SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Follow one of the most spectacularly scenic roads on the east coast as it loops through Acadia National Park. You can expect to see one stunning view after another as you pass coastal highlights such as Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook and High seas, a colonial revival-style estate on the National Register of Historic Places. You will also enjoy magnificent views of Penobscot Mountains and the twin rounded mountains known as the Bubbles. If conditions permit, you will ascend even higher to Cadillac Mountain, which offers the best elevated viewpoint. It is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard and has the distinction of being the first place in the United States to watch the sunrise from early October through early March. While pausing at the summit, you will gaze out over Bar Harbor and the Porcupine Islands in the distance.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the natural beauty of Acadia National Park while driving along its famed loop road.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the rocky coast and the stately Penobscot Mountains.
• Pause for photos atop Cadillac Mountain, which rises more than 1500 feet above the park.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a picturesque drive along the 27-mile Park Loop Road that winds through Acadia National Park and sit in on an enlightening talk about lobstering. While traveling through the forested park, you will pass historical seaside villages and pause for photos at particularly scenic lookouts such as Schooner Head, the towering headland Otter Cliff and Thunder Hole, where the sea relentlessly crashes against the rocky shore. Although the natural beauty will be captivating in every direction, be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife such as peregrine falcons and harbor seals. You will learn more about the marine life back in Bar Harbor by listening to a local naturalist or experienced fisherman elaborate on how Maine’s iconic lobsters are caught in the cold waters just offshore and how environmental changes in the ocean have affected the lobsters’ habits. Afterwards, enjoy a short return to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the natural beauty of Acadia National Park by driving along the Park Loop Road.
• Listen to talk about lobstering and how the industry is changing.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Step back in time to the turn of the 20th century, when Bar Harbor became one of New England’s most exclusive destinations. As you walk through the historic district, the guide will entertain you with tales of rich and powerful families such as the Rockefellers, Carnegies and Vanderbilts and with stories about their opulent summer “cottages” on Frenchman Bay. Pausing in Village Green, you will see Bar Harbor’s cast-iron town clock and the bandstand, which has hosted summer concerts since it was built in 1899. Although the Great Fire of 1947 left its mark on Bar Harbor, a number of Victorian mansions survived and are well worth a look. This tour offers an intriguing introduction to the city and points outs attractions you may wish to explore later on your own, such as Dorr Museum of Natural History and the Abbe Museum, a showcase for Wabanaki Indian artefacts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Bar Harbor’s historic district.
• See central landmarks such as Village Green.
• Pass Victorian mansions that survived the Great Fire of 1947.
• Visit to St. Saviour’s Episcopal church, to see the extensive collection of tiffany glass windows.
• Hear tales of famous residents such as the Rockefellers and Fords.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Embark on a chilling journey through Bar Harbor's haunted history, immersing yourself in captivating tales and maritime yarns from such storied haunts as the Bar Harbor Inn, the Shore Path, and the 1932 Criterion Theatre. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, discover the mysterious allure of this playground for the rich and famous Golden Age. Despite its transformation into a trendy modern destination, Bar Harbor is still shrouded in eerie legends and native lore. Uncover the spectral anomalies that haunt this historic landscape, from the mysterious sea serpent of Frenchman Bay to the ghostly bride of the Ledgelawn Inn. Ponder the father of Acadia National Park's pioneering work in psychical research and the otherworldly beauty of the Village Burying Ground, among other puzzling facts and landmarks. Investigate Bar Harbor's cryptic past, where every street holds a ghost story, and each strange anecdote exerts an enduring influence. Accounts of strange creatures, poltergeists, and unexplained events will surprise and might even make you reconsider the boundaries of reality.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Embark on a captivating stroll through Bar Harbor, where eerie local tales blend with the scenic charm of Maine’s Mount Desert Island.
• Visit storied haunts including the Bar Harbor Inn, the Shore Path, and the 1932 Criterion Theatre—each with its own spine-tingling eyewitness accounts.
• Immerse yourself in seafaring yarns and unsolved mysteries, all supported by a local guide who carries a carefully curated binder of story sources including historic newspaper articles, illustrative visuals, and other documentation.
• More than just a ghost walk, it’s a perspective-altering examination of Maine's folklore, haunted history, and unexplained events.

HELPFUL HINTS

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

OVERVIEW

Take in the breathtaking views while driving along the Ocean Drive section of the iconic Park Loop Road that winds through Acadia National Park. Frederick Law Olmstead – the landscape architect that most famously designed New York’s Central Park – designed the loop road. Construction started in 1922 and continued for more than three decades, the result being one of America’s most gorgeous roadways. Although the views will be spectacular from nearly everywhere, Cadillac Mountain will offer the best elevated vantage point as it is the highest spot along the North Atlantic seaboard. Other highlights include seeing glacially sculpted Jordan Pond and Martha Stewart’s vacation home in Seal Harbor. You will also stop for photos at Thunder Hole, where the water can violently spew as high as 40 feet in the air. A three-course meal of classic Maine dishes such as lobster rolls will follow at the restaurant in the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in for an incredibly scenic, mostly coastal drive through Acadia National Park.
• Gaze out over the natural beauty from the summit of Cadillac Mountain.
• See Martha Stewart’s summer home and pristine Jordan Pond.
• Pause for photos as the sea roars through Thunder Hole.
• Enjoy a three-course meal at a restaurant overlooking the water.

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 will perhaps 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.