These are the times I am blessed to be living in Downeast Maine. Maine is so beautiful and you have probably have seen sunsets, the cute shops and tons of lobster boats on postcards, calendars, and tourist websites. What are you waiting for? Come visit us and see how beautiful and amazing Maine is in the summer. (It is also beautiful in other seasons too.) Listed I have some of my favorite places to go for the amazing views, my favorite places to go swimming, places to eat and for ice-cream, places to go for entertainment, and even some sit down restaurants.

1. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is one of the top places on my list for you to go. There are entrance fee's to go to the park, but it is so worth it. Private Vehicle $25 valid for 7 days. ($30 effective June 1^st, 2018)

Motorcycle $20 valid for 7 days. ($25 effect June 1^st, 2018) Per Person $12 go valid for 7 days. ($15 effective June 1^st, 2018)

My top places to go in the park is Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Thunderhole, and Wonderland. Cadillac Mountain has the most amazing views, the prime time to go is to watch the sunrise and the sunset. Jenna Bush Hager even got engaged on top of Cadillac Mountain! How fun is that!

Sand Beach is my favorite place to lay in the sun and relax with friends, and even dip my toes into the ocean! Thunderhole is super cool to watch the waves crash amongst the rocks. Wonderland is an easy walking trail that is a good one you can even bring your kids along!

2. Food in Bar Harbor

Side Street Cafe is one of my go-to places for food, but especially their pub fries and their margaritas. They have mac and cheese to die for, and just so you know you should order the half mac because there is a chance you'll still have leftovers! Some nights they even have live music, and their staff is so friendly! It's a great environment to grab a drink with friends at the bar or sit down with your family for dinner.

Another place to go for sweets and treats is Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium! Look for the bright red lobster with ice-cream and you found the right place! Ben & Bills is my favorite place to go for ice-cream in Bar Harbor! My family has a tradition on 4th of July where we grab ice-cream for breakfast to watch the parade! There are a ton of ice-cream flavors including lobster ice-cream...I haven't personally tried it but some people actually like it! Other than ice-cream they have homemade fudge, jelly beans, and taffy to name a few!

In Bar Harbor, there is great food, and many places that have pizza but Rosalie's is my favorite place to get some! In Bar Harbor, it is common for people to get take out and bring their pizza boxes to the park to listen to music, or watch the boats from the Village Green. They have more than just pizza, they have salads, calzones, and baked or fresh subs!

3. Entertainment in Bar Harbor

As a theatre major I, of course, am going to throw some theatre entertainment! ImprovAcadia is such a fun place to have a good laugh, and to have some drinks, light snacks, and locally made desserts! They open for the season on May 25th and closes on October 13th. In late June, July and August their 8 pm shows are guaranteed family friendly. ImprovAcadia is also super cool because their actors come from all over the United States from Chicago to Los Angeles and even local actors! Come support local artists and get some entertainment at the same time!

The Criterion Theatre was built in 1932 is a gorgeous building, and it has to be on your go-to list when you visit Bar Harbor. If you love entertainment come here. If you love old architect come here because the building is breathtaking. On June 22nd The Wallers are performing and on June 30th Tangle Wood Marionette's are performing! The Criterion is a place to watch movies, listen to live bands, and watch movies that just came out!

Reel Pizza is one definitely a treasure in Bar Harbor, and I've never been to someplace like this movie theater! You can order homemade pizza, and giant cookies while lounging on couches and watch a movie! There's a bingo board that also has your order number, along with the usual restaurant buzzers.. but I can't get over the bingo board! The vintage feel and the homely-ness of it make it one of my favorite places to go to

Bar Harbor/Mount Desert Island is gorgeous and I could tell you more of my favorite places, but that would be a long article. Some other places to check out are Echo Lake on the "quiet side" of the Island, Trailhead Cafe for a cup of coffee, and my favorite stores at Sherman's Book Store , and The Rock & Art Shop. I hope you to see you at some of my favorite places, and hope they become some of your favorite places too!