Maine has been luring travelers since the 1800s with rocky shores, pine forests, and craggy islands. Portland rose from the ashes of multiple fires to become a creative small city with world-class dining, a working waterfront, and more lighthouses than you can count. Three hours up the coast, Bar Harbor anchors Mount Desert Island and the granite heights of Acadia National Park—the first national park east of the Mississippi.

Fun facts: Portland Head Light was commissioned by George Washington in 1791; Maine’s debated “1,000–3,000 miles” of tidal shoreline rivals California when you trace every inlet; and from October to March, sunrise from Cadillac Mountain is among the first in the continental U.S. Practical notes: summer and early fall are peak season; spring is quiet and moody; winters are serene and brisk. Pack layers, rain gear, and grippy shoes for slick granite.

This 7-day Maine itinerary focuses on two bases—Portland and Bar Harbor—with easy day trips, lighthouse cruises, and Acadia hikes. You’ll eat your way through local favorites (brown-butter lobster rolls, anyone?), pedal the car-free Carriage Roads, and watch the sun set over Casco Bay. Expect sea breezes, salt air, and the satisfying clack of halyards on masts.

Portland

Portland pairs historic brick warehouses and cobblestone lanes with an energetic food scene, indie roasters, and a deep maritime soul. Walkable Old Port spills into the Eastern Promenade’s harbor path and Casco Bay’s island ferries. Lighthouses—Portland Head Light, Spring Point, and Bug Light—bookend photogenic headlands.

• Top sights: Old Port, Eastern Prom Trail, Portland Museum of Art, Fort Williams Park (Portland Head Light), Peaks Island.
• What to eat: brown-butter lobster rolls at Eventide, duck-fat fries at Duckfat, wood-fired seafood at Fore Street, oysters at The Shop or J’s Oyster.
• Local vibes: indie coffee at Tandem and Bard, award-winning cocktails at The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club, craft beer at Allagash and Bissell Brothers.

Stay: Browse curated stays on VRBO Portland or compare hotels on Hotels.com Portland.

Getting there: Fly into Portland International Jetport (PWM) or Boston (BOS) and connect north. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. No intercity trains serve coastal Maine; a rental car is the easiest way to explore beyond the city.

Bar Harbor (Acadia National Park)

Bar Harbor is your gateway to Acadia’s pink-granite coast and spruce forests. The town’s Shore Path hugs Frenchman Bay, while the Park Loop Road strings together Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond’s mirror-like waters. Evenings bring sea air, good beer, and the scent of buttered popovers.

• Top sights: Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond, Ocean Path, Carriage Roads, Bass Harbor Head Light, Shore Path.
• What to eat: popovers at Jordan Pond House, lobster at Thurston’s or Beal’s, creative comfort at Side Street Cafe, date-night plates at McKay’s Public House.
• Local vibes: sunrise missions, tidepooling at low tide, stargazing under one of the East Coast’s darker skies.

Stay: See coastal cottages and in-town apartments on VRBO Bar Harbor or hotels on Hotels.com Bar Harbor.

Getting from Portland: Drive ~3–3.5 hours (160 miles) via I-295/I-95 and ME-3, or take scenic US-1 with coastal stops (adds time but adds lighthouses and harbors). Expect tolls on I-95 and fuel around $20–35 for the trip. If you fly out of Bangor (BGR) at the end, compare one-way fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Portland, Old Port and Harbor Stroll

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with a walk through the Old Port’s brick lanes and working piers—watch lobster boats unload and browse indie shops. Coffee at Bard Coffee (excellent single-origin espresso) or Tandem Coffee + Bakery (buttermilk biscuits and cardamom buns if you need a late snack).

Evening: Welcome dinner at Fore Street (wood-fired seafood and local produce; book ahead) or Eventide Oyster Co. for oysters and the famed brown-butter lobster roll. Post-dinner, sip Scandinavian-style cocktails at The Portland Hunt + Alpine Club or sample rare beers at Novare Res Bier Café’s hidden beer garden.

Day 2: Lighthouses and Casco Bay

Morning: Start with potato-based doughnuts at The Holy Donut. Then join The Real Portland Tour: City and 3 Lighthouses Historical Tour with a Real Local for a vivid 1h45 overview—Old Port stories plus photo stops at Portland Head Light, Spring Point Ledge, and Bug Light.

Afternoon: Head to Fort Williams Park to wander cliff paths and the Portland Head Light museum. For lunch, track down Bite into Maine (classic-and-creative lobster rolls) or grab chowder at the park food stands. Back in town, drop by the Portland Museum of Art or amble the Eastern Promenade Trail.

Evening: Cruise into golden hour on the Sunset Lighthouse Cruise Tour from Casco Bay—a narrated 105-minute spin past inner islands and beacons as the city lights flicker on.

Cap the night with seafood at Scales (raw bar, whole-roasted fish) or Mediterranean-influenced plates at Street & Co. Dessert: pistachio or hazelnut at Gorgeous Gelato.

Day 3: Peaks Island, Fries, and a Fire Engine

Morning: Coffee at Speckled Ax, then ferry to Peaks Island (15–20 minutes; departures are frequent). Rent bikes near the dock and circle the quiet lanes and WWII Battery Steele. Bring a wind layer; sea breezes can be brisk even in July.

Afternoon: Back in town, lunch at Duckfat (hand-cut fries with truffle ketchup, panini, and milkshakes). If you love quirky history, hop aboard the crimson Vintage Fire Truck Sightseeing Tour of Portland Maine for a 50-minute narrated ride through Portland’s maritime past.

Evening: Progressive eats in the Old Port: start with oysters at J’s Oyster, move to small plates at Central Provisions (think lobster toast, inventive veggie dishes), then a nightcap at Blyth & Burrows (classic cocktails in a moody, nautical space).

Day 4: Coastal Drive to Bar Harbor (Scenic Stops), Shore Path Sunset

Morning (Travel Day): Pick up a rental car after breakfast at Becky’s Diner (blueberry pancakes, counter stools) and head for Bar Harbor. Fastest route: I-295/I-95 to ME-3 (~3–3.5 hours). Scenic route: US-1 with stops—Wiscasset (lobster roll at Red’s Eats in season), the harbor in Camden, or Rockland’s breakwater light. Expect tolls on I-95; fuel for the day typically $20–35.

Afternoon: Check into your Bar Harbor stay (VRBO Bar Harbor | Hotels.com Bar Harbor). Stretch your legs on the Shore Path (easy, flat, and gorgeous along Frenchman Bay). Coffee refuel at Choco-Latte or Coffee Hound.

Evening: Dinner at McKay’s Public House (cozy pub fare with a local-beer list) or Geddy’s (lobster, steamers, and maritime kitsch). If skies are clear, stargaze from the town pier or drive to the Ocean Path pull-offs for darker skies.

Day 5: Acadia Highlights—Park Loop Road, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Views

Morning: Grab pastries at Morning Glory Bakery and join the Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5–4 hours). It’s a fantastic overview with multiple scenic stops and the stories behind Acadia’s roads, bridges, and cliffs.

Afternoon: Lunch at Jordan Pond House (iconic popovers and jam; reservations recommended in peak season). Walk the Jordan Pond Path (flat loop with mountain reflections) or tackle the South Bubble trail for the classic Bubble Rock viewpoint.

Evening: Catch late light along Ocean Path—Sand Beach to Thunder Hole—then head to Southwest Harbor for lobster at Beal’s Lobster Pier (casual, waterside) or, in season, Thurston’s Lobster Pound in Bernard (postcard sunset over Bass Harbor).

Pro tip: To drive up Cadillac Mountain at sunrise/sunset from late spring to mid-fall, you need a timed vehicle reservation. If you don’t have one, go for a daytime visit or book a tour that includes it.

Day 6: Carriage Roads by E‑Bike, Bays and Harbors

Morning: Fuel up at Cafe This Way (seasonal; hearty breakfasts) or Choco-Latte. Meet your guide for the Guided Ebike Tour of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads—a small-group, ~22-mile loop on John D. Rockefeller Jr.’s beautifully engineered, car-free gravel roads.

Alternative if you prefer to set your own pace: pick up a self-guided e-bike and ride out to Eagle Lake and Bubble Pond with this Self-Guided Ebike Tours of Acadia National Park Carriage Roads.

Afternoon: Lunch in Bar Harbor at Side Street Cafe (lobster mac, tacos, big salads). Then explore the island’s “quiet side”: Seawall picnic area, Wonderland and Ship Harbor trails (family-friendly coastal loops), and Southwest Harbor’s working docks.

Evening: Back in town, grab a table at McKay’s (if you loved it) or splurge on Havana (Latin-leaning, seasonal). Finish with small-batch scoops at the original Mount Desert Island Ice Cream.

Day 7: Last Sips of Sea Air and Departure

Morning: Early risers can catch pastel skies from the Shore Path or, if you secured a slot, a quick sunrise up Cadillac Mountain. Coffee and a breakfast sandwich at A Slice of Eden or Morning Glory Bakery before packing up.

Afternoon (Departure): Fly out of Bangor (BGR, ~1.25 hours from Bar Harbor) or return your rental in Portland (~3–3.5 hours). Compare fares and schedules on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, picnic at the Town Hill overlook or make a quick detour to Bass Harbor Head Light for a final lighthouse snapshot.

Practical tips: Restaurant reservations help in July–October; arrive early for first-come lobster shacks. Weather shifts fast—carry a light shell and wear sturdy shoes on Acadia’s granite. Check park alerts for road or trail closures, and remember that many businesses outside peak season have limited hours.

In one week, you’ve tasted Portland’s Old Port, cruised past Casco Bay lighthouses, and explored Acadia’s cliffs, ponds, and Carriage Roads. The Maine coast rewards repeat visits—come back for fall foliage hikes, winter quiet, or a longer summer linger among the islands.