Martha Stewart's Favorite US Travel Destination Is A Breathtaking Island On The East Coast

Martha Stewart is one of the most recognizable names in American households. She's managed to remain relevant for decades, and she continues to serve as an inspirational role model for people of all ages. When the domestic goddess isn't busy hosting extravagant gatherings, baking delicate pastries from scratch, working in her many gardens, or running her multi-million dollar company, you'll probably find her relaxing at her vacation home in Mount Desert Island, Maine.

It's difficult to imagine that someone as busy as Martha Stewart could find the time to take summer vacations, but she does. She's been building her empire since she was in her thirties. What started as a catering business that serviced her well-to-do friends in Connecticut blossomed into a thriving lifestyle brand. At various points in her life and career, she has served as the editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living magazine, hosted multiple television shows, designed and produced home goods, and written bestselling books. She teaches us how to be effortlessly elegant while reminding us that achieving true elegance is hard work. She shows us how to make our homes beautiful and host properly. Through her examples we can aspire to host well, eat well, and travel well.

She taught women all over the world that it was possible to have — and do — it all. Despite her many accomplishments and busy lifestyle, she's somehow managed to find the time to travel all over the world. She's spent time vacationing in some of the world's most luxurious tourist destinations, but Mount Desert Island in Maine remains her favorite place to travel in the United States.

If you're a fan of Martha Stewart's classic East Coast aesthetic, you'll probably love Mount Desert Island just as much as she does. "I have been to many special places all over the world. The Galapagos Islands, parts of China, Northern Sikkim, the top of Mount Kilimanjaro and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt are among the most inspiring places I've visited. But my breath is still taken away by the glorious ocean view from the terrace at my home on Mount Desert Island in Maine. From here you can see the various islands that surround Maine's largest island," Martha Stewart said in a 2009 interview with USA TODAY.

Some of us would do just about anything to vacation at Martha's home in the tiny village of Seal Harbor, Maine. Her historic mansion sits on a sprawling 74-acre estate called Skylands. It was originally constructed out of local stone in 1925, so it's full of the kind of charming historic details that Martha Stewart adores. The property is located in a remote location just outside of the gorgeous Acadia National Park, and Martha Stewart continues to spend large chunks of her summers vacating there. 

Although you won't be able to visit Martha's house, it's easy to see why the little village of Seal Harbor is so special to her. It's a relaxing destination with gorgeous scenery and secluded coastlines. Visitors can book delightful cottages and luxurious homes on Airbnb in and around the village. Bar Harbor, one of America's best small towns, is nearby and has plenty of lovely bed and breakfasts.

Martha Stewart spends a lot of her time entertaining guests and enjoying her stunning Mount Desert Island property, but she also carves out time to enjoy the many attractions nearby. She especially loves spending time in nature.

"Maine is most certainly my favorite vacation spot. It has so much to offer: the woods, the mountains and the sea. I really enjoy Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine. It offers such a plethora of plants, rock formations and beautiful views," she told USA TODAY. Her favorite hike in Acadia National Park is The Ladder Trail Loop. The challenging trail is 3.3 miles long, and it's one of the oldest paths in the park, according to Martha. Hunter's Beach is another one of her favorite spots. "The beach is only 100-yards long, but great for playing on the rocks," she wrote on her blog. If you love gardening like Martha, don't skip a visit to Asticou Azalea Garden, which is another one of her favorite places to visit. If you've ever wondered where Martha scores her one-of-a-kind antiques, head to Higgins Antiques in Southwest Harbor. She takes her friends treasure hunting there, so you know it's top-notch.

No trip to Maine would be complete without sampling some of the mouthwatering local seafood. Maine lobster is world-famous for a reason. Martha Stewart enjoys shopping at Parsons Lobsters, a seafood shop in Bar Harbor that has been in business for over 40 years. If you don't want to prepare your seafood at home, grab a lobster roll in Bar Harbor. The Travelin Lobster is the top-rated spot on Tripadvisor. Martha Stewart prefers summertime at Mount Desert Island, but winter is one of the best times to visit Acadia National Park to avoid the crowds.