If you missed the full overview of the trip, start with our Northeast Fall Road Trip introduction.
The drive from Boston to Mount Desert Island took just under seven hours — 6 hours and 53 minutes, to be exact. We didn’t stop much along the way, but we did make one meaningful detour: Lewiston, Maine, the hometown of my great-great grandfather. Walking the same streets felt grounding — a small moment of connection before kicking off a full week of exploring one of America’s most iconic national parks.
🏡 Our Stay on the Quiet Side: Ripples Pond, Mt. Desert
We arrived in the late afternoon at our Airbnb on Ripples Pond in the town of Mount Desert.
(Yes, the town of Mount Desert… on the island of Mount Desert, or MDI as its called. It confused us too. 😄)
But one thing wasn’t confusing: this was the perfect place to stay. Choosing Mount Desert ended up being one of the smartest decisions of our entire trip.
Why we loved the location:
🌲 Centrally located on the island
🚗 Easy access to both sides of Acadia
🌄 Much quieter than Bar Harbor
🔄 Perfect for midday breaks without long drives
🌊 Peaceful pond views and calm evenings
It also turned out that we were the last guests ever; the owners planned to move in permanently after our stay, adding a fun little footnote to the trip.
Looking back, staying in Mount Desert instead of Ellsworth or Bar Harbor was absolutely worth it. Acadia National Park isn’t one big continuous area, it’s spread across different sections of the island, and several great hikes and viewpoints sit outside the official park boundary. Being centrally based meant we could bounce between areas quickly without spending half the day in the car.
🦞 Dinner at Abel’s Lobster: A Perfect First Night in Maine
For dinner, we wanted something close and casual; no crowds, no downtown traffic. We decided on Abel’s Lobster, a marina-side lobster house on the quiet side of the island, just near the AirBNB in Mt. Desert and recommended by our hosts.
Abel’s felt exactly how you’d imagine a coastal Maine restaurant:
- Boats rocking gently in the marina
- Steam rising from outdoor lobster pots
- A crackling firepit for guests waiting to be seated
- Indoor and outdoor seating (outdoor looked cozy, but it was a chilly October evening!)
Abel’s is first-come, first-served, and we waited about an hour, totally expected on the island.
⭐ Pro Tip
On Mount Desert Island, restaurants fill quickly, especially those requiring reservations. If you’re traveling during peak seasons or weekends, book dinners in advance. We hadn’t, so we relied on first-come, first-served spots like Abel’s. Expect a wait unless you eat during off-peak hours.
While waiting, we overheard multiple groups say the same thing: “Abel’s is the best lobster on the island.”…so we knew we picked the right spot on Night 1.
Here’s a confession, I had never actually eaten a whole lobster before. Growing up in Maryland, I know my way around steamed crabs, but lobster? Admittedly, a little intimidating to attempt on my own.
Fortunately, Abel’s saved me with something glorious:
The Lazy Lobster.
No cracking, no picking, just perfectly cooked, tender lobster meat served ready to enjoy. I loved it so much I ordered it three times during our trip.
Lazy lobster may have ruined me forever. It was that good. I would drive to Maine again just for another serving. We ended the meal by splitting a large, or I should say, massive, slice of chocolate cake, which was equally excellent.
🔥 Ending the Night by the Fire
After dinner, we returned to our Airbnb, started a fire in the wood stove, and unwound from the long drive. It was the ideal first evening; quiet, cozy, and full of anticipation for our first full day in Acadia National Park.
Up next: Our first full day exploring Acadia — breakfast in Southwest Harbor, scouting Boulder Beach, and chasing sunset light at Bass Harbor Lighthouse in
