The Great Outdoors – Mount Desert Island, Maine | Geddy’s
Looking for outdoor family adventure destinations? Keep the summer fun going with a family trip to Mount Desert Island (“MDI”) – the eighth amazing natural “Wonders of the World.” The island is located off the northern coast of Maine and is an hour drive from Bangor. MDI is also home of famous Acadia National Park and charming New England coastal communities, like historic Bar Harbor.
The island offers colorful vistas of rocky coastlines, the Atlantic Ocean, serene lakes, pine forests, and majestic mountains, with plenty to see and do. For sports enthusiasts, there are lots of activities to keep you busy – fishing, hiking, boating, kayaking, rock climbing, and much more. MDI offers something for everyone! Here are some of my favorite outdoor family activities.
Fishing on Mount Desert Island, Maine
Cast your line into freshwater lakes and ponds. The season runs from April through September. Please note that licenses are required for non-residents, ages 12 and up. For cold-water fishing, anglers can find brook trout, salmon, lake trout, sunfish, white perch and brown trout in Acadia National Park’s Eagle Lake, Witch Hole Pond, Half-Moon Pond, Upper and Lower Breakneck Ponds, Bubble Pond and the Tarn. For warm-water fishing, head to Hodgdon Pond, Round Pond, Long Pond and Seal Cove Pond – stocked with brown trout, chain pickerel, smallmouth bass, sunfish, yellow and white perch and white sucker. If you prefer to join a freshwater fishing excursion, check-out Eagle Mountain Guide Service.
For ocean fishing, enjoy one of the island’s many town piers. Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor are two popular choices. For deep-sea fishing, try Acadian Boat Tours – offering family fishing excursions right in Frenchman Bay. Flick your rod for cod, harbor pollock, and mackerel. Be aware that there are restrictions on catching protected species, such as Atlantic salmon, sturgeon, cod, bluefish, Atlantic bluefin tuna and sharks.
Hiking in Famous Acadia National Park
Hike amazing trails, ranging from easy to strenuous – each with spectacular views and unexpected surprises. Head to the top of Sargent Mountain, the second highest mountain in Acadia National Park. This is a fun moderate trail for kids and dogs (dogs must be kept on leashes). Near the summit, enjoy panoramic views of Cranberry Isles and Porcupine Islands. Also, reward yourself with a refreshing swim in Sargent Mountain Pond, the oldest lake in Maine (17,000 years old). Then, descend back down the mountain. For other suggestions on hikes, please reference my earlier blog, “TAKE A HIKE: Acadia National Park’s Top Trails.“
Acadia Rock-Climbing
Climb steep rocky cliffs with Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School – providing a unique and unforgettable experience for the whole family. All climbs are led by certified guides. The School also offers multi-sport adventure and rock-climbing camps.
Boating – Sailing and Cruising in Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor
Set sail or cruise across beautiful Frenchman Bay with Mansell Boat Rental in Southwest Harbor. The company rents sailboats and motorboats. Sailing lessons are also available. In addition, Manset Yacht Service in Southwest Harbor is great choice for renting Yamaha fiberglass powerboats. As an alternative to chartering your own vessel, try a sailing excursion on Downeast Windjammer Cruises’ Schooner Margaret Todd, located in Bar Harbor. The popular sunset cruise on Frenchman Bay includes live folk music and panoramic views of Acadia National Park from the water. Also, Lulu Lobster Boat Rides and Tours in Bar Harbor, offers a fun sightseeing adventure in a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat.
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding on Mount Desert Island, Maine
Rent sea kayaks at Coastal Kayaking Tours in Bar Harbor for guided tours of MDI by ocean. National Park Canoe and Kayak Rentals offers freshwater kayak rentals for ponds and lakes. For paddle boarding, visit Acadia Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP), located in Bar Harbor. The shop sells and rents paddle boards and gear, in addition to offering lessons and paddling tours.
Acadia National Park’s Scenic Carriage Trails
Enjoy MDI’s famous and scenic carriage roads in a horse-drawn carriage at Wildwood Stables in Acadia National Park. The 45 miles of roads in Acadia National Park were built between 1913 and 1940 and financed by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., an avid horseman. Carriage tours run through mid-October. For those visiting the island with your own horses, Wildwood also provides stable rentals.
Biking in Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island
Pedal your way around Bar Harbor or Mount Desert Island with rentals at Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop. Also, Pedego Electric Bikes Acadia in Bar Harbor offers electric bikes, in which you can pedal too. Both are great ways to see the national park and the island.
Golfing at the Prestigious Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor
Tee-off at Kebo Valley Golf Club in Bar Harbor, Maine. Established in 1888, Kebo is the oldest golf course in Maine and the 8th oldest golf club in the United States. Kebo was once the favorite summer course of President Howard Taft. Additionally, this historic club has hosted PGA legends, politicians, and Hollywood celebrities.
Hungry Yet?
Worked-up an appetite yet? If so, be sure to join us at Geddy’s – a family-friendly restaurant in downtown Bar Harbor. The atmosphere is relaxed, casual, and fun with kids meals served on Geddy’s Frisbee’s. The menu features a wide-variety of options, such as seafood, lobster, lobster rolls, hamburgers, pizza and vegetarian items too. Also, 98% of our menu is gluten free, including our New England clam chowder and fried foods. Geddy’s is located on Main Street, across from Agamont Park and steps from the town pier.
So, climb the highest mountain, sail one of the seven seas, catch the big one … and meet us, at Geddy’s!
Cheers, 🙂
Heather
www.geddys.com
