the perfect 5 day summer trip itinerary for Portland, Maine and Acadia National Park

If you’ve been searching for the perfect summer trip itinerary then look no further. Maine is the perfect destination for summer adventures!

Maine’s tagline is Vacationland, and for a good reason! With an abundance of outdoor activities, coastal attractions, scenic views, iconic lighthouses, local seafood cuisine, and hikes in Acadia National Park, Maine is the perfect destination for summer vacation. This 5-day Maine vacation itinerary starts in Portland, Maine and continues up the coast to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. This summer trip itinerary provides a mix of iconic tourist spots and travel tips for destinations off the beaten path. 

Days 1 and 2: Your Ultimate Guide to a Summer Vacation in Portland, Maine 

Welcome to the vibrant coastal city of Portland, Maine, the perfect start to your summer vacation! Nestled along the picturesque shores of Casco Bay, Portland offers a delightful blend of rocky seascapes, charming lighthouses, downtown shopping, mouth watering food, and tons of outdoor activities. Below are our top travel tips for a 48 hour summer trip itinerary in Portland, Maine!

Three beautiful lighthouses in Portland, ME you absolutely need to see

No visit to Maine is complete without witnessing the iconic Portland Head Lighthouse. Majestically perched on Cape Elizabeth, this historic lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1791, and offers breathtaking views of the rocky coastline. Parking costs $5 per car, but there is also a free parking lot here near the children’s playground; check out the famous iconic photo spots of the Portland Head Lighthouse here and here.

Bug Light is also a charming little lighthouse located in South Portland, offering panoramic views of Portland Harbor. This lighthouse is located next to Bug Light Park, which has free parking. Lastly, take a leisurely walk along the rocky breakwater leading out to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse. Note: This lighthouse is on a college campus. There is free visitor parking here, but the lot is small, and many spots are reserved for students and college faculty. 

Other must-do summer activities around town

Lighthouses aren’t the only waterfront attraction in Portland! You can also rent a kayak and explore Casco Bay with Portland Paddle – Portland Paddle provides opportunities for both beginners and experienced paddlers to explore the scenic waters of Casco Bay and its surrounding areas. We opted for a 2 hour rental, which was the perfect amount of time on the water. At low tide we were able to kayak to Pomroy Rock, which was absolutely covered in millions of tiny sea shells! For the two hour rental, each single kayak cost $30 and included a paddle and life jacket. Parking nearby is free but the parking lots get busy, so plan your arrival time accordingly.

Looking for a once in a lifetime experience? You can take a Maine lobstering excursion on Casco Bay while immersing yourself in the daily routine of a Maine Lobsterman. Participate in the excitement of hauling up the lobster traps! The Portland region boasts a working waterfront that supports a thriving fishing and lobster industry. This makes a great addition to your Maine summer trip itinerary!

Don’t gorget to check out Portland’s shops and boutiques, too! We stopped into the newly opened Toad & Co. store, where they have both new apparel and Toad’s “Toad Again” line (which features gently worn items – a great option for our planet!).

We also recommend taking a stroll around downtown to see all of the amazing public art in Portland’s Arts District, which is home to many galleries, studios, and outdoor public art spaces. 

Last but not least, visit a brewery! Portland, Maine and Portland, Oregon compete for the label “most breweries per capita” (aka, per person living in a city). We shared a flight at Banded Brewing Co.

Can’t miss places to eat in Portland, Maine

The best breakfast spots

No summer trip itinerary is complete without good food and Portland has an amazing food scene! While in Portland you have to grab some freshly made bagels and pastries from Scratch Baking Co. The shop clerk said they usually sell out of their bagels by 9:30 AM every morning, so get there early! If you miss a bagel, their pastries are also absolutely delicious– we are still dreaming of the rhubarb cream puff and the orange poppy seed muffin. This is a great spot to visit on your way out to Portland Head Lighthouse.

Looking for something in town? If you’re a donut person, try the freshly made potato donuts from The Holy Donut – their blueberry cannoli donut was our favorite. We also recommend stopping by Tandem Coffee Roasters. They have a fantastic Maple Latte that features local Maine maple syrup.

The best lunch spots

Hot Suppa is known for its fresh and creative Southern-inspired brunch options. We are obsessed with their carrot cake French Toast served with real local maple syrup (note this is a specialty item and is not always available)! If you’re craving some fresh veggies, grab an LB Bowl and a matcha latte from the hip LB Kitchen.

The best dinner spots

Our favorite dinner in Portland was at Terlingua Restaurant and Market. They have an abundance of both meat and vegetarian options. We loved their fried zucchini tacos and street corn succotash, and sitting on their outdoor patio was the perfect summer vibe! If you’re looking for upscale dining in Portland, head over to Evo Kitchen and Bar. With a focus on local ingredients, the Mediterranean-inspired food they serve is the freshest you can get! 

Day 3: A Scenic Drive on Maine’s Route 1 from Portland to Bar Harbor

Now that you’ve spent a day or two exploring Portland it’s time to hit the road and drive north to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park! There are several driving routes you can take between Portland, Maine and Bar Harbor, Maine. If you have the time, we highly recommend taking the scenic drive along the coastal Route 1. This scenic drive technically takes 3.5 hours from point A to point B, but you should plan on making this trip last a whole day, since there are a lot of things to see along the route.

Route 1 passes through some of the prettiest coastal towns in Maine, like Rockport, Saint George, and Camden. Along the way you’ll pass by harbors with picturesque views, lobster boats, countless local restaurants serving fresh lobster rolls, and tons of lighthouses! See below for some can’t miss stops along Maine’s coastal Route 1.

Stop 1: Freeport and the L.L. Bean flagship store

From Portland, head north on Route 1 and make a stop in Freeport, known for the world-famous L.L. Bean flagship store! Snap a picture in front of the massive “Bean Boot,” which is a must-see stop on this Maine summer trip itinerary.

Stop 2: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Next, visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens located in Boothbay, Maine. Spanning over 300 acres, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is in full bloom in early summer! These gardens don’t just have beautiful flowers, though. Check out the five massive trolls created by the Danish artist Thomas Dambo located throughout the grounds – some are over 20 feet tall! The gardens also have beautifully maintained wild hiking trails. 

Stop 3: Owls Head Lighthouse and The Causeway Restaurant

Take a short walk to the Owls Head Lighthouse. Perched atop a picturesque rocky promontory, this charming lighthouse offers stunning panoramic views of Penobscot Bay. Parking is free, but requires a short walk before ascending several flights of stairs to the base of the lighthouse. 

Last but not least, stop for dinner at The Causeway Restaurant, located in Saint George. This local restaurant and inn has amazing views of the shoreline, and has delicious vegan lobster roll wraps and vegan crab cakes – you can still experience classic Maine dishes, even if you don’t eat seafood! 

Other fun activities to do along Coastal Route 1

Below are a few attractions we wish we had had time for while driving along Coastal Route 1! All would make excellent side trips as you drive north.

The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse is a popular attraction for visitors. Access to the lighthouse is possible by walking along the ⅞ mile-long breakwater made of massive granite blocks, which offers scenic views of the harbor and the coastline.

The Penobscot Narrows Bridge has the tallest public bridge observatory in the world. The bridge’s observatory, located atop the bridge tower, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Penobscot River and the nearby Fort Knox State Historic Site.

Take a short detour from Route 1 and drive to Camden Hills State Park. Hike to the top of Mount Battie for panoramic views of Camden Harbor and the surrounding coastline.

Days 4 and 5: Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (a can’t-miss spot on any Maine summer trip itinerary)

You finally made it to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor! Bar Harbor, Maine, is a charming coastal town known for its stunning natural beauty, quaint boutique shops, seafood cuisine, and proximity to Acadia National Park. With its idyllic landscapes, coastal charm, and abundance of bed and breakfasts, Bar Harbor is an unforgettable summer vacation destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

See below for our recommendations of what trails to hike in Acadia National Park and where to eat and stay in Bar Harbor.

Acadia National Park 2 day summer hiking itinerary

On the first day, head to Acadia National Park and take a scenic drive along Park Loop Road. This loop is the starting point for some of the best hikes in Acadia National Park. We loved taking in the ocean views along the Ocean Path Trail. This is a relatively easy hike along the rocky coastline, with plenty of photo-op spots of the craggy cliffs along the way. Afterward, head slightly inland to hike along the famous Jordan Pond Path. Both of these are family friendly hikes! If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenging hike, we highly recommend the Penobscot Mountain Trail, which ascends along a granite dome with sweeping views of Acaidia’s shoreline below. 

One the second day, head back to Acadia National Park and explore more of the hiking trails. If you’re up for one of the most challenging hikes in Acadia, try your hand at the Beehive Loop Trail. The Beehive Loop Trail is steep, exposed, and is often considered a strenuous trail, and it requires scrambling over rocks and ascending iron rungs and ladders. It offers breathtaking views of Sand Beach, the surrounding coastline, and the Atlantic Ocean. Another moderate hike is the Bubbles Trail. One of the highlights of the Bubbles Trail is the Bubble Rock, a massive glacial boulder precariously perched on the edge of South Bubble. We enjoyed taking photos with this unique geological feature.

where to stay and what to eat in Bar Harbor

Back in town, Bar Harbor’s hotels and accommodations are plentiful! To get a true coastal Maine experience, stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts in the heart of town. We stayed at Anne’s White Columns Inn, which was a short three minute walk to all of the restaurants and shops on Main Street. The innkeeper served homemade breakfast on the porch every morning – almost all of it included local Maine maple syrup! 

Bar Harbor has some of the best restaurants on the Maine Coast! If you’re looking for lunch in Bar Harbor, you have to try one of the lobster rolls from McKays Public House or the pub sandwiches from Leary’s Landing Irish Pub. We loved sitting on their intimate outdoor patio spaces. If you’re looking for an upscale dinner in Bar Harbor, check out Havana. The food and the service is incredible! This place gets busy, so reservations are recommended! Looking for sweet treats in Bar Harbor? Grab some homemade ice cream from Mount Desert Island Ice Cream! If you’re looking for on-the-go snacks or lunch goodies for all of your hikes in Acadia, grab some pre-packaged foods from A&B Naturals. 

Additional outdoor activities in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park:

If you’re tired of hiking, here are a few recommendations of other things to do in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park!

Watch the sunrise from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest peak on the eastern seaboard of the United States. Cadillac Mountain offers panoramic views of the surrounding islands and coastline. Note that vehicle permits are required from May through October to drive to Cadillac Mountain for sunrise. 

Rent a bike and ride along the 45 miles of carriage roads in Acadia National Park. These gravel roads are closed to all automobiles, and a bike ride offers a unique perspective of the park.

Hike across the Bar Island Land Bridge! This is a unique hike across a sandy ocean path from Bar Harbor to Bar Island that is ONLY accessible during low tide. Beware that the land bridge is inaccessible during a rising / high tide. If you don’t hike back to the mainland in time, you will be stranded on the island for several hours until the next low tide. Plan accordingly. 

There you have it, the perfect summer trip itinerary for Maine! Have you visited any of these spots? What’s on your bucket list for a summer vacation in Maine? Let us know in the comments below!

You can check out more national park adventures and itineraries here.