| Just steps off Balance Rock's lawn is the historic Shore Path, beckoning exploration. The Path begins near the Bar Harbor Town Pier and gently winds along the ocean front. It's rarely crowded and the perfect quiet escape. As the pier disappears from view you'll have a spectacular view of the four Porcupine Islands which surround Mount Desert Island. Continue walking (or jogging) past the jeweled mansions with landscaped yards and flower gardens. Most of these are private residences, but the actual shoreline is public so feel free to take a detour onto the rocks and explore the tidal pools. This is a lovely walk in the morning or after dinner as the sun is setting. There are a few park benches scattered along the coastline so you can simply contemplate the crashing waves. |  |
Mount Desert IslandAs a Balance Rock Inn guest you're pampered with incomparable lodging, amenities and service, but you'll still want to venture out to sample Mount Desert Island's myriad activities, sights and attractions. The resort island offers a wonderful vacation destination at any time of year, and particularly from May through October. |
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A sampling of local events include:
Golfers enjoy Kebo Valley Club, one of the oldest public courses. Bird watching, exploring Frenchman's Bay on LuLu's Lobster Boat, or taking "The Cat" state-of-the-art catamaran from Mount Desert Island to Nova Scotia for day trips are all splendid ways to make the most of this idyllic location. |
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Bar HarborThe waterfront location of this historic resort town provides much pleasure and activity in Bar Harbor. Popular restaurants are a leisurely stroll away from Balance Rock Inn. Many of our guests enjoy sampling a variety of local cuisine, from casual to gourmet. You may wish to visit our favorite lobster pound to sample fresh, steamed lobster in a traditional, outdoor, picnic-like setting, or leisurely sip fine wine over a gourmet chef's special. Rent canoes or sea kayaks or join a guided tour lead by a licensed guide. Go seal watching and lobster fishing on a lobster passenger boat or join a whale-watching trip. Deep sea fishing safaris are available too. There are also several museums, focusing on local inhabitants, archaeology, natural resources, and natural history. There are trolley and walking tours of Bar Harbor, and even a multi-passenger bicycle which looks like a lobster and ferries people around town. |
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Acadia National ParkBalance Rock Inn is the ideal headquarters for exploring nearby Acadia National Park. This unique natural wonder spans over 40,000 acres, with more than 120 miles of historic hiking trails, many established by local village improvement societies in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many old features, such as stonework, are still visible. The carriage road system, built by John D. Rockerfeller, Jr., has been called "the finest example of broken stone roads designed for horse-drawn vehicles still extant in America." Rockerfeller also financed 17 bridges of granite and cobblestones, too narrow for today's automobiles but a delight for bicycling and hiking. Today you can hike or bike 45 miles of these rustic carriage roads, brilliantly engineered to withstand the tests of time, weaving around the mountains and through the valleys. There is swimming at Sand Beach, although the water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees! |
| For those who want a less strenuous Park visit, sit back and explore the park from the comfort of a fare-free Island Explorer bus. The attractions of the Park can be accessed via car, by foot, by horse-drawn carriage, horseback or by bicycle. From late May through early October, park rangers present a variety of daily programs, including hikes, walks, talks, boat tours, star gazing, and evening slide presentations. The Jordan Pond House has been a popular place to go since the late 1800s for lunches and dinners (daily from mid-May to mid-October and as late as 9pm in peak summer months) as well as for afternoon tea, pictured to the right. It is famous for its legendary popovers and homemade strawberry jam. Your innkeepers at Balance Rock Inn will be happy to assist you in arranging any of these activities. |  |
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| Download a larger version of the above Acadia National Park map as a PDF file | |
| HELPFUL LINKS
Acadia National Park Visitors Center Bar Harbor to Nova Scotia Ferry Kebo Valley Golf Club Bar Harbor Music Festival Calendar of Events |
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RESTAURANTS Cafe Bluefish, 122 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor Havana Restaurant, 318 Main St., Bar Harbor Gayln's, 17 Main Street, Bar Harbor Mama DiMatteo's, 34 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor Parkside Restaurant, 185 Main St., Bar Harbor Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound |
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