Bar Harbor is the favored gateway to Acadia Nationwide Park, particularly from July to August when the city experiences its peak. Throughout excessive season, the city’s reputation presents challenges that may negatively affect the holiday, from absolutely booked accommodations and packed eating places to restricted parking.
Nonetheless, for these prepared to enterprise a bit additional when visiting Acadia Nationwide Park in winter, small towns in Maine that are great for a weekend getaway provide a novel winter allure that Bar Harbor, even at its quietest, can not fairly replicate.
The park can be much less crowded in winter, noting that some services and the 27-mile Park Loop Road accessed throughout the summer time are closed. Vacationers prepared to skip Bar Harbor for other small towns in Maine this winter will discover these underrated choices close to Acadia Nationwide Park as excellent options.
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7 Winter Harbor
54 minutes (37.4 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
Winter Harbor is a small, underrated city of round 315 folks set alongside the scenic Schoodic Peninsula in Hancock County. Situated lower than an hour’s drive from Acadia Nationwide Park, this city’s unspoiled surroundings, lesser-known standing, and slower tempo make it an excellent various to the touristy Bar Harbor throughout winter.
Whereas right here, vacationers can expertise Maine’s gorgeous winter surroundings alongside the close by Schoodic Head Trail. This average path results in the distinguished Schoodic Head summit, which boasts expansive vistas of the ocean, Acadia’s snow-covered landscapes, and several other islands, together with Little Moose and Rolling Islands.
Extra picturesque vistas await vacationers alongside a straightforward, uncrowded path resulting in Frazer Point in Acadia Nationwide Park, taking winter hikers via a snow-laden forest earlier than opening as much as picturesque ocean vistas.
6 Steuben
53 minutes (38.6 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
Steuben is a small, historic city courting again to the late 1700s. It’s named after Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, who was Inspector Normal of america Military throughout the Revolutionary Struggle.
It is one of many hidden gem small towns near Acadia National Park, making it an ideal spot to take pleasure in a extra secluded winter expertise in nature away from Bar Harbor’s buzz.
With winter casting a novel stillness over the city, vacationers can discover a snowy path main via snow-covered spruce-fir and jack pine woodlands to the summit of Pigeon Hill.
At an elevation of over 300 ft, Pigeon Hill is the best coastal space in Washington County. It presents solitude and breathtaking vistas all year long. Right here, vacationers soak in panoramic views from the Larger Nice Bay Area to Acadia and the Petit Manan Lighthouse.
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5 Blue Hill
44 minutes (29.2 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
Blue Hill is certainly one of Maine’s most beautiful towns, boasting a wealthy historical past and vibrant inventive spirit that make it an interesting various to Bar Harbor. Settled within the 1760s, this city has lengthy attracted artists and writers, drawn by its picturesque landscapes.
Right now, Blue Hill exudes quiet magnificence, with snow-covered landscapes, drawing vacationers searching for a peaceable base when visiting Acadia Nationwide Park. Winter hikers can stroll below a cover of frosty bushes alongside the scenic Blue Hill Mountain Trail, an area favourite providing panoramic views of Blue Hill Bay and past.
For artwork fanatics, the Blue Hill Bay Gallery is a must-visit, showcasing masterpieces from native and nationally-recognized artists, depicting Maine’s pure magnificence and landscapes from as early because the nineteenth century.
4 Franklin
35 minutes (24.1 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
The small city of Franklin presents a quiet, rustic allure and a style of rural Maine life, very best for a winter escape close to Acadia. This underrated gem offers a serene retreat specializing in sustainable practices and scenic winter landscapes, providing vacationers an opportunity to unwind amid nature’s simplicity.
Franklin is thought for its pure magnificence and dedication to sustainable farming, with the Shalom Organic Orchard & Winery as a spotlight.
Throughout winter, guests can organize an appointment to pattern natural wines whereas studying in regards to the orchard’s eco-friendly practices, even catching a glimpse of the winery below a light-weight dusting of snow.
Donnell Pond presents secluded, snowy trails and frozen lakes excellent for snowshoeing, winter hikes, or excellent photograph backdrops for these seeking to discover nature.
3 Surry
35 minutes (21.9 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
With its sweeping coastal views and breathtaking pure magnificence, Surry is an idyllic escape for these visiting Acadia in winter, away from Bar Harbor’s crowds. Nestled on the tip of Patten Bay, this lesser-known gem offers a tranquil setting excellent for cold-weather adventures.
The city is house to Carter Nature Preserve, the place winter wanderers reconnect with nature whereas mountain climbing alongside 1.5 miles of snowy trails. These trails boast gorgeous views of the bay and rocky shoreline throughout winter, showcasing Maine’s pure magnificence regardless of the change of season and chilly breeze.
When searching for cultural heritage, vacationers head to Surry Arts and Events at the Barn, identified for internet hosting seasonal artwork occasions, giving guests a style of native creativity in a comfortable, rustic setting.
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2 Northeast Harbor
8 minutes (5.3 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
Northeast Harbor has drawn artists, writers, and adventurers for generations because of its proximity to Acadia Nationwide Park. Nonetheless, regardless of this charming city boasting a scenic harbor and cultural landmarks, it might probably’t beat Bar Harbor’s reputation.
The harbor, usually dotted with boats even in winter, is a tranquil sight towards the encompassing snow-covered hills, making a picture-perfect scene from a storybook. When the climate is just too crisp and chilly for a winter stroll, vacationers can head to the Great Harbor Maritime Museum, which offers insights into the world’s seafaring historical past.
Set alongside the quaint foremost road, this museum is housed in a former fireplace station and options altering reveals starting from mannequin boats to steamship transportation exhibitions.
1 Southwest Harbor
3 minutes (1.6 miles) from Acadia Nationwide Park
In addition to being among the many many scenic waterfront small towns in Maine, Southwest Harbor is among the closest cities to Acadia Nationwide Park, because it sits simply 1.6 miles away. Regionally generally known as the quiet facet of Mount Desert Island, this city offers a peaceable coastal retreat close to Acadia with out the bustle of Bar Harbor.
Winter here’s a magical time to discover trails just like the scenic Flying Mountain Trail, a average route boasting breathtaking vistas of Norumbega Mountain, Valley Peak, and even Somes Sound.
The Wendell Gilley Museum is one other spotlight, the place guests can admire intricate chook carvings that remember Maine’s pure magnificence. The museum’s cozy ambiance pairs nicely with the season, providing a heat spot to understand native artistry.
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