How to spend 24 hours in Acadia National Park

Looking to visit Acadia National Park, but are limited on time? Here is the perfectly curated itinerary for you to ensure that you hit all of the best spots on the island during your visit!

Note: I decided to not include activities that involve highly competitive reservations, more specifically Jordan Pond House and the Summit Road to Cadillac Mountain. These are both really amazing experiences that I highly recommend, but opted to create an itinerary that is attainable for everyone!

Arrive in Bar Harbor the night before your adventures and settle in to one of the many Bed & Breakfasts in town. Once settled in, head over to Rosalie’s for a delicious take out pizza to end your night in town.

Make sure you get to bed early to get a good nights rest for the following days adventures!

7am:

Wake up bright an early and head to Cafe This Way for a delicious breakfast. I highly suggest the blueberry pancakes, as they are a local special. Once you are fueled up, make a quick stop at Acadia Perk to grab a coffee to start your adventures, and head on the road!

8am:

Head towards the park and hop on Park Loop Road. Make sure to soak in all of the beautiful sights and lookout points along the way. And keep an eye out for wildlife!

Stop for the Beehive Trail, one of the most famous trails in all of Acadia. Beehive is a stunning hike that rapidly ascends a cliffside through a series of ledges and metal rung ladders. It is one of the quickest and most rewarding hikes in all of Acadia. However, is not the best for those scared of heights. Should you not be up for the Beehive, you can hop on the adjacent Ocean Path Trail. This trail is great for all difficulty levels and hugs the coastline as it passes by notable sites. Make sure to hit Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs along the way, some of the iconic landmarks of Acadia.

11 am:

Head back into Bar Harbor to grab lunch at Side Street Cafe. The Mac ‘n Cheese is absolutely delectable, you won’t regret trying it. Spend some time wandering around downtown to do some shopping and to experience the charm of Bar Harbor.

1pm :

Get a different perspective of Acadia by hopping on a 2 hour nature cruise from the pier with Bar Harbor Whale Watching. You will see the beautiful views of the coastline and mountains from the ocean, alongside marine life that calls these waters home.

*If you are willing to stay later into the day, I highly recommend taking the longer whale watching trip. It will take you out into the Gulf of Maine to experience the beauty of whales and is around 4.5 hours***

3pm:

Get back to doc and head to Geddy’s for dinner. Afterwards, grab a blueberry softserve from CJ’s Big Dipper, and finish up any last minute shopping before hopping back on the road to go home!