East Coast with Erin

We spent a wonderful weekend in Bar Harbor, enjoying delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of outdoor adventures with our dog, Luna.

Before our trip, I spent hours searching for the perfect dog-friendly place to stay. While dog friendly Airbnb options were surprisingly limited, I eventually came across a charming bed and breakfast called the Inn at Bay Ledge and immediately had a feeling it would be exactly what we were looking for.

After finishing work on Friday, we packed up the car and made the drive to Bar Harbor, arriving later that evening. Since the inn’s standard check-in hours are between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., we arranged a late arrival in advance. The process couldn’t have been easier. Our hosts provided a door code, allowing us to check in seamlessly at our own pace.

Our room was located in the property’s cottage area, which consists of three dog-friendly rooms centered around a shared outdoor space- complete with string lights, comfortable seating, and a fire pit.

We stayed in Room 1, a cozy retreat featuring a comfortable king-sized bed and a fireplace that made the space feel especially inviting on a cool May evening. One of the things I loved most about the inn was that every room has its own unique personality and style, giving the property a warm, thoughtfully curated feel rather than the cookie-cutter atmosphere of a typical hotel.

Saturday began with an incredible breakfast prepared by our hosts, Sarah and Dax. After grabbing a fresh cup of coffee, we settled into our table and looked forward to our first meal of the day. Breakfast started with a bowl of creamy vanilla Greek yogurt served alongside a selection of toppings of craisins, sunflower seeds, and granola. Simple as it sounds, it was some of the best yogurt I’ve ever had! The main course was just as delectable: house-made waffles topped with sweet Maine blueberries, served with local maple syrup, maple sausage links, and fluffy scrambled eggs.

After breakfast, we spent some time wandering around the property, which was every bit as beautiful as we had imagined. The grounds are thoughtfully designed with inviting spaces to relax and enjoy the scenery. A large deck offers plenty of cozy seating, tables, and even blankets for those cooler coastal mornings and evenings.

Just steps from the deck are two tucked-away hot tubs, perfectly positioned for unwinding after a day of adventure. Beyond that is a grassy lawn with Adirondack chairs and a gas fire pit, creating an ideal gathering spot to enjoy the view or watch the sunset.

We continued down the narrow path that makes its way out toward the end of the cliff edge. Two Adirondack chairs awaited us, positioned perfectly to take in the sweeping views of Frenchman Bay. The peaceful setting, coastal breeze, and endless ocean views made for a memorable start to our first full day in Maine.

Next, we made our way down the stairs to the rocky beach below, where an entirely different perspective awaited us. The views from the shoreline are just as breathtaking as those from above. Walking along the water’s edge, we took in sweeping views of the bay on one side and the dramatic rocky cliffs towering overhead on the other. We wandered through the natural rock formations, pausing often to soak in the scenery and appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. Surrounded by such stunning coastal beauty, it was impossible not to be completely captivated by the landscape.

Fueled up and ready for the day, we set off for Acadia National Park with a recommendation from Dax to hike Pemetic Mountain. Our original plan was to tackle the Bubbles and North Bubbles Trail along with the Jordan Pond Path, but when we arrived, the crowds quickly changed our minds. Looking for a quieter adventure, we decided Pemetic was the perfect alternative.

After lucking out and finding a last-minute parking spot in a small lot near the trailhead, we laced up our boots and hit the trail. The hike offered the ideal balance of rewarding views and just enough elevation gain to keep things interesting for both us and Luna. The well-marked path wound through peaceful forest sections before giving way to rugged rock outcroppings that required a bit of scrambling, adding to the fun and variety of the journey. We encountered a few other hikers, but overall the trail was quiet and calm. Along the way, there were plenty of scenic spots to pause for water, a quick snack, or simply to take in the beauty of Acadia. Luna was loving every second of it!

Reaching the summit was well worth the effort. From the peak, we were treated to sweeping panoramic views of Cadillac Mountain and Penobscot Mountain, along with stunning overlooks of Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, and Bubble Pond. It was one of those views that makes you stop for a moment, catch your breath, and appreciate just how incredible Acadia truly is. The natural beauty is part of what makes Mount Desert Island such a special destination.

After our hike, we traded mountain views for coastal charm and spent the afternoon wandering through downtown Bar Harbor. We strolled along the waterfront and through the streets, soaking up the lively atmosphere that makes this seaside town so special.

With lunch on our mind, we stopped at Village Green Cafe for a quick bite. We decided to split the Bluebird Brie, a delicious combination of sliced turkey, crispy bacon, creamy brie, fresh greens, and Maine blueberry jam served on warm toasted ciabatta, along with a bowl of clam chowder. We carried our lunch over to the nearby Village Green, where we found a bench and enjoyed some classic people-watching as crowds wandered through a weekend craft fair. It was the perfect spot to slow down and take everything in.

After lunch, a sweet treat was calling my name. I spotted The Sweet Bite and simply couldn’t resist. I ordered the Double Chocolate Espresso Cookie, and it was every bit as good as it sounds; warm, gooey, rich, and packed with chocolatey goodness.

We continued exploring the streets for a while longer before stopping at Acadia Perk for a much-needed coffee. Drinks in hand, we took one last stroll through town before heading back to the car.

We returned to the inn just in time relax and get ready for happy hour! After a full day of hiking and exploring, it was the perfect excuse to slow down and savor the moment. We grabbed a complimentary glass of wine and one of Dax’s oatmeal fudge bars which was beyond delicious.

With sweet treats and drinks in hand, we found a spot by the water and settled in to relax. The peaceful setting, gentle coastal breeze, and beautiful views created the perfect backdrop for reflecting on the day’s adventures.

One of the things we loved most about Bar Harbor and Acadia was just how dog-friendly everything was. Traveling with Luna can sometimes require extra planning, but here she was welcome almost everywhere we went.

After checking BringFido and chatting with Dax for dinner recommendations, we decided on McKay’s Public House. Their spacious outdoor patio is dog-friendly, which immediately earned Luna’s approval. We settled in with a couple of cocktails and an order of warm pretzels to share while enjoying the atmosphere.

For our entrées, we chose the Beef Short Rib and the Seafood Risotto, and both dishes exceeded our expectations. The short rib was tender and flavorful, while the risotto was packed with fresh seafood and rich, comforting flavors. Every bite was delicious. Of course, we couldn’t leave Luna out of the experience. She happily enjoyed a hamburger patty of her own.

After dinner, we took walked around downtown Bar Harbor, enjoying the cool evening air and the charm of the waterfront town as the day began to wind down. Before heading back to the inn, we made one final stop at CJ’s Big Dipper for ice cream. Since Maine blueberries are truly a staple of the area, I couldn’t resist ordering the vanilla and blueberry twist soft serve. As we walked back through town with ice cream in hand and Luna trotting beside us, it felt like the perfect ending to an already wonderful day in Bar Harbor.

Sunday morning began with another wonderful breakfast at the inn, and by then we were already looking forward to what Dax had planned for the meal. We started with fresh coffee, juice, and vanilla yogurt that had quickly become one of our favorite parts of the morning. The main course was equally impressive. Dax served up warm cinnamon rolls generously piled high with icing alongside a made-to-order breakfast scramble with your choice of ingredients. The combination of sweet and savory was the perfect way to start our final day in Bar Harbor.

As we lingered over breakfast and chatted about our plans for the day, it was easy to appreciate the thoughtful hospitality of Sarah and Dax, whose warmth and attention to detail made our stay feel truly special. Eventually, we made our way back to the room to pack our belongings and prepare for one final day of exploring before heading home.

After checking out, we parked near the waterfront and spent the morning wandering through downtown Bar Harbor. One thing that continued to impress us was just how dog-friendly the town is. Many of the shops welcomed well-behaved dogs inside, making it easy for Luna to join us as we browsed. We popped in and out of boutiques, gift shops, and local stores, picking up a few Bar Harbor souvenirs along the way and enjoying the unique character each storefront had to offer.

After some successful shopping, we found ourselves in need of a caffeine fix and decided to stop at The Stadium. Their menu features an impressive variety of specialty drinks. We eventually settled on two of their signature iced lattes: the Moosetracks, made with chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter, and the Precipice, a delicious combination of white chocolate and blueberry syrup. As a self proclaimed coffee connoisseur, I couldn’t have imagined a better latte. No visit would have been complete without trying one of their famous popovers. I ordered one served warm with butter and Maine blueberry jam, and it was every bit as good as I’d hoped. Light, airy, and perfectly paired with the sweet blueberry jam, it was the ideal mid-morning treat.

Of all the shops we visited, two quickly became favorites: Acadia Park Company for us and Bark Harbor for Luna. Acadia Park Company was a standout for its thoughtfully curated selection of Acadia and Bar Harbor apparel, gifts, and outdoor-inspired merchandise. Beyond the great shopping, we loved learning that the company partners with Friends of Acadia, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving and protecting Acadia National Park. Through this partnership, Acadia Park Company donates 2% of its annual gross sales back to the park, making it easy to feel good about supporting a business that gives back to the place so many people love.

Of course, we couldn’t spend the morning shopping without letting Luna enjoy a little retail therapy of her own, which is where Bark Harbor came in. The moment we walked through the door, Luna was completely in her element. Her nose immediately picked up the scent of locally made dog treats, and she eagerly explored every corner of the store. She sniffed her way through, investigating toys, treats, and displays, occasionally stopping to point us toward something that had caught her attention. Needless to say, she didn’t leave empty-pawed. By the time we checked out, Luna had accumulated quite the haul, including pumpkin bones, blueberry pancake treats, a whale toy, and a taco from the store’s Barkery. It’s safe to say she considered Bark Harbor one of the highlights of her trip.

Between finding a few treasures for ourselves and spoiling Luna with plenty of goodies, our final morning of shopping was the perfect way to wrap up our weekend in Bar Harbor. Luna stopped by the water for a quick photo shoot before we made our way back to the car.

Before beginning the drive home, we made one final stop at Bar Harbor Lobster Pound for a classic Maine sendoff. An outdoor ordering counter, a spacious seating area filled with picnic tables, heat lamps, and even a game of cornhole, plus an outdoor bar and an ice cream boat that added to the laid-back coastal vibe. Along the side, you can find a small lobster shack and plenty of lobster pots, where workers were hard at work making the magic happen.

We decided to go all in on lobster and ordered a spread that felt fitting for our last meal in Maine: lobster nachos piled high with fresh meat, lobster tacos, and a traditional lobster roll. We also grabbed blueberry lemonade, which felt like the perfect nod to everything we had been enjoying all weekend. It was the kind of meal that is unmistakably New England.

The Inn at Bay Ledge was a wonderful home base for our trip, and between the hiking, downtown exploring, dog-friendly dining, and local seafood, Bar Harbor gave us a truly memorable Maine getaway. We can’t wait to go back!

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• Inn at Bay Ledge
• Acadia National Park
• The Stadium
• McKay’s Public House
• Village Green Cafe
• Acadia Perk
• The Sweet Bite
• Bark Harbor
• Acadia Park Company
• Bar Harbor Lobster Pound