Top Things to do in Mount Desert Island
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What to do and see in Mount Desert Island, DownEast and Acadia Maine: The Best Things to do Adventurous
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. 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!
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. Atlantic Climbing School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 327 reviews
Named BEST OF MAINE by Down East Magazine! Featured in the New York Times! For 25 years Atlantic Climbing School has been the leader in rock climbing instruction and guiding in Maine. Healthy fun for the whole family! Half day and full day courses are available for individuals, couples, families and groups of all ages and ability levels. As Maine's premier rock climbing school we guarantee the best instruction, the most experienced guides and of course, the most rewarding rock climbing experience you'll ever have. All of our staff are certified AMGA Instructors and Guides and we are proud to be the ONLY guide service in Maine to have this distinction. In fun, in professional commitment, in everything we do - at Atlantic Climbing School, WE CLIMB HIGHER. All equipment provided. No experience needed! Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association
5. 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.
6. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 664 reviews
Maine’s oldest and most accredited rock climbing guide service. Having been featured in Outside Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Downeast Magazine, and many others. Come experience a half or full-day climb with Maine’s original and most respected climbing school. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School (AMGCS) is one of the most sought out leaders for climbing instruction and guiding education in the US. We specialize in designing personalized climbing experiences for all ages and abilities throughout Acadia & Maine! Join us for the activity that is guaranteed to be a highlight of your vacation. All equipment is provided! Unlike other local seasonal climbing services, guiding is our profession! We guide rock, snow, and ice year-round, and 100% of our staff are independently trained and certified above national guiding and medical standards. AMGCS has the distinction of being the only school in Maine to be dually accredited by both the AMGA and the PCIA.
7. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By 130ashleyb - Yountville, United States
Fun hike! After reading many reviews, my husband and I took this hike on our recent trip to Acadia. We knew that we needed to get there early, and so glad we did! If you get there any later than 10am you'll be less likely to find parking and the trail starts filling up- which means you'll be hanging on the side of a mountain waiting for 200 other people to scramble up the ladders. Quick warning for the fair skinned - this trail is 75% exposed to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen before you go.
8. 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 ;)
9. Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By TomRIUSA - Providence, United States
Day 1. Had a 430 am slot to go up the mountain to see the sun rise. It did not rise until 630 am but you do need to get a good spot as the place is packed. Day 2, had a 11am slot but the view was fogged in and rain. Day 3, had a 11am slot and the view was great. Sunny day and worth it. This was when they started the, $2 per car make a reservation to get up the mountain. You need to be there 30 min before / 30 min after your slot time or you lose it. The time you spend up there is not limited. In all 3 trips up, Bring food and drinks . A jacket (wind gets you) For the 430 Sunrise. If you can bring a cushion to sit on, not a chair as y ou will be sitting on COLD rock for 2 hrs waiting for the Sun to rise. And bring gloves as it does get cold. Warm Jacket also. Bring a tripod for your camera if you are taking sunrise photos. We paid the $2 a day to go here had a 11am slot to go up, it was fogged in. had a 11am 2nd day it was great sights. Had a 430am sunrise and we were the 3rd car up there KIDS WILL BE BORED.
10. Bubble Rock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 358 reviews
Reviewed By danihawk - New York City, United States
We combined the nature trail around Jordan Pond with the Bubbles Trail up to the South Bubble (and Bubble Rock) and the Bubbles Divide Trail on the way down. We arrived around 11am, waited half an hour for parking and made it to Jordan Pond House for Popovers around 3pm, with lots of stopping to take pictures. We're in decent shape but pretty inexperienced hikers and this route gave us a good mix of adventure and leisurely hiking through the woods, but it's not for everyone. You definitely need hiking boots. The hike from Jordan Pond up to the South Bubble is steep and involves puling yourself up large boulders up near the summit. My husband had to give me a boost up one of them, and we saw a family with two girls around 8 and 10 who turned around because there was a point they couldn't get past. I do not recommend going down this trail, although we saw a few people doing it. The views of Jordan Pond are absolutely stunning-definitely stop to take them in and get some photos! Bubble Rock is also pretty cool and makes for some fun photo opps. Taking the Bubbles Divide trail down is much more gentle and we saw people of all ages (and pups!) taking that trail up and down. Bubble Rock + Jordan Pond are on my "must-see" list for your first visit to Acadia, along with Ocean Trail.
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