The Best Travel Guide to Bar Harbor Maine
WELCOME TO BAA HAA BAA
As a charming coastal town, Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County off the coast of Maine.
The gateway to one of the most unique and breathtaking national parks. Acadia National Park takes up the majority of Mount Desert Island with a whopping 38,000 acres of preserves plus 12,500 acres of conservation easements including 65 miles of coastline across the park and 17 coastal islands. In other words, lots to see.
Interesting Facts About Bar Harbor
Homeland to the Wabanaki people or "People of the Dawnland", which you can learn more about by visiting the Abbe Museum.
Originally incorporated as the Town of Eden, Bar Harbor in fact didn't receive that name until 1918. Rivaling Newport, Rhode Island during the Gilded Age as a summer retreat. Which you can see remnants of what was called 'Millionaires' Row' walking in around Bar Harbor.
In 1947, there was a fire that engulfed over 17,000 Acres and more than 10,000 of those acres where in Acadia National Park.
More than 130 million pounds of lobsters are harvested each year from Maine.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Spring
While right at the start of the season, as Bar Harbor is largely seasonal (Memorial Day to Halloween). Visiting in spring will mean fewer crowds and can still be pretty chilly, April can get as low as 30s but as high as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. May will range from 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Daytime temps are the highs and nighttime temperatures dropping a bit.
Summer
Is peak season which brings the crowds but also gorgeous sunny days from 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, getting warm during the day but nights and mornings are cool. Many activities are available outside like hiking or festivals. Also, being surrounded by the water you can go boating or kayaking.
Fall
Get a new perspective of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park during this time. The fall foliage starts to paint the park and town in so many fresh colors. Likewise, leaving you with all the wonders of the area and no summertime crowds. But by November temperatures will be hitting the low of 30’s again.
Winter
Bar Harbor gets chilly even in single or negative digits! But that creates an entirely different experience for activities like snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating. However, if you love seeing snow this might be a great time to find a cozy blanket, warm cup of coffee, and a big window! As a result of, the end of the season keep in mind many local businesses are closed during this time and many of Acadia’s sights and roads can be closed depending on conditions.
HOW DO YOU GET TO BAR HARBOR, MAINE?
Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island, Maine.
500 miles from NYC
280 miles from Boston
175 miles from Portland
50 miles from Bangor
Travel options:
Fly
There is a small regional airport Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport 10 miles from Bar Harbor. But it only receives small planes. The Bangor International Airport is about 50 miles away about a 1.5-hour drive. The Portland International Jetport has more airlines and flights but is about a 3-hour drive to Bar Harbor.
Note: There are no direct commercial flights from overseas to any of Maine's airports. The closest international airport is Boston Logan Airport.
Bus
Greyhound is available from NYC to Bangor and then you can switch to the Downeast Transportation to get to Bar Harbor. You can also catch the Downeast Transport Bus from the Bangor Airport though they only have 1 or 2 buses a day.
The Concord Coach and Greyhound Bus have a route from Boston to Bangor. Again, you can then switch to Downeast Transport.
Car
Bar Harbor is about a 5-hour drive or 280 miles from Boston. Portland to Bar Harbor is a 3-hour and 175-mile drive. Bangor to Bar Harbor is roughly an hour and a half drive and 50 miles.
Train
Amtrak's Downeaster - Offers 5 round trips daily. From Boston North Station to Brunswick, ME. There are no train connections to the Acadia Region.
Ferry
There is a ferry that goes directly into Bar Harbor from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. The trip is about 3.5 hours. Reservations are required as well as international travel documents. It is a seasonal ferry only operating May-October.
Getting Around Bar Harbor:
Having a car in Bar Harbor for transportation is not necessary. They have a wonderful bus system that runs the entire Island and National Park called Island Explorer Bus Shuttles they run from late June to mid-October and are FREE. Their website is www.exploreacadia.com — Also most of the stores/hotels in town have free timetable newspapers available for the season.
Parking in Bar Harbor: The town for the most part is walkable so you can find parking on the street. Most parking is by meter so just make sure to read the signs.
Where to stay in Bar Harbor:
There is a unique and charming inn/motel scene in Bar Harbor that will just make your heart clench. Many old historic mansions by the downtown have been converted to Bed and Breakfasts here is a list of a few I window shopped while in the area:
Bayview Hotel - Continental breakfast, rooms with ocean viewing balconies, and redesigned in 2021.
Ivy Manor Inn- The Classic Inn perfectly located in town with live music on the law in the afternoons.
Bar Harbor Inn and Spa - In the heart of the harbor on the ocean and the shore path.
There is also a large camping community in Bar Harbor that leave space for great campsites available including the campgrounds in the National Park. Here are a few:
Mount Desert Narrows
Seawall Campground
Blackwoods Campground
I would like to point out Acadia’s Campsites are a great place to stay. But being in the park makes them extremely desirable. The National Park only opens availability for spots three months at a time. So, if you want to camp in the park book in advance and look out for the dates on the availability drops!
Click here for a Map of Acadia National Parks Campgrounds
Now that we have you getting to Bar Harbor and a place to put your head at night let's get to the good stuff:
Where to Eat and Drink in Bar Harbor:
Here is a list of places to try:
Breakfast/ Coffee:
Choco-latte Cafe
The Stadium
Cafe This Wy
Lunch:
Salsa Verde Grill
The Thirsty Whale
Jordan Pond House
Dinner:
Havana
Beal's Lobster Pier - In southwest Harbor but worth it
Happy Hour in Bar Harbor:
The Barnacle - Oyster Bar
Side Street Cafe (also great for lunch)
Drinks:
Ivy Manor Inn Garden Bar - Live music
Atlantic Brewery
Dog and Pony Tavern
Dessert:
Mt Desert Island Ice Cream
CJ's Big Dipper
Ultimate Guide to the best places to eat in bar harbor, maine
What to do in Bar Harbor:
Okay. We are going to split this into two parts. Part 1: Things to do in Acadia National Park and Part 2: Things to do that are not in the park.
Part 1: Acadia National Park
According to the National Park Service Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 most visited National Parks. That being said during the season it can become crowded quickly so try to arrive early, get parking, and visit the more popular location earlier or in the evening.
Be sure to check the weather it can be cloudy or foggy due to proximity to the water which will keep you from seeing anything. Take it from the person who hiked up to Cadillac Mountain at 5 am to catch the sunrise. But the fog was so thick there was no sunrise :)
I would highly recommend stopping in the Visitor Center and talking with the volunteers there they are extremely knowledgeable.
If you are looking to do something specific they will know how to direct you, second, make sure you get a park map they have free ones out by the parking lot as well as inside the Visitor Center. but there is a more detailed trail map that is sold inside called the ‘Acadia National Park hiking & biking trail map’ This is the most helpful map of Acadia. I can recommend it gives you a detailed layout of each trial, the lengths, and the topography (elevation aka is this going to be hard — very important)
Top things I would recommend doing while in Acadia National Park:
#1 Drive Park Loop
Park Loop is a circle around a large portion of the eastern part of the park. From the loop, there are many outlook opportunities and places to pull off to park for a walk a small bit to see a stunning view of the ocean or mountain landscape.
#2 Scroll Ocean Path
If you are visiting in summer, I would recommend getting up earlier one day. Beat the crowds and knock out the most popular items first.
Park at Sand Beach (this is the only place for swimming in the ocean in the park) see the beach and walk Ocean Path.
It is .7 from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole. A thunderhole is a U-shaped formation in the rock. It is unique because if you time it right and arrive at high tide the water coming into the formation hits the rocks and makes a noise just like thunder.
The .7 mile walk is beautiful with many turn-off options that will lead you to beautiful views of the ocean from rocky ledges.
#3 Park at Otter Point
Walk the .2 miles on the shore from one side of the parking lot to the other. It is beautiful to look back into Otter Cove from the Ocean
#4 Jordan Pond
One of my favorites mostly because you must treat yourself to at least one popover after your hike, it’s tradition.
–what is a popover? Made from eggs, flour, and milk. Popovers are baked in muffin tins in a very hot oven. Air trapped in the batter makes the inside hollow and doughy while the outside bakes to crispy, flaky perfection. They have been served at Jordan Pond House for over 100 years. Traditionally eaten hot with jam or butter.
Jordan Pond is a 3.4-mile walk around the entire pond. It can be a nice, relaxed walk. It took us about 2 hours. There is a good clip where the rock has come down from the side of the mountain and you will need to navigate walking over the rocks.
We did the trail with our dog, and she managed just fine.
Or if you are up for a more adventurous hike you can hike the Bubbles.
But after you get to finish at the Jordan Pond House, they have an outdoor lawn section for sitting when it is nice out and an indoor tea room plus a dining room.
#5 Watch Sunrise or Sunset at Cadillac Mountain
Make a reservation to drive to the top and park for the sunrise/sunset at https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74271
Or you can hike to the summit!
Note: Car length can not be over 21 feet so if you are in a camper van or RV they will not let you up.
#6 Venture to the 'Quiet Side'
On the Southern side of Mount Desert Island, you can get a look at local life on the less busy side of the island. Here are a few things to try:
Bass Harbor Head Light
Ship Harbor Trail
Seawall
Wonderwall Trail
Flying Mountain Trail Head
Echo Lake Beach
7 beautiful trails in acadia national park
Part 2: Things to do not located in Acadia National Park
#1 Bar Island
The tides in Bar Harbor can range up to 12 ft in difference let me explain —- that’s a lot
Check your tide table for low tide. When it is low tide in Bar Harbor it creates a natural bridge via a sand bar that allows you to just walk right on over to Bar Island. This occurs between the window of time 1.5 hours before and after low tide.
It is about 2 miles out and back takes about an hour to complete.
#2 Shop Downtown for something that will remind you of Maine
So many unique shops from everything you can think of chiseled out of wood at IN THE WOODS, Bar Harbor sweatshirt, Acadia National Park T-Shirt, and blueberry scented candles at the Acadia Country Store.
#2 Walk the Shore Path and check out the Balancing Rock
Circa 1881, This half-mile of oceanfront strolling is a must.
How did it get there? From the ice age literally — The glacial ice moved it from its home to here.
The Balancing Rock is special because it is entirely different then all the rocks around it not just because it is massive in size but because it is not indigenous to the area. It is originally from closer to Bangor about 40 miles northwest.
#3 Watch the Boats from Agamont Park
Grab a coffee and a popover from the stadium and head over to a bench facing the ocean.
#4 Explore Surrounding Towns
Southwest Harbor - Cute Downtown, eat at Beal's Lobster Pier
Bass Harbor - Bass Harbor Light Station
Somesville - Somesville Museum and Garden
Ellsworth - Cute Downtown, try 86 this for lunch and located outside downtown for a unique experience MoMo's Cheesecakes for desert
Seal Cove - Seal Cove Auto Museum and Pretty Marsh Picnic Area
#5 Boat Tours
Whale Watching
Lobster Tour
Puffin Tour
And so much more.
Bar Harbor and the surrounding area have so much to offer you can easily spend an entire summer exploring!
So start planning and imagine you are drinking a blueberry ale at happy hour in Bar Harbor or shopping local vendors, maybe getting fresh Hydrangeas at the farmers market.
Until next time
