Foliage drives in New England

Acadia Harbors and Heights

Directions: Start this tour in Bangor. While here, you can visit the Mount Hope Cemetery, the second oldest garden cemetery in the nation. Travel south toward the coast along Route 1A to Ellsworth, where you can tour Stanwood Homestead Sanctuary, a 130-acre nature preserve. Head south on Route 3 toward Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (right). Get out of your car and hike up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia for an aerial view of the autumn scenery. From Route 3, take 198 to 102 south to Bass Harbor and then to Southwest Harbor. Head to Somesville along Somes Sound, the only true fjord on the US Atlantic coast, then follow 102 up to 230, and back to Ellsworth. Head south on 172 to Blue Hill. Continue south on 172 to Sedgewick, then west on 175 to Deer Isle Bridge, a suspension bridge over scenic Eggemoggin Reach. Head south on 15 to the quaint fishing villages of Deer Isle and Stonington. Retrace your path up Route 15 to 175 through Bucksport, then continue along Route 15 to Bangor.

Round trip distance: ~ 124 miles

When to go: Early to mid-October