After planning our trip to Acadia National Park for months, we can’t wait to explore our national park. But when you finally arrive, it’s not what you expected! Instead of being sunny and perfect outside, it’s pouring down rain! I know—it was the worst. But there’s no reason to panic. There are still plenty of things you can do at Acadia on a rainy day that will make your vacation just as special as it would’ve been if the weather were perfect. I’m going to share my top six things to do at Acadia National Park when it rains so you can have an amazing time even on those days when the clouds won’t leave!
1. eat lunch at the Thurston’s Lobster Pound
After you’ve finished hiking and biking, it’s time to eat. The Thurston’s Lobster Pound, located on Route 102A in Southwest Harbor, has an extensive menu that includes everything from lobster rolls and chowders to lobster bisque and macaroni and cheese. You’ll find all of these offerings here and some bonus items like lobster stew and salad. If you’re feeling extra hungry (or want to sample a few things), try the bucket of steamers: eight pounds of fresh lobsters with melted butter for dipping (be sure not to burn yourself). Even if your trip is completely rain-free, it’s worth stopping by the Thurston’s for an unforgettable meal!
2. Bird Watch
If you’re looking for an afternoon activity that will be fun in the rain, consider bird watching. Acadia National Park is home to many birds, including warblers and hummingbirds. Two good places to go birdwatching are Echo Lake and Jordan Pond.
Echo Lake is known for its variety of songbirds and waterfowl (ducks). To spot these birds in Echo Lake, look for them near the feeder station near the parking lot or its boardwalk.
Jordan Pond is a great place to see eagles, ospreys, loons (gulls), grebes (diving birds), and gulls wading in its shallow waters. If you have binoculars or a spotting scope with you at Jordan Pond Beach House Restaurant during your meal break from hiking nearby trails like Cadillac Mountain Summit Loop Trail or Island Explorer Hike Trail 1A/1B north along North Shore Road from Cranberry Cove Road south until reaching Jordan Pond House Restaurant & Gift Shop; lunch snacks are available too!
3.take a scenic drive
You won’t want to be stuck inside Acadia National Park when it rains. You can go hiking, but the trails will be muddy and wet. You can do many other things that don’t involve getting wet or dirty.
One of those things is taking a scenic drive along one of the park’s carriage roads (or roads). These paved roads were built by John D. Rockefeller Jr., an avid conservationist, and philanthropist. He owned land in several states, including Maine, where he purchased over 100 thousand acres to create what would later become Acadia National Park. During his lifetime, he donated over two billion dollars for various causes, including education, healthcare, and conservation efforts like creating Acadia National Park itself!
Another thing you could do instead of hiking is driven out onto Ocean Drive, which leads from Sand Beach down past Otter Cliff Pond, which has views overlooking Frenchman Bay, as well as smaller ponds nearby like the Flume Gorge waterfall area, where there are picnic tables located along its banks too 🙂
4. catch up on some reading
You can always catch up on some reading. There are plenty of options:
- Read a book. This can be any format, but if you have the opportunity to choose, pick up the latest thriller or sci-fi novel from your favorite author.
- Read a magazine or newspaper while waiting at an indoor attraction like Jordan Pond House or College of the Atlantic (if it’s raining outside). If you’re already in Acadia National Park and want something more locally-focused, consider checking out The Down East Journal or ME Quarterly…
- If you’re feeling particularly inspired at this point in your trip, chances are there’s no shortage of blogs about hiking trails and other outdoor activities nearby; check out some reviews before heading out! Sizleri orgazmın doruklarına çıkarmak için escort bayan avcılar sitesindeki kızlar hazır bekliyor.
In addition to these options for rainy day reading material, there are endless resources available online that can provide everything from lighthearted distraction up to serious research for school projects and papers:
5. explore the woods along the Carriage Roads
You’ve got your rain gear on and ready to explore Acadia National Park. When it rains, you can’t just stay inside and watch Netflix. You need to go outside and do something!
If there’s one thing Acadia does well, it’s making the most of any weather. If it’s raining when you visit, don’t worry: there are still plenty of things to do in Acadia that are perfect for a dreary day (and they won’t make you want to curl up under a blanket).
One option? Walk the carriage roads. Wealthy tourists originally built these beautiful dirt roads in the early 1900s as an easy way to get around the park without having to walk through mud or sand—and they’re still used today by many visitors who want an easy stroll through nature without getting wet feet!
6. visit the Sieur de Monts Spring Nature Center
The Sieur de Monts Spring Nature Center surprised me when I visited Acadia. It’s not a full-on museum, but it’s a cool place to check out if you’re interested in the park’s history and the flora and fauna of Bar Harbor.
The center is just off Route 3 on Mount Desert Island, right next to our beautiful Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. It was founded in 1949 by Reverend Charles W. Scott. He wanted to preserve the natural beauty that surrounds us while allowing visitors an opportunity to learn more about Acadia National Park. The center contains exhibits featuring fish fossils that date back millions of years; there are also interactive games that teach kids about birds and other wildlife in the area. There’s also a small gift shop where you can buy souvenirs like books or postcards with pictures from this beautiful place!
What’s great about this spot is that it has something for everyone—whether you want some quiet time reading by yourself or want an educational field trip with friends or family members from out-of-town (or even from across town!). The center closes at 4 pm every day, so plan accordingly if you want to ensure everything goes smoothly during your trip here.”
7. go shopping in Bar Harbor
There is no better place to shop for souvenirs than Bar Harbor. It’s just a short drive from Acadia, but it has everything you need, from clothing and jewelry to books, toys, and more.
Some of the places we recommend include:
- Schooner Bay Books – this independent bookstore carries a great selection of Maine-themed books, magazines, and local art prints. It’s an excellent place to find something unique for someone you know back home that hasn’t been your first stop yet!
- The Art Gallery at Maine Cottage Furniture features local artists’ works in all media with stunning pieces of furniture, too! If you’re looking for something special (and don’t mind paying extra), this is worth checking out before heading back home!
- Clover Island Chocolates – stop by Clover Island Chocolates on Main Street, where they specialize in handcrafted chocolates and candies made right here on Mount Desert Island using only high-quality ingredients from around New England, like fresh milk. From local farms.”
8. A rainy day at Acadia National Park is better than a sunny day at work!
- A rainy day at Acadia National Park is better than a sunny day at work.
- You can still do lots of things in the rain.
- You can also do lots of things in the sun.
- And you can also do lots of things in the snow!
Conclusion
The rain has stopped, and now it’s time to head outside and see what this beautiful place offers. Whether you’re taking a hike, enjoying the views from a scenic drive, or just strolling along the shoreline – Acadia National Park is waiting for you in your next summer holidays, explore with your loved ones.
