Location: Southwest Harbor
Top Things to do in Southwest Harbor
Top 10 Things to do in Southwest Harbor, Maine (ME)
Southwest Harbor is a town in Hancock County, Maine, United States. Located on Mount Desert Island, the population was 1,764 at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Southwest Harbor
1. Quiet Side Cafe & Ice Cream Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
2. 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!
3. Sail Acadia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 176 reviews
We offer private and shared sailing trips aboard our two Friendship Sloops, the Alice E. and Helen Brooks, as well as outings and nature tours on our wooden lobster boat, the Elizabeth T. Escape the crowds of Bar Harbor and view Acadia National Park from the beautiful shores of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor -- Mount Desert Island's "Quietside".
4. Beech Cliff Loop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By Biotech91 - Hoboken, United States
Absolutely one of the best hikes in the park! Remember to look for the iron ladder on the way up and to rest at the beach on the lake on your way down ;)
5. Perpendicular Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By sheilaa1732017 - Mountain Dale, United States
Great hike with built in granite steps to the top, making it a little easier. Phenomenal lake and harbor views from the top!!
6. MDI Community Sailing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Come sail in one of the most beautiful places in Maine. We offer private and group sailing lessons for adults, children and families of all sailing and racing abilities. We offer weekly boating and sailing programs for children ages 6 to 17. We host the MDI High School sailing team - racing in drysuits! We have year round lectures and work days for volunteers to maintain the Center's boats.
7. 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.
8. Mansell Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By mynameispaulie - Shelton, United States
First off I have never been to the main Acadia island, my wife and I stayed on the quiet side during our first visit as the Island shuttle bus was not running which hindered our plans. However, we covered pretty much all the trails on the quiet side during our 3 day stay (with the exception of Bernard Mountain). For this hike we started at the long pond parking area. We started along the Long Pond Trail before ascending up the Perpendicular Trail to Mansell Mountain, then came down the Mansell Mountain Trail. Next, we went along the Gilley Trail and up the Razorback Trail before a slight descent to Great Notch. Then we took a detour up to Knight Nubble and back to Great Notch before returning on the Great Notch Trail and the Gilley Trail. All the trails were great and had their own distinct features, the only one I didn't really enjoy was coming down the Great Notch Trail, perhaps I was just tired at this point but it was mostly rocks and roots and felt like being in a river bed with nothing really exciting to see, I just wanted it to be over. I think if I were to do it again I would continue from Knight Nubble to Little Notch and try coming down the Sluiceway Trail instead. The whole trip took about 5 hours. Anyway, the Mansell Mountain peak had some okay views to the east, and the Mansell Mountain Trail itself was a pretty steep decent over a string of domes. It was enjoyable without being too difficult. I was surprised by how steep some of the descent was. I also have a crippling fear of heights but I survived. Throughout the whole hike the only part that I struggled was some sections of the Razorback Trail (where you climb over a slippery dome), and going up to Knight Nubble and back has some hairy sections where you need to use roots and careful stepping and maneuvers, so I would say maybe skip that part (another reason to push on to Little Notch so not having to climb back down). Overall the Mansell Mountain Trail was an enjoyable section in order to connect going to the Perpendicular Trail and the Razorback Trail and it was different from anything else we had done.
9. Manset Little Farm
10. J.K. Putnam Photography
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 58 reviews
Private photography tours and instructional photo workshops offered daily in Acadia National Park, Maine. We can drive to the most iconic locations around Acadia National Park or hike to hidden vantage points, it is up to you. We can talk the basics of photography or just tour around and shoot. We will build this photographic experience exactly as you want it, to fit your needs.
