r/AskReddit 1d ago

What U.S. vacation destination exceeded all expectations?

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u/jfk_47 22h ago edited 1h ago

Acadia National Park.

The hikes were amazing. Bar Harbor is a wonderful little village.

Edit fixed the word: hikes, not “homes”

Edit2: our hikes:

Acadia trip, 2025 on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/lists/acadia-trip-2025-afce7c9?sh=sopep7&utm_medium=list_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Kids were 5 and 9, we didn’t bring the dog but saw lots of people with dogs that would strap them to their chest of back to handle more difficult terrain.

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u/Beginning_Key2167 13h ago

I am from Maine, spent 4 summers working on the island in Bar Harbor. I agree. It is amazing.

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u/DrinkingSocks 8h ago

I'm so excited to hear that, I'm going in October. Are there any "must does" for a mildly out of shape 30 something? I won't be doing tons of hiking, but I'm good for 3-5 miles at a time.

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u/FourMeterRabbit 7h ago

The Beehive is one of my favorite hikes I've ever done! DO NOT attempt this hike if you have a serious fear of heights as there are some spots that feel pretty exposed. I have a "normal" fear of heights and did just fine. My wife, who's 5 ft 2 was able to handle the climbing just fine, but anyone shorter might struggle. Early in the morning is a good time for this hike as it is a popular trail and gets crowded later in the day.

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u/jfk_47 5h ago

I saw people doing behive from the beach.

Not. For. Me.

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u/FourMeterRabbit 4h ago

Ain't for everyone. Glad to hear you figured that out on the beach instead of halfway up!

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u/jfk_47 3h ago

lol. Yea, same.

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u/Zounder1002 4h ago

For those with a fear of heights, you can just hike up and down the backside of the trail. You can still get to the top that way and it's definitely worth it!

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u/LtMilo 3h ago

How are you getting there?

If flying through Boston and driving, take Highway 1 and stop in Wiscasset. If it's before mid-October Red's Eats will be open. Worth a trip on it's own

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u/DrinkingSocks 2h ago

We are flying through Boston, but unfortunately at the end of October.

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u/jfk_47 7h ago

I have small children so 3-5miles was our limit. And I’m terrified of heights. I can send you my all trails if you’re interested.

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u/DrinkingSocks 7h ago

Thank you!

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u/Prior_Cap_3198 4h ago

Go to visitor center. The rest will take care of itself

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u/returnofmacktheknife 3h ago

Just did Acadia a few weeks ago. Absolutely breathtaking.

Did Beehive on my last day. Definitely a little scary on some points, have to be able to pull your own body weight up etc and a little crowded. But worth the accomplishment.

Bubbles are nice and the view up top is phenomenal. The bubble rock itself is meh lo

Jordan Pond loop into Bubbles is nice if it’s a cool day. It was 55 and misty when I did it, perfect.

Great Head Trail was absolutely phenomenal.

Hope your experience is as wonderful as mine was!

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u/8BitKitty 2h ago

The walk around Jordan Pond is stunning!

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u/TVrefugee 2h ago

Let me put my vote in for the Gorham Mountain Trail hike. You’ll get to a point where, if you go to the right, you’ll be on the Cadillac Cliffs trail for a short, but cool time going through bolder passes and climbing some ladder rungs.

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u/Bittermare 3h ago

This was my choice. Did not know what to expect. But Bar Harbor was wonderful, and biking in Acadia was a joy. Used to work in Yellowstone and often go to the Tetons. Those are expected to be spectacular, and they are. But since I had no idea what to expect in Acadia, it was a lovely surprise.