11 days in DownEast and Acadia Maine Itinerary

The first national park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia National Park draws visitors with its rugged landscape of ocean shoreline, low-slung granite mountains, dense woodlands, and pristine lakes.

Acadia National Park is known for nature, trails, scenic drive, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Cadillac Mountain, grab your bike and head to Carriage Roads, stroll through Champlain Mountain & Beehive Loop Trail, and explore the striking landscape at Thunder Hole.

For other places to visit, maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the Acadia National Park trip itinerary builder .

Chicago to Acadia National Park is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of flight and car; or drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from Chicago to Acadia National Park. In September, Acadia National Park is little chillier than Chicago - with highs of 70°F and lows of 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Mon) early enough to drive to Northeast Harbor.

Northeast Harbor is a village on Mount Desert Island, located in the town of Mount Desert in Hancock County, Maine, United States. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Northeast Harbor: Bar Harbor (Frenchman Bay & Schoodic Peninsula) and US Bells (in Prospect Harbor). Next up on the itinerary: look for all kinds of wild species at Shore Path, hike along Ocean Path, make a trip to Land Bridge to Bar Island, and go for a walk through Compass Harbor Trail.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, maps, and tourist information, refer to the Northeast Harbor holiday builder .

Northeast Harbor is very close to Acadia National Park. In September, daily temperatures in Northeast Harbor can reach 70°F, while at night they dip to 52°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 3rd (Thu) early enough to drive to Winter Harbor.

Not to be confused with Winter Harbor, Maine the former name of Biddeford PoolWinter Harbor is a town on the Schoodic Peninsula in Hancock County, Maine, United States. Start off your visit on the 4th (Fri): cruise along Schoodic National Scenic Byway, look for gifts at Winter Harbor 5&10, then take in the dramatic natural features at Schoodic Point, and finally view the masterpieces at Whopaints Gallery.

To see other places to visit, more things to do, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Winter Harbor attractions planner .

Traveling by car from Northeast Harbor to Winter Harbor takes an hour. In October in Winter Harbor, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 42°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) to allow enough time to drive to Lubec.

Lubec is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sat): explore the striking landscape at The Bold Coast, look for all kinds of wild species at Bog Brook Cove Preserve, then don't miss a visit to Lost Fishermen's Memorial, and finally visit a coastal fixture at West Quoddy Head Light. On the 6th (Sun), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: walk around Reversing Falls Park.

To see traveler tips, ratings, reviews, and other tourist information, read our Lubec trip maker .

Traveling by car from Winter Harbor to Lubec takes 2 hours. In October in Lubec, expect temperatures between 59°F during the day and 42°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 6th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.