Discover the history of the privileged Bar Harbor area by driving through town and around gorgeous Acadia National Park before heading out to sea on a 151-foot schooner. After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a scenic and enlightening drive through Bar Harbor. The town became one of New England’s most exclusive destinations at the turn of the 20th century, attracting the likes of the Rockefellers, Carnegies and Vanderbilts, who built opulent summer “cottages” on Frenchman Bay. At Village Green, you will see Bar Harbor’s iconic cast-iron town clock and 19th-century bandstand. Continuing into Acadia National Park, you will follow the 27-mile road that loops through the spectacularly beautiful park. Back in town, you will board the Margaret Todd, a spacious four-masted schooner and head into Frenchman Bay for a closer look at the offshore wonders. As you sail around the immensely scenic island-dotted bay, you will hear commentary describing the points of interest and wildlife such as porpoises and bald eagles.

OVERVIEW

Discover why Bar Harbor attracts so many foodies by sampling a variety of delectable dishes and treats made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. As you walk about a mile or so around the Village Green in the heart of the city, you will sample imaginative and classic Maine dishes at four different venues. Your guide will be local and the entrepreneurs will be happy to share the histories of their businesses, so the experience will be enlightening. One of the most fascinating aspects is learning how Bar Harbor’s cuisine has evolved yet kept true to its roots. Maine’s official berry is the wild blueberry, so it may well be used in some of the signature dishes and treats. You can also expect to learn about Maine’s thriving lobster industry during this epicurean experience. You might hear how lobsters are caught and how their numbers are sustained to ensure that the industry continues to flourish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample classic Maine delicacies at four venues around the Village Green.
• Discuss the details of the dishes with the entrepreneurs, who will happily share the recipes.
• Realize the importance of wild blueberries and lobsters to Maine’s cuisine.
• Gain an historical perspective of Bar Harbor as you walk downtown.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Experience one of the most scenic drives on the East Coast of the United States during this memorable visit to Acadia National Park, the second-most visited park in the United States. Boarding your coach at the pier, you will set-off on the drive to Acadia National Park, first passing through the quaint town of Bar Harbor to view some of the charming Victorian mansions built by America's rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century. Upon arrival at Acadia National Park, you will proceed along the 27-mile Park Loop Road taking in spectacular coastal, mountain and forest views.

Next, you will travel along the ocean's edge, passing Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, and the High Seas Estate, a beautiful mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife perished on the Titanic before ever stepping foot in her dream home. Continuing on, you will pass Otter Cliffs and the gulf of Maine with beautiful views of the off shore islands, as well as travel through pine wood forests and past the Jordon Pond House. A beautiful view of the Penobscot Mountains and Bubbles Hill can be seen from this location. The park is home to over 50 species of mammals so keep your eyes peeled for moose, black bear and white tail deer as you make your way around the Park Loop Road. Weather and traffic/crowd conditions permitting, there will be a photo stop from atop the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on North America's eastern seaboard. Here, you will have the opportunity to take in spectacular panoramic views and enjoy photo opportunities of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. This wonderful vantage point allows you to see how glaciers have carved through the granite cliffs to form a breathtaking landscape of lush forest, lakes and valleys. In the event the weather or traffic prevents a stop here, an alternate scenic photo stop will be made in the park at the tour guide's discretion.

Following this last stop, you will re-board your coach and transfer back to the pier.

Drive the serpentine road that leads to the top of Cadillac Mountain and enjoy free time at the summit to take in the panoramic views. The mountain is the highest peak along the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place in the United States to see the sunrise from early October through early March. Its indigenous name – Wapuwoc – translates to “white mountain of the first light,” a reference to that distinction. As you ascend the mountain, the natural beauty of Acadia National Park will unfold. You will gaze out over pink granite cliffs and spruce woodlands. The higher you go the more spectacular the views, especially on a clear day. While walking about the summit, you will look out over Bar Harbour, the Porcupine Islands and Schoodic Peninsula. There is no better vantage point on Mount Desert Island. Later, you will enjoy magnificent views of the Victorian cottages and the Village Green in downtown Bar Harbor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a scenic road up Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on North America’s east coast.
• Spend time exploring the summit and enjoying panoramic views of Bar Harbour and the islands.
• See some of Bar Harbour’s most historical landmarks while driving through town.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Behold the natural beauty of Acadia National Park from atop Cadillac Mountain and the elegance of northern New England’s grandest Gilded Age mansion. Being the highest peak on the eastern shore of North America, Cadillac Mountain offers spectacular views of Bar Harbour and the islands just offshore. Tectonic and volcanic activity formed the mountain eons ago and until receding glaciers sheared off its top it was much higher. While taking in the panoramic views, you will learn about the area’s history and some of the most influential people that lived in Bar Harbour. Financier George Sullivan Bowdoin was among them and his 1903 La Rochelle is an extraordinary example of the opulence of the time. The 35-room residence sprawls over 13,000 square feet and features a grand wishbone staircase, intricate crown moldings and period furnishings. Your guided tour includes the rare privilege of viewing the third-floor servant quarters, followed by free time to explore further.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a scenic road up Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on North America’s east coast.
• Spend time exploring the summit and enjoying panoramic views of Bar Harbour and the islands.
• Tour the finest Gilded Age mansion in northern New England and explore it further on your own.
• Get a glimpse into the lifestyle of Bar Harbour’s ultra-wealthy, early 20th-century residents.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Settle in for an immensely scenic drive along the 27-mile road that loops through Acadia National Park and stop along the way for photos at the most dramatic viewpoints. Frederick Law Olmstead, the landscape architect that famously designed New York’s Central Park, designed the loop road. Although construction began in 1922, the mostly coastal road wasn’t completed for more than three decades. As you will see firsthand, it was well worth the effort. Depending on the conditions and time of day, you may stop at precipitous Otter Cliff, the Sieur de Monts Spring or Thunder Hole, a small inlet carved out of the granite rocks. If the tidal conditions are just right, the water will rush into the cavern below and violently spew out high into the air with a thunderous roar. Enlightening commentary will enhance your understanding of this first national park created east of the Mississippi River.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow the gorgeous 27-mile roadway that loops through Acadia National Park.
• Pass secluded beaches, panoramic overlooks and historical homes within the park.
• Stop for photos at a dramatic overlook such as Thunder Hole.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Admire the natural beauty and charming villages along the “quiet side” of Mount Desert Island, which French explorer Samuel de Champlain named for its bare mountains. Not far out of Bar Harbor, you will enter Acadia National Park, the first national park created east of the Mississippi River. Be sure to look for birds along the way, as species ranging from bald eagles to scarlet tanagers live here. Ahead lie the palatial summer residences of Seal Harbor, the so-called “cottages” owned by the immensely wealthy. Northeast Harbor is another destination that is picture-perfect, especially with its many sailboats, yachts and lobster boats. You will be treated to a different waterfront perspective as you drive along Somes Sound, a deep lengthy waterway that an ancient glacier carved out of the landscape. Although not technically a fjord because its topography isn’t extremely vertical, the sound resembles the fjords commonly seen in Norway.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Behold the quaint villages on the island’s “quiet side.”
• See lavish summer “cottages” once owned by the likes of John D. Rockefeller.
• Look for wildlife in Acadia National Park.
• Drive along a sound that resembles a Norwegian fjord.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This terrific tour combines the highlights of the Acadia National Park tour with a true "Downeast" lobster bake.

Starting off from the pier, your journey takes you to Acadia National Park, first passing through the quaint town of Bar Harbor to view some of the charming Victorian mansions built by America's rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century. Upon arrival at the Park, you will proceed along the 27-mile Park Loop Road taking in spectacular coastal, mountain and forest views.

Next, you will travel along the ocean's edge, passing Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, and the High Seas Estate, a beautiful mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife perished on the Titanic before ever stepping foot in her dream home.

Continuing on, you'll pass Thunder Hole (if there is parking available, you will make a brief stop here), the Otter Cliffs and the Jordan Pond House as you make your way to a scenic setting where the delicious treat of a true "Downeast" lobster bake awaits you. Pulled fresh from ocean water, you will enjoy typical Maine lobster drizzled with butter along with all the trimmings. For dessert, you won't want to miss one of Maine's local favorites, a mouth-watering piece of homemade blueberry pie. (Steak is available upon request for non-lobster eaters. Please advise your guide just before the tour departs).

At the conclusion of lunch, you will rejoin your coach and make the trip back to the pier in Bar Harbor.

Enjoy a leisurely drive on the gorgeous 27-mile road that winds through Acadia National Park and observe some of the most extraordinary offshore marine life in the Mount Desert Oceanarium. On the way to the park, you will travel through Bar’s Harbor’s meticulously preserved historic district, a setting that showcases the grandeur of Gilded Age architecture. While following the park’s winding loop road, you will come across scenic highlights such as Otter Cliff, the spewing blowholes at Thunder Hole, the only stretch of sand on the park’s rocky coast and the Bubbles, two rounded mountains that retreating glaciers shaped during the last Ice Age. You will delve even deeper into the natural world at the oceanarium, where a marine biologist guide may show you rare blue Maine lobsters, green crabs and sea cucumbers. A juvenile humpback whale skeleton can be seen in an outbuilding that was once a lobster hatchery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow the gorgeous 27-mile roadway that loops through Acadia National Park.
• View some of the unusual local marine life at the Mount Desert Oceanarium.
• Admire the Gilded Age architecture in Bar Harbor’s historic district.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Admire the glorious sights of Frenchman Bay while paddling a kayak among the forested Porcupine Islands that lie just offshore. Your tandem kayak will be a breeze to maneuver, especially after a few helpful hints from the guide. Be sure to ask about the amusing mnemonic that makes it easy to remember the names of the five islands within the Porcupine archipelago, each of which has its own distinct features. The coast of Burnt Island looks like charcoal ashes, Long Island is the lengthiest and Bald Island was once deforested for grazing livestock. The guide will also provide enlightening commentary about the local geology, history and wildlife, which is considerable. You can expect to see harbor seals, porpoises, cormorants and bald eagles, whose giant stick nests can be seen high in the trees. Another highlight is viewing the opulent summer “cottages” on Frenchman Bay built by the likes of the Rockefellers, Carnegies and Vanderbilts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a tandem kayak among the naturally beautiful Porcupine Islands in Frenchman Bay.
• Look for seals, porpoises and birds such as majestic bald eagles.
• Pass lavish “cottages” that wealthy industrialists built during the Gilded Age.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a relaxing drive through magnificent Acadia National Park, pausing every so often for photos at dramatic overlooks that highlight the stunning natural beauty. This small-group tour, with a maximum of 14 guests, is conducted in an executive coach and features maximum interaction with your experienced guide.

After departing from the pier, you will begin driving along the gorgeous coast and soon enter Acadia National Park, the first national park created east of the Mississippi River. After several name changes, the park officially became Acadia in 1929. Today, it sprawls over three main areas, including Mount Desert Island, the focus of this exploration.

One of the coastal highlights is Thunder Hole, a small inlet carved out of the granite rocks. If the tidal conditions are just right, the waves will rush into the cavern below and violently spew out as high as 40 feet with thunderous roar. While pausing for photos, you will also enjoy a panoramic view of Otter Cliff and pristine Schoodic Peninsula in the distance.

Turning inland, you will then pass through lush pine forests while slowly ascending Cadillac Mountain. Its summit has the distinction of being the first place in the United States to see the sunrise from early October through early March. The sights are always spectacular from this vantage point, as it offers an unrivalled, 360-degree view of Bar Harbor, the islands beyond and Blue Hill Mountain.

Throughout this driving tour, the guide will describe the most striking geological features and the history of Acadia National Park. Be sure to look for birds along the way, as species ranging from bald eagles to scarlet tanagers live here.

Encompassing the best that Bar Harbor has to offer, this tour includes not only the beautiful scenery of Acadia National Park, but you’ll also learn about the fascinating world of the lobster fisherman and journey back in time to experience an example of Bar Harbor’s Golden Age architecture. Your journey along Park Loop Road will take you along the ocean’s edge passing Otter Cliff and Thunder Hole where the ocean swells converge against the granite cliffs to create a thunderous roar. Depending on traffic and weather conditions, a photo stop will also be made at Thunder Hole, Schooner Head or Otter Cliffs. You are brought back in time to the exclusive world of the Gilded Age. Your guide will share tales of a bygone era, when America's wealthiest families made Bar Harbor their summer playground.

Following your tour of the Theater you will then be treated to a fascinating look into Maine’s lobster industry. A licensed Maine Lobsterman will explain the life cycle of the lobster, demonstrate the use of authentic traps and show you how these succulent creatures are caught. At the end of the tour, you are free to explore Bar Harbor’s many shops, boutiques and restaurants or join your guide for a short stroll back to the pier.