Acadia National Park to Brunswick

At 1,526 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the highest point in Acadia National Park. From this bald granite vantage point, visitors can enjoy views stretching over the park and across the Gulf of Maine. Cadillac is especially splendid at sunrise, bathed in morning light, but if you’re planning to drive to the top, you’ll need to make a vehicle reservation.
Vehicle reservations are required during the summer and fall months. They can be purchased on a rolling basis for $6.

Acadia’s coast and peaks get all the glory, but those who venture into the interior of the park will encounter gems like the Wild Gardens of Acadia. The flat, mellow trails here boast over 400 native plant species, divided into sections that represent their natural communities. All plants are labeled, making the gardens a fantastic “living field guide” for Acadia’s ecosystems.

Exit the park and enter the cool waterfront village of Bar Harbor for a lunch break. The Side Street Cafe is a delightful choice, serving takeout and dine-in classics like burgers and sandwiches as well as a creative variety of customizable mac and cheese bowls. Have a sweet tooth? Grab a slice of blueberry pie, a Maine favorite.

Before you go: Bass Harbor Head Light is one of the best photo ops in all of Acadia National Park. The cliffside beacon sits on the southwest side of Mount Desert Island, marking the entrance to Bass Harbor. A short walking path leads to the waterside, where visitors can admire the white-washed tower against a backdrop of rugged rocks and shimmering waves.

Take a pit stop in Bangor, Maine, a town famous for its logging heritage and its cameo in the 1964 classic Roger Miller song "King of the Road." On Main Street, you'll run smack into a statue of the lumberjack Paul Bunyan, a larger-than-life legend of American folklore. Be sure to snap a photo with this mythical giant, his axe, and his buffalo check plaid shirt.

Can’t decide what’s for dinner? Stop in to the State Lunch in Augusta, where the eclectic menu offers something for everyone. From burgers and sandwiches to amply portioned ramen bowls, you’ll find plenty of choices at a reasonable price. So, why not get that drink? State Lunch has some fun cocktails, as well as a draft beer selection from nearby Cushnoc Brewing Co.
State Lunch is open for dinner Monday-Saturday. They close at 15:00 on Sunday afternoons. Make a reservation here.

Rest for the evening in the Androscoggin River town of Brunswick, approximately 150 miles south of Mount Desert Island. OneSixtyFive, aka The Inn on Park Row/The Brunswick Inn, has all the charm of a classic bed and breakfast without the classic stuffiness. Rooms are clean, crisp, and modern, and the inn’s bar, Pub165, is a relaxing place to settle in with a snack or drink.