Top Things to do in Mount Desert Island
10 Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers in Mount Desert Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Mount Desert (pronounced “dessert”) Island is the largest isle in Maine and the second largest on the U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Though it boasts a small residential community, Mount Desert claims more than two million visitors each year; all of whom are enamored with its quaint feel, stunning beaches, and access to saltwater and freshwater lakes. Popular water activities include kayaking, fishing, and canoeing, though many prefer to take in amazing sunrises and scenic vistas while exploring one of the island’s 25 trails.
Restaurants in Mount Desert Island
1. Cadillac Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,467 reviews
The East Coast's highest mountain at 1,530 feet and Acadia's best known sight.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on Maine's Mount Desert Island is, at 1, 532 feet, the highest point along the North Atlantic Seaboard and the first place in the United States to be touched by the light of a rising sun from October 7 through March 6 of each year. How's that for a notable piece of trivia? It also is the only mountain on Mount Desert Island--there are more than 20 of them--that has a road that travels all the way to the summit. The 3.5-mile road to the top opened in 1931. Cadillac Mountain is composed largely of pink granite, giving it a strong reddish appearance at sunrise or sunset. Spruce and pitch pine are the dominant trees on the mountain combined with tiny subalpine plants and wild blueberries. Views? Look in every direction. To the East, there is the Schoodic Peninsula on the mainland. There are several islands off the coast of Mount Desert Island, including Sheep Porcupine and Bald Porcupine. To the Northeast is the business district of Bar Harbor. To the North is Trenton. To the South is Islesford. To the Southwest is Southwest Harbor. To the West is Eagle Lake and Blue Hill Mountain. Yes, it is more scenic than a trip to the top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.
2. Precipice Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 251 reviews
Half-mile long trail for experienced hikers at Acadia.
Reviewed By SteelCity13 - Austin, United States
Really enjoyed the workout that I got this morning but I didnt expect to climb a mountain when I set out to do some hiking. This trail is INTENSE! Dont go if its raining or has been raining, get there early! Like 7 AM early. You dont want to do this trail when tons of people are on it. Its challenging but do able. You CANNOT be afraid of heights and do this trail. I think this trail is the craziness hike i have every done or will ever do. The one great thing about the hike is that there are metal rails everywhere to help you get up the straight up parts of the hike. If you want a challenge a big challenge then try this hike. Also remember that this hike is only one way!
3. Maine State Sea Kayak
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 650 reviews
Paddle. Nature. It’s that simple really! We paddle the most remote sections around Acadia National Park. Our guides are passionate, we have the cleanest gear (washed after each trip), offer picnic lunches, and we are the only MDI Sea Kayaking tour provider offering a wildlife guarantee! Come explore the power of Acadia with us!
4. Atlantic Climbing School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 327 reviews
Named BEST OF MAINE by Down East Magazine! Featured in the New York Times! For 25 years Atlantic Climbing School has been the leader in rock climbing instruction and guiding in Maine. Healthy fun for the whole family! Half day and full day courses are available for individuals, couples, families and groups of all ages and ability levels. As Maine's premier rock climbing school we guarantee the best instruction, the most experienced guides and of course, the most rewarding rock climbing experience you'll ever have. All of our staff are certified AMGA Instructors and Guides and we are proud to be the ONLY guide service in Maine to have this distinction. In fun, in professional commitment, in everything we do - at Atlantic Climbing School, WE CLIMB HIGHER. All equipment provided. No experience needed! Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association
5. National Park Sea Kayak Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 472 reviews
Ecological Sea Kayak trips on the remote West Side of Acadia...Half Day (4 hours) AM, PM & Sunset. (2.5 - 3 hours) "on-the-water"... Top Rated on Trip Advisor. Great Wildlife Sightings (Harbor Seal, Porpoise, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loon, other Sea Birds. Locally owned and operated since 1993. Professional Sea Kayak Guides provide all equipment, instruction and van transportation. Beginners welcome.
6. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 664 reviews
Maine’s oldest and most accredited rock climbing guide service. Having been featured in Outside Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Downeast Magazine, and many others. Come experience a half or full-day climb with Maine’s original and most respected climbing school. Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School (AMGCS) is one of the most sought out leaders for climbing instruction and guiding education in the US. We specialize in designing personalized climbing experiences for all ages and abilities throughout Acadia & Maine! Join us for the activity that is guaranteed to be a highlight of your vacation. All equipment is provided! Unlike other local seasonal climbing services, guiding is our profession! We guide rock, snow, and ice year-round, and 100% of our staff are independently trained and certified above national guiding and medical standards. AMGCS has the distinction of being the only school in Maine to be dually accredited by both the AMGA and the PCIA.
7. Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By 130ashleyb - Yountville, United States
Fun hike! After reading many reviews, my husband and I took this hike on our recent trip to Acadia. We knew that we needed to get there early, and so glad we did! If you get there any later than 10am you'll be less likely to find parking and the trail starts filling up- which means you'll be hanging on the side of a mountain waiting for 200 other people to scramble up the ladders. Quick warning for the fair skinned - this trail is 75% exposed to the sun, so make sure to apply sunscreen before you go.
8. Acadia Lobster Cruise
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 101 reviews
Create a truly memorable vacation with this Lobster Dinner Cruise on a vintage 1967 wooden lobster boat built right here on Mount Desert Island. Learn how lobsters are harvested and enjoy the fresh salt air with views of MDI while Captain Jason Clark prepares your downeast lobster bake and shares his personal knowledge of the area with views of lighthouses and abundant wildlife.
9. Acadia Stand Up Paddleboarding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 148 reviews
Acadia Stand Up Paddle Boarding offers guided trips, instruction, rentals, SUP yoga, and SUP Fishing tours on the beautiful lakes and calm bays of Mount Desert Island. Located in downtown Bar Harbor our retail store offers a wide variety of paddle boards for sale as well as beach lifestyle accessories. All our programs are led by certified professional instructors. Due to the small group nature of our program offerings, please note our strict 24 hour cancellation policy.
10. Pemetic Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By jamieleigh84 - London, Canada
There are 4 routes up to the summit, and we chose the most difficult, the Northwest route, up from the Bubbles parking lot. This was a very challenging hike/climb, with a lot of scrambling over rocks. We took the ravine path going up (which was very cool), and came down the ledge route (which I slid down on my butt). This was quite a hard hike, but we were rewarded by the amazing views at the top.
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