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We brought my mom along and spent a few slow, golden days wandering the central coast of Maine, where autumn seemed to spill over everything. The leaves burned in shades of copper and gold, the rocky shoreline stretched out like something from a painting, and Acadia’s trails pulled us deeper into that crisp, salt-tinged air. It felt like stepping out of real life for a while and into a postcard version of fall.

Those days were deeply restorative—the kind where the sound of the waves lingers in your ears, and every winding road leads through another charming town tucked between forest and sea. Surrounded by color and quiet, it was impossible not to exhale and simply be.

If I’m being honest, this escape couldn’t have come at a better time. Work has had me feeling wrung out—heavy in spirit, tired in a way that sleep doesn’t quite fix. I didn’t realize just how much I needed a reset until we arrived. The air felt cleaner and the horizon stretched wide before me. A little space, a change of scenery, and room to breathe—that was what I needed.

Before we left, someone asked if there was really enough to do up there for a few days. And for anyone wondering the same thing, let me just say: there is plenty to do. But the beauty of this place is that it never feels like you’re doing something—it feels like you are just being. This corner of Maine isn’t built to entertain you; it invites you to connect-to the land and to those with you. And maybe, just maybe, reconnect with yourself along the way.

What To Do Around Acadia:

1. Visitor Information for Mount Desert Island
2. History of Acadia National park
3. Visit Schoodic Pennisula
4. Eat Lobster
5. See the Island from the Water
6. Hike in Acadia National Park
7. Walk Along Sandy Beach
8. Take a Carriage Ride
9. See the Jordan Pond House
10. See the Bass Harbor Lighthouse
11. Go Leaf Peeping
12. Explore the Small Towns
    1. Trenton
    2. Winter Harbor
    3. Southwest Harbor
    4. Northeast Harbor
    5. Bar Harbor

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Visitor Information for Mount Desert Island

For our days in Maine, we made Mount Desert Island our playground, circling its winding roads and coastal routes. Acadia National Park sits right at the heart of the island, cradled by charming seaside towns and sweeping ocean views.

If you’re planning a visit, aim for the operating season—mid-May through mid-October. Once the season ends, much of the island goes quiet as businesses close up for winter. We happened to visit during the second-to-last week of the season, and everywhere we went, signs were popping up thanking visitors and announcing their final days of service. It felt like we had just slipped in before the island took a long winters nap.

Mount Desert Island welcomes millions of visitors each year—more people than the entire population of Maine. With that kind of traffic, anything beyond basic sightseeing—like boat tours, carriage rides, or ranger-led activities—should be booked well in advance.

Lodging on the island itself can get pricey, especially during peak foliage season. A great alternative is staying off-island and driving in each day. We stayed in Ellsworth, a small town just about 30 minutes from Acadia, and it worked perfectly for us.

Visiting at the tail end of the season was perfect—lighter crowds, cooler air, and the trees showing off in full autumn color. If you don’t mind a few closing-week signs and reduced hours, it’s a beautiful time to go.

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History of Acadia National park

This stretch of coast has been inhabited for nearly 10,000 years. Long before it became a destination for tourists, it was home to the Wabanaki people, whose connection to the land can still be felt in the island’s name, place markers, and cultural presence.

European fur traders and explorers began arriving in the 17th century, marking the beginning of a new era for the island. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Mount Desert Island had transformed into a summer retreat for America’s wealthy elite. Grand estates—known as “cottages” in classic Maine understatement—sprang up along the coast, serving as extravagant seasonal escapes.

Among the most influential figures was John D. Rockefeller Jr., who built an impressive summer estate for his family. Though the house itself no longer stands, his legacy remains in the network of beautifully crafted carriage roads he funded and designed. These roads, built for leisurely drives and carriage rides, are now beloved by hikers and cyclists for their peaceful, car-free paths winding through the woods and along scenic overlooks.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson designated the area as Sieur de Monts National Monument. Just a few years later, in 1919, it became Lafayette National Park, and in 1929 it officially took on the name we know today: Acadia National Park. It holds the honor of being the first national park established east of the Mississippi River—and, at the time of writing, the only national park in the northeastern United States.

Acadia is a place of dramatic beauty, where ocean meets mountain in a way that feels almost otherworldly. It’s home to the tallest peak on the Atlantic coastline- Cadillac Mountain. From its summit, the first light of morning touches the United States before spilling across the rest of the country.

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Visit Schoodic Pennisula

Acadia National Park isn’t just limited to the main section on Mount Desert Island—it also includes several smaller islands and peninsulas that are part of the park system. One of the standout areas is the rugged and beautiful Schoodic Peninsula.

The Schoodic Peninsula offers a quieter, less crowded experience compared to the busier parts of the park. Here, the coastline is all dramatic rock formations and crashing surf. You can wander along the granite shoreline, pause to peer into tide pools teeming with sea life, and listen to the rhythm of the waves as they carve the edges of the coast.

The water stretches out in deep blues and grays, and on a windy day, the spray rises high as the ocean meets stone.

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Eat the Lobster

It almost goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: if you’re in Maine, you have to eat lobster at least once. Maine is the heart of the U.S. lobster industry, and you can feel it everywhere—from hand-painted signs on roadside shacks to the working harbors lined with lobster boats.

All around the island, you’ll find classic Lobster Pounds—no-frills spots where the catch is hauled in fresh and served without fuss. Whether you go for a traditional steamed lobster or opt for the iconic lobster roll, you’re in for a treat. I went straight for a lobster roll, piled high with sweet, buttery lobster meat, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

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See the Island from the Water

One of the best ways to experience Mount Desert Island is from the water. Whether you paddle out in a rented kayak or opt for a guided boat tour, the view from the ocean offers a completely different perspective of the rugged coastline and forested hills.

There are plenty of tour options available, but one of the most iconic is a trip aboard the Margaret Todd Windjammer. With its striking four masts and classic sailing silhouette, it’s hard to miss as it glides across the harbor. The ride is peaceful, scenic, and feels like a step back in time. Just be sure to reserve your spot early—tickets tend to sell out quickly, especially during peak season.

For more information on tickets and times go to the Margaret Todd Windjammer website.

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Hike in Acadia National Park

If you visit Mount Desert Island, a trip through Acadia National Park is almost inevitable. You can drive the scenic Park Loop Road to take in the sights, but the real magic happens on foot along the park’s trails. Keep in mind that parking can be limited, especially near Cadillac Mountain or Jordan Pond, so it’s best to start early if you plan to hike.

We opted for a quieter part of the park and headed to Southwest Harbor. There, we discovered a trail winding through lush forests, offering stunning views of the coastline and sparkling waters below. At the summit, we stumbled upon an old geological survey marker, pinpointing the exact location and adding a fascinating historical touch to our adventure.

We also drove the park road many times in the few days we were there. It was too busy for us to find a parking spot. Each time we passed it, we fell in love with the views from the top looking down to Jordan Pond. We didn’t even try to find a parking spot at Cadillac Mountain- the line of cars told us it was not going to happen for this visit.

If you want to hike at Cadillac Mountain, you will need to get a permit beforehand to park there. You can get the permit and find all the trails at the national park website.

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Walk Along Sandy Beach

Mount Desert Island is mostly known for its rugged, rocky shores and crashing waves—but if you’re in the mood for a stroll on soft sand, the park has that too. Tucked away in a quiet alcove of the island is a short stretch of sandy beach, perfect for relaxing or taking in the scenery.

It’s a favorite spot to sink your toes in the sand and hang out with friends, or even swing on the small playset near the water while enjoying the gentle sounds of the waves.

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Take a Carriage Ride

One experience I highly recommend in Acadia is exploring the carriage roads—whether on foot, by bike, or, like we chose, by horse-drawn carriage. Booking the carriage ride was a bit of a splurge, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. We arrived at Wildwood Stables at our scheduled time and watched as the massive draft horses were led out, harnessed, and carefully hitched to the carriage. Once everything was ready, we climbed aboard with a few other travelers and set off on a two-hour tour through what was once the Rockefeller estate.

John D. Rockefeller Jr. designed these carriage roads as peaceful routes through the forest, and to this day, no motor vehicles are allowed, preserving the quiet, timeless atmosphere. As the horses clip-clopped along the wide gravel paths, we were surrounded by the park’s natural beauty—towering trees, mossy stone walls, and dappled light filtering through the canopy.

Along the way, we passed the handcrafted stone bridges, each a piece of architectural art. Built without mortar, these bridges are held together purely by expert stonework and ingenuity, standing strong after more than a century.

Seeing the park by carriage is a great way to learn about the Rockefeller family who lived here while taking in the beautiful scenery. For more information on this experience go to Acadia by Carriage.

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See the Jordan Pond House

Along the carriage roads, one of the most beloved stops is the Jordan Pond House. Originally, this house was given to the gatekeeper of the Rockefeller estate, whose job was to listen for the ringing of a bell and then head out to raise the gate so carriages could pass through. For a while, it worked smoothly—until local kids discovered they could ring the bell for fun and then sprint away before anyone arrived. Needless to say, the bell system didn’t last long after that.

Today, the Jordan Pond House stands as a charming and scenic landmark. The gate stand, still preserved nearby, is just as picturesque and adds a lovely historical touch to the setting. Together, they create a peaceful stop along the route and a window into the estate’s past.

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See the Bass Harbor Lighthouse

One of the most photographed spots in Acadia National Park is the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Perched on the southwest corner of Mount Desert Island, it draws crowds year-round—and for good reason. It’s one of only three lighthouses in the entire state that are maintained by the National Park Service.

Construction began after the U.S. Congress allocated $5,000 in 1855, though it would take nearly 20 years before the project was finally completed. In 1988, the lighthouse earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places, preserving its legacy. Today, the lighthouse is still active, and a Coast Guard member and their family live on-site, making it both a historic landmark and a functioning residence.

If you plan to visit, be prepared for limited parking—cars often line up waiting for a spot. A short path leads to the lighthouse itself, while another trail takes you down to the rocky shoreline where photographers gather for the iconic cliffside view. At sunset, the rocks fill with visitors all hoping to capture that perfect shot of the lighthouse against the fading light. To get the best view, you’ll need to make your way fairly far out across the rocks, and if the tide is high, it’s important to move carefully as the stones can be slick.

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Go Leaf Peeping

Leaf peeping is the simple joy of wandering through nature and soaking in the brilliant fall colors. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to New England for this very reason—to catch that fleeting moment when the trees are ablaze in shades of gold, amber, and deep red. Visiting Acadia in autumn means experiencing the park in one of its most breathtaking moods.

One of my favorite sights was coming upon one of the stone bridges, framed by fiery foliage and reflected in the still water below, while low, moody clouds drifted over the lake. It felt like stepping into a painting. This truly is peak season in Acadia, and the park wears autumn beautifully.

Fall is my favorite season, and seeing Acadia in the fall colors was magical. Driving along the park loop road was always filled with colorful trees and the great reminder that change can be beautiful.

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Explore the Small Towns

If you are like me and love wandering through small towns, then the island has a great collection to enjoy. There are a lot of charming small towns all throughout the island, but there were a few that really stood out as favorites.

Trenton

Because we stayed off the island, we drove through Trenton every day before crossing over to the island. We loved the lobster pound with the giant pots cooking outside and the weather vane store with decorative adornments for houses.

Winter Harbor

Winter Harbor sits right next to the Schoodic Peninsula. We stopped in for lunch at the local favorite cafe for lobster rolls and blueberry pie. Then we strolled down along the water before going out to the peninsula.

Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor was full of local cafes and bakeries and warm delightful people. We loved the mix of harbor and Halloween on so many of the houses. This was a great place to find a lesser known part of the park to hike around from, followed up by another visit to the bakery.

Northeast Harbor

Northeast Harbor was delight to wander through. With small shops lining the road and a man made out of shells at the Maritime Museum. We walked up and down the main street, ate lunch in the restaurant, and then walked some more just soaking up the town.

Bar Harbor

Usually when people think of Acadia, they also think of Bar Harbor. This is the main entrance part of the park and the town itself has become just as much a part of the park. We loved the town and walking along the shore past all the beautiful resorts that look out over the water.

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Whether it’s hiking quiet forest trails, wandering sandy shores, clip-clopping along historic carriage roads, or chasing that perfect lighthouse sunset, Acadia National Park has a way of slowing time and inviting you to simply take it all in. Each corner of the island offers something different—peace, history, adventure, and moments of pure beauty. And if you’re lucky enough to visit in the fall, when the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, Acadia feels less like a destination and more like a memory you’ll carry with you long after you’ve left.

Thanks for coming along on this visit to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. May you have colorful leaves, fresh lobster, and views of the sea.

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