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.
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.
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Hulls Cove Visitor Center - Begin the journey into Maine’s renowned Acadia National Park at the Hull’s Cove Visitor Center. As exploration of this stunning natural reserve commences, discover the lush forests and the reasons behind the vibrant fall foliage.
Note: This 22+ mile tour encapsulates the highlights of Acadia and Bar Harbor in 2-3 hours….
- Hulls Cove Visitor Center - Begin the journey into Maine’s renowned Acadia National Park at the Hull’s Cove Visitor Center. As exploration of this stunning natural reserve commences, discover the lush forests and the reasons behind the vibrant fall foliage.
Note: This 22+ mile tour encapsulates the highlights of Acadia and Bar Harbor in 2-3 hours.
Purchase once, enjoy for a year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.
- Park Loop Road - The self-guided driving tour enters the iconic Park Loop Road of Acadia. Follow this loop throughout the park, concluding at the summit of Cadillac Mountain.
- The Jackson Laboratory - Pass by the picturesque Beaver Pond, where lucky visitors might spot beavers and their dams. On the opposite side, view Jackson Labs and learn about its significance to Bar Harbor.
- Precipice Trail - As the tour progresses, pass the Precipice Trail. This is an excellent hike for those seeking a physical challenge. It’s also home to the endangered peregrine falcon, which nests on high rocky ledges, safe from non-flying predators. The steep mountain face is ideal for this!
- Egg Rock Overlook - This viewpoint offers a look over Bar Harbor’s Frenchman Bay. Spot the small island in the bay, home to Egg Rock Lighthouse.
- Ocean Path - Here lies another detour option: Ocean Path Trail. If the steep inclines of Precipice Trail aren’t appealing, the gentle, winding path here is a wonderful alternative.
- Sand Beach - Next is Sand Beach! At just 290 yards long, it may be small, but it compensates with intriguing natural history. Notice the slight greenish tint to the sand, courtesy of sea urchins!
- Old Soaker - Continuing through Acadia, pass Old Soaker, where waves crash against the rock face, sending water skyward.
- Thunder Hole - Witness Thunder Hole, a natural rock inlet where waves crash with a thunderous sound.
- Monument Cove - Monument Cove showcases nature’s incredible power. Over centuries, water and time have eroded the granite, leaving a twenty-foot tall rock pillar resembling a sculpture.
- Gorham Mountain Trailhead - As the tour continues along Acadia’s Park Loop Road, Gorham Mountain rises to the right. The steep trail features a false summit, appearing to plateau before ascending further. Both the false and true summits offer breathtaking views of the landscape!
- Otter Cliff - Next on the drive are the stunning Otter Cliff and Otter Cove. At the top of Otter Cliff, there’s a steep 110-foot drop to the chilly Atlantic.
- Bubbles Divide Trail - If this rock seems out of place, it’s because it is. A glacier that moved over Jordan Pond also transported this massive rock and left it here.
- Jordan Pond - The self-guided tour leads to Jordan Pond next. It’s highly recommended to pause here to enjoy the views and the restaurant. Jordan Pond was carved by a massive glacier twenty thousand years ago.
- Bubble Pond - Bubble Pond is another glacial remnant, carved out by a massive ice sheet descending from the Arctic thousands of years ago.
- Eagle Lake Acadia National Park - The drive passes Eagle Lake, the water source for Bar Harbor and a food source for local birds.
- Cadillac Mountain Summit Trail - Finally, begin the ascent to the summit of Acadia’s crown jewel: Cadillac Mountain. The views from the top are unparalleled!
- Holy Redeemer Catholic Church - Next are two churches, each leaving a distinct impression!
- St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church - This church stands out due to its unique design, or rather, lack of it! The building appears to be made of mismatched parts, each representing a different historical era.
- Jesup Memorial Library - This quaint library’s history dates back to 1875, beginning with a casual conversation among Bar Harbor’s wealthy summer residents. A public library would establish Bar Harbor as a true town, and they proposed the idea to the town.
- Abbe Museum - Pause here again, just past the School Street intersection, to view the Abbe Museum on the right.
- Village Green - Bar Harbor’s Village Green boasts star power, with its layout and landscaping designed by Beatrix Farrand, who also designed the White House’s Rose Garden. Her design remains intact today, as perfection is untouchable!
- Frenchman Bay - Stroll along the coast of Frenchman Bay. Why is it named for the French? Simple! Due to the numerous French expeditions here in the 1500s. Before European colonists could settle the land, it had to be charted, mapped, and evaluated. France’s Samuel de Champlain accomplished this. While Spain’s conquistadors sought gold in South America, the French focused on the fur trade in the North.
- Balance Rock Inn - If this rock seems out of place, it’s because it is! Balance Rock is a glacial erratic, meaning a glacier transported this boulder from a northern granite deposit and left it here.
- Grant Park - Grant Park marks the site of a former building. The grassy area seen now was once a personal tennis court!
- Bar Harbor Inn & Spa - Adjacent to Grant Park, on the left, is the expansive seaside resort, Bar Harbor Inn.
In 1887, this building began as the Mount Desert Reading Room, a gathering place for Bar Harbor’s well-educated, wealthy summer residents to discuss literature. Before movie theaters and malls, it was one of the town’s major social hubs!
- 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!
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Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
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- 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!
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
- Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations
Discover the charm of historic Maine with a combined tour of Acadia and Bar Harbor. Journey through the pristine wilderness of Acadia and uncover the stories of the Native tribes who once inhabited the area. Then, enjoy a leisurely walk along the coast as you explore Bar Harbor’s intriguing Gilded Age history. These tours provide an ideal blend of…
Discover the charm of historic Maine with a combined tour of Acadia and Bar Harbor. Journey through the pristine wilderness of Acadia and uncover the stories of the Native tribes who once inhabited the area. Then, enjoy a leisurely walk along the coast as you explore Bar Harbor’s intriguing Gilded Age history. These tours provide an ideal blend of natural splendor and cultural richness, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this remarkable state.
After booking, be sure to check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action. Enter your unique password to access your tour, which requires a reliable internet/Wi-Fi connection. Simply follow the audio instructions and the designated route.
Purchase once and enjoy for a full year! Perfect for extended stays and return visits over the next 12 months.
Please note, this is not an entrance ticket. Verify opening hours prior to your visit.
- How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email and text with instructions: • Download the separate tour app by Action • Enter the password • Download the tour MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular Works offline after download
- How to start touring: 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 No one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided Enter the first story’s point and the audio will begin automatically Follow the audio cues to the next story, which will also play automatically. Enjoy hands-free exploring. If you face audio issues, contact support. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Travel worry-free: Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace. Skip anything you don’t care about or explore bonus content for everything that interests you
- Savings tips: Driving tours: purchase just one tour for everyone in the car
- Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.