Visit Acadia National Park in September: A Maine Escape

Just minutes from bustling Bar Harbor lies Mount Desert's crown jewel: Acadia National Park. My mother and I decided to evade the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnect with nature's many pleasures and coveted secrets—its towering sea cliffs, pink granite mountains, and pristine glacial waters.

After a 9-hour drive and a stop by the North Eastern coastal town of Kennebunkport, we finally arrived: Bar Harbor, Maine. It was 2PM and we were starving. All we had on our minds was lobster rolls, clam chowder, and fried clams, so we stopped by the first cute restaurant we saw on Mount Desert Island to satisfy our cravings before heading out to Acadia National Park. Located just 2 miles from the town of Bar Harbor, The Chart Room reeled us in (no pun intended!) with its outdoor patio and dock overlooking Hulls Cove Beach.

Lunch at The Chart Room

My mother is not a big fan of the strong taste of clams, I on the other hand am obsessed. Billowy golden mouthfuls of fried clams were the perfect appetizer for this brisk Saturday in September. The fried clams had a strong savory taste, just the way I like them, and were tender and crisp with chewy clams and tender juicy bellies snug inside. For our main dish, my mother and I both ordered The Mini—a mini lobster roll with New England Clam Chowder. My mom had never had a lobster roll and I had just been introduced it to a couple of months prior by Patrick, but I still hadn't had "the real deal." The lobster was brimming with fresh meat and my mom absolutely loved it! For those of you who are wondering why lobster is so renowned in Maine, it is because 80% of the U.S.'s lobster is actually sourced from Maine. The warmer ocean temperatures and rapid decline of Cod fish (which have thwarted the survival and growth of lobsters) have allowed for a lobster boom which is why Maine gets to indulge on this luxury on daily basis. The clam chowder, which is my personal favorite of the two, was aromatic and full of flavor, thick and creamy with loads of clams and tender little potatoes just the way I like it. Was it the best lobster roll and clam chowder in Bar Harbor? I honestly couldn't tell you since I didn't eat anywhere else other than at The Chart Room, but something needs to be said for the fact that I went back there TWICE in TWO DAYS. The price is right, the view is incredible and peaceful, and away from tourists. Definitely a go-to if your looking for your first taste of Maine.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor

After our super satisfying lunch, we headed over to our headquarters for the night, Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Event Center. Just 1.5 miles from the North Eastern coastal village of Bar Harbor lies this simple yet perfectly positioned property that offers a complementary breakfast and a stunning view from your oceanside room to accompany it. If you don't believe me, take a look at my morning view for yourself! https://youtu.be/o3PsWh751TA

Where to Stay Outside of Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is expensive. And there is no getting around that. Plus, it's very resort-like, which is not bad if that's what you're looking for. However, Patrick and I are more of the middle of nowhere local feel type of people. That's why the second time I visited Bar Harbor, I didn't stay in town. We stayed in the nearby town of Brooklin, a 45 minute drive from the park. We stayed at the Brooklin Inn, a secluded and simple bed and breakfast by the water in the middle of farm fields with a restaurant that is packed every-single-day. Locals flood the place till closing time and people drive from near and far to eat their local farm-raised food. It's a can't miss in my book and if I had to go back, I'd stay here again, NO DOUBT. And the price? Beyond reasonable for the area. Plus it's close to Deer Isle and other less visited places in Maine, which makes it a beautiful location to get to know locals and the true Maine culture.

Visit Acadia National Park

It was now 3PM and we wanted to get a move on exploring Bar Harbor's crown jewel: Acadia National Park. Backed by many renowned figures from Rockefeller, to Charles W. Eliot (one of the presidents of Harvard) and Woodrow Wilson, Acadia National Park's rugged beauty and pine covered forests that transition into dramatic cliffs and emerald green islands is on everyone's bucket list. The best way to explore this hidden gem in an afternoon is to stick to the Acadia National Park Loop and it will only cost you $25 to get you and your car an all-access pass for an entire week.

1. Sand Beach

First stop on the loop is Sand Beach. The beach is much farther then one would expect...it's about a 5 - 10 minute drive down so we stopped at a couple of spots on the way and took in the scenery. Although Sand Beach's strip of land enveloped in coves and cliffs is a sight for sore eyes, the true beauty of the beach lies in discovering Ocean Path's many trails. It was a chilly end of September day in Bar Harbor, temperatures were in the low 60s and mid-70s. It was perfect if you were safe from the wind, but as soon as you stepped out onto the beaches and cliffs, the wind would pick up and the temperature would drop significantly to low 50s! That did not make it an ideal temperature for swimming, but we were surprised to still see people jumping into the water...! I guess the people of Maine have a higher temperature tolerance then us New Yorkers.

2. Hike Great Head Trail

Right off of Sound Beach is a 1.6mi coastal hike that wraps around the Acadia National Park shoreline called Great Head Trail. On a clear day, from the trail you have an unpenetrated birds eye view of Sand Beach. Or on a foggy and misty day, like the one pictured below, you have a partial view of the beach and the neighboring ocean. The ominous tones look like something out of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Pure Maine.

3. Walk Ocean Trail

Following Sand Beach, we drove the car 10 feet before stopping to explore the many coves, cliffs and belvedere's nestled on Ocean Trail. We parked our car on the side of the road and carefully made or way out onto the granite cliffs. Now, I would advise that anyone who suffers from heights avoid going out onto these cliffs since it does involve a couple of dangerous points, but my mother (who is deathly afraid of heights) made it just fine! So I encourage everyone to make it out onto these beautiful rock formations—assuming you are wearing the proper equipment i.e. sneakers and a warm sweater.

4. Grab Lunch at the Lighthouse Inn and Restaurant

You know how I love going off of the beaten track! Hidden off the path in Acadia National Park is the Lighthouse Inn and Restaurant. Rarely frequented and hidden in a small local and residential town in the park, it is a true local gem away from the tourists. Pat and I walk in and get a few weird glances from the locals enjoying lunch in there. We were probably 1 of 2 tourists in the place! We sat down and ordered some crab cakes and a lobster bisque with a nice cold beer--all delicious and well-needed given the chilly and rainy weather outside. It brought me back to life and gave me the energy I needed to continue our itinerary to Jordan Pond. Don't miss this spot, it's true Maine at it's finest.

5. Jordan Pond

We took our car and continued down the Acadia National Park Loop. Next stop was Jordan Pond and the Bubble Rocks. It is the only nature attraction in Acadia that also has a tea house/restaurant. If you choose not to hike around the pond's trail, you can choose to camp out at Jordan Pond's restaurant that dates back to the late 1870s and enjoy a nice book, afternoon tea, and a popover on the front lawn (the traditional go-to snack). For those of you like me, who do not know what a popover is, it is similar to a scone. It is a hollow roll made from an egg batter similar to that of Yorkshire pudding and served with strawberry jam during afternoon tea. The foodie in me really wanted to sit down and enjoy this delicious traditional treat, but unfortunately, due to our late lunch we were not able to indulge in the famous Jordan Pond popovers. However, I highly recommend everyone else try one! After a warm and hearty snack, head out to the Bubble Rocks for a brisk walk along the pond trail or kayak ride. Patrick and I dropped in our foldable Oru kayaks by Jordan Pond and spend an hour or so seeing the panorama from the water.

5. Bike the Carriage Road

Acadia National Park is a national park. That means that there is more to it than just walking and hiking. Bring your bikes, bring your kayaks, and go off the beaten path, away from the swarming crowds and find your own unique attractions. One of the Acadia National Parks coolest means of transportation is not it's roads, it's the Carriage Road. The Carriage Road snakes through the entire park and used to be used as a horse drawn carriage road to transport goods. Horses still use the path today, however it is now also open to cyclists. There are miles and miles of terrain to cover on Carriage Road and it takes you through the entire park. If you're looking to get active and avoid having to fight for parking spaces at the attractions, I recommend you use the Carriage Road. Just drop your car off at one of the park entrances and go from there. Just watch out for the occasional horse manure along the way! On a misty and rainy day the Carriage Road is pretty empty. The fog takes over the gravel road as you bike your way through the woods. It's ominous and definitely makes you think a bear or moose will pop out and get you at any minute. Just remember to ring your bike bell and make noise every now and then and you'll be fine.

6. Bubble Rock

Right next to Jordan Pond is the lesser known Bubble Pond. Pat and I took our bikes on the Carriage Road from Jordan Pond to Bubble Pond. Part of the gravel road takes you along the perimeter of Bubble Pond. It's called Bubble Pond because weirdly, if you look at the water...it literally bubbles! This is another great hidden attraction many don't know about that is away from the crowds.

7. Cadillac Mountain

Our last stop on the Acadia National Park Loop was the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard within 25 miles of the shoreline.The mountain was named after the French explorer and adventurer from New France, Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac. And yes, he is also the founder of the city of Detroit (today the world center of automobile production) which is why the car brand Cadillac is named after him as well as the town of Cadillac, Michigan. The reason why people flock to Cadillac Mountain, particularly during sunrise and sunset, is to catch a view of the Porcupine Islands facing Bar Harbor. Interesting fact: It is also the first place to view the sunrise from the US from October 7th to March 6th, making it a hot commodity among people during the early hours of the morning. The park rangers told me that in order to see the sunrise or sunset, I had to get there about an hour or 2 in advance!  Kayaking tours of the Porcupine Islands are available in Bar Harbor for people to immerse themselves in the impressive geological formations that speak to glacial activities of centuries ago. It was an afternoon packed with adventure. As we drove back to Bar Harbor for an evening at the quintessential North Eastern fishing village, we reflected on our afternoon getaway. The reason why people like George Door and John D. Rockefeller Jr. decided to invest money into Acadia National Park in the first place was to give people the opportunity to flee the neighboring East Coast cities and reconnect with nature. We took advantage of just that. It feels restorative in a way for both the soul and mind. Acadia National Park reminds us that going back to our roots, to simpler times, to nature can relieve one of all the stress surrounding us with social media, the competitive job market, and other consumerist matters that in the face of nature seem irrelevant and unimportant. A trip to Acadia National Park is a must on everyone's bucket list. Get insider travel tips and lifestyle content on the world’s most exceptional destinations, experiences and products directly to your inbox. Don’t miss out–sign up for travel blog SVADORE on the right hand side. Follow Svadore on Instagram: @SVADORE Follow Svadore on Twitter: @SvadoreTravels Follow Svadore on Pinterest: SVADORE Follow Svadore on Facebook: SVADORE