Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Acadia

When it comes to summer cooling getaways in the eastern U.S., besides the Great Falls route, the most popular choice is driving along the East Coast all the way to Maine! We started our road trip from Maryland, passing through 8 states—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire—before finally arriving in Maine. 🌲 This guide will take you through everything you need to know to explore Acadia National Park in Maine! ⛰️ Jordan Pond You can either hike the loop trail around the pond or rent a kayak 🚣 to paddle on its calm waters. From a distance, you’ll get a great view of the rounded Bubble Mountains—they look so lush and “full” against the sky! Afterward, head to Jordan Pond House—the only restaurant inside the park. It’s super popular (expect a wait!), but the view of the pond and mountains while you eat makes it totally worth it. 🪨 Bubble Rock Trail Important tip 👀: The iconic Bubble Rock is located on the South Bubble trail, but the North Bubble offers even better panoramic views! I recommend hiking both sides—you won’t want to miss either perspective. Standing next to the huge, precariously balanced Bubble Rock feels like spotting a natural wonder, and the views from North Bubble let you take in the full beauty of Jordan Pond and the surrounding forests. 🌄 Sunrise or Sunset at Cadillac Mountain To drive up to the summit for sunrise or sunset, you must book a reservation and pay in advance on the national park’s official website—spots fill up fast, so plan ahead! A fun bonus: Wild blueberries 🫐 grow all over the(summit)! They’re tiny, but incredibly sweet and packed with intense blueberry flavor—feel free to pick a few (just don’t overharvest!) for a fresh, natural snack. 🚗 Park Loop Road This scenic one-way road winds through some of Acadia’s best spots, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliff. My personal favorite is the Otter Cliff area—it has everything: rocky mountains, the ocean, and dense forests all in one view. It’s perfect for pulling over, taking photos, or just staring at the scenery for a few minutes. 🔭 Stargazing at Sand Beach Acadia has very little light pollution, so on clear nights, you can see the entire Milky Way 🌌 stretching across the sky—it’s absolutely breathtaking! If you’re a photographer, don’t forget to bring your professional gear ✨—the starry sky here is a dream to shoot. 🧗 Hiking Beehive Trail This trail is quite challenging—if you’re traveling with young kids, think twice before attempting it! I was too nervous to try it myself, but I heard there’s a section where you have to scramble up a cliff using just your hands (no proper stairs or rails). It sounds thrilling for adventure lovers, but definitely not for the faint of heart! #LivePhotos #AcadiaNationalPark #Maine #WhereToGoInSummer #DMVPhotographer #TravelOutfits #SummerGetawaySpots #BostonDayTrips #SceneryOnTheRoad