1. the Hulls Cove visitor Center (8:30)

Stop and chat with a ranger, get your book stamped and check out some of the information. Hulls Cove Visitor Center opens at 8:30am.

2. Bar Harbor Land Bridge (9:00)

When we were in Bar Harbor it was high tide. During high tide, the land bridge is covered, so we didn’t get a chance to do this one. However, we could see it from a distance on our Diver Ed tour and it looked really cool! Check in advance when low tide is for the day of your visit. If it is high tide in the morning, then plan to do this one later in the day.

To get all of this done in one day, you will only be able to walk out on the land, but won’t have time to explore the island. Just make sure you make it back before the tide comes in and covers the bridge!

3. The Beehive Trail (10:00)

The Beehive Trail is not for those afraid of heights or those not physically capable of climbing a ladder. You will climb rungs and walk across planks with steep drops. However, it is definitely a unique hike that you will remember.

It is only a 1.4 mile loop, but the first half mile has frequent bottlenecks at the ladders. Also, be aware that it is one way going up so take the trail counter-clockwise (go right at the fork once you get up to the fork). If you want to skip this one, consider nearby Sand Beach and hiking some of the Ocean Path.

4. The Thunder Hole (12:30)

To be honest, a lot of people are disappointed by the Thunder Hole. Unless you are there at the right time, there isn’t a lot of thunder. Additionally, the sign at the hole says the best time is two hours before high tide. However, there is a parking lot right next to the Thunder Hole, so it only takes 10 minutes to hop and see if any thunder is going on.

5. Lunch at Jordan Pond House (1:00)

Jordan Pond House is known best for their tea and popovers, which are delicious puffed bread. Additionally, the restaurant does take reservations, which book up days in advance. However, the reservation just moves you to the next in line.

If you can’t get reservations, they do take walk ups, just be prepared to wait a while.

6. Jordan Pond Path (2:00)

Jordan Pond Path is a fun little 3 mile hike around Jordan Pond. Also, you have views of the “Bubbles”, which are two round shaped hills overlooking Jordan Pond.

Additionally, the trail is flat. However, it does have some sections that require climbing on rocks or walking across planks.

7. Dinner in Bar Harbor (5:00)

Honestly, Bar Harbor is cute, but it is a very busy, touristy town. However, unless you are really into shopping, just plan for an hour to check it out and stop somewhere to grab a lobster roll.

8. Bar Harbor Land Bridge (5:00)

If it was high tide in the morning, now is your chance to walk at low tide! Additionally, push the times on this itinerary up an hour to adjust the schedule and do it before or after dinner in Bar Harbor.

8. Cadillac Mountain (7:00)

You may have know about sunrise in Cadillac Mountain, where it has the first rays of sun anywhere in the United States. Unfortunately, everyone else also knows about that, which makes getting reservations for it near impossible. However, the sunset is also beautiful up there, you don’t have to wake up at 4am and the evening reservations are much easier to get.

Aim for a time an hour or two before sunset, which will give you some time to hike around at the top and then stay for the sunset.