Acadia Nat'l Park Luxury Home-Harbor Views-Walk to Town

06/15/2023

We kknew this!

Maine's Acadia National Park is unequaled on the East Coast. When you visit, be sure to budget time to see the top 8 attractions (with a map).

09/29/2022

In August, for the second month in a row, the estimated number of visitors to Acadia was the second highest on record for that month, second only to August of last year.

08/22/2022

There's still time to enjoy our 5-star property in Maine this fall! Check out what are guests are saying:

"Perfect spot for our family of 10, ages 11 through 80. Comfortable and enjoyable" - John

"We had a variety of ages and we all enjoyed our time at your beautiful house. Many things to do in the area, thanks for a great time!" - Linda

"We had a great week! The house was perfect for our family. My 7 year old grandson said your house was great and the most comfortable bed he ever slept in!" "It was very convenient that every room has their own bath. The house was very clean. Great communication with owner." - Debra

"Great set up for a family with a couple of grandchildren plus adults. More relaxed than the other side and hiking trails were far less crowded." - Matthew

06/24/2022

The Island Explorer is back and includes service to Southwest Harbor.

The fare-free Island Explorer begins service today on Mount Desert Island, and will operate through October 10. The transit system serves Acadia National Park and surrounding communities and the Schoodic Peninsula.

Propane-powered buses help reduce traffic and parking congestion, as well as emissions, by offering a car-free option to visiting the park. View routes and real-time bus locations by downloading the myStop® app.

Downeast Transportation Inc., a nonprofit organization, operates the Island Explorer with support from the National Park Service, Federal Transit Administration, Maine Department of Transportation, area towns, local businesses, and Friends of Acadia/L.L.Bean. The NPS provides funding from park entrance pass revenues to Downeast Transportation Inc. through a cooperative agreement to support approximately 60 percent of its operating expenses.

More at https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/island-explorer.htm

Photo by Ashley L. Conti, Friends of Acadia

06/14/2022

Our first reviews for the 2022 season are in and we are continuing to earn all 5 stars! We still have openings in September and October so plan your fall trip now!

AirBNB: May 2022
We absolutely loved this house in Southwest Harbor. It is absolutely beautiful ,super clean , and fully stocked with everything you could possibly need. We would stay here again on our next trip to Maine. It is conveniently located to all tourist destinations to Acadia and Bar Harbor attractions. And the views from the house of the harbor are beautiful. Awesome house for a family reunion given the spacious 6 beds and 6.5 baths! Paul and Kris are great with their communication and any questions you may have. I give this house 5 stars!

Sherry, Wernersville, PA
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VRBO: May 2022 *****
The property was just as described and was perfect for my husband and I and our 4 adult children and their partners. The house had enough cook-wear we needed to prepare meals, plenty of plates silverware, and drink ware, etc. the sleeping spaces -each with their own bathroom and sitting areas were great! The whole house was clean and well appointed. Each bedroom had its own temp control which was a lovely bonus. Although we visited early in the season and a number of shops & restaurants were not open yet, there was plenty to meet our needs and they were super convenient. We spent most of our days at various Acadia activities and they were easy to get to. We thoroughly enjoyed staying in a quieter area but having easy access to everything we wanted within the park.
Janice

05/10/2022

It's always good time to visit Acadia!

Discover the best things to do in Acadia National Park in Maine, from hiking and biking to scenic drives, lakes, and other attractions.

04/06/2022

Spring is in the air. We are sprucing things up and getting ready for your arrival. We have openings May 29 to June 12, Sep 4 to 11, Sep 18 to 25, Oct 9 to 16, and Oct 23 to 30.

03/14/2022

We are down to our last few weeks of availability this 2022 season. May 29 - Jun 5, Sep 4-11, Sep 18-25, Oct 9-16. Our beautiful Southwest Harbor home offers 6 BR, 6.5 bath, sleeps 12, and has harbor views from nearly every room. Come enjoy the Quiet Side!

We are listed on VRBO, AirBNB, and Houfy so book on the platform of your choice.

03/11/2022

More good news! This Island Explorer Shuttle is planning to operate all it's routes in 2022, after reduced service significantly in 2021 due to Covid.

This free, propane-powered shuttle bus service provides transportation through Acadia National Park and several gateway towns. With a bus stop right in front of our house, this free service is a great way to get around.

To learn more about the shuttle system, visit http://exploreacadia.com/index.html

The Island Explorer features bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beache...

02/14/2022

We are so excited that the CAT ferry from Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia is coming back this year! The return of the ferry has been delayed due to the pandemic. High speed ferry service between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia will resume May 19 and run through October 10. A trip to Nova Scotia would be a great extension of your Acadia National Park vacation.

https://www.ferries.ca/thecat/schedule/

The international high-speed ferry service between Bar Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, is planned to resume in May 2022.

01/07/2022

Acadia National park had a record setting year in 2021. Will you be one of the lucky vistors in 2022? We have only a few weeks left this summer, but lots of options in fall. We are also open to remote work stays during the off season. Check us out on VRBO, AirBnB or Houfy.

https://www.mainepublic.org/environment-and-outdoors/2022-01-01/acadia-national-park-saw-a-record-4-million-visits-in-2021

Park advocates said systems were strained, sometimes beyond breaking, and they're raising alarms about what the future may hold.

10/25/2021

Our first season has just come to a close and it was a record breaking one for Acadia National Park. We are proud to have received all 5-star reviews on VRBO. Check out what some our guests had to say:

"Wonderful visit: We loved everything about this house! It was clean and had everything we needed, a short walk into town, and plenty of space for our large family. I love that every room has a separate bathroom and AC units! The hosts were great and responded back quickly and thoroughly. We will definitely be booking again for future trips!"

" I could go on and on, but I think you will understand how wonderful this home is….just give it a try. Hiking and landmarks were nearby. You are in the middle of it all. A short drive to Bar Harbor and an equally short drive to East Harbor towns. Some of us even walked to restaurants for evening meals. Thank you for a wonderful home away from home. Two words: Just perfect. "

We are filling up quickly for summer 2022. Just one week left in July and one week in August. Make your plans today!

10/01/2021

Stunning rainbow yesterday on Mount Desert Island! Book with us to catch the beauty yourself!

Photo Credit: Erin Dilworth via Mount Desert Islander

Did anyone else see a rainbow somewhere over MDI last night? Erin Dilworth caught this magnificent shot at Compass Harbor.

06/10/2021

Don't be left out!! We only have a few dates left in September but still have choice openings in October. Fall is a beautiful time and typically in October the crowds are less.

Despite Memorial Day weekend’s rain, every parking lot was full, and traffic crossing onto Mount Desert Island was up 6% from Memorial Day 2019. National parks elsewhere are seeing similar spikes.

06/08/2021

Southwest Harbor 6/6/21

05/27/2021

It's shaping up to be a busy season in Acadia National Park! We still have openings in the fall for late September and October. Don't be left out this year!

For the first time ever, the estimated number of park visits in the month of April topped 100,000.

05/20/2021

As of May 1st, you do not have to quarantine or have a covid test in order to visit Maine when traveling from another state. Effective May 25, vaccinated individuals can ditch the mask both outside and inside. Get all the info on Maine's Covid-19 requirements/restrictions at https://www.maine.gov/covid19/

A message from Governor Janet Mills Time and again, Maine people have risen to the challenges put in front of us. We have survived blizzards, ice storms, depressions, booms and busts. We’ve suffered loss — as a state and as families. We have conquered them because we are a strong, resilient peop...

05/12/2021

Southwest Harbor May 9,2021

04/28/2021

This beautiful cove is your reward after a fun hike up and over Flying Mountain. The trail is just a short 5 minute drive from our house. For more ideas of things to do on vacation in Southwest Harbor, check out this information from TripAdvisor.

Southwest Harbor Tourism: Tripadvisor has 12,777 reviews of Southwest Harbor Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Southwest Harbor resource.

04/18/2021

Southwest Harbor Easter 2021.

Photo credit: Nora Holloway.

04/12/2021

We have to agree- certainly is one of the most beautiful national parks.

Note this article is from 2020 and has outdated information on the Island Explorer shuttle bus service and Maine Covid-19 travel requirements.

Go from sunrise tide pools to lobster dinner in New England’s enchanting island park.

04/08/2021

The National Park Service has implemented a reservation system this year for driving up Cadillac Mountain. This step has been taken by the park service to reduce the congestion in the small parking area at the top of the mountain. In order to drive up Cadillac between sunrise and sunset, there is a $6 fee on top of the park pass fee. Additionally, you have to make a reservation. Thirty percent of reservations are released 90 days in advance. The remaining block of 70% of the reservations are released two days in advance, allowing for a little more scheduling flexibility/spontaneity. Note no reservation or extra fee is required to hike up (our preferred way) or bike up (gulp!).

You can learn more about this new reservation system at: https://home.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/vehicle_reservations.htm

Vehicle reservations are required for the Cadillac Summit Road between sunrise and sunset from May 26 through Oct 19, 2021. Vehicle reservations are not required for any other areas of the park, or for visitors who enter the area by foot, bike, or taxi. Cadillac is not served by the fare-free Island...

04/08/2021

04/07/2021

The Island Explorer, the free shuttle bus system serving Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, has announced thir operating plans for the 2021 season. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 they will not be including the route to/through Southwest Harbor.

http://exploreacadia.com/routefinder.html

Please see their website for more details on what service will be available this year.

03/10/2021

We are fully booked for July and August. Check out our open weeks in June. And don't forget Fall is an absolutely stunning time to be in Acadia!

Find us on Air Bnb or VRBO, or message direct to avoid the booking fees.

03/09/2021

Maine Governor releases new travel rules in preparation for summer season:
https://www.mdislander.com/maine-news/governor-releases-plan-for-upcoming-tourism-season

On March 5, Governor Janet Mills released a plan to protect public health and support Maine’s economy as the state approaches its busy spring and summer tourism season.

02/08/2021

Virtual program to learn about the best National Park we have!

Family Virtual Program: Acadia’s Top 10
Tuesday, February 9th at 1 pm ET

What makes Acadia… Acadia? Join us in an overview of Acadia slideshow and learn about the resources protected here. This overview acts as a great introduction to the Park!

TO REGISTER: Email [email protected]
Please include the name of the program in the subject line (Acadia’s Top 10). Register at least 2 hours before the start of the program to receive a link and a confirmation email.

For more virtual programs, go to https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/calendar.htm


NPS Photo/Kristi Rugg