Acadia National Park.

Spanning nearly half of Mount Desert Island alongside several offshore outposts, Acadia National Park compresses a rare mix of granite peaks, hardwood forests, and dramatic Atlantic shoreline into one highly accessible escape. Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, famously serves as the country’s first sunrise viewing spot for part of the year, while the park's coast features unique stops like the booming surf at Thunder Hole and the rare, cliff-framed Sand Beach. What truly sets Acadia apart is its design: 45 miles of historic, car-free carriage roads—commissioned by John D. Rockefeller Jr.—allow cyclists and hikers to explore the woods and stone bridges at a slower pace, while scenic motor roads provide effortless access to trailheads and quiet glacial lakes.