About
Joe Foran Expertise As far is Acadia is concerned, I know a fair amount generally, and am particularly familiar with the carriage paths and mountain biking on them.
Expert:
Joe Foran Date: 3/1/2000 Subject: Acadia NP
Question If you only have one day to spend in the park, what do you suggest is the best thing to do?
We are a family of 4 with 2 young daughters.
thanks
Answer Only one day? As you might suspect, Acadia has a wide variety of sights and attractions. Two young daughters, eh? I guess it all depends on how active you like to be. Here are my thoughts:
Definitely plan on a drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain - its only about 2,000 feet high, but sitting as it does right on the Gulf of Maine, the climate is harsh enough so that the summit is bald granite, and offers incredible views. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Katahdin to the north and west, Mt. Washington to the west and south, and a big chunk of the island itself. The kids would get a real sense of being on "a big mountain" without the time, effort, and hazards of hiking all the way up.
If your daughters are old enough to ride bikes, you can rent and ride some of the carriage roads which crisscross the island. You can also hike them, for that matter, but in my opinion, biking is best. Built by the Rockefellers for their horses and buggies, these graded gravel paths are closed to motorized vehicles. They offer a delightful respite from the summer traffic elsewhere on the island. You could park outside of Bar Harbor, ride to Jordan Pond House for lunch, and ride back easily within your day.
The rocky shore is something worth seeing. If your girls don't mind the car, take a ride along the Park perimeter road. You get great views and can stop at places like Thunder Hole - a water-worn cave which booms and sprays impressive amounts of spume of the incoming tide. The site has a graded path and extensive handrailings.
If your girls like different foods (my daughter did), there are a number of lobster pounds in places like Southwest Harbor and North East Harbor where you get your lobsters and steamers essentially right off the boat. They typically have hot dogs and hamburgers for the less-adventurous. This is a great way to do dinner.
Bar Harbor is quaint, but CROWDED during the summer. I wouldn't recommend going there for any length of time unless you really, really like people.
Bar Harbor is the best place to rent bikes.
Last thought: there are whale watches sailing out of Bar Harbor. Personally, I would focus on the island itself and save the whale watch for Camden, Rockport, or even Portland.
