Acadia All-American Road
Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Bold Coast National Scenic Byway
Suggested stops
In Bar Harbor , explore Maine ’ s coastal habitat and marine life at Mount Desert Island Oceanarium and Education Center .
Wild Gardens of Acadia experience Acadia ’ s uniquely varied plant life in a serene brookside setting .
Enjoy Acadia ’ s historic carriage trails with Carriages of Acadia .
Suggested stops
Grab lunch at Downeast Mexican Takeout in Gouldsboro , or after completing the byway , grab a drink and a bite at The Pickled Wrinkle in Birch Harbor .
Look for the colorful Kids Quest signs — its seven locations will engage families in the region ’ s history , ecology and culture .
The unique coastal town of Winter Harbor is a picturesque working harbor filled with small businesses and historic buildings .
Learn more at SchoodicByway . org
Suggested stops
Learn about the 10,000 year history of indigenous wild blueberries at the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center in Columbia Falls .
In mid-June , experience Margaretta Days in Machias , a community commemoration of the Battle of the Margaretta , which sparked the first naval battle of the American Revolution and led to formation of the US Navy .
The Tides Institute and Museum of Art in Eastport holds an extensive cultural collection of historical to contemporary arts .
Acadia All-American Road
Distance : 40 Miles The drive starts in Trenton , passes Thompson Island Information Center , and follows Rt . 3 across Mt Desert Narrows , and onto MDI . The route continues along the shore through Hulls Cove and into Bar Harbor . South of town , visitors must pay a park entrance fee to join up with Park Loop Rd .
If travelers plan to enter the Park Loop Road and visit Sand Beach , Thunder Hole and Cadillac Mountain , check in at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center within the park . Reservations are required to visit Cadillac Mountain . The free Island Explorer shuttle is recommended . Schedules are available online .
Schoodic National Scenic Byway
Distance : 29 Miles Winding along the coast from Hancock to Prospect Harbor , this route offers up unparalleled scenery , including reversing tidal falls , historic architecture , and Frenchman Bay , while also passing through the only mainland section of Acadia National Park .
Start at the Taunton Bay Gateway where travelers can take in the sight of seabirds swooping in the sky , lobster boats , and sailboats in the distance . Along the shoreline the byway passes through rolling hillsides and historic seaside villages with names like Bunkers Harbor and Wonsqueak Harbor .
Have your camera ready for the Frenchman Bay Scenic Turnout , offering views across the bay to Mount Desert Island and Cadillac Mountain . The Prospect Harbor Lighthouse is said to be haunted and is a not-to-be-missed view along the way . While Prospect Harbor marks the end of this Byway , a short drive up Rt 186 to U . S . 1 to Milbridge visitors can connect up with the Bold Coast National Scenic Byway .
Bold Coast National Scenic Byway
Distance : 125 Miles
The Bold Coast begins in Milbridge with active fishing villages and winds eastward through historic riverside villages , prolific blueberry barrens , and wild rivers from Cherryfield to Machias . Further northeast , the rugged shores are dramatically shaped by the rise and fall of the Bay of Fundy and the highest tides on earth .
Quoddy Head in Lubec is the easternmost point of land in the United States and provides the first glimpse of sunrise in the USA . Campobello Island is home to Roosevelt / Campobello International Park and is a jumping off point for exploring the Fundy Isles by ferry .
Eastport , an historic fishing port and artist community , offers a wealth of dining , arts , and culture opportunities . A seasonal ferry connects Eastport and Lubec by water . The small city of Calais is the northernmost end of the Bold Coast region , located several miles inland on the tidally influenced St . Croix River – the international boundary between the U . S . and Canada .
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