Acadia & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Tour

Experience the untouched wilderness of Acadia National Park and dive into the Gilded Age history of Bar Harbor. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural beauty of Maine’s wilderness history.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Hulls Cove Visitor Center - We enter Maine’s famous Acadia National Park at the Hull’s Cove Visitor Center. As we begin to explore this beautiful natural preserve, we’ll learn about the rich forests and why the foliage here is so vibrant in the fall.

Note: This 22+mile-long tour covers the essentials of Acadia and Bar Harbor bundle in 2-3 hours

  • Park Loop Road - Our self-guided driving tour enters the famous Park Loop Road of Acadia. We’ll follow this loop all around the park, ending at the summit of Cadillac mountain.
  • The Jackson Laboratory - We’ll then pass the beautiful Beaver Pond, where we’ll catch a glimpse of some beavers and their dams if we’re lucky. We’ll also see Jackson Labs on the other side, and we’ll learn about its impact on Bar Harbor.
  • Precipice Trail - As our tour continues, we’ll pass the Precipice Trail. This is a great hike for those in the mood for a little physical detour. It’s also home to the endangered peregrine falcon! These birds tend to build their nests on high rocky ledges, where non-flying animals can’t reach the eggs. The steep face of this mountain is perfect for that!
  • Egg Rock Overlook - This spot looks out over Bar Harbor’s Frenchman Bay. You might be able to spot a little island in the bay. This is the home of Egg Rock Lighthouse.
  • Ocean Path - Here we’ve got a second option for a detour: Ocean Path Trail. If the steep inclines of Pecipice Trail weren’t your style, the gentle, winding path here is a great alternative.
  • Sand Beach - Next up: Sandy Beach! At just 290 yards long, the beach is small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in fascinating natural history. You might notice a slight greenish tint to the sand. That’s because of the sea urchins!
  • Old Soaker - As we continue driving through Acadia, we’ll pass Old Soaker. The waves crash against the vertical face of the rock, shooting water up into the air.
  • Thunder Hole - We’ll also see Thunder Hole, a natural rock inlet where waves crash with a thunderous boom.
  • Monument Cove - Monument Cove is another example of the seemingly miraculous force of nature. Water and time have worn away at the granite over the centuries, leaving behind a twenty-foot tall pillar of rock that looks like a man-made sculpture.
  • Gorham Mountain Trailhead - As our tour continues through Acadia’s Park Loop Road, Gorham Mountain rises to the right. The steep trail up this mountain features a false summit, where it appears to plateau before continuing up further. But both the false and real summit offers a wonderful view of the surrounding landscape!
  • Otter Cliff - Next up as we drive as the stunning Otter Cliff and Otter Cove. At the top of Otter Cliff, it’s a steep 110-foot drop down to the chilly Atlantic.
  • Bubbles Divide Trail - If this rock seems like it doesn’t belong here, that’s because it doesn’t. The same glacier that coasted over Jordan Pond also dragged this massive rock across the land and deposited it here.
  • Jordan Pond - Our self-guided tour brings us to Jordan Pond next. We’d highly recommend pausing here to appreciate the views and the restaurant. Jordan Pond was carved out of the earth twenty thousand years ago by a massive glacier.
  • Bubble Pond - Bubble Pond is another glacial remnant, hollowed out of the ground tens of thousands of years ago by a massive ice sheet descending on the island from the Arctic.
  • Eagle Lake Acadia National Park - Our drive brings us past Eagle Lake, which serves as the water source for Bar Harbor. It’s also a food source for local birds.
  • Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail - Finally, we begin the drive up to the summit of Acadia’s crown jewel: Cadillac Mountain. The views from the top are unmatched!
  • Holy Redeemer Catholic Church - Next up are two churches. They’ll both leave an impression — but in totally different ways!
  • St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church - You can’t miss the church because the most unique thing about it is its design. Or rather… lack of design! In fact, the building looks like it’s made of several mismatched parts. Each one represents a different historical era.
  • Jesup Memorial Library - This little library’s history goes all the way back to 1875. It all began with a casual conversation among some of Bar Harbor’s wealthy summer residents. A public library would establish Bar Harbor as a REAL town. They pitched the idea to the town.
  • Abbe Museum - Pause here again, just past the School Street intersection. Look at the Abbe Museum on your right.
  • Village Green - Bar Harbor’s Village Green has some star power behind it… the layout and landscaping were done by Beatrix Farrand, the woman who designed the White House’s Rose Garden. Her design still remains intact to this day. You can’t mess with perfection!
  • Frenchman Bay - You’re walking along the coast of Frenchman Bay. Wait — why is it named for the French?

Simple! It’s because of all the French expeditions that took place here in the 1500s. Long before the land could be settled by European colonists, it had to be charted, mapped and evaluated. France’s Samuel de Champlain did just that. While Spain’s conquistadors looked for gold in South America, the French focused on the fur trade in the North.

  • Balance Rock Inn - If this rock looks out of place here… that’s because it is! Balance Rock is a glacial erratic. That means that a glacier pulled this boulder from a granite deposit up north and deposited it here.
  • Grant Park - Grant Park marks the site of a building that no longer stands. See the grassy area you’re looking at right now? This was once a personal tennis court!
  • Bar Harbor Inn & Spa - Right next to Grant Park, on your left, you can’t miss the sprawling seaside resort, Bar Harbor Inn.

In 1887, this building started out as the Mount Desert Reading Room: a place for the well-educated wealthy summer residents of Bar Harbor to meet and discuss literature. Back in the days before movie theaters and malls, this was one of the biggest social hubs in town!

What's Included
  • Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
  • Great value: purchase per car, not per person. More affordable than bus or guided tours!
  • Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
  • Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
  • Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
  • Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
  • Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
  • Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!
What's Not Included
  • Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Additional Information

Experience beautiful, historic Maine with this combo of Acadia and Bar Harbor tours. Drive through the untouched wilderness of Acadia and learn the legends of the Native tribes who called that land home. Then stroll along the oceanside as you dive into Bar Harbor’s surprising Gilded Age history. These tours offer the perfect combination of natural beauty and rich culture so you can get the very most out of your visit to this incredible state.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

  • How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
  • How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
  • Amazing Savings: why pay for an expensive, crowded, and limited bus tour — priced per person! — when you can have ONE amazing audio guide on your OWN phone for your WHOLE group?
  • Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
  • Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
  • Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
  • Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
  • Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
  • Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
Location
Cadillac Mountain
Cadillac Summit Road
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(49 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
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1 star
Callie_p
Aug 22, 2024
This was really helpful! - Super helpful way of learning about the park!! It was raining the first few days of our trip so this audio tour was wonderful . This kept us from driving around, wondering what to do and where to go.
Review provided by Viator
Dianawaites
Jul 25, 2024
Well narrated tour - Great little tour. A lot of info, unfortunately we didn’t get to see lots of the stuff that he talked about because of the weather. It was rainy & cloudy. Not the tours fault of course. But if it would have been great weather he tells you what to see.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lucia_h
Jul 25, 2024
Super guide to the park! - Wonderful narration, and because of all the tips, we stopped at places we might not have. It was wonderful!
Review provided by Viator
Mike_h
Jul 12, 2024
Worth it - Nice to have as we traveled through the park. I hate doing this. But you want a big review It was good
Review provided by Viator
G6196garichardd
Jun 25, 2024
Acadia and Bar Harbor - The app worked as advertised, first used in Bar Harbor walking g the path the app advertised and worked well, the next day used in Acadia National Park starting at Hulls Cove and it did its job as advertised even in areas where there was no service, wi-fi or other, very informative and entertaining, make sure to download days before, would recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chidi_a
Jun 20, 2024
Great for the Solo-Traveling Wanderer! - I loved this tour guide!! This was my first time at Acadia National Park, and I was overwhelmed with the plethora of options to do at the park. So a self-guided tour was just what I was looking for. Something to keep me engaged, allow me to go at my own speed, and share information all at the same time. This was a very helpful and informative tour. The narration was great! Not boring and not fast; and even if I missed something, I was able to rewind or restart the section. I also loved that it picked up where I left off. I would absolutely recommend it!
Review provided by Viator
George_b
Jun 4, 2024
Informative Tour - Acadia National Park is a beautiful gem. This tour helped us hit the highlights and provided value added info
Review provided by Viator
Jessicapg1242ps
Aug 20, 2024
Good value - The app was a bit glitchy at times, it would occasionally repeat sections. But overall, was good information for a family that prefers to self guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricia_d
Aug 18, 2024
Disappointed - Park wouldn’t take the pass. Waste of $50+ dollars. Very disappointed as we were looking forward to the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Douglas_s
May 29, 2024
Not Good - There were none as I think this site and proposition is very deceiving as tickets not included. I would not recommend to anyone... Even your survey site sucks
Review provided by Viator
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September 2024
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