What to do besides stalk Stephen King?
May 21, 2012 5:12 AM Subscribe
Going to Bar Harbor in a few days but.... have done absolutely no research. Any fun suggestions?
So I'm going to Bar Harbor, Maine for Memorial Day weekend. I have my flight and hotel booked. However, I've been insanely busy this past month or so and haven't had a second to do any research on anything! So...can anyone suggest any great stuff out there for me to do? We've planned some hiking and booked a kayak trip, but other than that, the trip is wide open.
I really wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but can't find anything closer than three hours away, which is frustrating. So if anyone can suggest any closer spots, that would be great. Other than that, I'm looking for any fun festivals, concerts, events etc that are going on this weekend. Plus suggestions for cool museums, bars, restaurants, tourist traps, anything you can think of. Thanks!
So I'm going to Bar Harbor, Maine for Memorial Day weekend. I have my flight and hotel booked. However, I've been insanely busy this past month or so and haven't had a second to do any research on anything! So...can anyone suggest any great stuff out there for me to do? We've planned some hiking and booked a kayak trip, but other than that, the trip is wide open.
I really wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but can't find anything closer than three hours away, which is frustrating. So if anyone can suggest any closer spots, that would be great. Other than that, I'm looking for any fun festivals, concerts, events etc that are going on this weekend. Plus suggestions for cool museums, bars, restaurants, tourist traps, anything you can think of. Thanks!
You'll have to drive another 40 miles to stalk Stephen King, since he lives in Bangor :-)
1. Drive (or hike!) up to the summit of Cadillac Mtn. Sunset is beautiful; sunrise even more so but harder to accomplish. You will be among the first in the US to see the sun rise if you do.
2. Tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House. Dinner is pretty good there too. Then, hike up to Bubble Rock and try to push it off.
3. The Abbe museum of native american history. There is (or at least, used to be) an oceanography museum in SW Harbor which is great for kids.
4. Obviously, the park loop road/sand beach/thunder hole. But you should also drive over to the lesser-travelled west side of the island - SW harbor/pretty marsh.
5. Carriage Trail Rides.
6. There are usually concerts or some sort of event on the village green or Agamont park.
7. Hop on a boat and go out to Big or Little Cranberry.
Have fun!
+1 to Sticherbeast on the Trenton Lobster Pound. Abel's is (or at least, used to be) pretty good on-island.
posted by scolbath at 7:02 AM on May 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
1. Drive (or hike!) up to the summit of Cadillac Mtn. Sunset is beautiful; sunrise even more so but harder to accomplish. You will be among the first in the US to see the sun rise if you do.
2. Tea and popovers at the Jordan Pond House. Dinner is pretty good there too. Then, hike up to Bubble Rock and try to push it off.
3. The Abbe museum of native american history. There is (or at least, used to be) an oceanography museum in SW Harbor which is great for kids.
4. Obviously, the park loop road/sand beach/thunder hole. But you should also drive over to the lesser-travelled west side of the island - SW harbor/pretty marsh.
5. Carriage Trail Rides.
6. There are usually concerts or some sort of event on the village green or Agamont park.
7. Hop on a boat and go out to Big or Little Cranberry.
Have fun!
+1 to Sticherbeast on the Trenton Lobster Pound. Abel's is (or at least, used to be) pretty good on-island.
posted by scolbath at 7:02 AM on May 21, 2012 [2 favorites]
You'll have to drive another 40 miles to stalk Stephen King...
More like 50 miles. But if you're up that way, drive down West Broadway and check out his fantastic fence.
There is (or at least, used to be) an oceanography museum in SW Harbor which is great for kids.
The Oceanarium has been in Bar Harbor (near the head of Mount Desert Island) for over 10 years — although the title of its home page for some reason still says Southwest Harbor. [map] The place had a bad fire last summer, but the website claims they are now again open for visitors.
You don't mention kids, but if you have some along the best thing to do in the area is a Diver Ed tour. [Disclaimer: Ed has been a close friend of mine for 25 years, but it's still true; not long ago Yankee Magazine voted it the best kids' tour in all of Maine... or maybe it was all of New England.]
+1 to Sticherbeast on the Trenton Lobster Pound. Abel's is (or at least, used to be) pretty good on-island.
I'm not a fan of food you need a hammer and a set of pliers to eat, but yes, thumbs up for TLP. On the island most people lately seem to prefer Thurston's — which started getting more attention after part of The Cider House Rules was filmed there.
If you get away from the crowds in Bar Harbor and over to that side of the island it's worth it to hike the very easy, very rewarding Wonderland Trail, visit the Wendell Gilley Museum, or stop by the Bass Harbor Lighthouse.
posted by LeLiLo at 8:05 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
More like 50 miles. But if you're up that way, drive down West Broadway and check out his fantastic fence.
There is (or at least, used to be) an oceanography museum in SW Harbor which is great for kids.
The Oceanarium has been in Bar Harbor (near the head of Mount Desert Island) for over 10 years — although the title of its home page for some reason still says Southwest Harbor. [map] The place had a bad fire last summer, but the website claims they are now again open for visitors.
You don't mention kids, but if you have some along the best thing to do in the area is a Diver Ed tour. [Disclaimer: Ed has been a close friend of mine for 25 years, but it's still true; not long ago Yankee Magazine voted it the best kids' tour in all of Maine... or maybe it was all of New England.]
+1 to Sticherbeast on the Trenton Lobster Pound. Abel's is (or at least, used to be) pretty good on-island.
I'm not a fan of food you need a hammer and a set of pliers to eat, but yes, thumbs up for TLP. On the island most people lately seem to prefer Thurston's — which started getting more attention after part of The Cider House Rules was filmed there.
If you get away from the crowds in Bar Harbor and over to that side of the island it's worth it to hike the very easy, very rewarding Wonderland Trail, visit the Wendell Gilley Museum, or stop by the Bass Harbor Lighthouse.
posted by LeLiLo at 8:05 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Scolbath has already gotten the question right but here are my thoughts:
All the hikes you can possibly fit. Seriously they're amazing. Make try to make it to eagle lake, if you're a moderately experienced hiker beehive and the bubbles are quite awesome.
Rent a bike and do the carriage trails. There's a wonderful park loop which is a few hour bike ride and will...
stop by jordan pond house for popovers. I also heartily recommend the raspberry lemonade if you're hot.
Go on one of the whalewatching/schooners because they are pretty fun. Cranberry is also awesome.
posted by Strass at 8:07 AM on May 21, 2012
All the hikes you can possibly fit. Seriously they're amazing. Make try to make it to eagle lake, if you're a moderately experienced hiker beehive and the bubbles are quite awesome.
Rent a bike and do the carriage trails. There's a wonderful park loop which is a few hour bike ride and will...
stop by jordan pond house for popovers. I also heartily recommend the raspberry lemonade if you're hot.
Go on one of the whalewatching/schooners because they are pretty fun. Cranberry is also awesome.
posted by Strass at 8:07 AM on May 21, 2012
Oooh! Asticou Gardens and... the other gardens right next door (Thuya?) are also a must see.
posted by Strass at 8:08 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by Strass at 8:08 AM on May 21, 2012
Best answer: Stop at the National Park visitors' center and talk to a ranger for suggestions. They are a wealth of information and can suggest things that fit your time, interests, level of exertion, and so on. They can also tell you what's going on in the park as far as natural events,such as when Thunder Hole has been really exciting, bird migrations, animal sightings, wildflower blooms, etc. Start there early on so you can make choices with your time!
Avoid soft shell lobster.
Whoa there! I wouldn't be so certain if you've never tried it. I have never really enjoyed lobster - until I tried softshell lobster, given to me by a co-volunteer who is a lobsterman, and it's his family's favorite. They don't get as good a price for it because consumers perceive it as "full of water," and the meat shrinks in the shell a little during molting, so it's not preferred - and yet it's incredibly delicious.The meat is succulent and moist. It was quite a revelation. It might not be for everybody, but don't knock it 'til you've tried it!
If you have a rainy night or just want a break from the outdoors, check out a film at Reel Pizza Cinerama. You can order a (very good) pizza pre-show, along with beer or wine, and then lounge out on the sofas in the theatre while they bring your pizza to you, which you eat on a coffee table in front of you. Super relaxing.
For beer and good crunchy pub food, Lompoc Cafe. You can play bocce in the courtyard.
posted by Miko at 8:22 AM on May 21, 2012
Avoid soft shell lobster.
Whoa there! I wouldn't be so certain if you've never tried it. I have never really enjoyed lobster - until I tried softshell lobster, given to me by a co-volunteer who is a lobsterman, and it's his family's favorite. They don't get as good a price for it because consumers perceive it as "full of water," and the meat shrinks in the shell a little during molting, so it's not preferred - and yet it's incredibly delicious.The meat is succulent and moist. It was quite a revelation. It might not be for everybody, but don't knock it 'til you've tried it!
If you have a rainy night or just want a break from the outdoors, check out a film at Reel Pizza Cinerama. You can order a (very good) pizza pre-show, along with beer or wine, and then lounge out on the sofas in the theatre while they bring your pizza to you, which you eat on a coffee table in front of you. Super relaxing.
For beer and good crunchy pub food, Lompoc Cafe. You can play bocce in the courtyard.
posted by Miko at 8:22 AM on May 21, 2012
I wouldn't be so certain if you've never tried it.
My certainty comes from experience. Perhaps soft shelled lobster is lobster for people who don't like lobster.
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:24 AM on May 21, 2012
My certainty comes from experience. Perhaps soft shelled lobster is lobster for people who don't like lobster.
posted by Sticherbeast at 8:24 AM on May 21, 2012
I'm no expert, but I can't imagine there are all that many better places to ride a bike than the Carriage Roads. We did a lot of fun stuff in Maine, but that experience is why we will go back.
The Seal Cove Auto Museum is a bit of a hike from Bar Harbor, but it's pretty fun.
posted by Sock Ray Blue at 8:34 AM on May 21, 2012
The Seal Cove Auto Museum is a bit of a hike from Bar Harbor, but it's pretty fun.
posted by Sock Ray Blue at 8:34 AM on May 21, 2012
2nd renting a bike and going on the carriage roads. It's the best way to cover some distance. I don't have any food suggestions, as I was pretty underwhelmed by the choices there. We used Tripadvisor for guidance, so that may have been part of the problem.
posted by smalls at 8:37 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by smalls at 8:37 AM on May 21, 2012
I wouldn't be so certain if you've never tried it.
Talking to the OP, not you.
posted by Miko at 9:01 AM on May 21, 2012
Talking to the OP, not you.
posted by Miko at 9:01 AM on May 21, 2012
Response by poster: Im actually not a lobster eater so maybe the soft shell will be better for me! I will try both :)
posted by silverstatue at 9:15 AM on May 21, 2012
posted by silverstatue at 9:15 AM on May 21, 2012
Breakfast at 2 Cats! (They also have rooms, if you're looking). Amazing food, super-relaxed porch to hang out and eat on...love it.
Also, the sea kayaking rental place is great, but be prepared if your arms are out of shape...fun but a little ouchy afterwards!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:23 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Also, the sea kayaking rental place is great, but be prepared if your arms are out of shape...fun but a little ouchy afterwards!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:23 AM on May 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
For great surf if the weather and right and a way to get away from the crowds, head over to the other half of the National Park near Winter Harbor--Schoodic Point. I spent family vacation during many, many summers as a child running around on the rocks at Schoodic. And there are some really good hikes over there too, where you can look back at Cadillac.
Winter Harbor is a quaint little town, as well. Make sure you stop by Garrish's store for ice cream and penny candy (not sure if they still have the penny candy...). Too bad the Donut Hole isn't open any more. They were the best place for breakfast.
posted by chiefthe at 2:03 PM on May 21, 2012
Winter Harbor is a quaint little town, as well. Make sure you stop by Garrish's store for ice cream and penny candy (not sure if they still have the penny candy...). Too bad the Donut Hole isn't open any more. They were the best place for breakfast.
posted by chiefthe at 2:03 PM on May 21, 2012
Best answer: Mention of ice cream reminded me how good Ben & Bill's is and I immediately started salivating ...my trip there isn't until June.
posted by Miko at 2:20 PM on May 21, 2012
posted by Miko at 2:20 PM on May 21, 2012
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Avoid soft shell lobster. Hard shell lobster all the way.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:32 AM on May 21, 2012