The Park Loop Road is a 27-mile loop around the east side of Mount Desert Island that provides access to popular tourist attractions such as Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond, and various trailheads such as the Precipice Trail and the Beehive.
This is a scenic drive that is well worth doing at least once, but you will need a pass to enter this part of Acadia National Park, and I highly recommend parking at the Visitor Center and taking one of the shuttles. It’s very crowded and hard to find parking at the various stops along the way, and it’s far more relaxing to take the shuttle.
Drive (or take the shuttle) to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the East Coast) for incredible panoramic views of Mount Desert Island and the Porcupine Islands. This is especially gorgeous at sunrise, but I have never done it that early.
One of my favorite Maine memories as a child is visiting Thunder Hole, a small inlet naturally carved out of the rocks. When the tide is coming in, the waves crash into the “hole” and create a loud boom that resembles thunder, and an impressive spray of water up into the air. It gets quite crowded, and you have to time it just right, so we usually bypass this particular attraction, but it’s fun to do it once.
Becca enjoying a popover at Jordan Pond House, summer 2010
Jordan Pond is another favorite spot that I have visited more times than I can count, or more specifically, the Jordan Pond House — a popular restaurant known for their tea and popovers. I also highly recommend the lobster stew. It overlooks Jordan Pond, with a view of The Bubbles in the distance, and there’s also a nice gift shop to keep you busy while you wait for your table. Reservations are highly recommended, no matter what time of day you plan to go.
Precipice Trail, summer 2011 (that’s David in the distance)
You can rent a bike and ride the Carriage Trails, and there are several hikes nearby. Our favorite is the South Bubble because it’s home to Bubble Rock — a large, round boulder that’s perched on the edge of a ledge. This is a relatively easy hike with really nice views, but if you like more of a challenge, the Beehive Loop Trail and the Precipice Trail are popular hikes. Otter Cliff is also worth the visit.
