Avoid The Bar Harbor Crowds At Maine's Underrated Acadia National Park Gateway Brimming With Charm And Beaches

Bar Harbor, one of America's most affordable vacation destinations, is a coastal Maine escape with endless lobster. It's undeniably picturesque, but as the most famous gateway to Maine's beloved Acadia National Park, it can also get very crowded, especially in the summer months. Luckily, there's another nearby gateway to Acadia that offers the charm, lobster, views, and easy access to the park, but with a fraction of the crowds. And that's the sleepy seaside village of Seal Harbor, Maine. 

Just 7.6 miles (12 km) down coast from Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Seal Harbor is best known as the summer home for many wealthy people – historically, this includes the Rockefellers, the Fords, and, nowadays, Martha Stewart. For the not-so-rich-and-famous, Seal Harbor is still a charming, quaint village with incredible views of the ocean and many of Maine's islands (with a few yachts scattered in for good measure). A public beach provides plenty of swimming opportunities, and hiking trails for all levels surround the town. And, of course, all the wonders of Acadia National Park are right on Seal Harbor's doorstep, accessed via the Stanley Brook Entrance, just two minutes outside of town. 

Seal Harbor is so idyllic and peaceful, it feels quite remote. However, the village (and Mount Desert Island as a whole) is well-connected to the mainland by a bridge, and the closest major airport (Bangor International) is about 1.5 hours from Seal Harbor.

As its name suggests, Seal Harbor is a great place to spot wildlife like seals, as well as whales and seabirds, making it one of the ultimate destinations to visit for a Maine wildlife adventure. Seal Harbor's public beach, in addition to views of islands and wildlife, has classic beach features like a boat-filled harbor, tidepools, plenty of seaglass, and a trickling stream. On a warm summer's day, the beach still manages not to get overcrowded, making it the ideal spot for Atlantic Ocean swimming. Located right on Route 3 as it passes through town, it's beautifully maintained by the Seal Harbor Village Improvement Society, who also keep the nearby parking lot and changing rooms in tiptop shape. 

The town of Seal Harbor is certainly quaint, with a population of around 2,000 people and several stores, one inn, a post office, a church or two, and a library. The Seal Harbor Library is a historic building from 1890 that overlooks the harbor; its reading room, complete with a fireplace, is an essential visit even in the summer on a cooler day. The Lighthouse Inn and Restaurant serves delicious seafood and features several guest rooms, along with a delightful hidden garden.

While nearby Acadia is the star when it comes to nature access, there are plenty of beautiful nature opportunities right in Seal Harbor. Little Long Pond, one of the area's best dog-friendly trails, is an easy, scenic road that circles the pond while providing endless water and mountain views. It's also home to a historic boathouse, once used by the Rockefellers (yes, them again). Keep the Rockefeller theme with an appointment at the ornate, picturesque Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, just outside of Seal Harbor, to explore the gorgeous East-meets-West landscape.

Mount Desert Island is, without a doubt, one of the top 10 Maine islands to visit for a quintessential summer getaway on the East Coast. Part of why is, of course, Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park essentially surrounds Seal Harbor, covering over nearly 50,000 acres of land to explore. Mountains and lakes, ponds and forests, rocky beaches and craggy cliffs ... Acadia has it all. Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast, can be reached via hike or by car; it's also a stellar spot for stargazing (note: you may need to make reservations ahead of time). One of the park's most iconic sights is Jordan Pond. Circle the pond for incredible views along the meandering Jordan Pond Path, and stop at Jordan Pond House (Acadia's only restaurant) to try one of their famous popovers. Jordan Pond is located along Park Loop Road, one of the best drives in the park, which also provides access to Acadia's best trails, historic carriage roads (ideal for cycling), and launch points for kayaking or canoeing. 

If you're in search of tidepools, take the short 1.4-mile round-trip hike on the Wonderland Trail, a coastal forest trail that takes you right to the beach. Check the tide level before you go for an optimal tide pool viewing experience. Like much of the park, Wonderland Trail is a great spot for birding, with opportunities to see everything from loons to various seabirds. 

While it's easiest to have a car to explore the wonders of Acadia, the free Island Explorer Bus (running seasonally) can take you to nearly every corner of the park and to much of Mount Desert Island, including Seal Harbor.