Every year, my husband and I celebrate our anniversary with a new adventure, and this year we decided to road trip up to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We’ve lived in Maine for two years but hadn’t ventured to the northern part of the state. So, we packed up and hit the road to Down East, taking the scenic Route 1, also known as the Atlantic Highway, which stretches all the way down to Key West -> next adventure??? Haha.
We love turning the journey into part of the adventure and driving on a Thursday made travel easy with fewer people on the road. Our first stop was Old Orchard Beach to see the Pier, but it was closed for the season. Lucky for us, we found a great breakfast spot at Lazy Day’s Restaurant.
Next, we stopped in Brunswick to stretch our legs on the Androscoggin Swinging Bridge.
In Woolwich, we enjoyed an afternoon drink at the bar at Taste of Maine and got a fun picture with Larry the Lobster - a 12-foot inflatable lobster that sits atop the restaurant.
In Rockland, we walked the nearly one-mile Breakwater to the lighthouse, enjoying the ocean views along the way.
Friday: Acadia National Park Adventures
We woke up early on Friday and caught a beautiful sunrise right from our hotel balcony—a peaceful way to start the day before heading out to Acadia National Park.
We spent the day hiking, starting with the Ocean Trail, and even though it was a foggy day, we still had amazing views of Sands Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Point.
Although the summit of Cadillac Mountain was so foggy we couldn’t really see the water, the hike was still refreshing and worth it. We even enjoyed a donut snack on the top.
We returned Saturday morning to see the foliage around Jordan Pond. It was in full fall bloom, adding to the beauty of the morning.
Exploring Bar Harbor: Seafood, Shopping & More
Friday after hiking, we had an incredible lunch at Galyn’s downtown (their crab cakes and seafood linguini are a must-try).
We devoured the charcuterie board at Paddy's Irish Pub to get our dinner started.
I had my very first lobster roll, paired with some delicious clam chowder to share at West Street Café - a fun and cozy spot with a great atmosphere.
Saturday morning, before heading home, we enjoyed breakfast at the iconic Great Maine Breakfast, where the gluten-free blueberry pancakes were out of this world!
Afterward, we explored the town a bit more, shopping at A Little Mad, a quirky shop with unique gifts, and walking along the Shore Path.
We also made it out to Bar Island, walking the Sandbar—a land bridge that only appears during low tide.
The Journey Home: Wrapping Up the Adventure
On the way back Saturday, we made a few more stops. We walked the Harbor Walk and Footbridge in Belfast, taking in the beautiful coastal views, and then stopped in Camden for some final shopping and a delicious lunch at Sea Dog Brewing Company.
The Dogs:
In case you were wondering, we leave the dogs at home with a dog walker. She checks in on them 4 times a day and they absolutely love her. We know because she send us pics from her visits.
We love traveling to new places and trying new things, and this trip to Bar Harbor ranks up there with some of our favorite adventures, like Maui and Mt. Washington. The blend of coastal beauty, outdoor activities, and amazing food made it a perfect anniversary celebration.
If you’re ever in Maine or planning a trip to Bar Harbor, definitely consider taking Route 1 for some great scenic stops along the way.
What’s your favorite place to explore for a special occasion? Let me know in the comments!