Acadia: Where Autumn Meets the Sea
Blazing fall color, crashing surf, and lobster by the ocean — Maine at its most magical.
The Details
- Acadia National Park, Maine (fly into Bangor)
- 7 nights (Saturday–Friday)
- 14 women max
- Hiking + Coastal Cruises
- Difficulty 2 of 5
- From $5,500
Overview
Picture it: crimson and gold maples reflected in a still mountain pond, waves crashing against pink granite cliffs, the smell of a lobster boil drifting from a cozy house full of new friends. This is Acadia in the fall — and it might just be the most beautiful week of the whole season.
This is our gentlest, most indulgent trip, and it's pure New England magic. We'll walk the Ocean Path past thundering surf and pink-granite cliffs, circle Jordan Pond beneath the rounded Bubbles (with tea and popovers, of course), and stand atop Cadillac Mountain, the very first place the sunrise touches the United States. We'll head out on the water to watch for whales, tour the lighthouses of Frenchman Bay, wander the shops of Bar Harbor, and feast on fresh Maine lobster with the ocean right there beside us.
And instead of tents, this time we come home each evening to a beautiful big house near the park — a warm, cozy basecamp where we'll gather by the fire, swap stories, and host our very own lobster boil.
Here's the best part: this trip is wonderfully easy. Most of our hikes are short, gentle, and impossibly scenic — perfect if you want all the beauty without the burn, or if this is your very first trip with us. There's one thrilling exception for the adventurous (the Beehive — more on that below!), but there's always an easy, equally gorgeous alternative. All you have to bring is yourself and a big appetite.
Highlights
Peak fall foliage blazing over the Atlantic — one of the most beautiful times and places in America.
Walk the Ocean Path past Thunder Hole and the pink-granite cliffs, with the surf crashing below.
Catch sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain, the first place the sun touches the U.S.
Head out on Frenchman Bay to watch for whales and cruise past historic lighthouses.
A true Maine lobster boil at our house — plus popovers at Jordan Pond and lobster in Bar Harbor.
Optional thrill: climb the famous Beehive on iron rungs high above the sea (or take the scenic easy way!).
What's Included
7 nights' lodging: a beautiful private house near Acadia (5 nights) + hotel on your first and last nights (2 nights)
All meals from your welcome dinner through lunch on the final day — including a Maine lobster boil and lobster in Bar Harbor
Guiding and support from Michele and a crew of 2–3
Whale watching & lighthouse cruise on Frenchman Bay
Cadillac Mountain summit reservation
All park and activity entrance fees
Airport shuttle from Bangor and all transportation during the trip
Not Included
Airfare to and from Bangor, ME (BGR)
Your final night's dinner
Alcohol
Gratuities for your guides
Travel insurance (recommended)
Optional single-supplement private room (limited availability, +$1,000)
Personal items and anything not listed above
Trip Info
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Difficulty & Fitness — Level 2 of 5 (with one optional Level 4)
This is our most relaxed and accessible trip — a wonderful choice if you want a gentler pace, or if you're brand new to this kind of adventure. Nearly all of our hikes are short, easy, and flat-to-rolling, chosen for their beauty rather than their burn: think lakeside paths, coastal walks, and easy granite strolls.
The one exception is the Beehive — a short but genuinely thrilling climb up an exposed cliff face using iron rungs and ladders, with big drop-offs and even bigger views. It's an unforgettable adventure for those who want it, but it's completely optional and not for anyone uneasy with heights. Whenever we do the Beehive, there's always an easy, equally beautiful alternative hike for everyone else — so no matter what, this trip stays a comfortable Level 2 for you.
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Hiking Details
Acadia is where the mountains meet the sea, and our hikes soak in both. Expect gentle coastal paths along the pink-granite shore, an easy loop around glassy Jordan Pond beneath the Bubbles, open granite ridges with sweeping ocean views on Gorham Mountain and Great Head, and the short walk to the summit of Cadillac. The one adventurous option, the Beehive, is a fun scramble up iron rungs — thrilling, and always optional.
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Accommodations
For this special trip, we skip the tents and settle into a beautiful, spacious house near Acadia — our cozy home base for five nights. We'll gather around the fire in the evenings, cook up a proper lobster boil in the kitchen, and wake up rested and warm each morning. Guests share comfortable bedrooms (two per room), and everyone has her own bed. The house has full bathrooms and hot showers. Your first and last nights are spent at a comfortable hotel near the Bangor airport (the Bangor Aviator Hotel). A limited number of private rooms are available for an additional $1,000.
A note on weather: October on the Maine coast is crisp and gorgeous, but it can be chilly and damp, especially by the water. Bring warm layers, a cozy sweater, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes — and get ready for those unforgettable fall colors.
Itinerary
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Day 1 (Saturday) — Welcome to Maine
Fly into Bangor and settle in at our hotel. This evening, meet Michele in the lobby for a welcome dinner, where you'll meet your fellow adventurers and we'll walk through the wonderful week ahead. (Dinner included.)
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Day 2 — Down to the Coast & the Ocean Path
After breakfast, we'll drive to our house near Acadia (about an hour) and get settled into our home for the week. To ease in, we'll take a gentle walk along the Ocean Path, the pink-granite shoreline past Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs, with the Atlantic crashing beside us and the leaves ablaze. Tonight, our first cozy dinner together at the house. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)
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Day 3 — Jordan Pond & the Bubbles
A picture-perfect, easygoing day. We'll stroll the flat loop around Jordan Pond, with the rounded Bubbles reflected in the glassy water, and take a short walk up for the classic view over the pond. Then we'll settle in for the beloved Acadia tradition of tea and warm popovers at Jordan Pond House. The afternoon is yours to relax. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)
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Day 4 — Sand Beach, the Beehive & Great Head
Today, an adventure for those who want it: the thrilling climb up the Beehive, scaling iron rungs on an exposed cliff high above Sand Beach (completely optional!). Everyone else will enjoy the beautiful, easy Great Head Trail along the coastal cliffs — and we'll all regroup for a walk on the pink-granite shore. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)
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Day 5 — Out on Frenchman Bay & Bar Harbor
Today we take to the water for a whale watching and lighthouse cruise across Frenchman Bay — keeping our eyes peeled for whales, seals, and seabirds, and cruising past historic lighthouses. In the afternoon, we'll wander the charming shops of Bar Harbor and treat ourselves to fresh lobster by the ocean. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)
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Day 6 — Cadillac Mountain, Gorham & a Lobster Boil
The early risers among us can catch sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain — the first place in the country to see the sun (worth the early alarm!). We'll hike the open granite ridge of Gorham Mountain for sweeping ocean views, and visit the beloved Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Tonight is the big one: our very own Maine lobster boil back at the house — a feast to celebrate an unforgettable week. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included.)
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Day 7 (Friday) — Homeward
After breakfast, we'll pack up and drive back toward Bangor, stopping for lunch along the way, and arrive at our hotel for your final, included night. (Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own tonight.)
Planning your flights home: Your final night's hotel is included, so most guests fly out on Saturday. If you'd rather head home Friday evening, just be sure to book your flight for after 5:00 PM so we have time to make the drive back.
Dates & Prices
COMMON QUESTIONS
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For this trip we stay in a beautiful private house near Acadia for five nights, plus a hotel on the first and last nights. Guests share comfortable bedrooms (two per room), and you'll always have your own bed. The house has full bathrooms and hot showers. A limited number of private rooms are available for an additional $1,000.
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Just your personal items and clothes for crisp fall weather on the coast — warm layers, a cozy sweater, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking or hiking shoes. No camping gear needed this time; we've got a warm, comfortable house! A full packing list lives under the Resources tab.
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This is our easiest trip — a Level 2 — with most hikes short, gentle, and scenic. The one exception is the optional Beehive climb (a Level 4), and there's always an easy alternative, so anyone can enjoy this trip at a relaxed pace.
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Not at all! It's an optional, thrilling climb for those who love a little adventure and are comfortable with heights and iron-rung scrambling. Everyone else enjoys a beautiful, easier hike instead — no pressure, ever.
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We can accommodate most food allergies and dietary needs — just let us know when you book so we can plan ahead. (Please tell us about any shellfish allergies so we can make sure you have a wonderful alternative to the lobster!)
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No — you'll book your own airfare in and out of Bangor, ME (BGR). Plan to arrive Saturday (Day 1) in time for our welcome dinner. Your final night's hotel is included, so most guests fly home Saturday — but if you'd prefer to leave Friday evening, just book your return flight for after 5:00 PM. Once you're on the ground in Bangor, everything else is handled, starting with your airport shuttle.
