Top Things to do in Mount Desert Island
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The 10 Best Things to do Good for Big Groups in Mount Desert Island, DownEast and Acadia Maine
Mount Desert (pronounced “dessert”) Island is the largest isle in Maine and the second largest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Though it boasts a small residential community, Mount Desert claims more than two million visitors each year; all of whom are enamored with its quaint feel, stunning beaches, and access to saltwater and freshwater lakes. Popular water activities include kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, though many prefer to take in amazing sunrises and scenic vistas while exploring one of the island’s 25 trails.
Restaurants in Mount Desert Island
1. Mount Desert Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,891 reviews
Home to Acadia National Park, this island off the coast of Maine with its beaches, sweeping cliffs and mountains offers visitors numerous recreational activities, from hiking, biking and following nature trails to swimming, sailing and kayaking.
Reviewed By mikey605 - Sevierville, United States
So much to see and do on Mount Desert Island! Acadia National Park, Whale Watching, Scenic Charters and Tours, Beaches, Shops, Golf, Hiking, Biking, Sea Kayaking, Plane rides, glider rides, helicopter flights, mini golf, if you want to do it you will find it on MDI
2. Cadillac Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,467 reviews
The East Coast's highest mountain at 1,530 feet and Acadia's best known sight.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island is, at 1, 532 feet, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard and the first place in the United States to be touched by the light of a rising sun from October 7 through March 6 of each year. How's that for a notable piece of trivia? It also is the only mountain on Mount Desert Island--there are more than 20 of them--that has a road that travels all the way to the summit. The 3.5-mile road to the top opened in 1931. Cadillac Mountain is composed largely of pink granite, giving it a strong reddish appearance at sunrise or sunset. Spruce and pitch pine are the dominant trees on the mountain combined with tiny subalpine plants and wild blueberries. Views? Look in every direction. To the East, there is the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island, including Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor. To the West is Eagle Lake and Blue Hill Mountain. Yes, it is more scenic than a trip to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.
3. Maine State Sea Kayak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 650 reviews
Paddle. Nature. It’s that simple really! We paddle the most remote sections around Acadia National Park. Our guides are passionate, we have the cleanest gear (washed after each trip), offer picnic lunches, and we are the only MDI Sea Kayaking tour provider offering a wildlife guarantee! Come explore the power of Acadia with us!
4. Frenchman Bay
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 378 reviews
Reviewed By PerksAdvisor_NYC - New York City, United States
This is a great way to enjoy the power of nature of the beauty of Frenchman’s Bay which is off of Bar Harbor. Just watch the boat pass by or see the seals jumping in the water. This can be a very relaxing way to enjoy your trip to Bar Harbor. There are also many companies that will give you a Bay ride.
5. Carriage Roads
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By LPLoveToTravel - Ocala, United States
The carriage road system's intent was to provide access to the inner beauty of Mount Desert Island. Designed with the natural contours of the land to minimize impact and to maximize views it's the perfect place to hike or bike ride and really enjoy the solitude of nature.
6. ImprovAcadia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 388 reviews
ImprovAcadia is closed during the pandemic. We will be pivoting our theater to Bangor Maine and continue to offer world class improvisational theater. Go to our website to see up to date information.
Reviewed By D6719UJcarolynh - Amherst, Canada
Went with my 16 year old daughter, first time for either of us at improv...so went with no expectations but so glad we went. Both of us enjoyed it, the service and cozy atmosphere was excellent and the performers hilarious! Great job!
7. National Park Sea Kayak Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 472 reviews
Ecological Sea Kayak trips on the remote West Side of Acadia...Half Day (4 hours) AM, PM & Sunset. (2.5 - 3 hours) "on-the-water"... Top Rated on Trip Advisor. Great Wildlife Sightings (Harbor Seal, Porpoise, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loon, other Sea Birds. Locally owned and operated since 1993. Professional Sea Kayak Guides provide all equipment, instruction and van transportation. Beginners welcome.
8. Schoodic Peninsula
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By 70clarkek - New York, United States
Recently took a a trip out to Maine. First time being there. If you want to enjoy some truly wonder sites, without a ton of people or crowds then you should check out Schoodic for sure. During our stay, we there twice. Once during the day where the scenery and shoreline is incredible. Be sure to stop by Raven's Nest where you can get a close up (but don't get TOO close) of this beautiful sheer cliff face where it meets the water. Also make sure you take a walk on the shoreline just past Blueberry Hill so that you can hear the "applauding river rocks". If you're up for it, do yourself a favor and go back at night. Find a place to park, turn your vehicle and vehicle lights off and look up at the sky. From here the Milky Way Galaxy is visible with the naked eye. You'll be glad you went.
9. At Your Service Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 514 reviews
We are Bar Harbor's largest and oldest private van touring company. Locally owned, we specialize in a personalized experience of Acadia National Park. Our experienced local guides have a deep knowledge of the area and narrate the tours with history and facts in an unscripted way which allows for many questions and custom experiences. We have tours that range from 3 to 6 hours for groups up to 5. The tours are private to the group booking. We don't put groups together. We are advanced reservation only. The price is per hour per vehicle, we don't have a per person rate. All the time is all yours while on tour, you can spend as long as you want at each stop. Perfect for photographers or those who don't want 10 minute per stop experience. See Acadia in a chauffeured way and see all the highlights: Summit of Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, glacial lakes, soaring granite cliffs, as well as gardens, mansions, lighthouses, & stone bridges.
10. Acadia National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,883 reviews
Reviewed By emktraveller2018 - Richmond, United States
This was our second trip to Acadia and it didn't disappoint. We hiked for two days - the Great Head Loop Trail - Otter Cliffs, Thunder Hole, hike/walk around Jordan Pond, tea and popovers at Jordan Pond Restaurant, sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, the Beech Mountain trail and the Ship Harbor Nature Trail.
