Trip report-Sept.23-29 Part 1

Question

First, thank you for all of the advice while I was making plans. Here is a brief report. Our (two friends 85 and 67 years olds) time in Maine was absolutely fabulous, and we can't wait to go again!

9/23 Arrive Bangor airport and picked up rental car. EASY!!! Drove directly to Union River Lobster Pound in Ellsworth. Fresh whole lobster! The best! Check in at Hawthorn Suites in Ellsworth for 3 nights. Perfect location, clean rooms, breakfast included.

9/24 Drove 25 minutes to downtown Bar Harbor. Browsed main street shops, ice cream, and then small bus tour through the park. Delightful driver and several stops for photos. Early supper at a Lobster pound for lobster roll (not a favorite) and rest up for next day.

2/25 Drove to other side of Mt. Desert Island. Took side roads to view houses and catch a glimpse of water and harbors. We did make a stop at the little white bridge in Somesville. Loved that. Got in car line to see Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Really moved pretty fast. We saw folks turning around when leaving. I'd hate to drive that far and not wait a little bit to see it. Lunch at end of road...Thurstons. Right on a working harbor. Misty weather. Very like New England. Drove another route back to hotel. Rest. Dinner was at Provendar in Ellsworth. Must have reservations. Fantastic meal!!! A halibut dish. Excellent service. Lovely interior in an old building. Highly recommend!

9/26 Check out. Went into Ellsworth and visited an Art Glass Studio in an old warehouse. We were very lucky to see two students blowing glass and making pretty pumpkins. Of course, we had to buy a couple. Next, we headed to Camden.

Answer

Thank you for sharing your trip report! It sounds like your first few days in Maine were a wonderful mix of scenic drives, fresh seafood, and local culture. Here’s a summary and highlights based on your itinerary from September 23–26:

Arrival and first impressions:

Arrived at Bangor airport and picked up a rental car—smooth and easy process.
Stopped at Union River Lobster Pound in Ellsworth for fresh whole lobster, which you highly enjoyed.
Checked into Hawthorn Suites in Ellsworth for three nights, noting the convenience of location, cleanliness, and included breakfast.

September 24 – Bar Harbor and park tour:

Drove 25 minutes to downtown Bar Harbor and explored the main street shops.
Enjoyed ice cream and a small bus tour of Acadia National Park with multiple photo stops; the driver provided a delightful experience.
Had an early supper at a local lobster pound, tried the lobster roll, which was not a favorite.

September 25 – Mount Desert Island and Bass Harbor:

Drove scenic side roads to admire houses and harbors; stopped at the little white bridge in Somesville, which was charming.
Visited Bass Harbor Lighthouse; waited in a moving car line, which allowed everyone to see the lighthouse. Noted that some visitors turned around, but the wait was worthwhile.
Lunch at Thurston’s on a working harbor, enjoying misty, classic New England scenery.
Drove back to the hotel via an alternate route, taking in more views of the island.
Dinner at Provendar in Ellsworth—required reservations, exceptional halibut dish, excellent service, and a lovely historic interior. Highly recommended.

September 26 – Ellsworth and Camden:

Visited an Art Glass Studio in Ellsworth; lucky to see students blowing glass and making decorative pumpkins, which were beautiful and purchased a few pieces.
Then departed for Camden, enjoying the scenic drive along the way.

Overall impressions:

Maine offers a wonderful mix of natural beauty, coastal charm, and local culture.
Fresh seafood experiences were a highlight, especially whole lobsters and halibut.
Scenic drives, side roads, and small towns provided memorable photo opportunities and quiet exploration away from crowds.
Hands-on local experiences, such as visiting the glass studio, added a unique cultural element to the trip.

For anyone planning a similar visit, key takeaways include booking restaurants in advance, allowing extra time for scenic stops, and exploring both popular and lesser-known spots for a balanced Maine experience.

Trip report-Sept.23-29 Part 1

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