Beauty of Acadia - Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County in the state of Maine.

Established by individual donations, Acadia National Park is a stunning intersection of sea-scoured shores, towering cliffs, and forested mountains. Mount Desert Island had been a resort destination well before the establishment of Acadia National Park in 1919. The wealthy flocked to Bar Harbor at the turn of the century, building Newport-style "cottages" that turned the quaint New England town into a fashionable summer resort. It was the efforts of these wealthy vacationer's, including John D. Rockefeller, which led President Woodrow Wilson to establish Acadia as the first national park east of the Mississippi. Many of Bar Harbor's great houses are a memory. A catastrophic fire in 1947 ravaged the town and the surrounding forest. But Acadia National Park survived, and today it is one of the most visited national parks in America. Acadia's 35,000 acres are studded with natural wonders: In addition to the stunning landscape, some 50 species of mammals including moose, black bear and white tail deer roam the park.

The Biggest draw to Bar Harbor, Maine is the 41,000 acre Acadia National Park, one of the smallest National Parks in United States but one of the most heavily visited. The Park offers incredible mountain, sea, lake, cliffs and coastline vistas and has an estimated 125 miles of trails exclusively for hiking & biking.

Bar Harbor (or ‘Bah Hahbuh’ as the locals call it) has the charm of a quaint New England fishing village. The beautiful town is nestled on the east side of Mount Desert Island, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Frenchman Bay and surrounded on 3 sides by the mountains of Acadia National Park which includes the 1,500 foot high Cadillac Mountain. Standing atop Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, it is easy to see why individuals like John D. Rockefeller felt so strongly about preserving this area's natural beauty.

General Information: Bar Harbor, Maine:-

Time:  -5.00 GMT (EST - Eastern Standard Time followed in Boston)

Currency: USD – United States Dollar ($) (1 USD = 0.63 GBP / 1.14 CAD / 0.80 EURO)

Dialling Code: (1)

Airport: Hancock County - Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) in Trenton, Maine.

Port: Cruise Ships coming to Bar Harbor are anchored in Frenchman Bay & Ship Tender Service takes the passengers to the Town Pier, located in the heart of down-town, off West and Main Street in Bar Harbor.

Caribbean Princess anchored at Bar Harbor, Maine

Star Princess at Bar Harbor, Maine with Tender Service in Operation

To go around the town I would personally advise people to Walk through the beautiful town pier. The Chamber of Commerce is located close to the town pier & open during season from May to October. Here you can collect free copies of ‘Acadia Weekly’ & ‘Acadia Visitor’ which contains Maps & general information. There are quite a few ATM’s located in the vicinity & Bar Harbor Bank, where you exchange currency in USD. To go to Cadillac Mountain you will require transportation. A Free Shuttle Bus called Island Explorer is available which takes you to Cadillac Mountain & departs every 30 mins from the Village Green.

Whilst, travelling to Cadillac Mountain, it’s advisable to carry Jackets & a Rain Poncho as it’s gets very cold and windy on top and there are occasional uninvited showers.

 Major Points of Interest in Boston:

Acadia National Park

Cadillac Mountain

Thunder Hole

·         Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is a national park in Maine & reserves much of Mount Desert Island. Composed of 47,000 acres, much of the area was once the home of the wealthy such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt and the Morgan's. Today it's the travel destination of hikers, rock climbers, campers and adventurers. The Park includes mountains, an ocean shoreline, woodlands & lakes. The park is also home to over 40 different species of mammalian wildlife like Red & Gray Squirrels, Chipmunks, Beaver, Moose, Coyote, Foxes, Black Bears etc. During the summer several trails are closed to protect the nesting Peregrine Falcons.

The Beauty of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine 

·         Cadillac Mountain

Cadillac Mountain is located on Mount Desert Island within the Acadia National Park. At 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the tallest point along the eastern coast of the United States. From October to March, it's the first spot in the U.S. to see the sun rise. It was named after Sieur de la Mothe Cadillac who migrated from France and settled in Maine during the 17^th century. The road “Loop Road” to the summit of the majestic Cadillac Mountain is a breath-taking drive. Composed of pink granite millions of years ago when the earth's tectonic and volcanic forces pushed the land upward to form the island's mountains, the summit offers awe-inspiring views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Cranberry Islands. There are various challenging hiking trails to the Summit as well.

Cadillac Mountain Summit

·         Thunder Hole

Nothing symbolizes the power of Acadia National Park as Thunder Hole does. When the right size wave rolls into the naturally formed inlet, a deep thunderous sound emanates. The cause is a small cavern formed low, just beneath the surface of the water. When the wave pulls back just before lunging forward, it dips the water just below the ceiling of the cavern allowing air to enter. When the wave arrives full force, it collides with the air, forcing it out, resulting in a sound like distant thunder. Water may splash into the air as high as 40 feet with a roar! This is a beautiful spot to view some of the most striking features within Acadia.

Cuisine Delights in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is the place to have the world famous Maine Lobster. Lobsters were so once plentiful in Maine's coastal waters that Native Americans used them to fertilize their fields and to bait their hooks for fishing. Until the early 1800's, lobstering was done by hand along the shoreline. Today, Maine is the country's largest lobster-producer with 100 million pounds of lobster caught each year. In Bar Harbor it’s all about Lobster.

There is a Chinese Place which I visited (can’t re-collect the name), where I would have takeaways back to the ship. It was shown to me by my Filipino friends on my first visit in 2006 and I have often gone back there, for their Fried Rice & Pork Ribs (cheap & amazing).

The Lobster can be enjoyed the Maine way or the famous Lobster Roll. I would advise people to try Grilled Maine Lobster Tail with Chive Ricotta Gnocchi and Maine Lobster Benedict. Maine is the only state that certifies the quality and origin of its lobster, and restaurants throughout Bar Harbor serve it up fresh. From a classic lobster roll to a 1 ¼-pound steamed lobster, there is no shortage of restaurants that offer the popular crustacean. If you're not a lobster fan, don't worry -- restaurants offer plenty of delicious options that don't involve the state's signature shellfish. 

Asticou Inn

Marcin & I outside the Chinese Restaurant at Bar Harbor

Shore Excursions Team on their FAM Lunch

Shorex Guest enjoying Lunch on the tour

Some of the good restaurants you might want to visit would be:

·         Asticou Inn (Lobster Bake Lunch with the beautiful Bar Harbor View)

·         Michelle’s Fine Dining

·         The Pier Restaurant

·         Havana

·         The Quarterdeck

Do not forget to try the Ice-Cream Flavours of Bar-Harbor at Mount Desert Island Ice-Cream, Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium (Try their Lobster Ice-Cream) or CJ’s Big Dipper, try CJ’s ‘Magic Wand’ (Magic Wand is dipped in each batch of Ice-Cream). You are bound to become Kids with the Kids here. Well, my special favourite has always been the Oreo Cookie Ice Cream (The best Oreo Cookie I have had till date). Also please try the Blueberry Pie’s at any of the local coffee shop.

Ben & Bills

Shopping in Bar Harbor:

Bar Harbor is a good place to collect small souvenirs & post cards. Most of them would be Acadia National Park, Cadillac Mountain, Bar Harbor etc. There are quite a few shops near the town pier itself like Cool as a Moose, House 114, Sea of Cotton etc.

Bar Harbor is a beautiful place for naturalists & for people who want to try some adventure fun. There are several mountains trails for Hiking & Cycling. There are other water sports like sailing, canoeing, sea kayaking etc. Always advisable to venture the Maine Waters with proper equipment & proper guidance and experience as weather changes were quickly and a bright sunny day can turn into intense fog with surging sea storms in matter of seconds.

It’s a beautiful fishing village & my personal advice would be to roam and explore on foot. Please do avoid littering this beautiful place on the land & even the water.

Lobster Pots & Buoy

Whale Watching Boats

We will continue on this Journey with our next port of call The Fundy City & experience the Reversing Rapids of the beautiful renaissance city of Saint John, New Brunswick.

P.S.:- Please leave comments & please let me know if you need any additional information. Also if you require information on any other destination, please let me know i would be glad to share it as soon as possible.

Kinny31

The Beantown - Boston, Massachusetts

Welcome to the Cradle of Liberty

Hailed as the "Cradle of American Independence," Boston is filled with historic sites. Boston was America's first great city. In the 19th century, Boston was rightly described as the "Athens of America." Today this city of 800,000 retains its vitality, combining historic districts with revitalized urban centers while remaining faithful to its venerable roots. It is a city every American should visit at least once. Follow the Freedom Trail along three of the most historic miles in the country. See the site of the Boston Tea Party, trace the route of Paul Revere's famous ride, and stand on the bridge where Minutemen fired "the shot heard 'round the world." In the old Charleston Navy Yard you can see the USS Constitution, the nation's oldest commissioned warship.

Boston is the largest city in New England & 24^th largest city in the United States. One of the oldest cities in United States, it was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England and has been the scene of several key events of the American Revolution, such as Boston Massacre, The Boston Tea Party, The Battle of Bunker Hill and The Siege of Boston.

General Information - Boston:-

Time:  -5.00 GMT (EST - Eastern Standard Time followed in Boston)

Currency: USD – United States Dollar ($) (1 USD = 0.63 GBP / 1.14 CAD / 0.80 EURO)

Dialling Code: (1)

Airport:

General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS) in East Boston, Massachusetts.

Port:

1. The Black Falcon Cruise Terminal is the Cruise Ship Terminal in South Boston & over 100 cruise ships call during the Canada New-England season.

2. Conley Terminal in South Boston serves as the container port of Boston and is capable of handling Panamax & post-Panamax ships.

3. Boston Autoport in Charlestown is used for processing & shipping automobiles.

4. Boston Fish Pier in South Boston is dedicated for processing & shipping Seafood.

Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, Boston, MA

Caribbean Princess docked at Black Falcon (Last Ship in Picture)

 Emerald Princess alongside Black Falcon Cruise Terminal

Boston is well connected to all major cities in United States by a very elusive network of Rail & Road.

Major Points of Interest in Boston:

1. Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace

2. Freedom Trail

3. Harvard Square, Lexington & Concord

4. Public Gardens

5. Fenway Park

6. Boston Public Library

Faneuil Hall & Quincy Marketplace

This Georgian building and marketplace has played an integral role in the life of Boston residents for over 250 years and is considered one of America's most famous shopping and dining experiences. Faneuil Hall is located near the waterfront in Boston, Massachusetts and has been a market place & meeting hall since 1742. It is also a part of Boston National Historical Park and a well-known stop on the Freedom Trail. Faneuil Hall has been rated at no. 4 in America’s 25 most visited Tourist sites by Forbes Traveller.

Quincy Marketplace is a historic market complex near Faneuil Hall in downtown Boston and was named in honor of Mayor Josiah Quincy and has been designated as National Historic Landmark, recognizing its significance as one of the largest market complex built in the first half of 19^th Century. Quincy Market is a two story tall, 27,000-square-foot marketplace built out of New England granite. The indoor pavilion has over 100 shops, a plethora of eating establishments, and delightful street performers that stroll through the area.

Faneuil Hall

 Quincy Market

 Inside Quincy Market

Freedom Trail

The Freedom Trail, which is 2.5 mile long path through downtown Boston begins at Boston Common, where the British forces were encamped from 1775-1776. It travels past the Massachusetts State House, built after the revolution and now the seat of Massachusetts' government. You'll see King's Chapel and the resting place of some of Boston's most historic figures, and continue to the Old South Meeting House where the most memorable gathering sparked the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and ignited the Revolutionary War. At the Old North Church, a statue of Paul Revere stands with the towering church steeple rising behind him. It was here that Revere ordered two lanterns hung to signal how the British Redcoats were advancing: "One if by land, two if by sea." Walk by the Old State House and the site of the Boston Massacre, then see the balcony from which the Declaration of Independence was read on July 18, 1776.

The Freedom Trail in Red as per the Tour Map

The Freedom Trail

Tina & Me at the Old State House & below with Emma

 The Old State House

The balcony from where the Declaration of Independence was read on July 18, 1776. 

Harvard Square,  Lexington & Concord

Harvard Square is a large triangular area near the center of Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Adjacent to the Harvard Yard, is the historic heart of Harvard University. History abounds in the town of Lexington, explore this quaint area along with the infamous Lexington Green. On April 19, 1775, less than 100 Minutemen faced 700 British soldiers. A shot rang out and a skirmish began that launched the American Revolution. See the Henry H. Kitson statue erected in 1900 that memorializes the Lexington Minutemen. Explore the towns that play a leading role in American history with a visit to Concord and a stop at the serene grounds of the Old North Bridge. Lovingly restored, the bridge is famous for the 'shot heard 'round the world,' the site of the first American victory in the Revolutionary War. 

Public Gardens

The Public Garden, also known as Boston Public Garden, is a large park located in the heart of Boston adjacent to Boston common. The Public Garden is rectangular in shape and contains a lake and a large series of formal plantings that are maintained by the city and others and vary from season to season. During the warmer seasons, the 4 acre pond is usually the home of one or more swans and is always the site of the Swan Boats, a famous Boston tourist attraction, which began operating in 1877. The first botanical garden in the United States, the area is home to a majestic monument of George Washington as well as the beloved "Make Way for Ducklings" statue which commemorates the famous children's book of the same name. 

Fenway Park

Home to the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park which is located at 4 Yawkey Way near Kenmore Square was built in 1912 and is the oldest ballpark in Major Baseball League. In the world of Baseball, Fenway is referred as “The Shrine” and can accommodate close 37,000 Baseball fans. The seats in the stadium are Green except for ‘The Lone Red Seat’ which signifies the longest home run ever hit. I visited Fenway Park on my first of many trips to Boston in Oct-2006 & still hold the official Boston Red Sox 2006 Jersey courtesy one of our Local Tour Operators.

 The Diamond "Fenway Park"

Boston Red Sox Team Store

Boston Public Library

Boston Public Library is a municipal library system in Boston founded in 1848. The Boston Public Library contains approx. 23 Million items encompassing all formats including Books, DVDs, Maps etc and is the 2^nd largest library in the United States after The Library of Congress.

There are many other places of interest & places with historic significance which can visited in Boston.

1.      Paul Revere House

2.      Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

3.      Trinity Church

4.      Old North Church

5.      USS Constitution & Museum

6.      Boston National Historic Park

7.      Boston Convention & Exhibition Center

8.      Harvard Museum of Natural History

9.      Boston Haborwalk

10.  Castle Island

Cuisine Delights in Boston, Massachusetts:

Boston’s food culture includes a variety international cuisines like Mediterranean, Asian, Chinese, Japanese, Jamaican, of course American Cuisine but New England Cuisine is more to do with Sea Food.

You will also find many famous restaurants & a food cart culture in Boston. Some of must visit places to eat in Boston would be:

·         Neptune Oyster

·         Myers and Chang

·         East Coast Grill

·         Summer Shack

·         Some of famous must visit Food Carts in Boston are Bon Me, The Cod Squad, Bone Daddy Burgers, Baja Taco Truck & Mei Mei Street Kitchen.

Cuisine in Boston is similar to the rest of New England Cuisine with a large emphasis on Seafood. Its best-known dishes are New England clam chowder, Fish & Chips, Baked Beans (thus the name Beantown), Lobsters, Steamed and Fried Clams.

The Union Oyster House is the oldest operating restaurant in the United States. Quincy Market Place has variety of restaurants & food shops and houses Bombay Blue a famous Indian Eatery inside the Food Zone. Boston’s Chinatown has variety of Asian Restaurants & Spice Vendors with variety of cuisine like Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Jamaican, Indian etc.

The American Lobster along with New England Clam Bake & Boston Baked Beans are the major part of New England Lobster and the best of Lobsters come from the waters up north, Maine. The famous Lobster roll is available throughout Boston.

Boston Baked Beans

New England Clam Chowder

Lobster Roll

New England Clam Bake

 Beantown Pub

 Bon Me (Vietnamese Food Truck)

 East Coast Grill

 Neptune Oysters

 The Cod Squad

On a personal note, the best way to see Boston is to get onto the Trolley Buses in Boston which are called Hop-on / Hop-off by buying the full day passes which gives you the entire freedom to do things on your own. The buses run with an average frequency of 15-20 minutes. The pricing for the passes can be checked online or locally in Boston. The last time, I was in Boston the price for a full day pass was $19.99.

Shopping in Boston:

Boston is a Shoppers delight from Street Shopping to Flagship Stores, you will find it all out there. The places to visit would be iconic Quincy Market & Washington Street in the neighborhood. Also International calling cards to Asia & other countries across the Globe are available here, which can used on a Cell Phone or a Pay Phone (It gives more talk time from a Pay Phone). I usually used the $5 calling card India Calling with gave approx. 250-300 mins depending on calls made.

Most Notable Personalities from Boston:-

1. John F. Kennedy (The 35^th President of United States & the most notable of all Boston personalities).
2. Benjamin Franklin

3. Malcolm X

4. Mark Wahlberg

5.  Paul Revere

6. Edward Norton

7. Robert Kennedy

8. Matt Damon

9. George H. W. Bush (41^st President of United States)

10. Aerosmith

Some Photos from my Personal Collection:

TD Garden

We will continue on this Journey with our next port of call being the beautiful sea town of Bar Harbor, Maine which is the gateway to Acadia National Park.

P.S:- Please do leave comments on my blog & if somethings have changed recently, please comment & let me know so that i can make notes and changes

Kinny31