Private Tour

The Way Life Should Be: 4-hr, Private Guided Tour of Acadia NP.

Overview

Available languages

English

4 hours 15 minutes

Mobile ticket

This tour is so much more than a few stops or stories for us to check off a list. I will create an experience you'll cherish as we explore Acadia and the many hidden gems just outside of the national park. No rush, no crowded bus. Just your group, riding in comfort, with a guide who never gets bored of sharing this island.

When you let me handle the driving, you are free to really enjoy the scenery. I know all the secret ways to escape the press of crowded areas, while ensuring you don't miss a thing. I thrive on being able to find and share the places and information most meaningful to you. Our tour is fully customizable.

A great tour leaves you full of the magic of this amazing place. Sure, there are stories, tour guide puns, pictures to take, names and dates you might forget... but mainly, the feeling of really experiencing this place in a special way. You will leave, knowing you saw and felt more, with less stress, than anyone choosing to explore without a local expert.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Folding Wheelchairs and other mobility aids which fit into a minivan are welcome.

There will be opportunities to walk or hike short distances, but none of those are required. Acadia's roads were purpose built to showcase the views without leaving your vehicle.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

I only share the kind of snacks I would offer to my best friends.

Private transportation

Bottled water

Cadillac Mountain entrance pass

All Fees and Taxes

Free pick-up and drop-off

National Park Passes

Stress over missing anything amazing.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Bar Harbor

We will briefly tour Bar Harbor, making sure to see some of the "cottages" left from the Gilded Age summer residents who made such a lasting impact on this island. Much of old Millionaire's Row burned when fire swept the island in 1947, but the fire stopped before destroying the town. Many of today's most picturesque inns and hotels, once served as vacation homes for high society families from further down the coast.

Admission Not Applicable

Park Loop Road

Acadia National Park is really just a few minutes' drive from the center of Bar Harbor. Let me show you some of the reasons they once called this area, Eden.

Admission Not Applicable

Options

The Way Life Should Be: 4-hr, Private Guided Tour of Acadia NP.

Pickup included

Reviews

4.79

33 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great way to see Acadia and Bar Harbor
794jenniferr,
Oct 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great day with Ralph. Being born and raised in Bar Harbor, you could tell how much he loved his hometown. He showed us the vast majority of Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor itself. Ralph gave us lots of tidbits and was very personable and easy-going. Would definitely recommend “The Way Life Should Be”.
Canceled
drwest55,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
Tour guide call out sick at 10pm the night before our 9am scheduled tour on a holiday weekend. No other option was given other than to give us the phone number of another tour company. The cost of that tour, if available, was 3 times the fee we paid. Further, he offered to take us on Monday. Our travel accommodations did not allow as we left on Sunday. Sorry you were sick. Sorry we counted on this experience. Wish we had known the staffing of this company was only three strong. We cannot recommend this guide and service given our experience. The refund, however, was prompt.
A Fun, Valuable Vacation Opportunity
FarAway258177,
Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
High praise to Nathan and his guide Jackie for making our trip to Acadia a memorable one. Jackie shared her enthusiasm and knowledge of the Park while safely transporting us to various scenic points during our 4-hr. Private Tour. She tailored the tour to match our desires and activity level. She shared her favorite "off the beaten path" parts of the Park. We would have missed these treasures driving on our own. She also suggested ways we could enjoy Acadia and the surrounding area during the rest of our stay. Our group of 6 agreed the tour was a wonderful introduction to the Park. The rest of our trip was enhanced by what we had learned during our tour. The following morning Jackie delivered, to our VRBO, a souvenir bag we had left in the car. That level of kindness and attention goes well beyond a 5 star rating.
Easy-going guide and spectacular views
susanmH3179WD,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide was engaging and knowledgeable about the area and sensitive to our pace. We greatly enjoyed our morning encounter with the beautiful scenery in Acadia Park.
Jackie was very...
Deb S,
Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jackie was very knowledgeable and gave excellent recommendations for activities/sites after our tour.
Nathan and Acadia Driving Tours Leads the Way.
josephzS3883ZT,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our tour guide Nathan gave us an excellent guided experience of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor. It was a personlized tour on several levels, as Nathan not only geared his presentation to our interests, but also shared with us some of his favorite places of the area as well as the more popular tourist stops. Dense fog and high winds prevented us from getting much of a view from Cadillac Mountain, but Nathan more than made up for it with a highly informative and entertaining commentary, demonstrating some real acting and comedic skills along the way. Besides driving us around, he took us on several guided walks along trails to a secluded cove and a rocky seaside bluff. Compared to some of our cruise provided tours, Nathan showed us "The Way a Guided Tour Should Be." Many thanks for a most excellent visit.
An amazing park tour.
Joanna M,
Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00
We thoroughly enjoyed the locations we saw at Acadia. The fog kept us from seeing the view at the top of the mountain but watching the fog roll over the landscape was very cool. Our guide was friendly and personable but did not give us a great deal of information about our stops. She did know the park very well and gave us time to explore at each stop. Thunderhole was fun for all and one of our group walked down to explore cobblestone beach. She said it was tricky walking as the stones shifted under her feet. She also brought us to see some of the Rockefeller bridges in the park. The vehicle was comfortable. We loved having a private tour and the flexibility it provided.
Fantastic Tour
Pam M,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nathan was a terrific tour guide, entertaining and informative!!The tour was definitely the highlight of our trip!!!
Jackie was excellent! She...
Emily P,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jackie was excellent! She gave us plenty of time to walk and explore at different stops. She was great with our kids.
The best way to see Acadia!
Jason A,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Nathan is an amazing tour guide and knows the ins and outs of this park. We did the tour on our first of 4 days at the park and asked him to show us some hidden gems that we most likely wouldn’t find on our own. He did not disappoint! We had an amazing experience in a very comfortable air conditioned minivan on this steamy 95 degree day! We stopped and walked through multiple sites and were glad to come back to the cool van where Nathan had water available. He also gave us a nice narrated tour through town and while he was driving us around. He will customize the tour based on your preferences, the weather, and what level of hiking your crew can handle. I highly recommend the tour! Thanks Nathan!