Photo above: Seamus Murray, Feature photo: Author
…Even If Your Sister-in-Law Is Offering Free Rent on Martha’s Vineyard.
You have to stay close to home this summer. For East Coasters, that often translates to vacation destinations like the Vineyard, Cape, or Hamptons.
Or, you could let I-95 carry you a little farther north for an exploration of Maine’s Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park. Here’s what awaits:
1. World-class scenery
Acadia has preserved two-thirds of Mount Desert Island, regularly ranked among the ten most beautiful islands in the world because of its rocky coastline, glacial lakes, boreal forests, and the only fjord on America’s Atlantic coast.
Add in lighthouses and fishing villages, and you’ll understand its unique appeal to travelers who love both the mountains and the sea.
Photo: Author
2. Maine’s adventure triathlon
Hiking, biking, and kayaking are the trio of Acadia sports that take advantage of the park’s 130 miles of trails and 57 miles of car-free carriage roads.
Rock climbing sites are first-class, including the 110-foot Otter Cliff, where you rappel down over the crashing Atlantic surf and then climb back up.
3. Budget campgrounds
The national park service offers two campgrounds for $10-$20/night. Or, for those not into roughing it, there are other options ranging from 50s-style motels in Bar Harbor to romantic B&Bs all over the island.
If your stay is a week or longer, try negotiating rates on a rental. (Even before the meltdown, an oversupply yielded some flexibility from owners.)
4. Car-free transport
L.L. Bean offers a free, ecofriendly bus service around the island that’ll save you money and make you feel even better for foregoing that cross-hemisphere plane trip this summer. Additionally, an Acadia website lists several options for getting to Bar Harbor without a car.
Photo: Author
5. Tasty microbreweries
Awarding-winning American microbrews are born on this island at Bar Harbor Brewing and Atlantic Brewery. You can skip the tour and just join the generous tastings to do your part to “save the ales.”
6. Maine lobster
The island abounds in lobster pounds featuring mussels, steamers, New England clam chowder, and lobster pulled straight from Maine’s icy waters, which makes it the sweetest, most delicious catch anywhere.
7. Your sister-in-law lies
Nothing’s free. She’ll guilt you into picking up the tab at one of the Vineyard’s $40-entrée restaurants that make you feel just like you’d stayed home anyway.
Community Connection:
For more Maine fun, read about Katahdin: Maine’s Mountain, The Best Hiking Trail in Maine, and Trips’ Green Guide to (the Other) Portland.
Matador members advenjunkie, Laisee, AbbyB, and aya all either hail from Maine or are currently in-state. Get your networking on!
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7 Comments... join the discussion!
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Agreed. MDI is gorgeous, and there’s so much to do. Can’t wait till I make it back.
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MDI was far and away the highlight of my bike trip up the coast of Maine. I recommend the Nature Conservancy plot at Indian Point – quiet, peaceful, beautiful.
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Great golf course- Kebo Golf Club
9) The Bar Harbor restaurants/bars (Rupinuni’s, that one with the bocce court, Reel pizza, et al).
10) Quick launch off point to Nova Scotia on the Cat Ferry (Gambling is legal in international waters)
11) Boating, swimming holes, cliff jumping, etc
12) Mainers.Thanks for the posting! Love MDI. I’ve spent a good amount of time up in Southwest Harbor and Bar Harbor. So beautiful.
Great place to rent a home and congregate with friends.. (lsrobinson.com is a good vacation rental website)↵ -
Thanks for continuing the discussion, Stu, and for providing some valuable info. MDI certainly has a lot to offer, doesn’t it?
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nice summary, lynn-fantom. though i’m originally from maine, i didn’t realize what awesome rock climbing opportunities there are on MDI until a couple years ago. …your article has me feeling a little homesick.
p.s.
ice cream fans, another reason to visit MDI is ben & bills (http://www.benandbills.com/), where you can get lobster-flavored scoops.↵ -
Thank you, all, for the comments. This week I leave with my daughter to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Very exciting! Still, I yearn for Maine and look forward to the Fourth there. Bar Harbor is planning old-fashioned blueberry pancake breakfasts, a parade, fireworks — and a huge initiative toward making all that red/white/blue as green as possible. Very impressive.
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