Mount Desert Island, Maine and Acadia National Park are Always Open!
A lot of people think the island shuts down during the colder months. It definitely gets quieter and you won’t see as many t-shirt shops open, but what does stay open are the cream of the crop: the locally owned businesses.
Biking the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park
BIKING THE CARRIAGE ROADS
Biking Acadia National Park Carriage Roads is a favorite activity for locals and visitors. 45 miles of car-free roads allow bikers to leave the hustle and bustle behind and feel at one with nature.
There are many parking areas and access points to the carriage roads from the North side of Eagle Lake, Bubble Pond, the Hulls Cove Visitors Center, and Jordan Pond. One of Mountain Sea Properties favorite rides is down the east shore of Eagle Lake, past the west shore of Bubble Pond down to Jordan Pond House and back again. It never gets old!
To rent a boke on the island, check out the Bar Harbor Bike Shop and Southwest Cycle.
To help plan your biking adventure, download this Carriage Roads Map.
Bar Harbor, Maine in Winter
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
A lot of people think the island shuts down during the colder months. It definitely gets quieter and you won’t see as many t-shirt shops open, but what does stay open are the cream of the crop: the locally owned businesses. The Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, and Southwest Harbor Chambers have updated information to help you find businesses that are open during your winter stay.
Farmer’s Markets on Mount Desert Island, Maine
FARM TO TABLE
Did you know there are two local farms that are open year round? Smith Family Farm is a dairy farm with milk, yogurt, and cheese, as well as veggies and a selection of meats. Farmers Maggie and Lucian are active members of the community and support schools and educational programs. Follow them on Facebook & visit their website.
The Brown Family Farm is a pork farm located in Otter Creek. Farmer Chris is a key organizer of the free weekly community meal in Bar Harbor and gives so much to the community! Follow them on Facebook & visit their website.
Be sure to check out our Vacation Services page!
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Birds in Acadia National Park
The warm days are perfect for hiking in Acadia National Park and the cool evenings invite visitors to sit outside with good friends and family and enjoy a meal. Many visitors have already partaken of the peak summer months, making September the perfect time for those who prefer more room to roam around without missing out on all the island has to offer.
Acadia National Park in Maine
Jen loves the island in the fall! The warm days are perfect for hiking in Acadia and the cool evenings invite visitors to sit outside with good friends and family and enjoy a meal. Many visitors have already partaken of the peak summer months, making September the perfect time for those who prefer more room to roam around without missing out on all the island has to offer. It's also an excellent time to catch the beginning of the southward migration of birds, the spotlight of this month's newsletter! The Beechwood property allows you to watch birds right from the front porch! And for you stargazers, we have the upcoming Acadia Night Sky Festival! Join us as the leaves begin to turn...your fall vacation awaits!
Changing of the leaves in Acadia National Park
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK IN FALL
This is the time of year you don’t want to miss! Not only can you enjoy all the island has to offer, you can save money at the same time! Fall is the bargain time of year for a visit...or a second or third visit...with the highest quality experience for the lowest prices.
Bird watching in Acadia National Park
BIRD WATCHING IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
With 338 bird speciesrecorded to visit Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is a premier bird watching destination!
One of Jen's favorites, the Peregrine Falcon, is a crow-sized raptor that can fly up to 100mph. In the 1960’s, they were no longer breeding in the U.S., due largely to environmental impact. In 1991, after 35 years, the first local breeding pair of Peregrines successfully hatched a chick and since that time approximately 129 chicks have hatched on Mount Desert Island.
So keep your eyes on the sky, you never know what you'll see!
Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park
HIKING THE PRECIPICE TRAIL
During the summer, Jordan Cliffs, Precipice and Valley Cove Trails are closed to protect the nesting Peregrine Falcons. Once the Peregrine Falcon chicks are successfully hatched, these hikes are reopened late summer and fall for our enjoyment!
Jen started hiking the Precipice Trail quite early, at the age of 3, as a family summer ritual. To assist hikers in the challenging areas, there are ladders, iron rungs, and handrails.
Jordan Cliffs Trail contains a wooden staircase with handrails that leads down a 10-foot cliff and an iron rung ladder that goes to a trail that leads to the Penobscot Mountain summit with stunning views that make the hike worth the effort!
To see if the Precipice Trail hike is for you, check out this video by Unboring Exploring!
Wendell Gilley Museum in Acadia National Park
THE DORR MUSEUM AND THE WENDELL GILLEY MUSEUM
Want to learn more about birds? Mount Desert Island has two unique museums that showcase our feathered friends.
Located at Collage of the Atlantic, the Dorr Museum has many displays of birds and dioramas depicting coastal life. There's also a tide pool tank with marine creatures such as hermit crabs, live sea stars, and snails, and other water inhabitants. The Dorr Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.
The Wendell Gilley Museum educates visitors on the importance of respect for the natural world through creativity. Enjoy an exhibit, join a program, or simply marvel at the details of the art work at this one of a kind museum. Through September, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am–4pm.
The Island Explorer bus stops at both museums daily throughout the season.
Be sure to check out our Vacation Services page!
CHECK OUT MOUNTAIN SEA PROPERTIES VACATION HOME RENTALS AVAILABILITY
YOUR VACATION AWAITS!
Acadia's Night Sky Festival
Here we are at the height of summer on the island and there’s fun for everyone! From the upcoming solar eclipse to the wonders of the west side of Mount Desert Island to biking the carriage trails. And we know that travel can be tiring, so we've done some of the planning for you!
Mount Desert Island, Maine
Here we are at the height of summer on the island and there’s fun for everyone! From solar eclipse to the wonders of the west side of Mount Desert Island to biking the carriage trails. All that’s left for you to do is settle in, put your feet up, breathe in the fresh Maine air, and look at the stars. We know you’re up to the challenge!
Acadia National Park Night Sky
ACADIA’S NIGHT SKY FESTIVAL
We Mainers don't like to brag, but the view of the night sky on Mount Desert Island is one of the best in the world and should not be missed.
Not to be overlooked is the Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival. This Festival is filled with workshops and events like night cruises, speakers and hands-on experiences. You and your family can observe the Milky Way from Maine's rocky coast while learning from experts in the field. Perfect for amateur astronomers, night photographers, and anyone who loves to contemplate their existence under a starlit sky.
Southwest Harbor, Maine on Mount Desert Island
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND BASS HARBOR, MAINE
The Backside is what the local’s call the west side of Mount Desert Island. When Bar Harbor gets busy in August, many locals and return visitors like to spend time in Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor. These slower-paced areas have great lobster pounds including Beal’s and Thurston’s as well as unique shops and museums.
Our favorite places in the park are Wonderland at low tide where you can explore the expansive tide pools, Ship Harbor Nature Trail and the Beech Mountain for hiking.
Our Fern way and Beechwood properties are centrally located in this area!