3 night itinerary advice - next weekend!

Question

Hi guys,

Looking for some advice on our rough itinerary for Bar Harbor for next weekend. We ended booking at the Atlantic Eyrie Lodge. We'll have car, father (limited mobility, looking at easy walks less than 20mins, no hikes) and grown daughter.

Thurs - Drive from Portsmouth, NH. Not rushing to get to Bar Harbor, looking at stopping at towns such Ogunquit, Kennebunkport, Freeport and Rockport. Should we stop in Portland? too busy? Thinking about taking route 1 majority of the way. Any recommendations which town to stop in for lunch? Dinner in BH, stroll around Downtown area.

Fri - Going to attempt to get Cadillac Summit sunrise tickets. Sunrise 6am. Whether go back to hotel inbetween this, I dunno, breakfast is 7-10am. Thinking of doing Park Loop Dr, starting at Hulls Cove, stopping anywhere that interests us, probably stopping at Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Pt, popovers at Jordon Pond. Doing little walks where ever we can. I imagine this will take most of our day. Should we bring lunch with us? Dinner in town.

Sat - Looking at doing Bar Island Land Bridge - can someone help me understand when low tides are, I have looked at charts but still confused. And drive to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse - what route should we take here? Thinking of doing Beale's Lobster for lunch, What order should we do this day in?

Sun - Drive to Jackson, NH

Any recs where to watch sunset from? Should we head back into Acadia? Sunset around 7pm.

Any Happy Hours in town to check out?

Many thanks.

Answer

Your 3-night Bar Harbor itinerary sounds well-paced, and with a car, you’ll have flexibility to explore both the coast and Acadia National Park. Here’s a detailed approach considering mobility needs and your interests:

Thursday – Drive from Portsmouth, NH to Bar Harbor

Route 1 along the Maine coast is scenic, slower, and ideal for stopping in coastal towns. Portland can be busy, especially downtown, so if you prefer a less crowded stop, consider passing through quickly or stopping just for a short coffee or snack.

Ogunquit: Beautiful coastal town, nice for a quick stroll on Marginal Way.
Kennebunkport: Good for lunch or coffee. Try one of the casual seafood spots along Dock Square.
Freeport: Outlet shopping town (LL Bean flagship), if anyone wants a quick browse.
Rockport or Camden: Slight detour north, more scenic but may add driving time; a coffee/snack stop works well.

In Bar Harbor, dinner downtown and an easy evening stroll along Main Street is perfect. For a casual Happy Hour, check local bars like the Thrive Bar & Grill or Galyn’s.

Friday – Cadillac Mountain Sunrise & Park Loop Drive

Cadillac Mountain sunrise tickets at 6am – bring jackets; it’s often chilly. After sunrise, return to your hotel or nearby cafe for breakfast (7–10am).

Park Loop Drive starting at Hulls Cove is ideal for scenic stops:

Sand Beach: Easy beach walk, flat paths.
Thunder Hole: Short walk from parking; dramatic waves at high tide.
Otter Point: Short stroll, peaceful, good photo spot.
Jordan Pond: Popovers at Jordan Pond House; walk along flat carriage roads if able.

Bringing a light lunch or picnic is wise, as restaurants along Park Loop can be crowded, especially around Jordan Pond. Dinner back in Bar Harbor is convenient.

Saturday – Bar Island & Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse

Check tide charts for Bar Island Land Bridge. Typically, low tide is early morning or late afternoon – tide tables are available online or via the NOAA tide app. Plan to cross 1–2 hours before low tide and return 1–2 hours after low tide to allow a safe walk. The trail is flat and easy.

Suggested order for the day:

Morning: Bar Island walk during low tide.
Late morning: Drive to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse via Route 102 & 102A (scenic coastal drive).
Lunch: Beal’s Lobster Pier – casual, classic lobster rolls.
Afternoon: Optional short stops along the southwest coast, return to Bar Harbor by late afternoon.

Sunday – Drive to Jackson, NH

For a last morning scenic experience, consider:

Acadia Coastline: A short drive to a viewpoint for a final look at the ocean and cliffs.
Sunset Options: Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse or Cadillac Mountain (if sunrise ticket not used) offer panoramic views.

Enjoy a final stroll downtown if time allows before departure.

General Tips:

Bring water, light snacks, and jackets for cooler mornings/evenings.
Parking at popular Park Loop stops can fill quickly; early arrival helps.
Happy Hours in Bar Harbor are generally 3–6pm; check local bars like Thrive Bar & Grill, Galyn’s, or Side Street Cafe for specials.

This itinerary balances scenic drives, easy walks for your father, and classic Acadia experiences while allowing flexibility for meals and rest.