Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain
Composed of 47,000 acres among a cluster of islands, Acadia National Park offers majestic mountains, verdant forests, and those dramatic New England shores. On many of these tours, you'll travel the Park Loop Road, with a planned (if possible) photo opportunity at Thunder Hole, where you might hear waves clapping. You'll drive the summit of Cadillac Mountain, named for Sieur de la Mothe Cadillac (1600's), who eventually moved west and founded Detroit! Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain on the east coast of the United States. The longer tours and those that include snacks and refreshments at The Looking Glass Restaurant cost more.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $60 to $110, depending upon tour agenda and length (2.5 to 6 hours).
Booking Advice: These tours are by coach, and are generally rated as easy physically. If you just want to see the park, it's easy enough to save about half the lowest price we found from the cruise lines by going directly to the source at http://www.acadiatours.com/
Bar Harbor Highlights- City Tours and More
Town highlights may include seeing lovely Victorian buildings and visiting the Sieur de Mont Springs Visitor Center. The lowest priced tours are walking tours, and higher end tours may include a meal, such as a lobster bake, or a carriage ride. Higher priced tours range from 3 to 6 hours in length. Tours may also include traveling the Loop Road in Acadia National Park.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $26 to $130, depending upon tour agenda and length (from 1.5 to 6 hours).
Booking Advice: These tours range from easy to moderate, depending upon the walking involved. Through an online third party vendor site, you may also want to look at reasonable trolley tours. Check out http://www.acadiaislandtours.com/long_tour.html
Park Walk and Cadillac Mountain
This guided hike fills you in about Acadia's eco-systems, its history, and folk lore as you explore the park's beauty by foot for a mile and a half. A coach drive then takes you up Cadillac Mountain.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $40 for 3 hours.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as difficult due to the walking involved. With some friends, hiking in this area is something to think about doing on your own. You can find hiking info and trails at http://www.acadia.national-park.com/hike.htm
Cranberry Islands and Cadillac Mountain
This is a “surf & turf” tour where you take a boat to Islesford on Little Cranberry Island. En route, your guide will point out things of interest, and you might see eagles or seals. In Islesford, you may opt to visit the Islesford Historical Museum or just stroll about town. After returning, you'll then experience Cadillac Mountain via coach tour.
Price: Adults expect to pay around $80 for this 5 hour tour.
Booking Advice: This tour is rated as easy physically. For a bit more variety even for inexperienced sailors, you may want to check out reasonably priced excursions on a bonafide sloop at http://www.sailacadia.com/index.html
Whale Watching
En route to your boat, you may see porpoise, seals, and seabirds. Your boat will take you to a feeding area for whales, where you might spot Humpbacks, Minke, and Finbacks. You might also see dolphins, tuna, and sharks.
Price: Adults expect to pay from $56 to $70 for 3 to 3.5 hour adventures.
Booking Advice: When you factor in transportation, the lower end of the cruise line price range for this excursion is competitive. These tours are rated as easy physically. For a range of ocean going tours in the Bar Harbor area, you may want to check out http://www.barharborwhales.com/rates-schedules.php