Northeast Drive & Acadia

Embarking on a journey up the northeast coast offers a scenic adventure like no other, with charming coastal towns, rugged cliffs, and breathtaking vistas awaiting at every turn. As you wind your way through picturesque landscapes, be sure to make a stop at Acadia National Park, a gem nestled along the rocky shores of Maine. Here, towering granite peaks, pristine lakes, and dense forests beckon outdoor enthusiasts to explore its network of trails, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes. Don’t miss the chance to witness the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the east coast, or to explore the park’s stunning coastline by kayak or bicycle. With its awe-inspiring natural beauty and boundless opportunities for adventure, Acadia National Park promises an unforgettable experience for travelers seeking solace in nature’s embrace.

We started from our hometown near Philadelphia, but this itinerary can certainly be modified easily, just make sure to hit these amazing stops along the way!

Day #1

Drive 4 hours to Mystic, CT to enjoy a local lunch (Mystic Pizza!) and visit the Seaport Museum where you can explore a recreated 19th century seaport village. The famous Mystic River Bascule Bridge also connects the two sides of town and is an awesome site when it opens up every hour to let larger ships through.

Continue your drive 2.5 hours to Newport, RI where you can walk the town and have dinner, ending your night at your hotel.

Day#2

Rise and shine to walk the scenic Newport Cliff Walk and stretch your legs.

Drive 2.75 hours to Kittery, ME which is a charming coastal town that boasts a Naval Museum and local breweries.

Continue your drive 2.5 hours to Bangor, ME which is the inspiration for many of the settings in the books of Stephen King. So all you fans out there can take a Stephen King tour, or visit some stops on your own like the Paul Bunyan statue seen in It. Don’t forget to swing by and see the gothic architecture of Stephen King’s former house.

Day #3

Get up early and after your 1 hour drive to Acadia National Park you can sample the famous Main blueberry pancakes in Bar Harbor. Bar Harbor is a quaint seaport town well worth a stroll around, but it can be a pricey place to stay especially in the busy season.

Drive the loop around Acadia Park and check out the many famous stops such as Thunder Hole, Sand beach, and Otter Cliff. Each of these areas has short, generally flat hikes to explore the area.

For those who want the true Acadia experience I can’t recommend anything but the Beehive trail. I’m not an expert climber, but I beat this moderately strenuous trail. The key factor is to not be afraid of heights! There are steep drops and narrow trails. There are areas that you will have to climb ladder rungs embedded in the stone, and the vertical assent is taxing. Honestly though, it’s one of the best and most unique hikes I have ever done.

An optional 30 minute drive to the Bass Harbor Lighthouse can be done, however the parking is extremely limited, and you may find yourself waiting in a long line to get in.

Accommodations around Acadia can be tricky. If you’re willing to splurge, Bar Harbor is the most convenient place to stay. For those who like camping, you can reserve one of the few campgrounds around the park, but you’ve got to do it early. There are also some private campgrounds/ RV parks in the area.

Day #4

Sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain is a photographer’s dream and an incredible site for all. You can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain in just a few minutes, but the entrance is now ticketed due to its popularity. Get tickets EARLY on the park website, or you can try for a small number released the day off (unlikely).

Stroll the scenic Jordan Pond Nature Trail and then an optional 1 hour trip to Schoodic Peninsula. The peninsula is a lesser visited but no less beautiful area of the park. We skipped this trip, but I have a feeling it would have been well worth it.

Start your return drive home 2 hours to Augusta, ME and find accommodations.

(The great part about this trip is if you feel up to driving more one day and less the next, you can find last minute hotel deals in nearly every city along the way. We just tried to break the driving up into manageable chunks.)

Day #5

Drive 2.5 hours to Salem, Massachusetts, renowned for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Explore the cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old homes or visit the Salem Witch Museum to delve into the town’s dark past. We took one of the many ghost tours available, some who weave in actual history more than others.

We were also lucky to be visiting in October, and the streets of Salem were covered in Halloween decorations.

Drive 2.5 hours to New Haven, CT and stay overnight.

Day #6

Drive 2 hours to New York, NY and if you’ve never been do, the touristy things like Times Square, Bryant Park, and the Empire State building at least once.

I always like to catch a Broadway show when I’m in town and you’ll be just in time for a matinee if you so choose.

Then we drove 2 hours home and spent the next day relaxing!

Have more time? Side trips include: Nantucket where a ferry from Hyannis is 1 hour each way ($44 per person, each way), Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard. The Northeast is also the perfect place for enjoying the deep leaf colors in Autumn!

Enjoy an easy printable form of this itinerary below!