Maine gets the nickname “Vacationland” because it’s the ideal place for a laid-back getaway. It’s known for its delicious food like lobster and blueberry pie and access to the outdoors. Fall, specifically October, is a great time to visit Maine because of the lack of crowds, cool weather, and stunning fall foliage.
Maine is home to Acadia National Park, a park along the Maine coast with rocky cliffs, lighthouses, and glacial ponds. The park is also the first place to see the sunrise in the United States atop Cadillac Mountain (more on that later).
If you’re looking for a group trip, Maine is a great place to go in the off-season. Our group of 12 stayed about an hour outside of the National Park in Dedham, Maine at an Airbnb on a lake built for big groups. It was peaceful and had everything to accommodate our 12-person party.
Word to the wise: Many small towns aren’t expecting a big group of 12 to show up at their restaurant in the off-season. It can be a challenge for these small businesses to accommodate such a large party on short notice. Thankfully, because it wasn’t busy season we never had to wait long to be seated at places that were able to accommodate us. On our trip, we did a mix of eating out and cooking large-format meals at the Airbnb. (So don’t forget to pick up some lobster and crank up the grill!)
Acadia National Park in the Fall
At Acadia, the fall foliage is interspersed in the evergreen pine trees, painting the hills in greens, oranges, reds, and yellows. Peak Week, the week when the fall foliage reaches its brightest and best shades, historically happens the second week of October in Acadia National Park.
To time your trip during Peak Week, visit MaineFoliage.com for weekly foliage reports.
National Park Pass
It’s $35 for a 7-day pass to Acadia National Park. You can purchase the passes at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center or online.
Getting There
I recommend flying into Portland, Maine for the best bang for your buck. It’s Portland International JETport (PDM) not to be confused with Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon. You can save money by flying into Boston but it’ll add an extra two hours to an already three-hour drive to Bar Harbor. You can splurge and fly into Bangor or Bar Harbor but the price isn’t worth it.
Rental Car
You’re going to need to rent a car no matter where you go in Maine, especially if you’re visiting Acadia National Park. For a group of 12, we rented two large cars at the Portland Airport. The rental car experience was seamless.
THE HIT LIST
Here are the spots you can’t miss on your road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park:
Old Port in Portland
Walk around the quaint cobblestone streets of Old Port in Downtown Portland. There are lots of shops, bars, and restaurants to explore. For souvenirs, go to Commercial St. to find shops along the marina.
Portland Head Light
This lighthouse is the quintessential New England lighthouse in Maine. The waves crash on the rocks making for a picturesque view and Instagram post. To visit, go to Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and pay for parking. You can’t miss it.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is known as the gateway to Acadia National Park. It’s a cute little town that runs on tourism and is fueled by lobster rolls and blueberry pie. Relax in the Village Green, cross the Bar Island Land Bridge at low tide, and shop along Main St.
Acadia National Park’s ‘Park Loop Road’
Acadia National Park is one of the best national parks on the east coast. It’s located on Mount Desert Island. The best way to get around the island is Park Loop Road, a one-way loop that will take you around the whole park.
Here are must-stop spots along Park Loop Road:
Schooner Head Overlook
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
Otter Cliff/Otter Point
Jordan Pond
Hike Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park has many hiking trails for all levels. The views at the top are expansive with the ocean, lakes, and fall foliage as your backdrop. For an easier hike, go to the Bubbles Divide Trail and hike North Bubble. For something a bit more challenging, try the Beehive Trail. Beehive is famous but if you’re with a large group, opt for hiking the Bubbles instead which is less than a mile long.
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the U.S., making it the first place in the country to see the sunrise in the morning. It’s gorgeous with sweeping views. To visit Cadillac Mountain, you need to register at 10 a.m. EST 2 days in advance. Tickets for sunrise sell out almost immediately so you need to be ready to fight for your spot. It might take multiple days and attempts to snag a sunrise spot. You can register at recreation.gov for $6 per vehicle.
Jordan Pond House
Within Acadia National Park is Jordan Pond House, a restaurant and cafe known for its famous popovers. The best part about Jordan Pond House though is the view. While you wait for your table (and trust me the wait is typically long), you can sit on the lawn to admire a gorgeous view of the Bubbles, two geological rock forms on a glacial pond.
Bass Harbor Head Light
Although it’s outside of Park Loop Road on the west side of Mount Desert Island, Bass Harbor Head Light is still a part of Acadia National Park. It’s a small lighthouse with a little red light that is set on a cliff. It’s a great place to watch the sunset.
Stay tuned for a more detailed itinerary on how to better plan your days in Acadia National Park and Portland with a big group.
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