If you’re going to Acadia National Park, you’re most likely not flying straight to Bar Harbor. In fact, you shouldn’t. The road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park is only 3 hours long with travel-worthy stops along the way.
This is a five-day itinerary for driving to and around Acadia National Park from Portland, Maine with a large group. And, if you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this itinerary will be even easier for you to follow.
Alright, let’s get to it:
Day 1: Portland + Camden
Whether you fly in or drive in, our itinerary begins after arriving in Portland, Maine. There are plenty of parking garages to leave your car at while you explore the walkable downtown.
Bard Coffee
Get your caffeine fix at Bard Coffee, a little coffee shop next to Post Office Park. It’s on the border of downtown proper and Old Port.
Explore Old Port
You’ll spend most of your time in Portland around Old Port. The tiny quaint neighborhood has cobblestone streets and shops, restaurants, and bars to stop into.
Lunch at The Highroller Lobster Co.
Whenever we asked anyone for their recommendation on lobster rolls in Maine they sent us to The Highroller Lobster Co. It’s a lobster roll joint with a big back patio that’s great for large parties. You may have to wait a bit but when you get your fresh lobster roll it’ll all be worth it.
A note on lobster in Maine:
Maine-style lobster rolls are chilled with mayo. It’s more like a lobster salad within a toasted bun. Connecticut-style rolls are served warm with butter. At Highroller, you can choose either or.
If you order lobster by the pound, it will come with the shell, claws, and all so be prepared to wrestle it to get the meat out.
Dessert at Beals Famous Old Fashioned Ice Cream
For a sweet treat after lunch go to Beals Famous Old Fashioned Ice Cream where they make and serve creamy ice cream with local flavors Blueberry Cobbler.
Fun Fact: Maine’s top two exports are blueberries and lobster.
Portland Head Light
Before you leave Portland, you need to stop at Portland Head Light. It’s a picturesque lighthouse in Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth. It’s the quintessential New England lighthouse with waves crashing against the rocky shore.
Sunset and Dinner in Camden
Camden is a charming town on Maine’s coast. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Portland, making it an ideal stop on your journey to Bar Harbor (or a neighboring town).
Plan to get to Camden before sunset to see the marina before it gets dark. Wander around Main St and get dinner at Blaze Camden, a restaurant and brewery that can accommodate large parties.
If you have a smaller party, you can also try Sea Dog Brewing Company for dinner. Both spots have large menus and a local craft beer selection.
Grocery Shopping at Hannaford
Before checking into your Airbnb, shop for groceries. Because we traveled as a group of 12, we did a mix of meals at restaurants and at our home base in Dedham, Maine (which was about an hour from Acadia National Park). We loved Hannaford for all our groceries. They have everything you need for a great group trip from fresh lobster to booze. There was a location in between our house and the National Park that we stopped at multiple times.
Day 2: Acadia National Park Loop Road
Acadia National Park’s main drag is Park Loop Road. Start your day at the park at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to purchase a 7-day park pass for $35 or online. Pick up a map of the park to get your bearings and spend your day driving the loop.
Park Loop Road
Pile everyone into a car for a mini road trip around Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park. Park Loop Road is aptly named because it looks around the entire park. There are many stops along the way where your group can stretch their legs and explore. I would allot about 30 minutes to each stop so people can take pictures and enjoy the amazing views.
Here’s where to stop on Park Loop Road:
Schooner Head Overlook
Sand Beach
Thunder Hole
Otter Cliff/Otter Point
Jordan Pond (but we’ll save it for its own day)
Lunch at Stewman’s Lobster Pound in Bar Harbor
Head into town in Bar Harbor for lunch at Stewman’s Lobster Pound on the marina. Stewman’s has Maine classics like lobster and blueberry beer on tap. In the fall, it’s not as crowded so there’s plenty of seating on the enclosed patio.
Sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light
On the west side of Mount Desert Island is Bass Harbor Head Light. It’s a relatively small lighthouse but it has a stunning cliffside backdrop. Go for sunset before heading back to your home base for dinner.
Day 3: The Bubbles
The iconic landmark at Acadia National Park is The Bubbles at Jordan Pond. You’ll spend your day in the park in and around The Bubbles.
North Bubble Trail
When hiking with a big group, I always look for hikes that are the lowest effort for the highest reward. The North Bubble Trail checks all the boxes: it’s short and has great views. This trail is under a mile (.9 miles to be exact) but you can add on South Bubble for 1.5 miles round trip. To reach the trailhead park at the Bubble Divide parking lot.
Lunch at Jordan Pond House
After hiking, head to Jordan Pond to see The Bubbles reflected on a beautiful glacial pond. If you look closely, you can point out the hikers that are on top of The Bubbles. You’ll have lunch at Jordan Pond House which is famous for its popovers, which are like delicate airy biscuits. The wait for a table is typically long but you can explore Jordan Pond while you wait and lie in the grass to enjoy the view.
Day 4: Cadillac Mountain + Seal Sighting
Rise and shine to be one of the first people to see the sunrise in the United States on top of Cadillac Mountain. After that, you’ll have breakfast and explore Bar Harbor. And if you’re feeling lucky, you can go on a seal sighting excursion to spot some harbor seals.
Sunrise at 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. To visit Cadillac Mountain, you need to register at 10 a.m. EST two 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.
Breakfast at 2 Cats in Bar Harbor
If you woke up before dawn to make it to the top of Cadillac Mountain, you’re going to be hungry by 8 a.m. Head into Bar Harbor for breakfast at 2 Cats, a kitschy cafe with great breakfast and brunch that will fill you up for hours.
Explore Bar Harbor
After breakfast, walk down Main St. to get to know the town of Bar Harbor. The main square, the Village Green, is a great meeting point if your group wants to split up while they pop in and out of stores.
Bar Island Land Bridge
Across from Bar Harbor is Bar Island, an unassuming little island. At low tide, you can walk across the harbor to reach Bar Island on the Bar Island Land Bridge. The novelty is being able to walk on the ocean floor at low tide. Just make sure you don’t get stuck on the other side of the land bridge at high tide.
Indian Point-Blagden Preserve
We were on a mission to find seals. After a few busts at other seal-less locations, my research led us to the Indian Point-Blagden Preserve on Mount Desert Island. It’s protected by The Nature Conservancy and free to visit.
The trail in the preserve will take you through a mossy, wooded forest to a rocky beach. From the beach, you can spot seals if you’re lucky. The best chance of seeing seals will be with binoculars. When you arrive at the beach, turn left. The seals should be on top of the rocks in the water.
Day 5: Back to Portland
For the last day, you’re going to want to give yourself enough time to pack up your things and drive back to Portland to make your flight. We asked for a late checkout and relaxed around the Airbnb until it was time to say goodbye.
Until next time, Maine!
For a full, more comprehensive guide to plan your group trip to Maine, check out this blog post.
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