Bar Harbor is a gorgeous small town on the coast of Maine on Frenchman’s Bay. The town has been popular with summer vacationers since the 19th century and continues to entice visitors with its endless outdoor activities, dining, and accommodations. With its working waterfront and Main Street lined with shops, Bar Harbor is an essential Maine destination. Neighboring Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, and Bar Harbor provides the perfect home base to explore its natural wonders.
Things to Do
Bar Harbor is synonymous with Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. Over three million people visit the area every year to explore the coastal peaks, windy carriage roads, and stone bridges. Plan your activities after visiting the Hull Cove Visitors Center to get oriented with the park, making sure to leave with a park map— it’s easy to get confused with all the one-way roads in the park.
A few of our favorite activities include:
– Head to Cadillac Mountain, 1,550 feet above the Atlantic Ocean to be among the first to witness sunrise in the Eastern United States. You can drive 3.5 miles up the access road or hike the Summit Loop Trail to reach the top. Parking can be difficult, especially on weekends and during the summer months.
– Driving along the 27-mile Park Loop Road is a great way to experience the park. Popular stops include Thunder Hole, Sand Beach, Otter Cliff, and Jordon Pond. At Thunder Hole you will experience the sound of the ocean smashing into the rocky inlet— best time to visit is during the onset of high tide. Sand Beach is one of the two places in the park where you can cool off— the water rarely gets above 55 degrees.
– Have lunch on the lawn at Jordon Pond House and hike the 3.4-mile path around the Pond. About half of the trail is on raised planks, installed to protect the forest floor.
– Walk the Ocean Trail starting at Sand Beach along the eastern coastline of Mount Desert Island. The out and back path is 4.4 miles round trip and will bring you past Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff.
Tours
While visiting Bar Harbor consider taking one of the dozens of tour options. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers Whale Watch & Marine Wildlife tours as well as Light House and Baxter Island Tours.
A unique tour that is very “Maine” is a Lobster Tour where you spend half a day on a lobster boat. We recommend Lulu Lobster Boat Ride. Another popular tour is the National Park Sea Kayak Tours to spend some time exploring Mount Desert Island on the water.
Note: During the summer peak tourism season, same day bookings are often not available.
Dining
– To fuel up for a day of sightseeing, head to 2 Cats Restaurant for breakfast fare in an eclectic atmosphere. Try an omelet and a homemade biscuit with strawberry butter.
– For some of the best lobster on Mount Desert Island, try Thurston’s Lobster Pound in Bernard on the southwest end of the island. Eat a fabulous lobster roll on the screened-in deck overlooking the harbor.
– The Side Street Café serves flavorful sandwiches, burgers, and lobster rolls on a cute outdoor patio in a relaxed atmosphere. If you are coming for dinner, make reservations to avoid a wait.
– Havana Restaurant is a great dinner option, serving American cuisine with Latin flair. They have an extensive wine list and fantastic mojitos.
Lodging
There are many lodging choices in Bar Harbor to consider while planning your Coastal Maine trip. We highly recommend both the West Street Hotel and the Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina. The Harborside is great for families with a large outdoor swimming pool. The West Street Hotel is our choice for a couple’s weekend. Relax with one of their spa treatments after your Acadia hikes. If you are looking for something a little smaller and quaint, consider one of the many B&B’s in town.
Bonus: For the perfect sunset location, head towards Bass Rock Lighthouse in Acadia National Park. It is located at Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay on the southern end of Mount Desert Island. Drive to the end of Lighthouse Road off Route 102A in Bass Harbor. The grounds are open to the public, but the lighthouse is closed.
