Day Trips from Acadia National Park

Maine Travel Tips

G-Free Travel Rating

8/10

Major Airport

Bangor International Airport (BGR)

Portland International Jetport (PWM)

Official Language

English

Currency:

US Dollar (USD)

Power Outlets:

Types A & B

Eating Gluten Free in Bangor, Camden & Lubec

Eating gluten free is always an adventure; like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get. No matter what it looks like on the outside! We had low expectations off the beaten path in rural Maine. Kara does her usual magic and finds some of the best places! There seemed to be a lot of good understanding about gluten-free most places we tried. Our one bad experience had more to do with poor service than anything else. I love me some crepes and Kara finds them everywhere! Moral of the story: do your research and keep your expectations low but enjoy the victories!

Camden

Camden is a bit closer to Acadia National Park compared to Lubec. However, it is still a lengthy option for a day trip. To give some structure to the day, we scheduled a day sail trip during the afternoon. It is important to note that Camden has become increasingly popular, with more visitors choosing to explore the entire Maine coastline. As a result, Camden can experience significant congestion during peak season, which is worth considering when planning your visit.

Side note –Starting in October 2025, all parking in Camden is $3 an hour, except two lots. Currently one is located behind the fire department on Washington St and the other is behind the mill on Washington St. Neither parking lot is located too far from downtown Camden.

Things to do in Camden

Camden Hills State Park

If you are traveling to Camden, you can’t skip taking a trip to Camden Hills State Park. With a small fee of $6/ person you are able to drive up Mt. Battie and take in the expansive views of Camden, Penobscot Bay and the nearby islands. For those that would like to do some hiking, there are plenty of trails throughout the park to explore. If you are planning to visit Camden Hills State Park, please be sure to enter “Camden Hills State Park” into your GPS or navigation app. Avoid searching for “Mt. Battie,” as Google Maps may direct you through a dead-end neighborhood.

Peruse the Downtown Shops

You can find local art galleries, boutique clothing stores, and specialty food shops all nestled along scenic, harbor-side streets.

Visit the Camden Public Library and Amphitheatre

Starting with only 200 books in 1796, the Camden Public Library has persevered throughout history and is now a treasure of the coast of Maine. The amphitheatre, featuring a landscaped hillside with refined stone terraces, serves as a scenic community space. It was the perfect place to sip our coffee and take in the expansive views of the water.

Enjoy an Afternoon on the Water

This was the first time either Terry or I had been sailing, and the experience was nothing short of fantastic. We booked an afternoon sail excursion with Schooner Surprise, but decided to do the more intimate sail rather than on the typical Schooner. We ended up with a small group of people from Maine who, like us, just wanted to spend an afternoon out on the water. The atmosphere felt incredibly friendly and relaxed, as if we were out for a sail with longtime friends.

The water was rather choppy and the wind was brisk; however, the ANJACAA and her crew handled everything with impressive smoothness. Despite the conditions, we did not find ourselves bouncing around at all. There was one moment when I felt we were almost parallel to the water, which made me a tad nervous. Yet seeing that neither the captain nor the other passengers from Maine seemed concerned, I decided it was just my nerves, given that it was my first time sailing.

According to the crew, October is truly the best time to sail in Maine. The cooler weather brings more wind, which makes for an exhilarating experience, especially with a well-equipped boat like the ANJACAA. Plus, by this time of year, many other tour companies have already taken their boats out of the water for the season.

Go see Andre the Seal

Okay, this one is technically in Rockport, but it is just a few minutes down the road. This is a lifesize harbor seal statue dedicated to the famous harbor seal that visited Rockport every summer for over twenty years. When you’re done taking in the views of the nearby harbor, meander over to Freyas for a crepe.

Gluten-Free Dining in Camden

Our dining experience was limited due to the limited time we were able to spend in Camden. This little coastal town has a lot to offer and I know we will be back to continue to explore their culinary scene. In the meantime here is a short list of the places we did try.

Long Grain

We decided to try Long Grain because we realized it has been awhile since we had Thai food. Not only do they serve Thai dishes, but they also offer versions of meals from various Asian countries. Each dish features a local twist to highlight the fresh ingredients sourced from the area. Earlier in the day, we stopped by to make a reservation and spoke with the hostess. She assured us many dishes could be prepared gluten-free. When we returned, we noticed the menu itself was not marked with gluten-free dishes. However, our waitress was very knowledgeable and explained that only a few items could not be made gluten-free. She helped us navigate the menu with ease, ensuring any dietary needs were accommodated.

Our dining experience went smoothly, and we were left full and satisfied. BUT, not so full that we could resist enjoying another crepe to finish off the evening!

Freyas

Crepes are one of Terry’s favorite meals to seek out while traveling. When I stumbled upon a restaurant that specializes in gluten-free crepes, it immediately became a must stop. They prepare all their crepes with buckwheat flour, making them entirely gluten-free. Since we had plans to dine later in Camden, we decided to split a savory crepe for lunch. Normally, we are not people who eat three meals a day, but this was worth making an exception. The savory crepe was so delicious that Terry was eagerly waiting to try the dessert crepe. So, after dinner we made a second trip just to try their dessert crepe. Once again, the food did not disappoint.

For those with a sweet tooth, but would prefer something else, they also offer gluten-free waffle cones, which are perfect for sampling their selection of ice cream. For those with gluten sensitivities, please be cautious in this area as not all their ice cream is gluten-free. The staff may benefit from a reminder to switch scooping utensils and gloves. I opted for their ice cream and was pleasantly delighted.

Lubec

I was on the fence about heading 2 hours farther northeast the night before our flight, but since our departure was scheduled for the afternoon, we went ahead and made the trip. It turned out to be an excellent choice—Lubec was just the right size for a day visit, and we had plenty of time to enjoy it. Plus, the drive up there was stunning, making the experience even better. Here are a few must-sees:

Quoddy Head State Park

Entrance and Iconic Lighthouse:

There is a small fee for entering the state park, but it is well worth the cost. The park is home to the iconic candy cane striped lighthouse, located on the easternmost peninsula in the contiguous United States. From here, you can look out over the Quoddy channel, enjoying views of Canada and, with a bit of luck, spotting various species of whales passing through.

Hiking and Coastal Views:

After visiting the lighthouse, stretch your legs with hike. Most of the trails are dirt-packed with protruding roots, and part of the trail-loop follows the shoreline offering dramatic steep drop-offs. The trail is dotted with scenic viewpoints of the jagged coast where you can pause to listen to the waves crashing against the rocks and the gentle bubbling as the water recedes. The combination of these sounds creates a mesmerizing atmosphere that is both calming and hypntoic.

Tranquility and Unique Flora:

This hike offers spectacular views, quiet moments for reflection and the unmistakable scent of Christmas from the Balsam Firs. Before leaving, be sure to include the short loop around the Bog in your visit. This section features a variety of sub-arctic and arctic plants not typically seen south of Canada. The park truly feels like a breath of fresh air, and the presence of precious moss growing along the path suggests that few people frequent these trails, preserving their natural beauty.

Other Small Stops to Check Out

McCurdy Smokehouse Museum:

Located on the waterfront of Lubec, it stands tall on wooden posts to withstand the tides from the Bay of Fundy that can rise up to 25 feet twice a day. It is thought to be the last intact herring smokehouse.

Waterfront Parking:

I’m not certain what to name this spot since it doesn’t really fit the definition of a pier, so I’ll refer to it as waterfront parking. It’s an excellent location to observe activity on the water and enjoy the sunset in the evening. Additionally, visitors with some extra time are encouraged to pause for a moment of reflection at the Lost Fisherman’s Memorial.

Monica’s Chocolates:

This is a quaint little souvenir and chocolate shop. Native to Peru, she integrates elements from her native country into her chocolates. One of the more notable ones is Pisco, a flavor found in the traditional Peruvian cocktail. For individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, it is important to excercise caution. Not all the products include a comprehensive list of ingredients, so it is best practice to confirm with the staff.

Wild Blueberry Land

On the way to Lubec stands a whimsical and iconic blueberry-shaped building. Inside you’ll find a museum dedicated to harvesting blueberries along with plenty of blueberry-themed treats. Be sure to ask staff about which items are gluten-free.

Gluten-Free Dining in Lubec

I’m sure you are thinking that with a small town comes limited gluten-free choices, but you will be pleasantly surprised. With the amount of restaurants that were open during our visit they all offered something Terry was able to eat and with confidence. Speaking of open, if you are traveling off peak season make sure to check the operating hours. It was the last weekend most of the restaurants were open before they closed for the season.

Cohill’s Inn

The restaurant offers excellent views of the bay and likely unbeatable sunsets. When we arrived, we were promptly greeted and told we could choose any seat, ordering at the counter when we were ready. The menu was labeled with which items could be made gluten-free. The servers were very conscientious about the dietary restrictions. We ordered some chips and guac and Terry ordered the apple butternut squash soup. I was very impressed…soup is not normally his favorite but he said it just sounded good so what better reason to try something new. Then we both ate on the lighter side with a salmon salad and the other was a cranberry chicken salad. Both were fantastic.

The Inn on the Wharf

This restaurant was not as organized. It took a considerable amount of time before anyone acknowledged us. After being greeted, we were seated in a a back corner of the restaurant, a spot where we were largely overlooked. We remained unnoticed until a large party at a nearby table received their food.

When our waitress finally approached, she provided only one napkin and one glass of water for the table. The menu lacked clear labeling, and the waitress’s demeanor suggested she was not enthusiastic about being there. Given the circumstances, Terry opted for a simple omelet. It seemed that our order was forgotten, as we witnessed other guests –who arrived after us–being served their meals before ours. When the food eventually arrived, it was merely satisfactory. Fortunately, I had ordered a breakfast sandwich, as the waitress did not return with additional silverware for us. The overall experience felt quite odd. However, the restaurant’s location by the water provided a pleasant atmosphere, which helped compensate somewhat for the otherwise disappointing service.

Bangor

We did not spend much time in Bangor during our trip. Instead, we chose to go to Lubec for the night before our flight, rather than staying in Bangor. When we arrived, we stopped only to eat before continuing on to Ellsworth, where we picked-up some groceries prior to our already late check-in at the KOA Bar Harbor/Oceanside. The drive isn’t too long if traffic is moving. It is a two lane road the whole way to Acadia National Park, so traffic can get congested during high season.

If you find yourself with a rainy day or simply need a break from hiking, Bangor offers several options. For example, consider exploring one of the city’s museums or catching a movie to relax and recharge. We only ate at one restaurant while in Bangor, so our experience with local dining was limited.

Las Palapas Mexican Restaurant

Mexican food is our go-to meal when we’re hungry after a long day but still have a lot more things to do. Their menu had a dedicated gluten-free section. The waitress was generally knowledgeable about which dishes could be made gluten-free, though she had to check with the chef about the Mexican street corn bowl. We were excited to see gluten-free burritos and quesadillas as options. As is typical at Mexican restaurants, Terry’s burrito was huge. A word to the wise, if you are a sensitive celiac their chips are deep fried with other items on their menu so they are cross-contaminated. Unfortunately, this was communicated after Terry had already ate a couple chips. Being tired, hungry and accustomed to procedures at home, we didn’t think about it.

Raegamuffin’s Gluten Free Bakery

I really wanted to stop here so Terry could get some gluten-free donuts for either breakfast or dessert, but they close at 2 p.m. and our flight’s schedule changed our arrival to after 3 p.m. Sadly we could not make it here.