We will briefly tour Bar Harbor, making sure to see some of the “cottages” left from the Gilded Age summer residents who made such a lasting impact on this island. Much of old Millionaire’s Row burned when fire swept the island in 1947, but the fire stopped before destroying the town. Many of today’s most picturesque inns and hotels, once served as vacation homes for high society families from further down the coast.

• Admission Ticket Free

Acadia National Park is really just a few minutes’ drive from the center of Bar Harbor. Let me show you some of the reasons they once called this area, Eden.

• Admission Ticket Free

There are many long, deep lakes across Mount Desert Island. Eagle Lake, which we will see as we head toward Cadillac Mountain, is one of the most picturesque.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The highest point on the island. The first place a new dawn touches the United States for much of the year. Cadillac Mountain provides sweeping views of nearly the entire outline of MDI. We can see Bar Harbor and the cruise ships in Frenchman Bay from one side, and a beautiful view of the open ocean and many of the small islands that dot the coastline between here and Portland. After taking some time to explore the summit, I’ll point out a few of the landmarks we are about to investigate from closer up as we continue our journey around the Park Loop roads.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

One of the oldest sections of the park, the first area to change color the past few years in autumn, and a beautiful place to begin a hike up Dorr Mountain, or to take a leisurely stroll along the lovely Jessup Path boardwalk. We won’t have time to see everything here -not if we want to fully enjoy the rocky coastline around the next bend- but I will pick a few of the best parts and be sure to tell you about things you should come back for later.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

I will point out the trailhead for the famous (and harrowing) Precipice and Beehive trails. Then, show you one of the only sandy beaches for miles. From here, groups eager to get a few steps in, can walk along the gorgeous Ocean Path, stepping out whenever you like onto the great slabs of granite which slope down into the restless waves. If you choose to walk, I will let you enjoy some time by the ocean without me, while I find a place to pull over further down the road near Thunder Hole, then meet you along the path to point out some of my favorite places.

• Admission Ticket Included

Grand, sweeping views of the ocean, and the chance to walk along one of Acadia’s most beautiful coastal trails. You will have the option to walk part of the Ocean Path, or to drive and stop a few times for photos at the best overlooks. This is often one of the busier parts of Acadia National Park, but I know the hidden pathways where we can see the best views and enjoy the ocean without tripping over tourists.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

A unique rock formation where the waves can crash with a thunderous boom when the conditions are right. Even at times when the thunder is lacking, this area, lined with harbor roses, asters, and other small, lovely things which peek out from among the harsh granite, is such a breathtaking example of all that is best about Maine’s dramatic coastline.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

The Ocean Path runs from Sand Beach, past Thunder Hole, and all the way to Otter Cliffs and beyond. The entire way boasts some of the most amazing coastline, and lovely sections of pine forest with incredible moss and lichen. Otter Cliff is one of my favorite places to return to in the evenings. Especially to watch a moon rise from the ocean. We will pass the castle-like section of roadway, enjoy the view that so often fools travelers into thinking they’ve seen a whale, and hear how it surprised the very first visitors who crossed the Atlantic to explore this island.

• Admission Ticket Included

Winter storms have damaged the path leading down to the beach. I will still do my best to show what I can of this cove where the rocks add their own music to each crashing wave.

• Admission Ticket Included

27 miles of park roads barely begin to reveal all the magic of Acadia. Jordan Pond is one of the most magical places along our route. Sometimes, our highlights tours spend all our time enjoying the mountain and ocean views, so we have little time to do more than glimpse the promise of the quiet beauty of this famous area. The crowds know Jordan Pond is a place they should see. I will tease you with a glimpse of it, but I’ll also share my secrets for when you can return and find the calm path around this pristine lake nearly empty. Many of the best loved hiking trails or carriage paths can be accessed from here too. Not to mention the tasty puff of history the Jordan Pond House provides with their fresh popovers.

• Admission Ticket Included

Depending upon the weather conditions, and partially on how quickly you want to move between locations, I will adjust our route to showcase the areas that will be most beautiful that day, and which I believe your group will find most impactful. There are many areas this list does not mention, which I love to showcase whenever I can. A tour with a local guide should be an experience you wouldn’t find by exploring alone. I get to live here. My advice before you visit is this. Enjoy fully whatever you are able to see while you visit. Take the longer tour and spend more time here if possible. If not, think less of seeing everything (checking stops from a list) and more about fully seeing the highlights and experiencing this place in all the unique light and magic of waves and wind that moved a generation to form the only national park to be made up entirely of gifted land individuals deemed too special to keep to themselves. Acadia is a place set aside for you to feel what so moved them.

• Admission Ticket Included