Too much to say about this place, but it’s officially an FAQ so here goes:
Flights
You want to fly into Bangor (BGR) approximately 75 minutes from here, or Bar Harbor (BHB) approximately 10 minutes from here. BHB will be a connection from Boston on a tiny plane. (The show “Wings” is based on Cape Air.) Other airlines fly there, but they keep changing their mind. Flights to BHB are weird, and on tiny planes, but I like it.
Hotels
- There are a lot of choices in Bar Harbor, ranging from clean motels at >$150 to inns and such at $2-300 and up. Bar Harbor is a fun scene.
- Seawall Motel (nicer than it sounds) in Seawall. Right now it’s showing $185 a night for those dates. It’s under new ownership by our pal Charlotte, who made national news by, um, crustacean sedation. She’s of the belief that stoned lobster doesn’t mind being boiled. In any case, she runs a nice facility https://seawallmotel.com/
- In Southwest Harbor there’s the Claremont, newly upgraded and shmancy. And at $648 a night it had better be. https://theclaremonthotel.com/
- AirBnB it. There are lots of choices in all price ranges.
Food
- Havana – use OpenTable to book, it’s popular. Or go next door to La Parilla (more casual, no reservations, same people.)
- McKay’s – heartier fare across the street.
- Project Social – small plates, but local and cool, served outdoors.
- In Town Hill is Sweet Pea’s – pizza and small plates, but gourmet.
- They’re all 15 minutes from here, 25 from your motel.
- Nearer Seawall Motel is Peter Trout’s, a local gastropub. And the nationally famous Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound, home of Crustacean Sedation.
- Cafe This Way – Best brunch in Bar Harbor
Hiking and Biking
You should do some. But remember this is a very popular place. You can find information about all the hikes on Alltrails, or lots of other places. I’m just going to talk about the practical stuff.
- Beech Mountain – From Beech Parking Lot – reliable, almost always has parking. Moderate, great views especially on the West trail.
- Beech Mountain – From pumping station – Parking along Long Pond Road or at the bottom. Difficult, but not technical. Bring a map. Come back down via Valley Trail.
- Valley Trail – also from Beech Mountain Parking. Easy, shaded, out of the wind. If you get past the lookout point you’ll be climbing back up.
- Canada Cliffs / Beech Cliffs – Same parking lot, across on the other side. Quick easy walk up, good for beginners, great view.
- Flying Mountain – Short climb, steep at the top, fun with kids. Great View. If you go on from the top, you can get to Valley Cove and then come back on the fire road.
- Giant Slide – Strenuous, with some hands and knees and water. Stay away in winter and spring. A great hike, and you can tie it in to other hikes. Much more fun up than down.
- Cadillac Mountain – North and south trails are exposed and dull. West trail is terrifying and fun and not for beginners or intermediates hiking alone. My favorite is to take Canon Brook up to the featherbed, then up to the summit, E into the Gorge, and then S and down along the Murray Young to where you started.
- Beehive / Precipice – Stay the hell away unless you’re doing them at 5:30 in the morning. Otherwise it’s like standing in line at the HotTix booth, except with handholds. Seriously. If you want to do vertical, do Giant Slide (above.)