Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park
It’s true – Acadia is pretty great. But there’s a lot more to see in and around the park than what you’ll find tagged on Instagram or in a top-ten list.
Carriage Roads
If you ever wanted your own car-free roads so you could enjoy the quiet scenery on horseback, you might be John D. Rockefeller Jr. Thanks to him, Acadia’s carriage roads served that purpose in the past. Now, you can enjoy them on foot, by bike, or, indeed, in a horse-drawn carriage.
Forgotten Acadia
Searching for the side of Acadia that no one else is checking out? Look no further than a beautiful boathouse and a bracing hike to a secluded pond.
The Rockefeller Boathouse is one of the remaining buildings from the family’s original summer estate. Bearing some Japanese influence in its construction and form, the building is a beautifully kept piece of historic architecture offering lovely views of Little Long Pond. Access to the boathouse is just off the Little Long Pond Carriage Road.
Sargent Mountain Pond isn’t for the novice or those looking for a quick scenic view – a two mile hike up rocks and hills reveals a beautiful swimming hole ready to cool you off on a hot summer day. You’ll be rewarded by sharing the water with fewer visitors than other busy trails in the park.
For the Birds
Interested in birds? Come and see some real ones at Three Pines Sanctuary and some carved ones at the Wendell Gilley Museum. Down East Nature Tours offers personalized bird watching tours for beginners and advanced birders alike. Roam diverse habitats from forest to coast or book a trip for sunrise or sunset.
In the quaint town of Southwest Harbor, the Wendell Gilley Museum is a unique homage to its namesake: the preeminent decorative bird carver whose masterpieces are on display alongside work of other carvers and artists.
Fresh Lobster
The lobster pound is a unique opportunity to get fresh-off-the-boat lobster – steamed whole or in a roll. Choose from a couple options in Trenton just on the mainland side of the MDI bridge.
