Private Portland to Acadia & Bar Harbor Experience
- 6–8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Experience the beauty, history, and charm of coastal Maine on this full-day adventure from Portland. Plan for 10–12 hours, with about three hours of travel each way. Scenic and photo stops break up the drive, but the main focus is exploring the Acadia area and Bar Harbor. We’ll begin with a journey into one of Maine’s most scenic regions, known for rugged shorelines, crashing waves, sweeping overlooks, panoramic summits, and crystal-clear lakes. Next, enjoy two hours in Bar Harbor—savor fresh seafood or a lobster roll, browse shops and galleries, grab ice cream, or stroll the waterfront and take in the views. We’ll also visit the Fort Knox–Narrows Bridge Overlook for striking views of its soaring towers and the Penobscot River, then make a final stop in Bangor for a photo of Stephen King’s home—famous for its deep red Victorian style and eerie wrought-iron gates. By day’s end, you’ll have experienced a rich mix of coastal beauty, history, and pop-culture highlights.
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All Fees and Taxes
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hotel or AirBnB Drop off and Pick Up included.
What's not
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Itinerary
This scenic stop offers guests an impressive view of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge, a striking cable-stayed structure that spans the Penobscot River with sleek, modern lines. From the overlook, you can admire the bridge’s soaring towers and the wide sweep of the river below, framed by Maine’s forested hillsides. On clear days, the water shimmers in the sunlight, and you may even spot boats making their way along the channel. It’s a perfect spot for photography and to take in one of Maine’s most distinctive engineering landmarks before continuing our journey.
On this portion of the journey, guests are treated to breathtaking coastal and mountain scenery that Maine is famous for. The rugged shoreline offers dramatic views where waves crash against the granite cliffs at spots like the famed Thunder Hole, where the ocean surges into a narrow inlet with a deep, resounding roar. Along the way, we pass panoramic overlooks—such as the Schooner Head viewpoint—where the Atlantic stretches endlessly beyond picturesque coves and lighthouses in the distance. We’ll also take in the sweeping vistas from Cadillac Mountain, one of the highest points on the eastern seaboard, where on a clear day you can see for miles across the islands and bays. The serene beauty of Jordan Pond provides a striking contrast, with crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding peaks and the distinctive “Bubbles” hills. This part of the trip offers an unforgettable blend of ocean, forest, and mountain views, perfect for photography and quiet moments alike.
Bar Harbor is a charming coastal town on Mount Desert Island, known for its stunning harbor views, quaint streets, and welcoming small-town atmosphere. Guests will have two hours to enjoy lunch at one of the many local cafés or seafood restaurants, browse unique shops and galleries, or treat themselves to a cone from one of the town’s beloved ice cream parlors. The walkable downtown is perfect for taking in the historic architecture, snapping photos of the waterfront, and soaking up the relaxed New England vibe before we continue our journey.
A must-see for literature and film fans alike, this stop brings guests to the iconic home of world-famous author Stephen King in Bangor, Maine. While we won’t be going inside, the exterior is a photo opportunity in itself—complete with its deep red facade, ornate Victorian architecture, and the famous wrought-iron gate adorned with spiderwebs, bats, and other eerie touches that nod to King’s legendary tales. Guests will have time to capture their own pictures of this landmark and soak in the atmosphere that has inspired so many of his unforgettable stories.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 533
- 41
- 30
- 21
- 10
Ratings come from 35 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Acadia Bar Harbor from Portland
Our Portland to Acadia/Bar Harbor excursion was first class. Our guide, AJ, was prompt, engaging, and a wealth of information! And he even had snacks! We took different routes up and back, seeing beautiful countryside and iconic small towns, stopping along the way. Acadia and Cadillac Mtn are must-sees, and make sure you have park pass reservations! Again, AJ handled the day to perfection. Look for this tour, and him!
5nice day exploring part of maine
good tour - long day - good way to see much of lower maine coast - cadillac mountain in acadia national park is worthwhile - make sure that's included in the tour - "AJ" was great tour guide
5Acadia in Fall
Great tour, good vehicle, the driver/guide was very knowledgeable and adaptable on our trip. Knew how to miss some of the crowds
5Great experience!
We had a great time! AJ was a lovely and very knowledgeable guide, who showed us all the beautiful sights (and then some more) with great care. The tour took care of everything for us: we didn’t have to worry about any entrance fees or routes at all. It was a lovely day, and I highly recommend it!
5Great Introduction to Maine
Had such a great time touring with AJ. He is very knowledgeable about Maine and easygoing. He adjusted the tour to what my wife and I wanted to do. Visited LL Bean, Camden, and Bangor, with a bunch of other stops along the way! Whats great is that he also took our photos.
5This was a really fantastic way to spend the day in Maine!
This was our first visit to Maine, and I wanted to do something special for my in-laws' 50th Anniversary. I spent a lot of time researching tours here on TripAdvisor, and I'm so glad we booked a day with Globe Trekkers. Full disclosure, here - after I originally booked our day-long sightseeing tour, the details of exactly what the tour included had changed, unbeknownst to me. This was an issue with TripAdvisor/Viator. When our Guide, AJ, found this out he was more than accommodating and gave us a "hybrid" tour of the area. AJ was knowledgeable and very friendly to our group - we had a fantastic day, and I would recommend a tour with Globe Trekkers to anyone.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Vogue Travel and Tours
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Portland
- Its from-price is 497% above the median of the 92 experiences we list in Portland.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 35 of 92.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Portland
Portland is Maine's largest city, a working harbour on Casco Bay with a cobbled old port, a lighthouse and a celebrated food scene.
Portland sits on a hilly peninsula in Casco Bay, a working harbour with fishing boats, ferries and a historic district, the Old Port, of brick warehouses and cobbled streets. The Portland Observatory, a shingled signal tower of 1807, is the last of its kind in the country, and the Victoria Mansion is a richly decorated Italianate house of the 1860s. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born here in 1807.
Top-ranked sights in Portland: Portland Head Light, Victoria Mansion (Morse-Libby House), Fort Gorges.
