Maine is a gem of a destination! It’s known for stunning natural beauty, charming coastal towns, year-round outdoor adventure, iconic lighthouses and of course, lobster rolls. Annie and I travelled there last summer and absolutely fell in love with the place. Our itinerary had us staying three nights in Portland before driving up the coast and staying another three nights Bar Harbor. Keep reading for a rundown of our favorite experiences, from jaw-dropping scenery to unforgettable meals.

Activities

Acadia National Park

A visit to Acadia National Park is a must if you’re vacationing in southeastern Maine. It’s a stunning blend of rugged coastline, granite peaks, and lush forests tucked along the coast. Located on Mount Desert Island, it’s just a few minutes outside the popular tourist town of Bar Harbor.

Established in 1916, Acadia National Park is the first national park east of the Mississippi River. It’s home to Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the U.S. Atlantic coast and one of the first places to see sunrise in the entire country.

There are many ways to see the park. Guest can hike on over 150 miles of trails, bike a 45-mile carriage road system or drive on the 27-mile Park Loop Road. We drove around Park Loop Road which connects Acadia’s lakes, mountains and shoreline. It provides access to popular areas such as Sieur de Monts, Sand Beach, Otter Point, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain. We stopped in several places along the way to do a little hiking and get closer to nature.

One of the most breathtaking sights is from atop Cadillac Mountain. It is the highest point on the eastern seaboard of the United States, and offers magnificent views of the island landscape.

Ferry to Peaks Island

My favorite excursion while in Portland was taking a ferry to one of the nearby islands in Casco Bay. Casco Bay Lines operates year-round ferries to six islands. We opted for Peaks Island, which is the closest of the six and actually considered part of the city of Portland. The ferry ride to the island is a quick 15-20 minutes. Peaks Island offers a mix of tranquil scenery, recreational activities, and quirky attractions, making it a popular destination for day-trippers.

History and Expectations

To set the scene, however, Peaks Island is far removed from the bustle of typical tourist destinations. In its heyday during the late 1800s, it earned the nickname “Coney Island of Maine,” thanks to its lively mix of hotels, cottages, theaters, and amusement parks. That chapter is now part of the island’s history.

Today, outside the small cluster of visitor-friendly spots near the ferry dock, Peaks Island feels more like a quaint Portland neighborhood. Around 1,000 residents live here year-round, joined by roughly 2,000 seasonal dwellers each summer. It’s the kind of place you can explore in just a few hours, and best appreciated on a clear, sunny day.

Things to Do

Once we disembarked from the ferry, Annie and I immediately headed over to Mike’s Carts. They are literally steps from the ferry and rent golf carts to cruise around the scenic 4-mile loop around the island.

Along the loop are two public beaches, an eccentric umbrella cover museum and a civil war museum. There’s also Battery Steele, a massive WWII bunker covered in street art.

If golf carts aren’t your thing, you can also rent bicycles, go kayaking or do some fishing.

On the rocky back shore of Peaks Island, there’s a stretch known as Cairn Beach, where visitors and locals have been stacking flat shale rocks into delicate towers for over a decade. These rock sculptures, or cairns, are constantly reshaped, either by the tides or rebuilt by whoever wanders by next. They’ve become a kind of ephemeral art gallery, with each stack reflecting a moment of creativity or remembrance.

L.L. Bean Outlet

On our drive from Portland to Bar Harbor, we couldn’t resist a detour to Freeport for a stop at the iconic L.L. Bean flagship store. A true Maine institution, it’s open 24/7, 365 days a year. The campus is expansive, spanning four distinct buildings filled with outdoor gear, apparel, and unique finds.

There’s also a lively green space that hosts events and concerts throughout the year. And for a sweet treat, there’s even a Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop on-site.

Bar Harbor

The bustling tourist town of Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia, but it’s so much more than that. For lodging, there are many small hotels, inns, and bed & breakfasts to choose from. I recommend the Bar Harbor Inn for its history, luxury accommodations and scenic views. You can read my review here.

One of the town’s standout features is its picturesque downtown. Main Street and the surrounding streets are lined with vibrant clapboard storefronts that house an inviting mix of local restaurants and boutiques. The town’s coastal setting, paired with pocket-sized city parks and independently owned galleries, creates a distinctly romantic ambiance. While you’ll find your fair share of T-shirt shops, there’s also an eclectic blend of specialty stores, and seemingly an ice cream shop on every corner, perfect for a sweet treat while you explore.

A really fun experience unique to Bar Harbor is walking across the “land bridge” to nearby Bar Island. At low tide, a natural gravel land bridge emerges, connecting the town to the island. During roughly a three hour window each day, you can safely walk across this half-mile stretch to explore the island and return without getting stranded.

Each morning, we welcomed the day with a peaceful stroll along Bar Harbor’s Shore Path. Stretching 1.5 miles from the Town Pier to Wayman Lane, this beautifully maintained walkway hugs the coastline and offers uninterrupted views of rugged rock formations, neighboring islands, and Frenchman Bay. Finishing on the southern end drops you onto Wayman Lane, which loops you right back into the heart of downtown via Main Street, making it as practical as it is delightful.

Food and Drink

The Holy Donut

We kicked off each morning in Portland with potato donuts from The Holy Donut. Instead of baking traditional yeast and cake donuts, they make donuts from potatoes. They donuts are a local specialty known for their unique, moist, and dense texture. It might sound unusual, but they’re awfully tasty.

For the full experience, I recommend grabbing both a sweet and a savory donut. Classic flavors like vanilla glazed and maple never disappoint, but the bacon cheddar is absolutely next level.

Miyake

Miyake is one of Portland’s most acclaimed Japanese restaurants, known for its refined sushi and elegant preparation. Located at 468 Fore Street, it’s a go-to spot for foodies seeking a high-end, authentic experience.

The restaurant offers unique dishes like steamed buns with braised duck, gochujang and hoisin mayo and the Super Toro Roll topped with diced tuna, microgreens and truffle oil. The atmosphere is intimate and serene, with a sleek sushi bar that lets you watch the chefs in action. It’s perfect for a romantic evening.

One of the most memorable dishes we had from Miyake was a shareable plate called Hamayaki. It was made from broiled lobster, crab and scallops served over sushi rice. Served in a shell, it was topped with a savory glaze of mayo, truffle oil and eel sauce that hit all the right umami notes.

Island Lobster Company

Island Lobster Company on Peaks Island is a quintessential Maine seafood spot with serious coastal charm. Just steps from the ferry dock, this family-owned, trap-to-table restaurant serves up ultra-fresh lobster caught daily and cooked right on site.

While there are so many lobster places in Maine, it’s the atmosphere that sets the Island Lobster Company apart from its peers. The back deck features casual picnic-table dining with unbeatable view of Portland Harbor. You might even catch some live music

Red’s Eats

On our drive to Bar Harbor, we had what might’ve been our most enjoyable meal. About an hour north of Portland sits a little lobster shack that’s not to be missed. Located at the foot of Wiscasset’s Main Street, Red’s Eats is one of the most famous restaurants on Route 1 in Maine. It’s been there for 81 years and always has a long line. We stood in line for over an hour under the blazing sun, but it was absolutely worth it. While we waited, we passed the time admiring photos of celebrities who’ve dropped in for a bite.

Annie and I split a lobster roll and a basket of fried clams, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. We’d already sampled a few lobster rolls in Portland, but this one easily topped them all, both in flavor and in portion size. Red’s piled on the lobster meat like no other spot we visited.

Side Street Cafe

Side Street Cafe is a lively, locally loved spot that blends comfort food with a creative twist. Located in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor, it’s tucked away from the tourist buzz of the main drag. Diners have no shortage of lobster options, from the lobster roll to lobster quesadilla to the decadently creamy lobster mac & cheese. Guests can enjoy their signature mac and cheese up to eight different ways!

The menu has plenty of shareable plates, salads and sandwiches, but save room for the blueberry pie à la mode, made with wild Maine blueberries and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pair it all with a blueberry lemonade margarita and soak in the lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Whether you’re refueling after a day in Acadia or simply seeking a taste of local comfort, Side Street Cafe turns casual dining into a Bar Harbor essential.

Atlantic Brewing Company

Located in Bar Harbor, Atlantic Brewing Company is a family-owned craft brewery that’s deeply rooted in local tradition and flavor. Originally founded as Acadia Brewing in 1991, it has grown into a beloved destination for beer lovers and travelers alike.

Although they operate their own restaurant in Bar Harbor, their beers are practically everywhere. Atlantic Brewing is well represented in nearly every local restaurant, hotel, and bar. During our trip, I sampled three varieties, and each one was crisp, enjoyable, and incredibly refreshing. My top picks were the Bar Harbor Real Ale and the Blueberry Ale.

The Real Ale, their flagship brew, is a smooth, session-style beer with subtle caramel undertones that make it easy to drink. The Blueberry Ale was ideal for a hot summer day—cooling and light without being overly sweet or fruity. It stays true to its identity as a beer, with just the right touch of berry on the finish.

Bottom Line

From Portland’s buzzing food scene to Bar Harbor’s rugged coastal beauty, Maine delivered more than we even hoped for. We found ourselves indulging in buttery lobster rolls, walking scenic paths at sunrise, and lingering in local shops and eateries that gave each town its own flavor. It was the kind of trip that sticks with you and we can’t wait to return!

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