Welcome to our second leaf-peeping weekend! We were itching to get back into our hiking boots and discover Maine for the first time! It is a state we’ve always been curious about, but never knew if we’d be able to hit until we snagged a New England contract. The excitement hit an all-time high as we came across the state line on I-95 on Friday morning. We bopped around the state’s largest city- Portland, and then dropped by Bar Harbor on the way to our true destination- Acadia National Park.
Our first time in Maine did not let us down!
Our first time in Maine did not let us down!
The Holy Donut
The first stop on our Portland walking tour is a very popular place we found out! As a major line poured out of the front door of The Holy Donut, we thought it would take forever to get our hands on a Maine potato-based donut. But the cashiers were moving people surprisingly fast and we got to the counter in about five minutes. We also quickly made our order of one maple and one toasted coconut donut (which were delicious) and off we went! These aren’t the cheapest donuts you’ve ever seen, but they sure are tasty!
The Holy Donut
Don’t let the line scare you away!
Potato donuts fully covered in toppings!
The Holy Donut
Don’t let the line scare you away!
Potato donuts fully covered in toppings!
Shipyard Brewing
About 10 minutes away on the outskirts of downtown Portland sits Shipyard Brewing. It almost looks like it is housed in an abandoned warehouse with an incomplete construction site to the side of it, but once you enter down the stairs you don’t feel like it’s a horror movie anymore. Instead, you are hit by a wave of coziness with their low-level lighting and wooden walls everywhere. You go through their own gift shop first, but then as you head further into the building you see two bars and MarioKart set up in the corner. We grabbed a flight plank off the wall, chalked up the number corresponding to what beer we desired and enjoyed. Our favorite by far is the Pumpkinhead, but make sure to at least sample their unique tea-infused brews too.
Shipyard Brewing
They have some unique creations here!
And a cozy atmosphere!
Shipyard Brewing
They have some unique creations here!
And a cozy atmosphere!
Oxbow Blending and Bottling
Oxbow Blending and Bottling
Another short 10-minute stroll on the edge of downtown is Oxbow Blending and Bottling. We really enjoyed their outdoor patio area that you walk through in order to get to the main indoor bar. This brewery is serving up more farmhouse-based creations along with live culture specialties. So, in that case, neither of us truly enjoyed any of the beers. They had an interesting vibe though, filling up the atmosphere with unknown R & B/hip hop music.
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
A unique blend of farmhouse and rap!
Oxbow Blending & Bottling
A unique blend of farmhouse and rap!
Rising Tide Brewing
Our last brewery in Portland (and our favorite) was Rising Tide. Maybe another 5-minute walk from Oxbow. They have a very nice outdoor space opened by large garage doors. There’s not much to show here- but the beer more than makes up for it. We bought a tasting block and took in the early afternoon sun on what was a splendid autumn day. Try out the Tiller and Waypoint.
Rising Tide Brewing
Duckfat
Wow! After all those we definitely needed to soak up the fun a bit, so we headed to Duckfat. Now you’re probably thinking gross- a place called Duckfat?? But no, it was fantastic! They are known for their fries which are fried in duck fat (of course) and their poutine and paninis. We ordered a small fry and regular poutine alongside an original Duckfat milkshake made of vanilla gelato from a local gelato shop. All were great. The only thing that was not great- how long we had to wait for a table. Especially since the cruise ship people had already beat us to the punch for a late lunch. So, make sure you try and avoid that happening. If you really want to ditch the line, head to the Duckfat stand outside of Oxbow Blending and Bottling.
Duckfat
Who knew fries fried in duck fat could be so good?!
Duckfat
Who knew fries fried in duck fat could be so good?!
Bar Harbor
Following that very healthy lunch we drove the last leg up to Bar Harbor which is nestled right by Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. We wanted to explore this small town a bit too, so we meandered around what seemed to be endless restaurants and shops in a tourist filled three square blocks. Initially we were going to do the shoreline trail around the edge of town, but it got way too dark, cold and windy. The downtown area has almost too many charming buildings turned eateries and shops that we didn’t know where to go and it gets a little tacky looking. Eventually we started our second brewery/foodie tour of the day by stepping into one of the numerous bakeries and sharing Maine’s “state treat”- the whoopie pie.
Downtown Bar Harbor
Maine’s “state treat”: the whoopie pie!
Downtown Bar Harbor
Maine’s “state treat”: the whoopie pie!
Atlantic Brewing Co
As the only brewery located in Bar Harbor, we thought Atlantic Brewing Co might be a gem! But we were a little disappointed upon entering the last brewery of the day. Sure, it was a nice modern style building with a sleek U-shaped bar, but nothing else excited us. The beer was average, and the vibe was boring.
Atlantic Brewing Co
Of course we found the only brewery in Bar Harbor.
Atlantic Brewing Co
Of course we found the only brewery in Bar Harbor.
Thirsty Whale
We stumbled upon the Thirsty Whale in our research for the weekend as it came up as one of the top restaurants to enjoy a Maine lobster roll. So, we thought when in Maine and decided to make this our dinner option. Unfortunately, this place is also popular, and we had to wait roughly 40 minutes for two bar seats to free up. But I got my lobster roll (and shared some with Megan…) and we also shared seafood chowder. Both were very good, and our bellies became happy again. Of course, our meal couldn’t end like this though.
Tasty seafood at the Thirsty Whale!
Mount Desert Ice Cream
Despite the temperature dropping into the 30’s on us, Megan went on her mission to find something sweet and cold for dessert. She found Mount Desert Ice Cream and immediately fell in love with their descriptions of “home-made” and “creamy”. She went with a scoop of their butterbeer flavor and I went with a peanut butter scoop as we then perused around the Acadia Park shop just down the street.
Mount Desert Ice Cream (the butter beer flavor brought me back to Harry Potter World)
Mount Desert Ice Cream (the butter beer flavor brought me back to Harry Potter World)
Blackwoods Campground
Our lodging location for the weekend was Blackwoods Campground (a 10-minute drive from Bar Harbor) on the northeast portion of the island. We made it there late, so we had to register the next morning by 10 a.m. This is only one of two campgrounds in Acadia National Park, the other being Seawall campground. If you want to be by the action of the park, book the Blackwoods. As soon as we put our tent up, we hit the hay so we could prepare for what we wanted to accomplish on Saturday.
A campsite at Blackwoods Campground.
Cadillac Mountain via the South Ridge Trail
Cadillac Mountain via the South Ridge Trail
Some of you may think we’re crazy on our weekend trips already, but this one ought to tip the scale. A cool 3 a.m. rolled around on Saturday morning and up we were, ready to start the first of five hikes! Of course, it being 3 a.m. meant it was a night hike and we needed our headlamps in order to find the way on the South Ridge Trail to the peak of Cadillac Mountain. Why do this night hike to the highest peak on the eastern seaboard??? In order to be some of the first to view where the sunrise first hits any part of the US! This trail can be started from the A loop part of Blackwoods campground and it only adds another ~1.5 miles. Total elevation change is 2200 feet over eight miles and it is very gradual. And while being some of the first people to see this brilliant sunrise was truly magnificent, stopping every now and then during our hike, turning off our headlamps, and staring straight up into a nearly unpolluted night sky was just as awe-inspiring. If you don’t want to take on mother nature at night, feel free to drive up Cadillac Mountain just before sunrise in order to claim your viewing spot. But get there at least 40 minutes early as the parking lot fills up fast.
The start of the South Ridge Trail at 3 a.m. – good thing for headlamps!
The first sign of light from the Cadillac Mountain Summit!
Our first glimpse of the sun!
This made the wait in the cold and wind worth it!
A pretty hard view to beat!
Good morning, Atlantic!
It was fun to see what the trail we did in darkness looked like!
Keep a lookout for stacked rocks and blue blazes!
The start of the South Ridge Trail at 3 a.m. – good thing for headlamps!
The first sign of light from the Cadillac Mountain Summit!
Our first glimpse of the sun!
This made the wait in the cold and wind worth it!
A pretty hard view to beat!
Good morning, Atlantic!
It was fun to see what the trail we did in darkness looked like!
Keep a lookout for stacked rocks and blue blazes!
Precipice, Orange and Black, and Champlain North Ridge Loop Trail
After a beautiful, breath-taking sunrise, the day started to turn into an immaculate day weather wise. And I mean a nearly perfect autumn day. There were no clouds in the sky at all as far as we could see. Upon finishing our Cadillac Mountain hike back to our campsite, we drove a little north to start the one-way park loop road. This is where we would find the rest of our hikes. The second of the day was the Precipice Trail, connected by the Orange and Black and Champlain North Ridge Trails on the descent as you cannot take the Precipice Trail down. This is a 2.1-mile hike with a little over 1000 feet elevation. The first 0.9 miles you are essentially bouldering and near vertical climbing on metal rungs and ladders in order to reach the summit of Champlain Mountain. It is pretty fun. And there are only a few moments where I was truly scared of the heights! The result is worth the stress as you get picture-perfect views of the islands and the Atlantic.
The Precipice Trail brought some fun challenges, from crouching threw small spaces…
…to climbing ladders…
…and hugging cliffs!
A glimpse of the Precipice Trail!
At the top of The Precipice!
The Precipice Trail brought some fun challenges, from crouching threw small spaces…
…to climbing ladders…
…and hugging cliffs!
A glimpse of the Precipice Trail!
At the top of The Precipice!
The Beehive Loop Trail
Just when we thought the views couldn’t get any better, we traveled down the park loop road less than a mile and parked near the Beehive trailhead. Up we went on this 1.4-mile 488 ft elevation hike and we got smacked by an amazing view of turquoise waters mixed with glimpses of red and yellow fall foliage at the top. The Beehive Loop Trail is much less strenuous compared to the Precipice Trail, but it’s still a fun time to climb up a few metal rungs.
We got some great fall colors on the Beehive Loop Trail!
View from the top of the beehive!
Cliff kisses are the best!
We almost had too perfect of a day!
Can you see the beehive??
We got some great fall colors on the Beehive Loop Trail!
View from the top of the beehive!
Cliff kisses are the best!
We almost had too perfect of a day!
Can you see the beehive??
Sand Beach
Across the road from Beehive is Acadia’s Sand Beach area, one of the only non-rocky beaches present on the northeast shoreline. Honestly, if you didn’t know you were in Maine you might think you’re in the Caribbean by how mesmerizing this beach is. The sand is super soft and the water crystal clear. There’re plenty more hiking opportunities that extend from this beach as well, including the Great Head Trail.
Can you believe this is the Atlantic on the coast of Maine? No, we didn’t take this pic in the Caribbean!
Can you believe this is the Atlantic on the coast of Maine? No, we didn’t take this pic in the Caribbean!
Ocean Path Trail: Thunder Hole and Monument Cove
From the Sand Beach area, we actually started our mid-afternoon hike on the Ocean Path, which is a 4.5-mile 374 ft coastal trail along the edge of the Atlantic. Here is where you get to take in the crashing waves against the hardened Maine rocky bluffs. Or so we thought… It was too perfect of a day and the water was so calm that no waves were present at all! Not even one of the main attractions of this trail- the Thunder Hole– was making any noise on this fine day. But we weren’t too sad about it as it meant our phenomenal weather would continue. This trail is very easy overall, and if you don’t mind a plethora of people walking up and down the coast past you, it’s a good option.
Ocean Path Trail
It was way too calm for there to be any thunder in the hole on this day!
Ocean Path Trail
It was way too calm for there to be any thunder in the hole on this day!
Jordan Pond Loop Trail Plus South Bubble Trail to Bubble Rock
We kept driving along the one-way park loop road in order to get to our last hike of the day- Jordan Pond Loop Trail! This is a 3.4 mile relatively flat trail around a beautiful giant pond, but we added another 500+ feet to the last trek of the day by deciding to go up one more hill- the South Bubble. This was somewhat difficult for us as our quads were totally burned out, but again well worth it. The overview of Jordan Pond made us appreciate just how awesome Acadia National Park really is and how great of a day we were blessed with. Up at the top of South Bubble also sits the Bubble Rock, a very large stone that is precariously positioned on the edge of a cliff that got stuck there after the glaciers melted. You can continue down the backside of South Bubble for a bit and then when you come to a T for the bubble divide take a left to get back on the Jordan Pond Loop.
Jordan Pond
Found some stellar autumn colors!
Jordan Pond Loop Trail
Those are the bubbles behind me!
At the top of the South Bubble!
Found the bubble rock!
Jordan Pond
Found some stellar autumn colors!
Jordan Pond Loop Trail
Those are the bubbles behind me!
At the top of the South Bubble!
Found the bubble rock!
Jordan Pond House
At the beginning and end of the loop trail sits the Jordan Pond House, known for their delicious popovers. They serve them warm with butter and jam and were the perfect post-5 hike day snack. Each one is $4 but you should try them. This restaurant has literally been making them for 100 years and it was a great carbo re-load. The building also holds an extensive Acadia gift shop that you can peer through while you wait for your table which seemed to always be at least 30 minutes. After this evening stop, we headed back to our campsite, made a fire, and then went to bed early because as it turns out, waking up at 3 a.m. gets to ya!
Homemade popovers from the Jordan Pond House!
Homemade popovers from the Jordan Pond House!
Southwest Mount Desert Island
On Sunday morning we took the loop road around the southwest portion of the island to just see if we were missing anything. We drove by Acadia Mountain (because we were too sore to climb anything) and the remote Seawall Campground. We also made a brief stop at the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse because we were in Maine and it felt like visiting a lighthouse was something we had to complete. All in all, this side of the island is much more residential and quieter than we expected, but it was a nice hour drive before heading back home.
Smoke on the water.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Smoke on the water.
Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Bissell Brothers Brewing and Kittery Trading Post
We stopped in South Portland for lunch at Bissell Brothers Brewing, one of the top-rated breweries in the area that we missed on Friday. They don’t serve their own food but are paired with a next-door restaurant that more than answers the call. Bissell Brothers focuses on beer, and they do it very well. We wanted to try many brews on their current list, but they do not offer any flight options. Make sure to try the Umbra and Dangol.
Bissell Brothers Brewing
A fun vibe!
With delicious food right next door!
Bissell Brothers Brewing
A fun vibe!
With delicious food right next door!
Another hour south we hit up the Kittery Trading Post, which is basically a combination of REI and Cabela’s and has everything you might need for the great outdoors. If you’re anywhere near Kittery, you should make this a stop and prepare to be overwhelmed.
Kittery Trading Post
And there’s our weekend trip to Maine! We are excited to now say that we’ve been there and that we conquered the top five hikes in Acadia National Park! It might’ve been a little cold at 3 a.m. this trip, but I think we’re in for even more frigid weather on our upcoming adventure!