From City Hall take Main Street to High Street and Rte. 3 east. At mile 5 on your left you’ll see the Acadia Animal Park, home to many exotic animals. The Hancock County Airport is on the left at mile 8.1. Sightseeing flights are available here. At 8.8 miles you’ll cross the bridge over Mount Desert Narrows  onto Thompson Island where Island Information is at mile 9.0. The M.D.I. Sheltered Workshop and showroom is at mile 10.9. Just past Hulls Cove (16.4 miles) is the Acadia National Park Visitor’s Center at 17.0 miles where you can gather information about the park. From here take the Park Loop Road to mile 19.9, then turn left toward Sand Beach. The one-way road begins here. At mile 22.6 is the turnoff to Sieur de Mont Spring, another good stopping place. The toll gate on the Park Loop is at mile 25.1. Sand Beach, a rarity along this coast, is at mile 25.7. The famous Thunder Hole is at 26.4 miles. At 27.1 miles the spectacular Otter Cliffs face the sea. There are some nice walks around the Otter Point area (27.5 miles).

     At 32.8 miles the Loop becomes a two-way road again. Jordan Pond House, at 33.4 miles, is a pleasant place for tea and popovers. A mile farther at 36.0 is Bubble Pond nestled at the base of Cadillac Mountain. Eagle Lake is visible on the left at mile 36.5. At 37.4 miles turn right onto the road to Cadillac Mountain, whose summit at mile 40.8 is 1530 feet above sea level. The highest point on the U.S. eastern seaboard, it offers breathtaking views of the sea, the islands, the shore and distant inland mountains.

     When you return down the mountain turn right onto the Park Loop at mile 44.1.  At 44.6 miles turn left toward the Visitor’s Center. You have now completed the Loop. At mile 45.1 turn right to Rte. 233. Turn right again at 45.2 onto Rte. 233 west. At mile 49.8 turn right onto Rte. 198. Turn left onto Rte. 102 at mile 51.1. Somesville, the oldest settlement on Mount Desert Island, is at mile 51.6. Echo Lake is on your right at mile 53.3. Southwest Harbor is at mile 57.3. This is a busy, interesting town with a bird-carving museum, an oceanariuim, lobster boats, several boat yards, and a Coast Guard station.

     After passing through the village, turn left onto Rte. 102A at mile 57.9. At the Seawall (mile 60.7) reenter Acadia National Park. At mile 63.0 turn left onto the road to Bass Harbor Head Light. This picturesque lighthouse can best be appreciated by taking the trail down to the rocks below. At 63.5 miles return to Rte. 102A and go straight into the village of Bass harbor at mile 64.6. The village of Bernard can be seen across the harbor.   At 65.6 miles turn left onto Rte. 102 and travel along the quiet side of the island where you’ll see coves, ponds, and deep woods. At 77.6 miles turn left toward Somesville. The village of Town    Hill is at 80.5 miles. Turn left at 82.7 miles onto Rte. 3 west to Ellsworth, which is at  92.2 miles.