Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Bar Harbor is one of the top destinations in Maine. This historic island town offers visitors a step back into the turn of the century with its antique, Victorian homes. The whole area is the perfect summer spot and caters to visitors by offering hospitality and charm. Bar Harbor is also home to Acadia National Park where visitors can find Cadillac Mountain. From the top of this mountain you have a 360 degree view of the entire area which includes the beautiful Frenchman’s Bay. In and around Acadia visitors will find plenty of places to camp with a wide variety of campsites. Whether you are looking for rustic campgrounds or one that offers many amenities and entertainment to their guest you are sure to find it in Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor also has a beautiful lighthouse to visit, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. This lighthouse is located near Acadia and is a must see. There are great tide pools that form among the rocks near the lighthouse and it is a fascinating place to explore and find wonderful sea creatures such as urchins and crabs. In addition to Acadia, the island offers a variety of things to do whether you decide to rent bicycles for the day to explore the island or rent a sea kayak to explore the inlets and private coves along the shore. In town, there is a wonderful Oceanarium and Lobster Hatchery located on the College of the Atlantics campus with live touch tanks and a great overview of the history of lobstering in Maine. Bar Harbor also has plenty of romantic Victorian B & B’s to choose from in the historic district of town. If you are looking for entertainment, Bar Harbor comes alive when the sun goes down with some great pubs and music events that go through the summer months. This year make sure you put Bar Harbor on the top of your list as one of your places to visit, you won’t be disappointed.
Tag: Summer
Berry Picking: Blue Or Red, They Are Ripe For Pickin’
Summer: During the summer months, Maine is a great place to find some of the best berry picking. From blueberries to strawberries, there are plenty of great places to pick along the coast or inland. Downeast Maine is known for its phenomenal blueberry harvest. Stop at any given farm and you will be provided with the tools of the trade which include a metal hand rake (which was invented in Maine over 100 years ago) and pint containers to keep these precious little gems in. Blueberries are actually the state of Maine’s official berry and with 60 plus thousand acres it’s easy to see why. If you are in the Acadia region you will find that the acidic soil of the coast is the perfect place to grow blueberries and they are certainly plentiful. Blueberries are ready for picking by August so make sure you take advantage of this bountiful harvest and enjoy. In addition to blueberries, Maine also has plenty strawberry farms to choose from around the state. Red, ripe and delicious, strawberries are ready for picking come mid June. If you are looking for a pick your own farm then you should check out Pops Strawberry Farm in Dresden. The berries are big and falling off the vine. The fields are easy to maneuver and you can fill a quart sized container very quickly. Nothing beats fresh strawberry shortcake with a mountain of whip cream on top! Berry picking is plentiful and is a fun activity during the summer months so enjoy!!
Campgrounds, Bar Harbor: Beautiful Camping In The Acadia Area
Summer & Fall: Bar Harbor offers some of the best spots to visit in Maine and it also offers beautiful campgrounds along the Atlantic shoreline. With Acadia National Park visitors will find several campgrounds to choose from that cater to all campers. If you are looking for ocean front camping than Bar Harbor KOA Kampground is the spot you want to stay. The views from the campsites are unbelievable, you literally can watch the sun set into the cool Atlantic right from the flyway of your tent. The campground also offers wooded sites that are both quiet and private. If you are not into tenting but, still like the idea of “camping” you can check out one of their new Kamp cabins. The campground offers a pool which is nice if you are not wanting or brave enough, to dip your toes into the cold ocean water. This is a great campground if you have kids in tow. They have a snack bar, playground, bike and kayak rentals and the little ones will love the outdoor cinema and train that runs through the grounds. If you are interested in camping right in Acadia National Park and are looking for a more rustic camping experience than Seawall Campground is a great spot. This campground does not accept reservations and it is in high demand so if you are interested in staying there the lines begin to form in the morning and they let folks in first come first serve. The campground is located across from Seawall which formed from loose granite stones and boulders that form a jetty out into the ocean. This is a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the crashing waves and beautiful view around you. Another great campground with Acadia National Park is Blackwood Campground which is just off the Loop Road. This is a very private and wooded campground offering double sized camping sites. This campground is by reservation only so you will want to secure your spot early in the year to get your first choice dates. The amenities are minimal each site has its own fire pit with grate and a picnic table but, what surrounds you makes up for its limited amenities. This campground is just a short hike from Thunder Hole and the hiking trails on Cadillac Mountain. Where ever you choose to camp one thing is for sure, you won’t be disappointed with Bar Harbor and all it has to offer!
Quiet Harbors: Escape And Find The Perfect Hideaway
Summer & Fall: So you have decided that you want to explore a true Maine coast town that hasn’t been tainted by lobster and lighthouse t-shirt shops and the typical tourist attractions. You are searching for a quiet harbor where the sounds of gulls is the loudest sound you will hear. Southwest Harbor is just the place you may be looking for. Located on the southwestern side of Mount Desert Island at the mouth of the Somes Sound this place is the just the opposite of it nearby neighbor Bar Harbor. The town was born and raised on one thing central to the whole community, the sea. Lobster boats and sailboats comingle in the harbor and the quiet is a welcome reprieve to to its busy counterparts nearby. The town is small and quaint and offers a few amenities but, the biggest draw is the peace and beauty that envelops this wonderful spot. Nearby you will find Bass Harbor where the Bass Harbor Head Light is located. There you will find amazing views and great spots to practice your photography skills. Close by is another great spot, Seal Cove which offers perfect picnic spots and wonderful panoramic views of the ocean. Quiet harbors can be found slightly off the beaten path, you just have to look and enjoy.
Vacations: Discover Vacationland And All There Is To Do
Summer: Maine vacations are hard to beat especially because of all the diverse things you can find to do in this wonderful state. Whether you choose the western mountains in the Rangley Lakes area or the crashing surf in Acadia you just can’t help but, fall in love with vacationland even if you have lived here your whole life. Renting a cabin on Grand Lake Stream and fishing for one of the biggest native landlocked salmon’s around is a great way to spend your vacation this summer. Maybe you should take the Casco Bay Ferry out to Peak’s Island and spend some time riding around the island on bikes enjoying the beaches and quiet. Hitting the beaches of southern Maine and antiquing your way up Route 1 can always be fun. Exploring the mid-coast area it all of its small coastal towns like Bath, Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta can be a great way to discover this part of Maine and learn about the history of “Downeast”. One of the best ways to plan your vacation is to contact the town’s chamber of commerce offices to get an idea of some of the best places to stay and see during your stay. Make Maine your vacation spot this summer and discover all there is to see and do.