Quietside Digs
Sightseeing
One of the few freshwater swimming holes with a sand beach on Mount Desert Island! Just outside of Southwest Harbor in Acadia National Park, this beach presents clean water, and great views of the Beech Cliffs. Take a dip after your hike?
30 Einheimische empfehlen
Echo Lake Beach
Echo Lake Beach RdOne of the few freshwater swimming holes with a sand beach on Mount Desert Island! Just outside of Southwest Harbor in Acadia National Park, this beach presents clean water, and great views of the Beech Cliffs. Take a dip after your hike?
Just down the road by car, bike, or even a walk, you can visit Lopaus rock beach, a quaint pebble / rock beach for a nice stroll. Known locally as 'back beach'... a nice spot when others may be feeling crowded.
Lopaus Point
Just down the road by car, bike, or even a walk, you can visit Lopaus rock beach, a quaint pebble / rock beach for a nice stroll. Known locally as 'back beach'... a nice spot when others may be feeling crowded.
The iconic Bass Harbor Headlight is right down the road! For real! The location is beautiful with views along the shoreline to the lighthouse, and looking out to Great Gott island and others. A must see when visiting the quiet side of the island, but beware, parking is limited and can be quite popular especially around sunset. Either bike in, or go early enough to find a spot. Also note, to get the closer views of the lighthouse will require walking over rocks and some unsteady terrain. Alternatively, take the moderate path down the stairs to a nice overlook landing (before the rocks), and enjoy the view from there.
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Leuchtturm Bass Harbor Head
116 Lighthouse RdThe iconic Bass Harbor Headlight is right down the road! For real! The location is beautiful with views along the shoreline to the lighthouse, and looking out to Great Gott island and others. A must see when visiting the quiet side of the island, but beware, parking is limited and can be quite popular especially around sunset. Either bike in, or go early enough to find a spot. Also note, to get the closer views of the lighthouse will require walking over rocks and some unsteady terrain. Alternatively, take the moderate path down the stairs to a nice overlook landing (before the rocks), and enjoy the view from there.
This little cove area is a quiet side gem. Facing towards the west, it offers over water sunsets, a little park on the water to dip your toes, a boat ramp to explore, and even some picnic tables you can sit with your dinner (e.g., from Quietside Snacks). A nice spot on the water away from all the hustle and bustle of more touristy spots.
7 Einheimische empfehlen
Seal Cove
This little cove area is a quiet side gem. Facing towards the west, it offers over water sunsets, a little park on the water to dip your toes, a boat ramp to explore, and even some picnic tables you can sit with your dinner (e.g., from Quietside Snacks). A nice spot on the water away from all the hustle and bustle of more touristy spots.
Food scene
Just down the road, the famous Thurston's Lobster Pound won't disappoint. Great food, scenery, and atmosphere. Get there early as wait lines can get long. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
87 Einheimische empfehlen
Thurston's Lobster Pound
9 Thurston RdJust down the road, the famous Thurston's Lobster Pound won't disappoint. Great food, scenery, and atmosphere. Get there early as wait lines can get long. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
A classic to explore right on Rt 102 - if you need it, they "Gotts" it. Get your basic groceries, beverages, pizza, snacks for a hike, or even a sandwich for the road. A real local flavor of the quiet side is found at Gotts.
16 Einheimische empfehlen
Gott's Store
111 Bass Harbor RdA classic to explore right on Rt 102 - if you need it, they "Gotts" it. Get your basic groceries, beverages, pizza, snacks for a hike, or even a sandwich for the road. A real local flavor of the quiet side is found at Gotts.
A nice local restaurant in 'downtown' Bass Harbor. Right on the water with a nice deck area overlooking the harbor and lobster boats. Mainly a seafood menu, but other land-lubbing fares as well.
18 Einheimische empfehlen
Seafood Ketch
47 Shore RdA nice local restaurant in 'downtown' Bass Harbor. Right on the water with a nice deck area overlooking the harbor and lobster boats. Mainly a seafood menu, but other land-lubbing fares as well.
Mainely Meat is a BBQ joint associated to Atlantic Brewing - we all love the seafood, but sometimes a change is good! Great environment for the family, friends, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Come enjoy a pint and some good BBQ food!
56 Einheimische empfehlen
Mainely Meat Barbeque At Atlantic Brewing Company
15 Knox RdMainely Meat is a BBQ joint associated to Atlantic Brewing - we all love the seafood, but sometimes a change is good! Great environment for the family, friends, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Come enjoy a pint and some good BBQ food!
A small Airstream roadside stop with outstanding food. Burgers, fish tacos, fries, and more, which is literally out your back door! Walk from the Betty, through the backyard, through the boatyard, and you’re there in a minute! Bring food back to the Betty, or sit at their outdoor picnic tables. Super convenient and tasty, too!
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Quietside Snacks
298 Tremont RoadA small Airstream roadside stop with outstanding food. Burgers, fish tacos, fries, and more, which is literally out your back door! Walk from the Betty, through the backyard, through the boatyard, and you’re there in a minute! Bring food back to the Betty, or sit at their outdoor picnic tables. Super convenient and tasty, too!
Can't go much further on this road or you'll be in the drink - Beal's is fantastic destination for pier food and beverage. Great views of the harbor with on-water seating. Food is really well done and authentic, and the beverages spot on. Highly recommended stop for lunch or dinner! Open everyday but Tuesday.
70 Einheimische empfehlen
Beal's Lobster Pier
182 Clark Point RdCan't go much further on this road or you'll be in the drink - Beal's is fantastic destination for pier food and beverage. Great views of the harbor with on-water seating. Food is really well done and authentic, and the beverages spot on. Highly recommended stop for lunch or dinner! Open everyday but Tuesday.
A small, friendly, and somewhat hidden restaurant for dinner with great views, on the water, and quality food. Walk through the hotel to the backside of the Claremont and down the hill towards the water. No reservations, so get there early and limit waiting time. There’s also a staircase down to the beach under the dock; a great place for kids to explore while adults enjoy the views.
Batson Fish Camp
22 Claremont RoadA small, friendly, and somewhat hidden restaurant for dinner with great views, on the water, and quality food. Walk through the hotel to the backside of the Claremont and down the hill towards the water. No reservations, so get there early and limit waiting time. There’s also a staircase down to the beach under the dock; a great place for kids to explore while adults enjoy the views.
Our favorite local hang out. Amazing food and the ideal location for people watching. The Nashville Chicken is incredible. The fish sandwich is as big as your head.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Peter Trout’s Tavern & Inn
48 Shore RdOur favorite local hang out. Amazing food and the ideal location for people watching. The Nashville Chicken is incredible. The fish sandwich is as big as your head.
FUN IDEA: Make a reservation at the Islesford Dock and take the Cranberry Island Ferry over for dinner. EPIC. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes. The food is great and the ferry ride is scenic. While you are there you can check out the Ashley Bryan museum.
19 Einheimische empfehlen
Islesford Dock Restaurant and Gallery
1 Main StFUN IDEA: Make a reservation at the Islesford Dock and take the Cranberry Island Ferry over for dinner. EPIC. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes. The food is great and the ferry ride is scenic. While you are there you can check out the Ashley Bryan museum.
Neighborhoods
Just over the water in Bass Harbor you can catch the ferry over to Swans Island. Bring your bikes and tour the island's shorelines, forests, lighthouse, and beaches. A great day trip with a nice ferry ride on the ocean. Small store for provisions (The Island Market Store, or TIMS). Can also bring your car over to drive around, but need reservations and the season can be pretty full, so plan ahead if a car is desired. There are no bike rental shops on the island, so BYOB!
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Swans Island
Just over the water in Bass Harbor you can catch the ferry over to Swans Island. Bring your bikes and tour the island's shorelines, forests, lighthouse, and beaches. A great day trip with a nice ferry ride on the ocean. Small store for provisions (The Island Market Store, or TIMS). Can also bring your car over to drive around, but need reservations and the season can be pretty full, so plan ahead if a car is desired. There are no bike rental shops on the island, so BYOB!
A short boat ride out of Southwest Harbor can take you over to Cranberry Isles. Find small shops, island exploring, or biking around the island for a great day trip. Boat rides link Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry (Islesford) for a tour of both islands. Boats out of SW Harbor in summer, and NE Harbor year’round.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Cranberry Isles
A short boat ride out of Southwest Harbor can take you over to Cranberry Isles. Find small shops, island exploring, or biking around the island for a great day trip. Boat rides link Great Cranberry and Little Cranberry (Islesford) for a tour of both islands. Boats out of SW Harbor in summer, and NE Harbor year’round.
Hiking
A list of trails on the Quietside that we enjoy, ranging in difficulty and length.
This small preserve (and working community farm) is very short walk out your door. Find a few trails running through the fields and over the hill, all leading to Secret Island on the shoreline. Although not a true island, at high tide your feet may get a bit wet crossing over. Enjoy the views, the quiet, and you could even take a dip if it's high tide and you're feeling adventurous!
kelly preserve
264-240 ME-102This small preserve (and working community farm) is very short walk out your door. Find a few trails running through the fields and over the hill, all leading to Secret Island on the shoreline. Although not a true island, at high tide your feet may get a bit wet crossing over. Enjoy the views, the quiet, and you could even take a dip if it's high tide and you're feeling adventurous!
Off the beaten path hiking or biking route right in Tremont. Winds through the woods at a low grade. Great for all levels of bikers or hikers. Check back on this path in the fall! Starts on Rt. 102, ends at the Seawall Campground backside. An out-n-back route.
Hio Truck Road
Hio Truck RoadOff the beaten path hiking or biking route right in Tremont. Winds through the woods at a low grade. Great for all levels of bikers or hikers. Check back on this path in the fall! Starts on Rt. 102, ends at the Seawall Campground backside. An out-n-back route.
The shoreline trail is quite pleasant and a really moderate grade for all ages. Definitely some rocky path sections and minor grades, but a nice adventure along the shoreline. Can also make a nicer full loop and get elevation heading up Mansell mountain. Note, swimming is not allowed within 1000 feet of the intakes (the parking lot).
Long Pond Trailhead
The shoreline trail is quite pleasant and a really moderate grade for all ages. Definitely some rocky path sections and minor grades, but a nice adventure along the shoreline. Can also make a nicer full loop and get elevation heading up Mansell mountain. Note, swimming is not allowed within 1000 feet of the intakes (the parking lot).
Listen - these Carriage Roads are world famous for a reason - they're wide, well graded, passes through beautiful terrain winding around the hills and against shorelines, over and under bridges, you can't go wrong. Walking is great, but I'd say biking is the way to go. Get ready for some slogs up hills, and some speed down the others. A great way to see the interior of the island with views to the ocean. Pure magic.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Carriage Road
Aunt Betty Pond Carriage RoadListen - these Carriage Roads are world famous for a reason - they're wide, well graded, passes through beautiful terrain winding around the hills and against shorelines, over and under bridges, you can't go wrong. Walking is great, but I'd say biking is the way to go. Get ready for some slogs up hills, and some speed down the others. A great way to see the interior of the island with views to the ocean. Pure magic.
Popular trailhead for a reason. Either choose a more strenuous hike over Flying Mountain with nice views over the harbor and down Somes Sound, or take the fire road straight north through the woods - either choice brings you to a nice beach with views of the sound. Easily connects to other trails for longer loops as well.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Flying Mountain
Popular trailhead for a reason. Either choose a more strenuous hike over Flying Mountain with nice views over the harbor and down Somes Sound, or take the fire road straight north through the woods - either choice brings you to a nice beach with views of the sound. Easily connects to other trails for longer loops as well.
A nearby trail, relatively flat, but covers a range of forest, shoreline, and bog, abutting the gorgeous natural ship harbor. Explore the rocks, a small beach, and a number of neat nooks along the trail. The trail is shaped like a figure eight, so do the nearer short loop with easier terrain, or add on the full loop which has a little more challenging uneven terrain. A great short hike for an hour, for families, or just go sit on the shore and relax.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Ship Harbor Trail
Ship Harbor TrailA nearby trail, relatively flat, but covers a range of forest, shoreline, and bog, abutting the gorgeous natural ship harbor. Explore the rocks, a small beach, and a number of neat nooks along the trail. The trail is shaped like a figure eight, so do the nearer short loop with easier terrain, or add on the full loop which has a little more challenging uneven terrain. A great short hike for an hour, for families, or just go sit on the shore and relax.
Tipps für Reisende
Was einpacken?
Be ready for adventure and the outdoors
Be it biking, hiking, swimming, sailing, paddling, beaching, whatever, this is an outdoorsy place, so get out and enjoy it! But, be ready for sun and heat, but also be ready for rain and cooler temperatures - it can change quickly. Also, pesky mosquitos may be lurking around, so breathable long-sleeve shirts / pants to help keep bugs at bay may be welcome.
Verkehrsmittel
Hit trailheads earlier rather than later
Not only is it a bit cooler in the morning, but some popular trailheads can crowd up with limited parking pretty quickly. More popular routes or trailheads should be an earlier day adventure. Not an early riser? There's a hundred other places to explore!
Verkehrsmittel
COVID and Other Potential Impacts for Summer 2022
Although most things are opened and ready, there are a few impacts for this summer visitors should be aware of (not exhaustive!).
- Driving up Cadillac mountain takes an early reservation
- The Island Explorer (a free bus all over the island) has a limited route and schedule.
- Precipice Trail and a few others are closed due to Peregrine Falcon nesting (open in July?)
Verkehrsmittel
Cadillac Summit Vehicle Access
You need a ticket to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, which is an experience and makes for an epic sunrise adventure. 30% of tickets are sold 90 days in advance, 70% are sold two days in advance starting at 10am. They are $6, and can be purchased at Recreation.gov. Beware, they go fast!