While I am sure there are many people who will not find much new information in this guide, and surely will be wasting their time if they read it from beginning to end, I have chosen to place it on our Web Site for the few people who will benefit -even a little.
This guide is primarily for those who have never been to Mount Desert Island (MDI) and therefor do not have a good understanding of the environment and the wide variety of fun activities available. There literally is something for everyone on MDI. There are museums, oceanariums, gift shops, clothing stores, galleries, craft shops, theaters, fine restaurants, cruises, whale watching, sea kayaking, canoeing, hiking, biking, nature trails, swimming, sail boating, and the list goes on. It is this diversity and the abundance of outdoor nature activities that makes it difficult for visitors to prepare for a visit to MDI and Acadia National Park.
While a vacation on MDI is a very rewarding experience it can be physically demanding as well. Therefore, my first recommendation is that you embark on a physical conditioning program (assuming you are not already doing such a thing) before leaving for MDI. If you are not in reasonably good physical condition it is difficult to enjoy a vacation to Disney World let alone to Acadia National Park. Even if all you plan on doing is walking in and out of shops on main street you will be doing a lot of walking. And, if like most visitors you decide to take a hike, ride a bike on the Carriage Trails, climb a mountain, or scramble over the rocks to look in the tide pools you will find that having developed a little extra stamina will be well worth the effort. Not only that, it is healthy!! So, consult your Doctor and start walking......
This is New England - the weather is very unpredictable and therefore it is important to plan your clothing for a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. No matter what time of year you visit, it is always colder on the shore and especially if you go out on a cruise. Plan for layers so you can shed and add as the day progresses and your travels take you to different locations.
It can be quite cool in the morning and evenings, you will want extra clothing to be comfortable. However, as the day progresses and as your activity level increases you can get very warm and will want to shed some of the warm clothing you started out with. Also, if you do any hiking you will find yourself getting very warm and will want to get down to your coolest clothing. But, if you stop along the coast or at the top of a mountain you may start to cool off and will want something warm to put on.
Shoes are very important! I can't emphasize enough the importance of bring comfortable shoes that provide good support. If you plan on doing any amount of hiking, walking in the woods or on the rocks (you should - no matter what you may think now) then be sure to have good quality sneakers and / or hiking boots. Sneakers are ok if you do not plan any extensive amount of "off road" walking but a good quality hiking boot with a solid soal and high ankle support is recommended. There are very few smooth surfaces to walk on here - except the sidewalks in the downtown area.
I am sure that most of the stuff on this list is stuff that you will figure out for yourself. I offer it as a check list and, you may see something you didn't think of......
You get the idea. I am sure you have things I have not thought of.