The perfect 3-4 day trip from NYC: Acadia National Park!

Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share this post with you all! I recently got back from Acadia National Park with some of my closest friends and had THE BEST time! I visited Acadia for the first time last fall and fell in love with it and knew I needed to come back in the summer. If you’ve never been to Maine, I highly recommend adding it to your travel bucket list! Between the fresh seafood, charming quaint seaside towns and gorgeous scenery, it truly is the perfect 3-4 day escape from NYC.

Lets get into everything I recommend doing while you’re there!

Where you’re gonna stay:

Splurge: The Claremont Hotel

The Claremont Hotel is definitely one of the best properties in the Acadia National Park area. Located in Southwest Harbor (my personal favorite area), this hotel is situated right on the water with breathtaking views. Their pool is the perfect spot to sip on a cocktail, relax and read. the decor is Northeastern-costal-grandma-chic in the best way possible.

*Note, the booking links photos are not updated. The hotel has been renovated since!

Mid-range: Under Canvas

Under Canvas Acadia is located about 45 minutes from the actual park but is situated on a gorgeous plot of land overlooking the water. This spot is glamping and for people who like the idea of camping but not actually camping. The beds are incredibly comfortable and someone will even come over to make your fire at night. It’s definitely a great experience and the perfect spot to disconnect!

Budget-ish: This VRBO I rented right on a lake!

This is the VRBO my friends and I rented on my last trip to Acadia and we absolutely loved it! It’s right on a lake and has canoes and kayaks for you to take out whenever you want! There were 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with a great common area for cooking and playing games. If you’re looking for an affordable-ish spot for your family or friends, this is a great option!

What you’re gonna do:

• Obviously you’re going to head into the National Park!

• Drive up Cadillac Mountain for sunrise! It’s beautiful any time of day, but sunrise is spectacular. Car reservations are required in advance (outside of the National Park fee) so definitely plan ahead!

• Sandy Beach - this beach is gorgeous! It’s definitely a bit cold to swim, but not impossible!

• North bubbles trail. I'm someone that kinda likes to hike, but only for a view or waterfall. I dont just want to walk aimlessly in the woods for hours. This hike is about an hour round trip and gets you to an incredible viewpoint!

• Drive around and explore Southwest Harbor! The main town near Acadia is Bar Harbor and TBH, it’s a bit tacky and touristy. Don’t get me wrong, it is cute, but honestly, I’d drive in, take a look and drive out so you can spend more time exploring Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor - both are incredible!

Where you’re gonna eat:

• The Salt Market - Cute little cafe and market for local goodies in Northeast Harbor! Great spot to pick up some provisions and coffee before a hike or picnic!

• Atlantic Brewing Co - This brewery is adorable! Probably the cutest brewery I’ve been to (and yes, I’m aware that “cute” and “brewery” are usually not in the same sentence haha)

• Happy Clam Shack - This is the most adorable lobster shack in the area and serves up incredible food including homemade pies! Definitely a must!

• Beals Lobster Pier - A great spot to snag some lobster near The Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor!

And that’s it! There’s so much more to explore but hopefully this give you a great start in planning your trip! <3