Travel on Mt. Desert Island / Downtown Activities:
The Island Explorer is a free bus service running fixed schedules for 7 different routes on MDI in the summer months. One of those routes has a stop just across the MDI bridge in Trenton. Some buses have bike transport. This wonderful, convenient, congestion-reducing service is provided in large part by a grant from the LL Bean Company (the original store located in Freeport, Maine, north of Portland, is open 24 hours in case you are traveling from that direction. They also have an outlet store in Ellsworth, Maine, on the road to Bar Harbor.
Downtown Bar Harbor. Beyond the many interesting stores and restaurants and sights downtown, do enjoy one of the various boat trips out of Frenchman Bay. One of our favorites: Lulu's Lobster Boat with Capt. John. Very educational and enjoyable including a trip around the local seal haven and some lobster trap stops along the way. Also, enjoy cruise ship watching in Frenchman Bay as you stroll along the Shore Path or relax on a bench.
Acadia Park Ranger Talks and Walks:
Acadia park ranger talks or walks: There are many of these daily and they are very enjoyable and informative. The topics range from geology to carriage trails to animals and birds of Acadia to history, such as the fire of 1947, to many different seascape or tidal pool topics. There is also a topic and slide show presented every evening at Blackwoods Camp and a hawk watch on Cadillac Summit at the appropriate season. We have found the rangers who present topics to be very dedicated to their subject matter.
Acadia: In addition to 44 miles of carriage trails, there are many opportunities for walks and bike rides of varying distances, and mountain hikes of varying degrees of challenge and effort with the ultimate probably being Precipice Trail. There are also Echo and Eagle Lakes and Sand Beach for water activities.
Jordan Pond: Don't miss the experience of coming here for the tradition of tea and popovers in the afternoon.
Relax and enjoy the beautiful view.
Golf on MDI - a Special Pleasure:
Kebo Valley Golf Club -- very near Eden Center Cottage and a real treat and challenge to play. 8th oldest course in the US. It began as a race track and the terrain of the track is evident in the layout of the holes closest to the clubhouse. With the beauty and looming presence of Cadillac Mountain many greens have unexpected breaks and none more surprising so than the 17th hole. Also, from the vast sloped waste bunker of the 17th hole legend says President Taft took 27 strokes to escape. No matter how you play, unfailingly you will enjoy the day.
Northeast Harbor Golf Course -- a narrow, very scenic course threading through a hilly and wooded terrain on many holes. Short in length but challenging and very enjoyable for a strategy of positional golf.
Causeway Club -- Southwest Harbor. This is a pleasant, enjoyable, relatively flat 9 hole course with some water views. It does have a several very challenging holes and is recommended for a leisurely walk.
Other Activities:
Fall Foliage
Learn more about this holiday rental at the owner's website:
