Acadia National Park
Early morning at Jordan Pond
Shoulder season
I visited Acadia National Park in early May, a bit before the summer crowds typically ramp up. Temperatures were still chilly in the mornings and evenings and some spots in Bar Habor hadn’t opened for the busier visitor season yet. That was OK, though, because I appreciated the quieter atmosphere in town and on the trails.
Getting there
I flew into the Portland airport and drove north toward the park, with a first stop in Freeport to visit the LL Bean flagship store. From there, I took Route 1 along the coastline to Bar Harbor.
Bar Habor
I stayed at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel during my visit. I like a hotel with a straightforward parking situation, which it has, and it is within walking distance to anything in town.
Two other noteworthy perks:
There is a water filling station in the lobby that is the perfect size for filling up a Nalgene or a pack bladder before you head out on trail for the day
The front porch has rocking chairs
Also, I highly recommend Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast for delicious GF blueberry pancakes. You have to have blueberries when you visit Maine.
Cadillac Mountain
Another benefit of visiting during shoulder season was just missing the start of required vehicle reservations for Cadillac Mountain. Crowds were small and parking was simple to head up and watch the sun rise over the harbor.
Cadillac Mountain sunrise
Wildlife
If you’re looking for things to do outside of the national park, I had a great time on a wildlife cruise. I saw a ton of seals, puffins, porpoises and a whale.
I was really hoping to see a moose at some point during my visit to Maine, but no luck. During my research, I read that they are rarely seen in or around the national park. Regardless, I had my hopes way up.
But, I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll get to see one on another trip some day.
