Top Things to do in Mount Desert Island
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Things to do in Mount Desert Island, DownEast and Acadia Maine: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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.
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1. Harbourside Drive
2. Jesup Memorial Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
3. Duck Brook Bridge
4. Ship Harbor Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
This scenic hiking trail winds around a tiny cove.
Reviewed By danihawk - New York City, United States
This trail was a highlight of my visits to Acadia because it's a short, fun hike/nature walk that offers minimal effort, maximum payoff on the gorgeous landscapes that make the area so unique. It's a few minutes from Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and my husband and I were able to do both in one morning without even having to get up early. We probably arrived around 10am and didn't have any trouble finding parking. You pass through beautiful woods and a lake before hitting the ocean and tide pools. We ran into maybe 10 other families on the Thursday before Labor Day weekend, but it was still a great place to find some peace away from the crowds around Ocean Trail and Jordan Pond. I'd love to visit again in late spring/early summer when more wildflowers are blooming.
5. Park Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,560 reviews
A major national park in Maine where the attractions and sights are well known along the 20-mile Park Loop Road.
Reviewed By retireeVancouver - Vancouver, Canada
The shoreline section of the 27 mile long park loop between Bar Harbor and Jordan Pond is a one way road. Along this part of the route visitors can see views of offshore islands, distant forested mountain ranges, a bit of sand on the curved Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and the rocky shoreline at Otter Cliffs. There is an opportunity to park the car at Thunder Hole in order to walk down to the massive bare rock forms where water has gouged a narrow opening between the granite rocks. There is a protected walkway on the edge of this opening for a closer look at the water rushing into this passageway. Best time to hear the roar and see the spray is 2 hours before high tide - the information board informs visitors. Parking is limited at this spot and will be barricaded when full. At Otter Cliffs, the road to Jordan Pond turns inland and travels through evergreen forests and a valley. The pond is more like a lake and flat as a mirror. It boasts such clear water that the restaurant and nearby communities use it for their water supply. Thus a sign reminds visitors about not swimming, wading, or boating in the water. There is a 3 mile path/trail around the lake with the forests coming right down to the lake. We preferred to walk just a short section of it around the Jordon Pond House Restaurant. There are many parking spaces at this stop and visitors don't have to be concerned about how long they park. Rockefellar built Jordan Pond House around 1913 so there is a wide area around the house that has been cleared and landscaped. Between Jordan Pond and Bar Harbor the road is open for 2 way traffic. This drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain was the longest with no stops until we reached its summit. Shortly after leaving Jordon Pond, our guide pointed to Bubble Rock precariously balanced on a mountain top, but it never rolls down the hill, even though people have tried to move it. It is a remainder of the glacier which once covered this area. After Bubble Rock came views of Eagle Lake which were similar to those of Jordan Pond - calm waters surrounded by forest. As we drove up Cadillac Mountain, the views changed. We could see Bar Harbor off in the distance, French Bay, and the many small treed islands that dot French Bay. The two white cruise ships anchored in the Bay were easy to spot. The summit has a sufficient parking to accommodate buses and cars without any trouble. Presently, there are no services at the top of the mountain. The top of the mountain is a rocky outcrop so trees are not hindering the marvellous view of the offshore islands, the coastline, and the blue waters of the ocean. There was a narrow trail to walk to several viewing points. Visitors were scattered all over the rocky outcrop. The ride back into town was on a 2 way road - 1 lane each way. We were glad we weren't driving so we could take in these views and not have to watch the road. The road conditions on this 27 mile circular route were excellent - all paved - and kept in good repair. However, there were no protective fences along the edge of the road, only 1 layer high granite blocks. Buses, trollies, and cars didn't have any trouble with the varying grades, especially the road which led to the top of Cadillac Mountain. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to drive this circular route with short stops along the way. Although the route is well signed, visitors should stop in at the Visitor's Center to get a map of the island and its 27 mile driving loop. We couldn't see any evidence of the fire that had once destroyed many of the summer homes built by wealthy families. Bus passengers might want to sit on the left hand side of the bus when leaving Bar Harbor in order to get the best views from bus windows of the waterfront scenery between Bar Harbor and Otter Cliffs.
6. Egg Rock Light
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By 960janisf
Interesting . To see it up close, you need to take the boat trip out. We did the Acadian Boat Tours 2 hour tour, with tickets available downtown at the Sea-Dawg gift shop. We saw two young Bald Eagles plus a lot of seals, harbor porpoises on our boat tour.
7. Land Bridge to Bar Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,301 reviews
Reviewed By 185barbp - Madison, United States
as soon as you arrive in the Bar Harbor area check out the tide schedule so you know when you can walk this and go when you can walk it and when you cannot to see the difference. Incredible experience.
8. The Gorge Path
9. St. Saviour's Church :
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
St. Saviour is an historic Episcopal church. The oldest part of the church was begun in 1876; later parts were added through 1901, including the renowned collection of stained glass windows by Tiffany and others. The parish is still active today, and we invite you to visit for a tour, for worship, or just for a moment of quiet respite in your day. During the tourist season (June - October), the church is open daily from about 8:30 - 4:30 for self-guided tours. Guided tours Sunday 11:15 (after the 10:00 Eucharist) and other times by appointment. The Church office (next door) is open as posted in the "hours" section. May God continue to bless you!
Reviewed By adinam929
The stained glass windows in this church are so unique and beautiful. The church was empty the day we walked in and we were able to take it all in without a lot of people around us. Very beautiful and worth a stop.
10. Razorback Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By mynameispaulie - Shelton, United States
First off I have never been to the main Acadia island, my wife and I stayed on the quiet side during our first visit as the Island shuttle bus was not running which hindered our plans. However, we covered pretty much all the trails on the quiet side during our 3 day stay (with the exception of Bernard Mountain). For this hike we started at the long pond parking area. We started along the Long Pond Trail before ascending up the Perpendicular Trail to Mansell Mountain, then came down the Mansell Mountain Trail. Next, we went along the Gilley Trail and up the Razorback Trail before a slight descent to Great Notch. Then we took a detour up to Knight Nubble and back to Great Notch before returning on the Great Notch Trail and the Gilley Trail. All the trails were great and had their own distinct features, the only one I didn't really enjoy was coming down the Great Notch Trail, perhaps I was just tired at this point but it was mostly rocks and roots and felt like being in a river bed with nothing really exciting to see, I just wanted it to be over. I think if I were to do it again I would continue from Knight Nubble to Little Notch and try coming down the Sluiceway Trail instead. The whole trip took about 5 hours. Anyway, the Razorback Trail was a slow ascent that was enjoyable without being too difficult. Towards the top it turns into a series of domes that you sometimes have to climb over, hence the name. My wife enjoyed it a lot. I have a crippling fear of heights but I survived. Throughout the whole hike the only part that I struggled was some of those higher sections of the Razorback Trail and going up to Knight Nubble and back has some hairy sections where you need to use roots and careful stepping and maneuvers, so I would say maybe skip that part (another reason to push on to Little Notch so not having to climb back down). Overall the Razorback Trail was a great hike and different from anything else we had done. One of the better trails on the quiet side and I would definitely recommend it. Probably better going up. Note: Ignore the other review about biking, you certainly cannot bike this trail.
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