Let's face it: Americans are obsessed with cars and road trips. Who can resist the call of the wide-open road? But one cyclist organization is imagining a different way to see the country — and it just made a huge addition to its network.
21.01.2025 - 15:05 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 21, 2025 • 5 min read
Wrapping around the shoreline of Frenchman Bay on Maine’s Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor is not just the gateway to Acadia National Park but a center of food, culture, art and activity.
With more than 3.5 million yearly visitors to the park, Bar Harbor is always hopping. If you only have a few days to spend here, these sights and experiences should definitely be on your to-do list.
Acadia National Park covers most of Mt. Desert Island. Whether you drive the 27-mile loop road, climb hand-over-hand up iron-rung ladders on the Beehive, taste salty sea spray when the ocean slams into Thunder Hole or stop at Jordan Pond House for popovers and blueberry lemonade, a visit to Acadia National Park is an essential part of any trip to Bar Harbor.
Your time there can be as relaxed or adventurous as you want. Rock climb otter cliffs, hike or bike, splash in the ocean at Sand Beach or meander serene carriage roads. Whatever you’re up for, Acadia has it.
If there’s one meal that’s a regional classic, it’s the Maine lobster bake. Book a traditional lobster bake where a chef prepares lobster, sweet corn, New England Clam Chowder, boiled potatoes, homemade biscuits, coleslaw and finishes it up with a homemade blueberry pie.
Bar Harbor’s delectable oceanside seafood restaurants offer their signature versions; some served on a pier, all with lobster fresh from the boat. Whether you choose Bar Harbor Inn’s Terrace Grille for ocean view dining or the local’s favorite, The Thirsty Whale, prepare to have an awesome experience that’s truly a taste of Maine.
The best time to see whales swim and feed in the waters off Bar Harbor is mid-April to October. Book a seat on a Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. boat and you’ll motor into Frenchman Bay and the Gulf of Maine looking for minkes, humpbacks, pilots and finbacks. If you’re lucky, you may even spot sperm whales, sei whales or orcas.
Whatever massive sea creatures grace your viewing, they won’t be the only highlight. From the water, you’ll get a captain’s view of classic Maine lighthouses, an ocean vantage point on Acadia National Park, time to absorb Maine’s craggy shoreline and perhaps playful porpoise, seals or a puffin sighting.
Acadia’s highest Peak, Cadillac Mountain, is the first spot on the eastern seaboard of the United States to be kissed by the morning sun. Set your alarm and make the drive up to the 1530ft summit.
It’s a serene and spectacular experience. Pre-dawn parking can be competitive — reserve in advance from mid-May to mid-October. Hiking up the mountain before sunrise is also an option, but it means an even earlier start to the day.
Bar Harbor has a host of private oceanside campgrounds for tents, van travelers, rooftop tenters and RVers. Choose a
Let's face it: Americans are obsessed with cars and road trips. Who can resist the call of the wide-open road? But one cyclist organization is imagining a different way to see the country — and it just made a huge addition to its network.
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A European getaway just got cheaper.PLAY Airlines, a discount carrier based in Iceland, recently announced a 25 percent discount on flights from the United States to Europe, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London, and Paris. Best of all, the tickets can be purchased now for travel throughout the spring, fall, and winter travel seasons. The discounted fares are available in PLAY Basic, and the discount only applies to airfare, and not taxes or fees.
My wife and I have been living as full-time nomads since 2019 and have already visited more than 43 different countries.
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The U.S. is the fourth largest country by land mass, with over 3.5 million square miles to explore. It’s home to 63 national parks and some of the most well-loved cities in the world. We’ve got Alaska for those looking for extreme wilderness and Hawaii for those looking for an island beach vacation.