A hazy morning on Mount Desert Island. (Photo courtesy of Dana Moos; see below.)
Cozy seaside villages . . . miles of trails that wind past glacial lakes in some of the tallest mountains on the eastern seaboard . . . horse-drawn carriage rides past historic inns and estates . . . fine dining using locally grown foods. . . . If you’re considering a New England honeymoon this fall, you just might want to look at Maine’s Mount Desert Island. Here’s how Lynn Fantom, publisher of Our Acadia, describes it:
Imagine 24 mountain peaks on an island the size of Martha’s Vineyard. That’s Maine’s Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park, where the mountains meet the sea.
“Once you visit,” Fantom says, “then it’s hard to settle afterwards for either the mountains or the sea. On Mount Desert Island you get both.”
Mount Desert Island is about three hours north of Portland. Two-thirds of the island is Acadia National Park, which has 130 miles of hiking trails and 57 miles of biking roads weaving through spruce forests and glacial lakes. A key attraction is watching the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak along the North Atlantic seaboard.
The rest of the island is dotted with fishing villages, lighthouses, and wild blueberry fields, and is a year-round home to artists, lobstermen, and restaurateurs.
“Mount Desert Island is a great place for foodies,” Fantom adds, “not only because of the seafood, but also the farms. I once ordered an asparagus appetizer at one of my favorite restaurants, Red Sky. When the chef set the plate before me, he said the asparagus had been in the ground that afternoon.” Alan Feuer, owner of Ann’s Point, a four-room inn on a peninsula, features local Seal Cove goat cheese and wine from Bartlett Winery at cocktail hour. Most popular among his guests are kayaking trips and dinners at local lobster pounds.
Ann’s Point is located in Bass Harbor in the area of the island known as the “Quiet Side,” in contrast to Bar Harbor, the best-known town on Mount Desert Island. “Like Martha’s Vineyard, it’s an island of assorted villages with different characters,” says Fantom. “That makes it fun to explore.”
WikiTravel, which advises that the island can be crowded during the summer tourist season, suggests the following island attractions:
- Thuya Garden. This gorgeous garden in Seal Harbor has row after row of native, non-native, perennial and anual plants. A small pond sometimes houses frogs, and a beautiful wishing well is a site to behold. (207) 276-3727.
- Beech Hill Farm. A beautiful little farm located in Somesville. The produce is sold at the Beech Hill Farmstand, and is also used to stock the College of the Atlantic’s dining hall. 603-223-0828.
- The Bar Harbor Whale Museum. Located on West Street facing the harbor. Open daily from 10am to 8pm. Admission by donation. The museum is devoted to whales and other sea creatures. There are many real skeletons (from stranded marine mammals) on display including a 28 foot long juvenile humpback whale. Other exhibits include climate change, bioacoustics, marine adaptations, and a brief history of whaling.
- Jeckyl and Hyde. Two extremes, one shop. Half the store is devoted to the sale of knives, weapons and leather goods, while the other is devoted to women’s clothing and jewelry. They always have something interesting for sale.
- Hike to Sargent Mountain. Sargent Mountain has beautiful views, and part way up the climb there is Sargent Pond, a refreshing and beautiful spot for swimming.
- Sea kayaking. Kayaking tours and boat rental services are offered from numerous establishments in Bar Harbor and allow access to Mount Desert Island and other destinations.
- Acadia Improv. An instant favorite amongst all who attend, this live improvisational comedy show is not to be missed! (207)288-2503.
For more information on Mount Desert Island, check out Our Acadia, a website that offers a beautiful guide to the island, including itineraries that identify the best kayaking trips, off-the-beaten-path inns, and harbor side lobster pounds. Another good resource is the Wikitravel article on Mount Desert Island. And to get a preview of your honeymoon on the island, check out this short video guide from the local Chamber of Commerce:
(Top photo is courtesy of Dana Moos.)
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