still the off-season: only some shops in Bar Harbor were open, but the upside? No crowds, and no need to scramble for reservations or tickets 🎫. 🌥️ Acadia on Cloudy Days: Cool Tones with Hidden Warmth Cloudy days in Acadia painted everything in soft gray-blue hues—there was a crisp, fresh chill in the air, but also a quiet, hidden gentleness that felt so calming. We visited these must-see spots: Bass Harbor Head Light Station: A classic coastal lighthouse standing tall by the sea 🏴‍☠️. The gray sky made the white lighthouse pop, and the waves crashing below added a soothing soundtrack. Echo Lake Beach: Even in April, the lake’s water glistened softly. The surrounding trees were just starting to wake up, and the quiet shore felt like a little sanctuary. Thunder Hole: Though the waves weren’t as “thunderous” as in summer, the sound of water rushing into the rocky cave still felt powerful—perfect for feeling small against nature’s grandeur ⛰️. Boulder Beach: Smooth, round boulders dotted the shore. We walked along the water’s edge, letting the cool breeze brush our faces—so peaceful. Otter Cliff Overlook: The cliff jutted out into the ocean, offering sweeping views of the gray sea stretching to the horizon. It’s easy to lose track of time here, just staring at the waves. Jordan Pond: The pond’s surface was calm, reflecting the cloudy sky above. The surrounding mountains added depth to the scene—total postcard material, even without sunshine. 🌅 Sunrise & Sunset at Cadillac Mountain Cadillac Mountain is a must for sunrise and sunset—and it has two parking lots: one facing west for sunsets, and the other east for sunrises. Sunrise: We woke up at 4:30 AM to drive up the mountain. When we arrived, the moon was still hanging in the sky 🌙, faint but bright. Unfortunately, the sun was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds—we didn’t get to see the full sunrise, but the soft glow seeping through the clouds was still magical. Sunset: Sunset time was pure magic! As the sun dipped below the horizon, it painted the gray sky with hints of pink and orange. After the sun set, we looked down at the small town below—twinkling lights started to come on, making the view even cozier 🏙️. ☀️ Acadia on Sunny Days: Bright & Fresh We got lucky with one sunny day—and Acadia transformed! North Bubble: The trail up North Bubble was lovely. With the sun shining, the trees and rocks looked more vibrant, and the views from the top were even clearer. Trail Highlights: Walking along the trails, the sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled light on the path. Every turn brought a new little surprise—like a small stream or a patch of early spring flowers 🌸. Tremont Scenery: When we crossed a bridge near Tremont, we stumbled on a tiny, unexpected view: a small cove with calm water, surrounded by trees. It was a quick stop, but one of our favorite little moments. 🍴 Food & 🏨 Accommodation in Bar Harbor Restaurants: Most seafood spots in Bar Harbor with good ratings are pretty solid. But I want to recommend Havana, a Latin restaurant (see Photo 14)! The atmosphere and food were both great—their lobster rice was packed with tender lobster meat 🦞. The only downside? The grilled pork belly appetizer only had three small pieces—way too little! Hotel: We stayed at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel in town. It was great overall—right by the sea, and every room had an ocean view 🌊. Waking up to the sound of waves and seeing the sea from our window was the perfect start to each day. 📸 Camera: FujiFilm XT5 All photos were taken with the FujiFilm XT5—its colors perfectly captured Acadia’s cool April tones and the soft warmth of sunset. It’s such a great camera for nature shots! #NaturePhotographyInitiative #EasternUSATravel #FujiXT5 #Acadia #AcadiaFood #AcadiaNationalPark #MaineTravel #NYCSurroundings #BostonDayTrips #WhereToGoOnWeekends #Fujifilm #CoastalGetaway #NYCWeekendTrips #EasternUSANationalParks