This place is the former estate of a female ornithologist. You can walk on a wood boardwalk…read morethrough the forest and there are additional dirt trails. Use bug spray though as there are a ton of biting insects here! When you park you will notice a number of cages. These cages are housing injured raptors. You can really get to see them up close although it is a little sad that they are stuck in cages. There is a visitor center though I was there too early in the morning so I cannot comment about it.

Such a great find! Many people come to the region specifically to explore Acadia. But I highly…read morerecommend you take a little time to explore this gem just outside of Ellsworth. It is quiet and gentle and gorgeous. We walked the white trail -- the longest of 4 miles of intersecting walking trails through the picturesque and peaceful woods. Then we visited all the bird habitats with owls, hawks, ravens, vultures, and geese - all of which have been rescued and given a second chance in this lovely place. Be sure to take the time to read the placards about the birds and the venue to really appreciate what's going on here. Lovely!

Acadia National Park has been on my list of "must visit" parks for years. I've been talking to…read morevarious friends about a trip there for a while. While searching for a last-minute 4-day weekend birthday trip - the timing seemed to work out to visit Bar Harbor and Acadia. I was here from 30 April - 03 May and loved it. Not everything was open, but enough was open that I was able to explore and see most of what I wanted in Acadia (Cadillac mountain opened ON 30 April so, we were able to drive to the top, park and walk around without a permit/pass before season starts in a few weeks. We hiked Beehive, Jordan Pond, Ocean Path, Homan's Trail and a few other short park and walk items. By far, my favorite was Beehive as it's just scary/steep enough to give you a thrill, gorgeous views. I also loved Homan's trail - easy and short, but beautiful rock work. The ranger also told me that one of the women who originally donated a ton of the land for Acadia and wanted to do so anonymously was last name Homan, so this is honor of her. And what a beautiful trail it is! The visitor's center is small but as always, friendly and helpful rangers who helped me prioritize my must-sees and map out the best use of time/driving to get to everything I wanted to do in two short days. Schooner Point lookout is also an easy/quick stop off before entering one of the park entrances - and a beautiful view of the ocean. Bar Harbor is charming and fun and welcoming and at that time in late April/early May - no waits for anything as season is just beginning. Can't wait to come back!

I'd have to say that Acadia is one of my most favorite national parks…read more So much beautiful nature to see all around when hiking about. The park boasts over 120 miles of hiking trails. There are spots for swimming and kayaking and other water activities. Biking the trails is another great way to see wildlife on their natural habitat, foliage, and more. Granite peaks (like Cadillac Mountain) with spectacular views. A wonderful way to become with nature whilst checking the cost off your must-see list.

Super nice place for a break. There are places for a blanket picnic. There are plenty of parking…read morespots. There's a nice water fountain there but no longer in service. They have a short trail around the park. A hidden gem in the area.

Super cute little park with tons of benches and picnic tables. Only a short .5 mile trail, but…read moreconnects to another park with longer walk. I would love to bring my dog here. Warning lol, bring some bug spray for the mosquitos

Stunning engineering, pleasant patrons, warm welcomes, and history galore. Highly recommend! Will…read morebe back!

Not to be confused with the Fort Knox that holds the gold. This was a cool side trip…read more Located on the west bank of the Penobscot River in Prospect, Maine, in an area known as the Penobscot Narrows. Fort Knox is one of the best-preserved military fortifications on the New England seacoast. The fort has many unique architectural features and a rich history behind its walls. It is America's first fort named after Major General Henry Knox. ​ During the country's infancy, Maine was repeatedly involved in northeast border disputes with British Canada. In fact, the area between Castine and the rich lumber city of Bangor was invaded and occupied by the British during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Fort Knox was established in 1844 to protect the Penobscot River Valley against a possible future British naval incursion. It was designed by Chief Engineer Joseph Totten, with a number of other engineers serving as superintendents of construction from 1844 - 1869, among them Isaac Ingalls Stevens and Thomas L. Casey. The fort was named for Major General Henry Knox, America's first Secretary of War, who was born in Boston but retired to Thomaston, Maine, in 1796. The fort garrisoned its first troops from 1863 to 1866. These troops were mostly volunteers undergoing training before being sent to their active posts and included members of the celebrated 20th Maine. Troops were briefly stationed at the fort during the Spanish-American war in 1898 but never saw military action. If you're in the area and enjoy history, especially military history it's worth your time to tour.

Located inside Acadia National Park. It has a parking lot across the street for you to park and…read morewalk over. I liked that there are steps at various levels, so you can get a range of different views of the rocks and water. Plus it's a great place to get your steps in (if thats important to ya). I really enjoyed this spot on our way out leaving the park. Beautiful scenery to enjoy nature. One could spend a few minutes here or a couple of hours here taking it all in. It was not high or low tide, so I did not get to here the "thunder" but still really cool to look at. According to the internet: "Thunder Hole is a popular inlet known for the loud thunder like boom and spray created when the waves crash into a narrow sea cave. The sound and spray are most dramatic 1 to 2 hours before high tide, but it also interesting at low tide for a closer look at the cliffs." While it was cloudy and chilly on my visit, I still had a great time with my group. Enjoy!

This may have been our favorite place to visit in Bar Harbor. Loved exploring the rocks, the sounds…read moreof the waves, and the scenic view. Hike wasn't bad, was able to park along the road and walk along the way on a paved pathway. On a beautiful sunny summer day, the sound of the waves and smell of the salty ocean was perfect.

The cold water didn't stop me from diving right in. The water had a vibrant color. I was in awe…read moreof the landapace surround me! It was so relaxing and refreshing. The sand was so soft and fine. There a good amount of ppl sitting on the beach.

I am not a warm weather person, so the chance to go to Acadia National Park on a very cold day…read moreseemed like Heaven. It sure was. Off season is the perfect time to visit that particular beach. We had the beach all to ourselves, took an amazing walk while the wind whipped and the sand felt like frozen tundra. The whole experience felt like we were last people on the planet and it was fun to pretend, surrounded by gorgeous views of sky and water. We bought annual passes to the park, so I have a feeling that I'm definitely going back a few more times before the beach fills up with people.

Wow the views are spectacular!! So many small paths to go down. Lots of less crowded spots to hand…read moreout on rocks. Great for foraging too!

An easy hiking trail that leads you from Sand Beach to Otter Point, about 4.4 miles round trip…read more They have nice bathrooms at Sand Beach as well. Acadia was not busy when we came, so we had an easy time finding parking at Sand Beach to start the trail. While you'll have beautiful views of the water, the majority of this hike is along the side of the road - so beautiful views one way, cars the other. You'll have plenty of areas to step to the side to take pictures. Thunder Hole is included on this trail, and it's a quick stop off on your way. Once you get to the branch off for Otter Point, you'll get more of a hike with some minor incline changes and rocky paths. View from Otter Point is beautiful. All that being said, unless you have plenty of time, I'd recommend parking near Otter Cliff and just doing the tail end of the hike. Ocean Path is beautiful, but you're literally just walking along the road a majority of the time with pretty much the same views you would get from the car, and Thunder Hole has its own parking lot. Save some time, just do the short walk to Otter Cliff.

Don't miss Agamont park if you are visiting Bar Harbor. This park has much to do and see. I'm not…read moremuch for the tourist shops so I enjoyed seeing the boats in the bay. You need to pay to park but not after 9:00 pm. There are restrooms conveniently located near the parking area. During the summer the sun rises at 4:00 am and sets around 8:00 pm. It provides for secular evening photos. The gazebo was so beautiful. I would like to do a family photo here next time.

if you are in the bar harbor area, you will cross this park multiple times, across the Geddy's. it…read moreis an urban park in bar harbor. green space offers stunning views of the ocean and nearby islands, with a full 180 degrees of natural beauty on show from the northwest right around to the southeast. It's probably the best view in Bar Harbor. it is a popular viewing point for tourists. locals say- it is a popular viewpoint to watch the Fourth of July fireworks each year. This is such a peaceful spot to look out at the ships anchored in Frenchman Bay as well as the many islands near Bar Harbor. Grab a space on the lawn to relax or have a picnic and enjoy the view.

Dislocated Point…read more Established in 1836 and then rebuilt in 1857, this lighthouse was erected to aid vessels heading into the Port of Bangor and was the first river light in Maine. The Good: *Located inside 120-acre Fort Point State Park with lots of trails and a beach. *Listed in the National Register of Historic Places The Meh: *Not the most impressive lighthouse (only 2.5 stories tall [31ft]) I've seen, but it scratched an itch. *$4/per entrance fee person The Ugly: *Currently a private residence, so obviously no tours or even walking up to the lighthouse. Conclusion: Nice lighthouse in a swell park, but there's probably no need to go out of one's way to reconnoiter it.

Short detour from route Route 1 and worth it! Scenic views of the water, get up close to a…read morelighthouse (built in 1857), and see a fog bell tower (built in 1890). Entry & Admission: There are two parallel roads that both go to the lighthouse and park. One has the state park entrance sign, and a larger parking lot. The other has a very small parking lot but is closest to the lighthouse. We went to the later and there's an admission (cash). $4/adult for out of state residents, $1 for seniors and kids 5-11, under 5 are free. For Maine residents it's a dollar cheaper. There are also bathrooms at this entrance. What to see: Walk around the lighthouse, visit the bell tower, and checkout the fort. You cannot go into the lighthouse or the house, as these are private residences. What to bring: you could bike or picnic here too. Great stop to rest while traveling route 1!

Finding these gardens was pretty much the happiest accident ever. We happened to be driving through…read morethe area when we spotted a beautiful little bridge from the road and decided to turn the corner and pull in. There were only a few rows of parking and it was a little tight. I got a little nervous because there was no real signage and I wasn't even sure if I was allowed to be there. I left my husband with our dog in the car and walked up to check out the entrance. Unfortunately it wasn't dog friendly, which meant we couldn't stay very long, but we definitely wanted to check it out. Walking into this garden is like walking into another world. It's so incredibly well manicured and peaceful. There are short trails and the plant life is beautiful, especially considering that we visited outside of what would typically be a blooming season for vegetation. There are beautiful flowers and moss covered stones and carefully shaped trees creating this amazing space that made us want to stay forever. There's also lots of water features like a stream and a pond and little waterfalls. This is definitely a spot that you would want to sit for long periods of time and just relax and meditate. Even though we wanted to stay longer and we had to cut our visit short because we don't like to leave our dog in the car, I'm so grateful that we stumbled upon this garden. It's honestly one of the most serene, beautiful and magical places I have been in a long time. I can't even imagine how beautiful it must be when everything is in bloom. There is a $5 donation requested to visit but it is well worth it. If you ever have a chance to visit this garden, don't pass it up.

On my last day in the area before hitting the road, I decided to stop by Asticou Azalea Garden. It…read morewas a quiet Tuesday morning, and I was one of the few visitors to the garden. The helpful staff provided me with a map and suggested that I make a donation to visit the garden, which I happily did. I thoroughly enjoyed walking the paths which were delicately raked and taking in the beauty of the garden. I appreciated all of the various sitting areas where I could quietly ponder and reflect, especially the one overlooking the sand garden. If you find yourself near Acadia national park and are looking to do something a little different, I would highly recommend checking this place out.