3-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary: Where to Eat, Hike & Explore | Geddy’s
The Perfect 3-Day Acadia National Park Itinerary: Where to Eat, Hike & Explore
Planning a trip to Acadia National Park? Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, one thing is certain—there’s always more to discover.
From granite peaks and crashing surf to quiet fishing villages and some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever eat, Acadia and Mount Desert Island offer an unforgettable Maine experience.
As locals who have welcomed visitors to Bar Harbor for decades, we’ve put together one of our favorite three-day itineraries—the trip we recommend most often to friends and family visiting town.
One thing to know: three days will give you a wonderful taste of Acadia, but don’t be surprised if you leave already planning your next trip.
Best Time to Visit
- Late May—June: Wildflowers, cool weather, and fewer crowds. Bring layers—the weather can change quickly.
- July—August: Peak season with warm days, long evenings, and the island in full swing.
- September—October: Crisp air, colorful foliage, and some of the best hiking weather of the year.
Before You Arrive
A little planning goes a long way—especially during the busy summer months.
- Purchase your Acadia National Park entrance pass.
- Reserve a Cadillac Mountain vehicle pass if visiting during reservation season.
- Download offline maps. Cell service has a habit of disappearing precisely when you need it.
- During summer, arrive at the park before 8:00 a.m. Parking spaces are highly prized creatures in July and August.
For more local tips before your trip, read our guide to what to know before visiting Bar Harbor.
Day One: Discover Acadia’s Iconic Sights
Breakfast
Start your morning with breakfast at one of Bar Harbor’s longtime favorites.
Fuel up—you’ll be doing plenty of exploring today. And in Maine, a blueberry pancake is practically essential.
Morning Adventure
Head into Acadia National Park early before parking areas fill.
Drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road, stopping at:
Local Tip: Thunder Hole is most impressive when the tide is rising and the surf is active. At other times, it may be surprisingly quiet. Timing matters.
Choose Your Hike
Depending on your comfort level—and your feelings about heights, iron rungs, and questioning your life choices halfway up a mountain:
Easy
Moderate
Challenging
- Beehive Trail
- Precipice Trail (experienced hikers only)
Want more trail ideas? Take a look at our favorite hikes in Acadia National Park.
Lunch
If you’re near Jordan Pond, stop at the historic Jordan Pond House for its famous popovers and lobster stew while overlooking the Bubbles.
The popovers are famous for a reason. This is not the day to start avoiding bread.
Afternoon
Spend some time exploring:
Or simply find a scenic overlook and enjoy doing absolutely nothing for a while. Even on a well-planned trip, some of the best moments are the unplanned ones.
Dinner
After a full day in the park, head back to downtown Bar Harbor for a well-earned dinner at Geddy’s.
Come as you are—hiking shoes, windblown hair, and all. Order something cold, share a plate of oysters, and settle in over lobster, seafood, burgers, or whatever sounds good after a day of exploring.
Bring your appetite. There’s nothing better than a relaxed dinner, a cold drink, and swapping stories about the day’s adventures.
Reservations recommended during peak season.
Day Two: Explore the Quiet Side of Mount Desert Island
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is never leaving Bar Harbor.
We love Bar Harbor, obviously—but the western side of Mount Desert Island offers fewer crowds, quiet coastal villages, and some fantastic seafood.
The pace is slower, the roads are quieter, and the scenery is every bit as spectacular.
Morning
Take a leisurely drive through:
- Northeast Harbor and the Azelea Garden
- Somesville and the Somesville Footbridge
- Somes Sound—the only fjard on the East Coast
- Southwest Harbor and its working waterfront and artist community
- Bernard, a quiet fishing village on the western side of the island
- Bass Harbor Head Light, one of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses
Spend the morning exploring at your own pace. Don’t worry about sticking too closely to the clock. Some of the best parts of Maine are the ones you didn’t plan.
Lunch Options
Choose the seafood experience that fits your day.
The Asticou Inn (Northeast Harbor)
An historic New England inn overlooking Northeast Harbor and an ideal spot for lunch on the terrace.
Beal’s Lobster Pier (Southwest Harbor)
Classic working waterfront atmosphere with authentic Maine charm.
The Claremont (Southwest Harbor)
A perfect choice if you’re searching for a more refined lunch or dinner overlooking Somes Sound.
Peter Trout (Manset/Southwest Harbor)
A cozy neighborhood tavern known for creative comfort food and local craft beer.
Thurston’s Lobster Pound (Bernard, near Bass Harbor Lighthouse)
One of the region’s most scenic harbor-side seafood experiences.
The difficult part of this day is not finding somewhere to eat. It’s choosing only one.
Afternoon
If heading back toward Bar Harbor, spend some time exploring downtown or choose another adventure:
- Sail aboard the Margaret Todd schooner for the sunset cruise.
- Take a whale-watching, lighthouse, or puffin cruise.
- Explore Frenchman Bay by boat.
- Try a trolley tour.
- Rent a bike or e-bike.
- Go sea kayaking.
- Discover Bar Harbor’s haunted side on a ghost tour.
Looking for even more ideas? Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Bar Harbor. At this point, you may begin negotiating how many activities can reasonably fit into one afternoon. We recommend accepting defeat early and saving something for your next trip.
Day Three: Discover Acadia’s Hidden Gems
If you have an extra day, skip the crowds and head for the Schoodic Peninsula.
Many visitors never make it here, which is exactly why locals love it.
The dramatic coastline, crashing surf, and slower pace make it feel like Acadia’s best-kept secret.
Morning
Drive the Schoodic Loop Road.
Be sure to stop at:
- Frazer Point for a picnic overlooking Winter Harbor
- Schoodic Point for crashing surf and dramatic granite ledges
- Blueberry Hill for quieter coastal views
- Ravens Nest for one of the peninsula’s most dramatic—and less obvious—coastal views
Take your time here. The rugged shoreline, crashing waves, and wide-open ocean views are worth lingering over.
Lunch
Enjoy fresh seafood at Corea Lunch on the Wharf, a favorite in the historic fishing village of Corea. Or stop at The Pickled Wrinkle, a popular local spot for seafood, burgers, and pizza.
And yes, a pickled wrinkle is a real thing. It’s an old Downeast Maine delicacy made from pickled sea snails. Feeling adventurous? Give one a try.
Afternoon
If time allows visit:
- Winter Harbor—a small working fishing village with quiet, local feel
- Local galleries—browse art, pottery, and crafts by Maine artists
- Grindstone Neck—a scenic historic summer community with beautiful coastal views
- Prospect Harbor—a quiet fishing village and harbor with classic Downeast character
- Birch Harbor—a tiny coastal village that feels wonderfully removed from the busier side of Acadia
- Scenic overlooks—pull over whenever the view makes you want to
This is a good afternoon to wander without trying to accomplish anything. Consider it advanced vacationing.
Dinner
Choose from a few of our local favorites and enjoy your final evening.
By now, you’ve earned dinner. Possibly two dinners.
Local Favorites Worth Adding to Your Trip
If your schedule allows, these spots are well worth a visit.
Havana
A longtime Bar Harbor favorite for creative, Latin-inspired cuisine, an award-winning wine list, and a more upscale evening out.
Islesford Dock Restaurant
For visitors looking for a true island dining experience, Islesford Dock Restaurant offers fresh seafood in a setting that’s as memorable as the meal.
Bar Harbor Inn and Spa
A special Bar Harbor spot for brunch on select Sundays, with harbor views, a generous buffet, and classic piano tunes.
A Few Local Tips
✔ Start your hikes early during summer.
✔ Reserve Cadillac Mountain vehicle access well in advance if you plan to drive to the summit during peak season.
✔ Bring layers. A sunny Maine afternoon and a cool coastal evening can feel like two entirely different seasons.
✔ Don’t try to “do everything.” Acadia is best enjoyed at a slower pace.
✔ Save room for lobster and blueberry pie. Consider this essential planning.
Enjoy Every Moment
One of the best things about Acadia isn’t just the mountains or the ocean—it’s that no two days here ever feel quite the same.
One morning you may be standing on a granite summit. That afternoon, you’re watching waves crash into Thunder Hole. By evening, you’re back in downtown Bar Harbor, sharing lobster, drinks and stories from the day.
That’s the magic of this place. You can plan every minute—or none at all—and somehow the days have a way of becoming unforgettable.
We hope this itinerary helps you discover a few places you love—and if your travels bring you through Bar Harbor, we’d love to welcome you to Geddy’s for a meal, a drink, and a few more memories from the coast of Maine.
From the Geddy’s Crew: If you only have one extra hour, drive over to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse for sunset. It’s one of those places that reminds you why people fall in love with coastal Maine.
Cheers from Geddy’s,
Heather
(Owner)