Bar Harbor: Cadillac Mountain & Acadia Day Tour with Lobster

Summary

Cadillac Mountain sunrise, lobster rolls by Jordan Pond and wild Atlantic waves

You’ll ride from Bar Harbor into Acadia with a local guide, feeling Atlantic spray at Thunder Hole and tasting fresh lobster rolls by Jordan Pond. Climb Cadillac Mountain for sweeping views and end your day learning lobster lore at Parson’s shop—expect small surprises and moments you’ll replay long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t think I’d ever hear the ocean actually roar, but standing at Thunder Hole in Acadia with our little group, it almost felt like the rocks were breathing. Our guide—Maggie, who grew up in Bar Harbor—grinned when I flinched at the first crash. She said locals can tell if a storm’s coming just by how it sounds. The salt air stuck to my jacket and there was this tang of seaweed that reminded me of summers as a kid, except colder. We’d only just left Sieur de Monts Spring, where the water tasted like stone and pine needles.

Otter Cliff kind of snuck up on us. Maggie pointed out a pair of artists perched on the rocks with their easels—one guy had paint on his nose and didn’t seem to care about anything but the light. It made sense; the view kept shifting every time clouds moved over the bay. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it never looks right through a screen. At Jordan Pond, we sat outside for lunch—a real lobster roll (I got butter all over my fingers) and those popovers everyone talks about. The bread was hot and airy inside, which surprised me for some reason. There was this quiet around us except for ducks paddling by.

The drive up Cadillac Mountain was winding—someone in our group joked about counting hairpin turns but lost track after five. At the top, Bar Harbor looked tiny below all that sky. I thought it would feel crowded but it didn’t; people spread out along the granite ledges just watching boats drift far off. On the way back we stopped at Parson’s Lobster Shop for a demo—turns out lobsters really do turn bright red when cooked (I’d always thought that was just cartoons). Maggie told stories about her dad fishing here before sunrise; you could tell she meant every word.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Acadia Park and Bar Harbor

• Pickup from Bar Harbor hotel
• Visit Sieur de Monts Spring
• Experience Thunder Hole waves
• Enjoy views at Otter Cliff
• See Jordan Pond and eat lobster roll
• Visit Cadillac Mountain lookout
• Attend lobster demo at Parson's Shop
• Return to harbor front

Top questions

How long is the Bar Harbor Cadillac Mountain tour?

Total driving time is around 2 hours, with stops at each location throughout the day.

Is hotel pickup included in this Acadia tour?

Yes, complimentary downtown hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Do you get to try lobster on this tour?

Yes, an authentic Maine lobster roll or popover is included for lunch at Jordan Pond.

Are there wheelchair accessible options?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and transportation options support mobility needs.

What are the main stops on this Bar Harbor day trip?

Sieur de Monts Spring, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff, Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain summit, and Parson's Lobster Shop.

Is this Acadia tour suitable for families with kids?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome.

Does the tour include entry fees for Cadillac Mountain?

Admission to Cadillac Mountain is included in your booking price.

How many people are in each group?

This is a small group tour with a maximum of 7 guests per group.

What’s included

Your day includes downtown Bar Harbor hotel pickup and drop-off, entry to Cadillac Mountain, stops at Sieur de Monts Spring, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff and Jordan Pond—with lunch featuring a classic Maine lobster roll or popover—and ends with a live demonstration at Parson’s Lobster Shop before heading back to town together.