Why choose this Bar Harbor tour ?
Download the GuideAlong self-guided audio tour and you’ll discover more on your Acadia National Park road trip. Hear fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, local tips and directions play automatically, all based on your location.
You’ll be guided to all of the area’s famous highlights as well as lessor known gems including the highest point on the eastern seaboard, historic carriage roads that are considered the best example in the country of broken stone roads, and one of the most photographed lighthouses along the Maine Coast
Enjoy the freedom to explore offline at your own pace, spending more time at places that interest you, and bypass any that don’t.
✅ Stories, tips and directions play automatically based on your location
✅ Travel at your own pace
✅ Tour offline using GPS, no cell service or WiFi needed
✅ Suggested itineraries for half, full or multi day use
✅ No time limits or expiry, free updates
✅ Like having a tour guide along for the drive
Purchase one tour per vehicle.
Make the most of your Bar Harbor adventure
What makes Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park a unique experience ?
As the audio guides play commentary based on your gps location, you can create your own itinerary along the tour route to match your interests and schedule.
Who doesn’t love a lighthouse! Established in 1858, this is the only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island and one of the most photographed along the Maine Coast.
If we can snag a parking space, let’s take a walk around this handsome light and take some pics. Unfortunately, neither the tower or keeper’s house are open to the public, but we can still enjoy it from the outside.
One of the high points, literally and figuratively, of our journey is Cadillac Mountain. Its 1,530-foot summit is the highest along the North Atlantic Seaboard.
In the 1880s we could have ridden a cog railway to Cadillac’s summit. These days, we can drive, hike, or bike – but we do need a reservation to drive our car on the Cadillac Mountain Road.
Now what is a carriage road? As the name suggests they are designed for horse-drawn carriage rides, and Acadia’s 16-foot wide carriage roads are considered the best example in the country of broken stone roads.
We can thank summer resident John D. Rockefeller Jr for the 45 miles of these roads within the park, and to this day we can tour Acadia’s carriage roads aboard a horse-drawn carriage ride. Hiking the Carriage Road is very enjoyable and bicycles are welcome on many of them too.
Feasting on tea and popovers with jam on the lawn of the Jordan Pond House has been a tradition for more than a century.
The original, rustic teahouse was built in 1947 was a treasure and built to capture the views down the length of Jordan Pond to the ‘Bubbles’. If there is a wait for a table on the lawn, the nearby nature trails are highly recommended.
The 27-mile Park Loop Road around is the must-do activity for any visit to Acadia. The drive itself is picturesque, and equally importantly it connects all of the best places to see and things to do on the eastern side of the island.
If you have 2 days, it’s best to dedicate one full day to the Park Loop Road. A National Park pass is required and can be purchased and the Sand Beach Entrance Station or any visitor center. Just keep in mind that while there are many parking lots, parking is also permitted the right-hand lane unless posted otherwise.
Is Acadia’s only “sandy” beach really sand? You’ll find out – and this beach is an absolute visual gem.
If you head to the beach to check out the sand, go ahead, dip your toes in the frigid water, if you dare; it rarely gets warmer than 55 degrees. And even if you’re not up for a dip, this is a perfect start location to hike the Great Head for superb views, or set out on the easy Ocean Path to amazing coastline coves and cliffs.
Many of Maine’s beaches are covered with cobblestones, but this coastline is unique. We can thank powerful ocean storms for creating the massive natural seawall that gives this area of the park its name. The wall comprises stone cobbles kicked up during storms, carried by waves and tides and piled on the shore.
It feels far more raw and remote on this side of the island and it’s a favorite area for birdwatchers, who sometimes find themselves enjoying a bonanza of interesting sightings.
Often referred to as the “Heart of Acadia”, this is a great place to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history.
Pop into the Nature Center to learn more about the animals and plant life, or see more than 400 indigenous wildflower species at the Wild Gardens of Acadia. There’s also some lovely nature strolls, a spring house, and even a small museum with an archeological artifacts dating back as far as 11,000 years.
Formed during the last glacial event, this large, deep body of water almost – almost, cuts Mount Desert Island right in half.
Our drive will follow all the way around the sound and as we go we’ll have many peaceful water views, hiking opportunities and visit what is claimed to be Maine’s most photographed bridge.
Created by erosion and weathering, when waves enter the crevice and then the chamber, the water is sprayed up as high as 40 feet with a thunderous roar: “I am Thunder Hole!!!!” The effect is strongest within a couple of hours of high tide, and when the waves are larger.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park
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Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Support: Toll free phone, chat and email
- Easy To Use: Pre-download and tour offline
- Trip Planners: In-app, web and PDF
- Location Based: Stories, tips & directions that autoplay
- One-Time Purchase: No time or date use limit or expiry
- GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide) Audio Tour: 115+ Points
- Flexible Routes: Suggested itineraries or create your own
Not Included
- National Park Passes (vary depending on length of stay, ages & group size): $35 per vehicle (2024)
- Cadillac Mountain Vehicle Reservations: $6 (2024)
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by GuideAlong (GyPSy Guide).
- Tour Timezone & Starts at America/New_York.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 4.5 Stars based on 17 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.
HOW TO GET YOUR GUIDEALONG AUDIO TOUR:
1. SIGN IN + REDEEM your VOUCHER CODE: https://store.guidealong.com/voucher
2. DOWNLOAD the GuideAlong App
3. SIGN IN to the GuideAlong app with the same Apple or Google account as Step 1
4. DOWNLOAD and OPEN the Audio Tour NOW
*These instructions are also sent via a separate email & text/sms: “Instructions for GuideAlong Audio Tour” or “Your Tour Operator Sent You a Message About Your (Viator) Booking”. Check your junk/spam folder.
PRE-DOWNLOAD THE APP & TOUR NOW
You must pre-download both the GuideAlong app and audio tour files to your phone (audio, maps & images) over reliable wifi or cellular service, before your drive out of signal.
There’s no date/time limit or expiry to use the audio tour, and no data connection is required while touring.
If you are able to OPEN your tour and see the START DRIVING button, you have successfully downloaded all files and are ready to tour.
CHARGING & SOUND
We do not recommend connecting your phone directly into the vehicle usb port. Instead use a usb/c car charger adapter plug into the auxiliary power outlet (cigarette car lighter). It prevents any automatic secondary pairing between your phone and the vehicle for sound and provides a stronger charging option.
HELP & SUPPORT
Have a question – we’re here to help! Lots of information is included in the app and even more is available on our website. Alternatively you can leave a message for support callback toll 18664771791, chat online or email us at info@guidealong.com.
