Climbing –Up-down and around Here are some of my favorite trails-
I love the North Ridge trail on Champlain Mt. (formerly called Bear Brook Trail). There’s a vernal pool of water in the rocks that looks as though it was designed by a Japanese master gardener.
I like going up the
Beechcroft Trail on Huguenot Head and then up Champlain and back down by the North Ridge trail. Ask me about the way back to the parking lot at the Tarn.
Another favorite: take
the Bald Peak trail just above Hadlock Pond on Rte 198 and quickly turn left on to Parkman Mountain Trail. There’s a lot of choices here – go to the waterfall bridge on the way (if it’s been raining) and at the top of Parkman, a right turn will take you to the Sargent Mountain Complex, or a left turn will take you down to the carriage road and back to your car.
Bicycling:
Both the seasoned cyclist and the beginner will enjoy a variety of choices and experiences. There are two good rentals very near Mira Monte: Acadia Bike and Canoe,
www.acadiabike.com and Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, 207-288-3886.
Strolling:
Walking is the best and easiest way to explore Old Bar Harbor. We will provide you with an historic map. There are group walking tours available as well.
Bar Harbor’s Shore Path is an easy stroll with the most spectacular views. It begins just a five minute walk from Mira Monte.
Another popular stroll is available at low tide: walk to
Bar Island - about 5 minutes to begin at the foot of Bridge Street. Ten minutes in another direction takes you to the beginning of the
Village Connector Trails Beginning at the cemetery at the end of Kebo Street, this trails takes you across the Great Meadow to the base of Dorr Mountain and to the Wild Gardens of Acadia - a botanical collection of native Mt Desert Island plant, trees and shrubs. Here is where you will see bog plants such as the insect collecting Pitcher Plant. Without getting your feet wet.
Bar Harbor has, since the 1840's been a famous summer resort.
The climate is near perfect for all types of activities. The cool ocean gives us sea breezes almost every night -cooling the air from a daytime temperature in the low 80's to mid 60's at night. While we offer air conditioning in the rooms, it is rarely needed. Mira Monte's quiet location allows you to open your windows and sleep with fresh sea air filling your lungs. You usually need a sweater if you're going out for an evening walk.
You will need warm clothing if you expect to go out on one of the many boat cruises available to you: whale watching, sailing, kayaking, nature cruises, puffin watching, and sightseeing cruises. Bring jeans, socks, a head scarf, and layers of shirts or sweaters plus gloves if you're from a warm climate. Bring a knapsack or tote bag so you can add layers or shed them as the temperature dictates. You need these because the ocean is 50 to 60 degrees and the wind and sea breezes are cold.
Check out our Acadia Rendezvous package.
Hiking - Trails range from rugged and challenging to gently sloping paths at the water's edge. ( I especially like the 2 mile walk from Sand Beach to Otter Point_ in the summer you can take a bus to Sand Beach-walk the trial and pick up a return bus at Otter Point);
In Southwest Harbor there are two great walks -
Wonderland -aptly named. The native pitch pine trees look like natural bonsai trees, they are stunted by lack of nutrients and shaped by a prevailing ocean wind. The ground covers are made up of arctic plants that are at their southern limit here on the island. The arctic plants survive here because of the cool summer nights; sharing the sun-warmed rocks are many southern plants that live here because we have mild winters. This short walk ends at the rocky shore - a trip filled with wonder, Another walk, very close by, is the
Ship Harbor Trail which winds in a figure eight along the beautiful little harbor - so named because it was the sight of a tragic ship wreck many years ago. Today it is a peaceful, beautiful short walk.
Gardens of Acadia -the botanical garden featuring most of Acadia's native wild flowers, trees and shrubs. So many great walks, too little space to list them all, we will be happy to help you find your perfect stroll!
Swimming - Invigorating saltwater beaches or on the western side of the island-Echo Lake Beach, the only freshwater bathing area with full facilities and lifeguards. For young children Bar Harbor's Glen Mary Wading pool is located about one block from Mira Monte. It is saucer-shaped with depths ranging from a few inches at the edge to 3.5 feet in the center. There are swings and play equipment as well.
Sea Kayaking - full and half day tours and excursions allow you to explore close to islands and their wildlife and birds. We use Coastal Kayaking www.acadiafun.com, but there are others companies that are good. Canoeing - Also available at Acadia Bike and Canoe
www.acadiabike.com
Experiences- Bar Harbor is located on Mt Desert Island which has a rich history of industrious settlers beginning in the 1700's. Stonecutters, fishermen, boat builders, and lumbering were the main sources of income - before the tourists began arriving in the early 1800's. The
Abbe Museum is the anchor museum for the Wabanaki Trail, the cultural history of the Abenaki Indians. It is just down the street from Mira Monte Inn. It is a great place to learn more of Maine's Native Americans through their art, culture and archaeology. There is also a trailside museum at Sieur Des Monts Springs.
www.abbemuseum.org
Dorr Museum of Natural History at the College of the Atlantic: Exhibits of native animals, taxidermy and settings done by the students.
www.coamuseum.org
Whale Museum West Street, Bar Harbor. This is the only museum showing the history, research and skeletons of whales of the Gulf of Maine.
www.barharborwhalemuseum.org
Wendell Gilley Museum, Southwest Harbor: Displays the carved bird collection by Wendell Gilley, local plumber and outdoorsman, and renowned bird carver. They offer classes on bird carving and sell tools etc.
www.wendellgilleymuseum.org
Seal Cove Auto Museum: the private collection of antique cars - not to be missed. This is located in Seal Cove (not Seal Harbor), on route 102.
The Sound Museum, located on Rte 198 towards Northeast Harbor displays the history of the Sound village during the early years when this was a thriving village at the head of Somes Sound. It was a village of stone cutters and fisherman. The building is the former schoolhouse.
There are several other museums on the island and in Ellsworth - the nearest mainland town.
Oceanarium. The Oceanarium displays a lobster hatchery, a deep water aquarium, and offers marshland habitat tours. You'll experience a lot of surprises here.
www.theoceanarium.com
The Lulu Lobster Boat: Learn about lobsters and how to catch them on the Lulu- It's a wonderful experience.
www.lululobsterboat.com
