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May 26, 2026

The Best Sunset Spots in Acadia National Park

Best sunset spots in Acadia National Park - featured image of a pastel pink and purple sunset over Seal Cove with a lobster boat and seaweed-covered low-tide ledges, a guide to the most peaceful, crowd-free sunset viewing spots on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, Maine

Acadia National Park at sunset is one of the most spectacular things I’ve ever witnessed, and I’ve watched a lot of sunsets from a lot of places. The combination of pink granite, Atlantic coastline, mountain silhouettes, and Maine light is simply unrepeatable.

May 12, 2026

One Day In Acadia With Dogs: A Local’s Itinerary

Heading to Acadia with your dogs and only have one day? Don’t panic. Here’s the exact hour-by-hour itinerary I plan for friends — sunrise on Ocean Path, house rolls at Bar Harbor Lobster Pound, the Quiet Side trails, and a real sit-down dinner with your pup. Updated for 2026.

May 7, 2026

Dog Friendly Acadia National Park: The Ultimate 2026 Guide

Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the entire United States, and after spending six months living right outside Bar Harbor with my three pups, I can tell you it’s the real deal. Here’s everything you need to know to plan an incredible 2026 trip to Acadia with your dogs, including the rules, the can’t miss spots, and a few things I learned the hard way.

May 7, 2026

Where To Get The Best Lobster On Mount Desert Island

Bar Harbor Lobster Pound lobster roll in Bar Harbor Maine — close-up of a golden toasted split-top bun overflowing with fresh Maine lobster claw and knuckle meat in branded lobster pound paper with French fries, the star of the best lobster rolls on Mount Desert Island guide and a must-order at one of the most iconic seafood restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine near Acadia National Park

If you’re heading to Acadia National Park, you’re heading to lobster heaven. Mount Desert Island is home to Acadia, Bar Harbor, and some of the most stunning coastline in New England; it’s also home to some of the best lobster you’ll ever eat. We’re talking fresh-off-the-boat, still-tastes-like-the-ocean, life-changing lobster…

April 29, 2026

The Best Coastal Maine Road Trip

The Best Coastal Maine Road Trip

Maine is by far one of my favorite states. There is just something about the rocky coastline, epic sunrises, and all of the pine trees that make my heart happy. I’ve left a little piece of my heart all over the state, but my absolute favorite thing to do in Maine is a coastal road trip…

April 14, 2026

The Complete Guide to Schoodic Peninsula in Acadia National Park

Schoodic Peninsula sunset in Acadia National Park Maine - wide panoramic view of orange and lavender sky over the Atlantic Ocean from pink granite ledges, with windswept spruce trees and the silhouette of Mount Desert Island on the horizon, capturing the stunning coastal scenery of the Schoodic District and why the Schoodic Peninsula is one of the most beautiful and least crowded areas of Acadia National Park

The Schoodic Peninsula is the only mainland section of Acadia National Park — and one of the most overlooked destinations on the entire Maine coast. Just 45 miles from Bar Harbor, Schoodic receives only about 8% of Acadia’s total visitors, which means no timed-entry reservations, easy parking, and access to some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the park. From the jaw-dropping geology at Schoodic Point, 419-million-year-old pink granite streaked with black basalt dikes, to the cliff-edge sunset views at Ravens Nest overlooking Frenchman Bay and Cadillac Mountain, the Schoodic Peninsula deserves a full day on every Acadia National Park itinerary. This complete guide covers how to get there, how the one-way Schoodic Loop Road works, the best stops and sunset spots, dog-friendly trails, camping at Schoodic Woods Campground, and everything else you need to plan your visit.

March 6, 2026

15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park

Three dogs hiking the Little Long Pond trail in Acadia National Park, Maine — a brown mixed breed and two huskies on leash on a sun-dappled wooded path along the turquoise shores of Little Long Pond, highlighting Little Long Pond as a peaceful and dog-friendly walk in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island near Seal Harbor, Maine, perfect for hiking with dogs in Acadia

Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the United States, and honestly, it’s the reason we keep coming back. The first National Park east of the Mississippi boasts nearly 100 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads that you can enjoy with your pups…

February 24, 2026

The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine - sunset over a tranquil harbor near Acadia National Park captures the magic of Maine's coast, from lobster boats at anchor to pink granite shores and golden skies

Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of those places that grabs you and doesn’t let go…

February 17, 2026

The Ultimate Winter Guide to the Grand Canyon

Here’s a secret that most people don’t know: winter might actually be the best time to visit the Grand Canyon. January transforms the Grand Canyon into a serene, snow-dusted wonderland, and while you may need to bundle up, this time of year offers advantages over peak season.

December 23, 2025

6 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit This Winter

Okay, let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy as a dog mom who loves National Parks…

August 8, 2025

Wildlife Watching in Cades Cove: Your Complete Animal Guide

There’s something absolutely magical about rounding a bend in Cades Cove and spotting a black bear ambling through the meadow or a family of deer grazing peacefully in the early morning mist. I’ve spent countless hours exploring this 11-mile loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park…

May 19, 2025

Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains

Planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your furry friend? While many trails restrict dogs, the Smokies still offer several dog-friendly hikes and scenic drives perfect for adventurous pups and their humans. From easy riverside walks on the Oconaluftee River Trail to scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this guide covers the best pet-friendly trails and outdoor experiences to help you explore the Smokies together. Discover insider tips, local spots, and must-visit places to make your Smoky Mountains dog adventure unforgettable!

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Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

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Recent Posts

  • The Bar Harbor Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know Before You Visit
  • The Complete Guide to the Best Bars in Bar Harbor, Maine
  • The Complete Guide To Getting Out On Frenchmans Bay
  • The Best Sunset Spots in Acadia National Park
  • One Day In Acadia With Dogs: A Local’s Itinerary

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Everyone does Mount Desert Island - -> Want to esc Everyone does Mount Desert Island - -> Want to escape the crowds at Acadia? Go here instead…

Almost nobody drives the hour out to the Schoodic, the only part of Acadia on the mainland, and it got under 10% of the park’s 4 million-plus visits last year. Their loss.

Same pink granite, same crashing surf, a fraction of the people. And here’s the part that got me: from Schoodic Point you watch the sun set behind Cadillac Mountain, so you’re seeing Acadia from the outside. 

Ya know what else that means? No Cadillac reservation, no parking war, your park pass gets you in, and it’s entirely dog-friendly since the no-dogs trails are all back on the island.

✨Save this for your Acadia trip. What’s the most underrated corner of a park you’ve found?
Come for a sunset drive at T.R. with me 🌅 Theodore Come for a sunset drive at T.R. with me 🌅 Theodore Roosevelt at golden hour is wild horses in the road, bison under a rising moon, and badlands going pink, and somehow almost nobody’s here to see it.

It’s the most overlooked national park in the country, and after 3 years on the road it might be our favorite. Their loss.

The first photo might be one of my favorites I’ve ever taken. Watching this bison herd just do its thing as the final flicker of light left the park was something I’ll never forget. Even though the smoke swallowed the sunset, it was still a beautiful one! 

Save this for your someday trip, trust me, you don’t want to miss this one! 🦬🐎☀️🌙
kinda chic, if you ask me. Leaving a place better kinda chic, if you ask me.

Leaving a place better than you found it.

Keeping your distance from the wildlife.

Getting up before the sun and complaining about it like you didn’t set the alarm yourself.

Packing the long lens because getting closer is, in fact, not the move.

And somehow still thinking a dusty road, and a questionable gas station coffee counts as a pretty good day.

A little wild.
A little dusty.
Kinda chic.
Kinda feral.

And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🦬
6 months on Mount Desert Island taught me this: Ac 6 months on Mount Desert Island taught me this: Acadia is a completely different park depending on the time of year and the time of day 🦞✨ 

Steal my one perfect day at Acadia. 

But to be honest, in my opinion, Acadia deserves 4 or 5, and after six months here, I wrote down the rest for you! 

Comment Guide and I’ll send you a direct link or Comment lobster for the free Bar Harbor/Acadia Cheat Sheet 

If you’ve been to Acadia, what’s the one place you’d tell people not to miss?
Life lately, from the road 🛻 2,500-ish miles. Pen Life lately, from the road 🛻

2,500-ish miles. Pennsylvania in the rearview. Idaho finally under the tires. One truck that had several thoughts about the arrangement, not starting, but 🤷🏻‍♀️ what are ya gonna do? 

Somewhere in Theodore Roosevelt National Park we pulled over because we thought fog was rolling across the prairie. It wasn’t. It was one of the biggest bison herds we’ve ever seen.

We accidentally found the best burger of the trip because that’s how road food works. The ones with the lake view are just showing off.

Targhee and Bridger-Teton quietly reminded us that some of the best places never make the bucket lists.

And then there were the Tetons. We drove all that way and spent most of our visit admiring what can only be described as the concept of mountains through wildfire smoke. We’ll be back when they’re visible.

✅ Another place to call home for a little while.
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