Day trips in Maine: 3 itineraries for eating, drinking and adventuring your way through Vacationland

Bar Harbor & Coastal Maine

The Maine coast stretches some 3,500 miles, including bays and inlets — meaning there are a myriad of beaches, islands and coastal towns to explore. Bar Harbor is just one part of the Maine coast, but it’s a top destination, with Acadia National Park as a backdrop and a beautiful, quintessential downtown as well. Maine’s Down East region is known for its natural beauty and fresh seafood, especially lobster! I grabbed a coworker and spent the day checking out some of these spots.

What to do if you’re a…

Nature lover

Coastal Maine is a nature lover’s utopia. Near Bar Harbor, the go-to spot is Acadia National Park. Acadia has a perfect mix of coast and mountains and has tons of trails and views for everyone. You will need to purchase a park pass for your vehicle upon entering the park, but note that these passes last for seven days.

If you want a chill outdoors experience

• The Ocean Path Trail — This is a flat, 4.5-mile trail along the rocky coastline offering some amazing views of the water and nearby islands. This is a great path for all ages and abilities. You can park along the road parallel to the trail and start walking at any point, or you can park at the start of the trail at Sand Beach. This might be my favorite thing to do in the park!
• Sand Beach — The name says it all! This beach is tucked between rocky cliffs and provides a great spot to have a beach day, go for a swim or play in the sand with your kids. Be aware that it can be crowded during peak season. Also make sure to take advantage of the free Island Explorer shuttle, which stops at all popular locations in the park, to help you avoid parking in the busy lots.

If you want something a little more challenging

• Cadillac Mountain — The Cadillac summit is famous for being the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard and, depending on the time of year, it contends for the first place to see the sunrise in the U.S. You can either reserve a permit to drive up to the top; get an early start and hike up the Cadillac North Ridge Trail, a 4.2-mile out-and-back trail; or cycle up one of the best-regarded, most challenging bike climbs in the state.
• The Beehive trail — This is a rung-and-ladder trail, which can be challenging for some hikers and not easily accessible. But if you’re up for the challenge, the 1.4-mile round trip promises great views that overlook Sand Beach and the Gulf of Maine.

Foodie

Breakfast

• Cafe This Way — a cozy breakfast spot with outdoor seating and friendly, quick service. This was a perfect way to start off our day in Bar Harbor. You can even get a breakfast sandwich with French toast as the bread!
• Looking Glass Restaurant — A great spot for breakfast with a view of the ocean. Make sure to order a Looking Glass-exclusive item.

Lunch

• Geddy’s — A classic Bar Harbor restaurant located right in downtown. The interior highlights a rustic Maine aesthetic with high-quality food and fresh Maine seafood. Don’t forget to order a lobster roll!

Dinner

• Finback Ale House — There are a variety of whale-themed restaurants in Bar Harbor, as visitors can spot humpback, finback, and minke whales off of the coast of Maine. I had some fresh clam chowder and, of course, we had to grab a beer to finish off our day of eating and drinking.
• Thirsty Whale — If you want more of a tavern feel, visit the Thirsty Whale a few doors down that has a wide variety of seafood, appetizers and specialty cocktails.
• El El Frijoles – If you are headed down the coast towards Sedgwick, make sure to check out El El Frijoles (a play off of Maine’s famous L.L.Bean). This family-owned summer restaurant serves homemade Mexican food made with local Maine ingredients that you can enjoy indoors in a beautiful screened-in porch area, or share a meal with friends around the outdoor fire pit.

Lifelong Learner

If you’re a history buff or find yourself in Bar Harbor on a rainy day, there are tons of places to check out.

• Abbe Museum — Located right in downtown Bar Harbor, the Abbe Museum is the spot to learn about the Wabanaki Nation’s heritage, culture and homeland.
• La Rochelle Mansion and Museum — If you are interested in turn-of-the-century homes, you need to take a morning or afternoon and walk through the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s well-preserved home from the early 1900s. The mansion offers a look into a classic New England high class home with beautiful grounds and views.

If you’re more interested in Bar Harbor’s wildlife and ecology…

• Mount Desert Oceanarium and Education Center — Here you can meet Maine’s coastal critters including fish and lobster, and learn about coastal habitats.
• George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History — If you’d rather stay closer to downtown Bar Harbor, check out the College of the Atlantic’s Dorr Museum, where there’s a touch tank for all ages to get up close and personal with starfish, crabs and other crustaceans. If you are traveling on the free Island Explorer bus, the shuttle stops right near the Dorr Museum throughout the summer, making visiting easily accessible to all.

Creative

If you are an art lover and are traveling down the coast from Bar Harbor, have you ever heard of the giant trolls of Maine?

• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — The trolls are a big attraction at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. Their real name is “Guardians of the Seeds,” and they were made by Danish artist and sustainability activist, Thomas Dambo. The botanical gardens have lots of things to see, including gardens in bloom and a butterfly and moth house. They are open May through Oct. 20, and there is an admission fee. This is a great spot for the whole family!
• Center for Maine Contemporary Art — Make sure to visit the gallery in Rockland. This museum focuses on art made by Mainers or people who are inspired by Maine. It’s a great chance to see and support local Maine art.

Rangeley & Western Maine

The western mountain and lakes region of Maine is known for winter season activities including skiing, snowboarding and hunting. But the area also is a great summer getaway, with tons of swim spots, hiking trails and places to eat. I would argue this drive is the most scenic in this guide. I made sure to stop by some of these places and see what Western Maine is all about.

What to do if you’re a …

Nature lover

• Winter skiing — The mountain region is known for winter skiing. Check out Saddleback Mountain, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Mt. Abram and Pleasant Mountain.
• Cascade Stream Gorge Trail — For a quick day hike for the whole family, check out this short, 1-mile loop that leads you to see a series of waterfalls. This is a great option for kids.
• Saddleback Mountain via Ski Lodge trail — If you’re looking for a more challenging day hike, trek the 5.9 miles (about 3.5 hours) up and back.
• Rangeley Lake State Park — A great spot to camp, swim or enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake on the public access lawn area.
• Coos Canyon — Check out Coos Canyon on Route 17, located right on the Swift River. There are swimming and cliff jumping spots, plus places where you can pan for gold!

Foodie

Breakfast

• Looney Moose Cafe — Located in Stratton, this might have been my favorite meal of the day! Not only can you eat a hearty breakfast, but they also make homemade doughnuts. Stop by on your way to Sugarloaf to fuel up for skiing or hiking.

Lunch

• The Red Onion — Right on Main Street Rangeley, the Red Onion is a local favorite known for their pizza.
• Classic Provisions — This is a go-to breakfast and lunch spot in Rangeley. They have a variety of sandwiches and salads, as well as coffee drinks and house-made pastries. Plus you can walk two steps and grab an ice cream next door.

Dinner

• Rangeley Inn and Tavern — Not only is this a great lodging spot, but it also has an attached tavern that serves quality food in cozy dining rooms.
• The Mountain Social Kitchen and Bar — This is a great fine dining option. They have locally made food and are located right on the main street in Bethel.

Beer lover

• Furbish Brew House & Eats – Situated on Main Street in Rangeley, you can sip on your brew while enjoying a view of Rangeley Lake.

Historian

• Outdoor Heritage Museum — This is a small but robust museum where the whole family can learn about western Maine’s history of hunting, fishing and wildlife from the 20th century. They even have a 100-year-old cabin!
• Rangeley History Museum — Stop by to learn about the history of Rangeley and western Maine. This location is right on Main Street.

Lifelong learner

• Maine Mineral and Gem museum — Who knew you could hold a piece of the moon in western Maine? Plus, we even got to touch 7 billion-year-old stardust. This museum has the largest meteorite collection in North America, plus tons of beautiful gems and stones. Their staff can answer all your burning questions about space rocks! Note that admission ends at 4 p.m., while the museum closes at 5 p.m.
• Did you know that Rangeley is located exactly halfway between the Equator and the North Pole? There’s even a spot on Main Street where you can stand and be exactly in the middle!