Bar Harbor: The Gateway to Acadia National Park

The charming summer resort town of Bar Harbor, Maine, located on Mount Desert Island, is the ideal location for a home base to explore Acadia National Park. With an almost endless amount of outdoor recreation in every direction, the vibrant downtown is a unique hub with a plethora of restaurants, art galleries, and boutique hotels. The eclectic culinary scene ranges from bakeries serving fresh blueberry muffins and coffee to wine bars and, of course, seafood institutions that have been in business for decades. For those arriving without plans, small group tours can be booked from companies that operate from the downtown. Keep in mind, they fill up quickly, especially during the peak summer season. There are many reasons why Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country, not the least of which is its proximity to this fantastic small town!

Travel Tip: While in town, kick off your shoes and explore the “Bar” in Bar Harbor. Just off Bridge Street, near the Town Pier, is a land bridge that connects the downtown with an uninhabited tidal island. Take your walk during low tide, but make sure to look back a few times and monitor the incoming tide. A good rule of thumb is to only venture out 2 hours before low tide and 2 hours after low tide.