Top Things to do in DownEast and Acadia Maine
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Top 10 Free Things to do in DownEast and Acadia Maine, DownEast and Acadia Maine
Discover the best top things to do in DownEast and Acadia Maine, United States including Precipice Trail, Acadia Information Center - Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, The Bold Coast, Frenchman Bay, Schoodic Point, Beech Cliff Loop, Barred Island Preserve, Blue Hill Mountain, Ship Harbor Nature Trail, Ocean Trail.
Restaurants in DownEast and Acadia Maine
1. Precipice Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 251 reviews
Half-mile long trail for experienced hikers at Acadia.
Reviewed By SteelCity13 - Austin, United States
Really enjoyed the workout that I got this morning but I didnt expect to climb a mountain when I set out to do some hiking. This trail is INTENSE! Dont go if its raining or has been raining, get there early! Like 7 AM early. You dont want to do this trail when tons of people are on it. Its challenging but do able. You CANNOT be afraid of heights and do this trail. I think this trail is the craziness hike i have every done or will ever do. The one great thing about the hike is that there are metal rails everywhere to help you get up the straight up parts of the hike. If you want a challenge a big challenge then try this hike. Also remember that this hike is only one way!
2. Acadia Information Center - Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Acadia Information Center is operated by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. The Center provides detailed travel and event information for visitors to Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park.
3. The Bold Coast
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 79 reviews
Coast comprised of high cliffs.
Reviewed By E1129TOlaurap - Surprise, United States
This is a magical area of Maine with few tourists. Lovely for painters, writers, hikers and those who enjoy quiet time.
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. Schoodic Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 483 reviews
Reviewed By J6319RNdavidw - Peace Dale, United States
We always wanted to visit Schoodic Point while at Mount Desert Island and did so just recently. The weather was perfect and so were the views. We rode our bicycles around the loop road and it was spectacular. We have visited many spots along the Maine coast but I think that we have a new favorite.
6. Beech Cliff Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Biotech91 - Hoboken, United States
Absolutely one of the best hikes in the park! Remember to look for the iron ladder on the way up and to rest at the beach on the lake on your way down ;)
7. Barred Island Preserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By thumper1 - Massachusetts, United States
We were visiting in Brooklin and were told what a treat it was to walk to the beach at Barred Island Preserve and to arrive for low tide. There were 3 of us -- myself, my daughter, and my 4 year old granddaughter. We arrived about two hours before low tide and were just about to pull into the last parking space in the lot when my granddaughter announced she needed the potty. We left and brought her to town. When we returned the lot was full and there were three cars parked along the road. Two were in clearly marked "No Parking" zones. The third vehicle was parked in a space that was not marked and there was room enough in front of them for our car. If this was an official "no parking" zone then it needed it better signage. You would think that the town would have a larger parking area at such a beautiful and popular place. My granddaughter has short little legs and stops often so the hike took about an hour each way. It was a wonderful adventure for a little one with the tree roots in the path, the steeper spots, the big rocks, and the "bridges" over the wetter areas. She loved getting to the beach then walking the short distance to the island that gets buried in deep water at high tide. (We own property in Southern Maine so she understands about the tides.) The walk back took a little longer as we were starting to flag. We had plans for dinner in Deer Isle before heading back to Brooklin for the night. As we approached the car, I heard my daughter say, "Oh, no." I looked up and saw that some "vandals" (not exactly the word I have in mind) had covered every glass surface of my car and each of the other 5 or 6 cars that were parked on the road. Our front, back, and side windows were covered with "no parking", "okay to tow", and the symbol for no parking. My granddaughter could see we were upset and wanted to know why those people were mean to us. We knew it was not something done by someone who represented the town or who had any sort of authority -- just some bully trying to scare us. Although we were able to clean it before leaving, it left us with a bad impression of Deer Isle residents and with the decision to head back to Brooklin for dinner where we felt more welcome.
8. Blue Hill Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By MarcieB97 - Blue Hill, United States
Can’t go wrong with Blue Hill Mountain. Trails for any level of hiker and type of group. Good signage and stewardship. Dog friendly. Totally worth the trip to the top!
9. 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.
10. Ocean Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
Walking trail along Frenchman Bay.
Reviewed By donnabO8015OG - Gladwyne, United States
We always do at least part of the Ocean Path Trail when visiting Acadia NP. You can park along the roadway, or in any of the parking lots, and walk as much of the trail as you like. It's an out and back, and not a loop trail. We typically bring a picnic lunch and find a quiet place on the rocks where we can eat. Our dog loves the trail, especially since it's easy after climbing those mountains! Many people just go to Sand Beach and then drive down the Park Loop Road, but to fully enjoy this part of Acadia I think you need to park your car and walk along the trail, and then find a place to explore the tidal pools or relax on the rocks in the sun or sit under a tree in the shade. Even when Acadia is very crowded, I can always find quiet places venturing off the trail.
