Encompassing the best that Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island have to offer, this tour includes the beautiful scenery of Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain as well as a chance to learn about the fascinating world of the lobster fisherman during a visit to the Lobster Oceanarium.
Starting off from the pier, you will drive towards Thunder Hole via a scenic drive along the historic 27-mile Park Loop Road which takes you along the ocean's edge. After passing Otter Cliff, you will find yourself at Thunder Hole, where the ocean swells converge against the granite cliffs to create a thunderous roar. A short photo stop is made here (if designated bus parking is not available, an alternate photo stop will be made at the tour guide's discretion) before continuing on to the summit of Cadillac Mountain (weather permitting) to marvel at the 360-degree view of the coast.
Next, you will travel past the High Seas Estate, a beautiful mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife tragically perished on the Titanic before ever stepping foot in her dream home. You will also pass by Sand Beach, Otter Cliffs and Jordon Pond House, the famous restaurant where tea served on the lawn has been a tradition for more than a century. Nearby Eagle Lake holds a wealth of secrets and the open ocean and crashing surf give Acadia its unique personality.
You will also have a visit to the Lobster Oceanarium, where visitors of all ages have the opportunity to see and learn about the lobster industry. As home to Maine's only lobster hatchery, the Oceanarium features an authentic lobster fishing boat display and fascinating, hands-on exhibits. A lobster expert demonstrates, using authentic traps, how these succulent creatures are caught and make their way from the ocean to your dinner table.
Back in Bar Harbor on the campus of the College of the Atlantic, you'll have an opportunity to visit the Turrets Mansion (or similar), one of Bar Harbor's last remaining summer mansions overlooking Frenchman Bay. The Turrets is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a fine example of the opulent lifestyle of the Gilded Age. Your guide is happy to share tales of a by-gone era, when America's wealthiest families made Bar Harbor their summer playground.
Highlighting your tour is a visit to the Looking Glass Restaurant located on the estate grounds formerly owned by Mary Roberts Rinehart, a mystery writer from the turn of the last century. Surrounded by an 8-sided glass wall, the restaurant features a commanding view of Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, and your ship at anchor. Relax and enjoy a piece of traditional homemade blueberry pie with coffee or tea before transferring back to the pier where your tour concludes.
Please note: This tour includes a limited amount of leisurely walking, mainly at the guests' discretion during stops. There are some uneven surfaces and the possibility of slippery surfaces under wet conditions. The tour is available to wheelchair guests who have a collapsible wheelchair, are able to make their own way on and off the coach and have an able-bodied companion to assist them. Those with mobility concerns are cautioned to carefully evaluate their personal level of stamina and ability. Weather appropriate clothing and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested.