Mountains & Seas ▫️ Acadia National Park 2-Day & 2-Night Guide

I finally made it to Acadia—my long-awaited weekend trip! This national park in Maine is about a 5-hour drive from Boston, and every minute of the drive was worth it. Day 01 ▫️ Long Pond This was a lake my friend wanted to visit—unlike the more famous spots, it’s rarely mentioned in travel guides. Located on the western side of the park, it’s even larger than Jordan Pond. There are hiking trails on both sides of the lake, but note: they’re not loop trails! Make sure to check the route in advance to plan your walk. We took short sections on both sides—strolling by the lake, looking at the greenery around us… it was so relaxing. Oh, and it’s perfect for dog-walking too! 🐶 ▫️ Bass Harbor Head Light Station This lighthouse sits on the southwest corner of the park. If you visit the usual viewpoint, you’ll only see the lighthouse from below, facing the sea—you can’t get a full view of it. It felt like you’d have to wade into the water to see the whole lighthouse? We didn’t look up the specific route, so we just enjoyed the endless blue of the ocean for a bit. Heads up: The parking lot here is tiny! We waited in line for a while to get a spot—if you’re visiting on a holiday, be sure to plan your timing carefully. 🅿️ ▫️ Jordan Pond The more famous lake in Acadia. The scenery is similar to Long Pond, but it’s way busier with tourists. You can hike the full loop around the lake if you have time—though we just stopped to take a few photos since the crowds were a bit much. 💧 ▫️ Thunder Hole & Otter Cliff Overlook These two spots are part of the coastal stretch—usually, people start from Sand Beach and head south to visit them. But we planned to go stargazing at Sand Beach at night, so we skipped it during the day. Thunder Hole: The waves here are massive! They crash into the rocks, swirling into whirlpools of foam—it’s so dramatic to watch. 🌊 Otter Cliff Overlook: Drive down a small turnoff from the main road, and you’ll find this spot with incredible views. Honestly, the entire coastal stretch is scenic—you don’t have to stick to just these two viewpoints. Everywhere you look, there are large rock walls facing the sea, waves crashing, seabirds flying by, and we even spotted an otter popping its head out of the water! 🦦 I could’ve sat there all afternoon and never gotten bored. ▫️ Cadillac Mountain We came here for the sunset! We arrived a little late—after parking in a hurry, we rushed to a rocky spot with a clear view. We sat on the ground with other visitors, watching the red sun sink into the distance. There was something so calming about it, and I couldn’t help but feel happy. In moments like this, you really feel the power of nature. 🌅 ▫️ Sand Beach Later, my friend and I went stargazing here. As soon as I got out of the car, I was shocked—the Milky Way was visible to the naked eye! People set up small chairs by the beach, watching the stars and listening to the waves. Pro tip: It’s stunning when the moon hasn’t risen yet, but once the moon comes up, the stars fade a lot. Be sure to check the moon phase and timing in advance! We forgot to bring a camera tripod, so we couldn’t take good photos of the starry sky—oops! We ended up taking photos of the moon to make up for it, hahahaha. ✨ #TravelMemoryProject #Acadia #AcadiaNationalPark #BostonWeekend #TheSeaThatHealsEverything