Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Foliage/Motor Tours
One of the best scenic drives in the state is the
Park Loop Road
in Acadia National Park. For complete details, see the Acadia
section at the beginning of this chapter.
Acadia Harbors & Heights
210 miles, 5¼ hours, round trip
Highlights:
Winding around the breathtaking Acadia National Park,
this tour offers mountains, lakes and ocean as its autumn backdrop. Dis-
cover the charming islands, quiet harbors, and dramatic vistas that have
made this one of Maine's most enchanting fall destinations.
Route:
In
Bucksport
, travel east on Route 3, then on 175 to
Deer Isle
bridge
, suspended over scenic Eggemoggin Reach. Head south on 15 to
Stonington
, a traditional lobstering community, and return as far as
Sargentville
. Go east on 175 to
Sedgewick
, then north on 172 to the
arts community of
Blue Hill
. Continue north on 176 to
Surry
and 172 to
Ellsworth
; head south on 230 to the
Mount Desert Island
bridge. Take
102 south through
Bass Harbor
and
Southwest Harbor
to
Somesville
along Somes Sound, the only fjord on the US Atlantic coast.
Drive east and south on 198 and 3 through
Northeast Harbor
and
Seal
Harbor
to
Bar Harbor
. Enjoy the mountains-to-the-sea views of Acadia
National Park, taking time to bike the carriage paths, hike the scenic
trails, and enjoy an island tradition of tea at the Jordan Pond House.
Take 3 north through
Hulls Cove
on to Ellsworth, then northwest on 1A
to Brewer. Take 15 south back to Bucksport.
Downeast Villages & Vistas
180 miles, 4½ hours, round trip
Highlights:
This getaway will take you through the true “Downeast.” It's
quintessential coastal Maine, especially in autumn, when scarlet wild
blueberry barrens blanket the landscape and the rugged coastline be-
comes softened by nature's colorful transition from summer to fall.
Route:
From
Ellsworth
, the site of the
Georgian Black Mansion, take Route 179
northwest to
Aurora
. Take 9 east through
the lakes, rivers and forest region of Wash-
ington County, passing through
Beddington, Wesley
and
Alexander
.
Take US 1, watching for the
Moosehorn
National Wildlife Refuge
, where a short
e
:
The Maine foliage
hotline, in service each
fall, offers the latest
color-peaking informa-
tion for leaf-peepers.
Foliage Hotline
800-932-3419.
