Editorial Disclosure – Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post..
Nicole is a mom, wife, travel enthusiast, teacher, and audiobook nerd ready to show you how to travel for nearly free using points and miles!
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Acadia National Park is a breathtaking natural wonder situated along the rugged coast of Maine. The park is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including rocky beaches, dense forests, soaring peaks, and tranquil lakes.
To explore this stunning destination, you can start by flying into Portland, Maine, which offers a picturesque arrival. From there, you can take a three-hour scenic drive to the coastal town of Bar Harbor, the gateway to Acadia National Park.
Before immersing yourself in the beauty of Acadia, you can stop by the Hannaford Grocery Store in Bar Harbor to stock up on snacks and other essentials. You can also indulge in the famous strawberry rhubarb pie from Mount Desserts. Oh my gosh!!! So delicious!
To ensure a comfortable and cost-effective stay, you can book your accommodation at Edenbrook Motel using Chase Ultimate Rewards through the Chase Travel℠. The motel features cozy rooms and the ability to book a room with three full-size beds, perfect for larger groups.
Once you’ve settled in, you can explore the charming town of Bar Harbor. You can visit Bar Island, the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, and the Thirsty Whale to indulge in general American fare.
Two Cats is a must-visit spot for food enthusiasts. It offers incredible biscuits, and my kids warmed up with a decadent hot chocolate.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Acadia National Park provides a plethora of must-see sites, including the Bar Harbor Shore Path, Beech Mountain, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Seal Harbor Beach, Cadillac Mountain, Jordan Pond Trailhead, Beehive Trail, Thunder Hole, and Sand Beach.
As your Acadia adventure draws to a close, you can return to Portland, taking detours to iconic landmarks such as the LL Bean Store and Portland Head Lighthouse. You can also indulge in some delightful breakfast items, including cinnamon rolls, breakfast sandwiches from The Bakeshop, and lobster rolls from the Bite into Maine food truck.
Flights / Transportation: I used my mom, my Southwest Companion Pass, and points to make a roundtrip from MCI to Portland International. The cost for the four of us to fly was $45 + points. Read Earn the Southwest Companion Pass Over and Over to learn how to maximize this strategy.
Utilizing Chase Travel℠, I booked a four-day rental car. I always pay for my rental car with my Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card since it offers excellent coverage, and the rest is taken care of with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Cards that made this trip possible
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
If you decide to open a card for traveling with points and miles, I appreciate you using my affiliate links. It’s a free-to-you way to support all of my free content. Thank you!
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.