On a wet day in Bar Harbor, head for a museum, a 1932 movie house, a whale watch or popovers at Jordan Pond House.
Rainy day in Bar Harbor
Museums, a movie house and boats that run in the rain
- Indoors in town
- Criterion Theatre, Jesup Memorial Library, Dorr Museum, shops and galleries
- Still running
- Whale watches and the Lulu lobster boat, in anything short of a gale
- In the park
- The Hulls Cove Visitor Center film and Jordan Pond House popovers
- Rain a year
- About 55 inches on the island
Rain in Bar Harbor isn’t a lost day, just a different one. The town has more going on indoors than most visitors realize, and some of the best things on Mount Desert Island get better when it’s wet: Jordan Pond House is less crowded, whale watches still run, and the museums have room to breathe.
Most of the 15 are downtown and walkable. Jordan Pond House and the visitor center are short drives into the park. Tap a pin for its photo and page.
1. Abbe Museum
The Abbe tells the story of the Wabanaki Nations, the Indigenous people who have lived in this region for more than 12,000 years. The permanent collection includes birchbark canoes, baskets, tools and contemporary art, and rotating exhibits change a few times a year. Budget about an hour, more if the current exhibit hooks you.
When we checked in November 2026, the museum’s visit page listed those prices but also said the downtown building was closed for the 2026 season, so confirm it’s open before you plan around it.
- Where
- 26 Mount Desert Street
- Admission
- $18 adults, $10 ages 5 to 17, free 4 and under
The Abbe’s smaller site at Sieur de Monts inside Acadia National Park was also closed for maintenance at the same check. If both are still closed when you visit, the Dorr Museum (No. 15) and the Seal Cove Auto Museum (No. 10) are the indoor museums to try instead.
2. Atlantic Brewing Company
- Where
- 15 Knox Road, Town Hill
- Drive
- About 10 minutes
- Try first
- Blueberry ale
- Food
- Food trucks in summer
Free tastings, about a 10-minute drive from downtown. The blueberry ale is the one everyone tries first, and it’s good, not syrupy like most fruit beers. Try the solid coal porter next, or something from the rotating real ale series. The tasting room is casual, and the outdoor area works if the rain lets up.
There’s no kitchen, but food trucks park outside in summer, so a tasting can turn into lunch.
3. Criterion Theatre
The Criterion still shows films. The interior is the draw: ornate plasterwork, a balcony, vintage fixtures and a stage that hosts live music and comedy as well as indie and first-run movies. Tickets are reasonably priced; check the schedule online before you go. A movie in a theater this beautiful on a rainy evening feels like another decade, because it is.
- Where
- 35 Cottage Street
- Built
- 1932, Art Deco
4. Shopping on Cottage Street and Main Street
Bar Harbor has real shops worth browsing, not just T-shirt outlets.
- Sherman’s Books on Main Street has been around since 1886 and stocks Maine authors, maps and trail guides alongside a full bookstore.
- Cool as a Moose is the souvenir shop locals will admit to liking.
- Island Artisans is a co-op gallery of Mount Desert Island pottery, jewelry and woodwork.
- Time
- About 90 minutes for both streets
- Trail maps
- USGS topo and Acadia maps at Sherman's
Planning hikes for later in the trip? Stock up on maps at Sherman’s. If you’re just killing time before dinner, the two streets take less than the full 90 minutes.
5. Jesup Memorial Library
A free public library with a reading room that overlooks a garden. It’s small, quiet and beautiful, with wooden beams and windows that let in soft light even on cloudy days. There are comfortable chairs and a good shelf of Maine history and nature writing, and no one will bother you. If you just want to sit somewhere warm and read for an hour, this is the spot.
- Where
- 34 Mount Desert Street
- Cost
- Free, with Wi-Fi
6. Whale Watching
Rain doesn’t cancel whale watches. Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co runs trips into the Gulf of Maine in everything short of a gale. The whales don’t care about the weather, and overcast days can be some of the best, with calmer water and no glare. Dress in layers, bring a waterproof jacket and expect to get damp.
- Trip length
- 3 to 4 hours
- Most common
- Humpbacks and finbacks, late May through October
Spend time out on deck, even in rain. Fresh air on your face and a clear view of the horizon both help against seasickness, and the enclosed cabin can get stuffy. Stay back from the bow, which moves the most (CDC).
7. Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater
- Good for
- Kids, and adults too
- Season
- Seasonal; check the schedule
This one is unique. Diver Ed’s runs out of the College of the Atlantic campus. A diver with an underwater camera goes into the cold water off Bar Harbor while you watch the live feed on screens. He narrates what he finds: sea urchins, starfish, crabs, lobsters, whatever shows up. The audience reacts like it’s a nature documentary happening in real time, which it is.
8. Jordan Pond House Popovers
The Jordan Pond House inside Acadia National Park serves popovers and tea on the lawn, but on a rainy day you eat inside, the wait is shorter and the meal is more relaxed. The popovers are light, eggy, hollow pastries, the thing to order here since the 1890s. Lunch is good too.
- Order
- Popovers with butter and strawberry jam
- Walk in
- Arrive by 11 a.m.
Getting there is part of the outing. The drive along Park Loop Road to Jordan Pond House is gorgeous in the rain. Fog sits in the valleys, the granite turns dark, and the forest looks like the Pacific Northwest. Bring a camera.
9. Hulls Cove Visitor Center
The park’s visitor center at Hulls Cove has a well-made orientation film, worth watching on a first visit. Rangers give talks through the day on topics from geology to wildlife, and the bookstore stocks field guides, maps and Acadia books. It’s a good stop to reset your plans and work out what to do once the weather clears.
- Film
- Free, about 15 minutes
- Plan on
- About 45 minutes
10. Seal Cove Auto Museum
- Where
- Pretty Marsh Road
- Collection
- 60+ early vehicles
- Open
- May 1 to October 31
- Admission
- $10 adults, free under 18
On the quiet western side of the island, the Seal Cove Auto Museum shows more than 60 early cars and motorcycles, built from 1895 to the early 1920s, with clothing and accessories from the same years. Even if you aren’t a car person, the craftsmanship is impressive. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in season. Because it’s about 20 minutes from downtown, it tends to be less crowded than in-town stops on a rainy day. Pair it with a loop around the quiet side and lunch at Beal’s Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor on the way back.
11. Shore Path in the Rain
The Shore Path starts behind the Bar Harbor Inn and follows Frenchman Bay south past grand old summer cottages. In the rain it empties out, and the bay turns a moody silver that photographs better than sunshine. The stones get slippery when wet, so wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops. It’s one of the best short walks in town, weather or not.
- Length
- About a mile, about 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free, no reservation
12. Side Street Cafe
- Where
- 49 Rodick Street
- Known for
- Mac and cheese
Side Street Cafe makes a rainy afternoon feel planned. It is best known for its award-winning mac and cheese, and the menu also has lobster rolls, fish tacos, burgers, sandwiches and salads, so the whole family can find something. On a stormy day the dining room fills up, so lunch is easier than dinner; at busy times, join the waitlist on its website. Hours change with the season, so check before you go.
13. Galleries on Main Street
Bar Harbor has a real gallery scene beyond the tourist shops, with half a dozen more galleries within a few blocks of these two. You can spend an hour walking in and out without spending a dollar, or you can spend a lot of dollars. Either way, it’s a good way to pass a gray afternoon.
- Alone Moose Fine Crafts
- West Street: Maine pottery, blown glass, wood bowls, jewelry
- Eclipse Gallery
- Main Street: fine art and sculpture
14. Lulu Lobster Boat Ride
The Lulu is a real lobster boat. The captain hauls actual traps during the ride, pulls up whatever is inside and explains how the whole operation works. You’ll also see seals, harbor wildlife and the Porcupine Islands from the water. It’s family-friendly. Dress warm: the harbor is cold even in July.
- Leaves from
- 55 West Street
- Trip
- About 90 minutes, rain or shine
15. Dorr Museum of Natural History
- Where
- 105 Eden Street, College of the Atlantic
- Admission
- By donation
The Dorr Museum at College of the Atlantic fills a former Acadia National Park headquarters building. Students design and build the exhibits: dioramas of Maine’s sea and land habitats, hands-on displays and a live tide pool tank with sea stars, snails and hermit crabs. Hours change with the college calendar, so check the museum’s page before you go.
The Acadia Night Sky Festival, a September event that once included planetarium shows, ended in 2022. The park still runs some outdoor ranger night sky programs on clear nights (NPS).
Making the Most of a Rainy Day
Rain in Bar Harbor isn’t rare. The island averages about 55 inches of precipitation a year, and summer fog can settle in for a whole day.
Don’t fight it. Eat well, browse the shops, catch a museum and save the hiking for tomorrow. Leave the iron-rung trails until the rock dries. The trails will be better for the wait.
Does it rain a lot in Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor averages about 55 inches of rain per year, and fog is common from June through August. Plan for at least one or two rainy days during a weeklong trip. The rain is rarely all-day though. Morning drizzle often clears by afternoon, and the reverse is also true.
Are Acadia trails safe when wet?
Most Acadia trails are safe in rain, but the iron-rung trails (Beehive, Precipice, Jordan Cliffs) become genuinely dangerous when wet. The granite gets slick and the metal rungs are hard to grip. Stick to lower-elevation trails like Ocean Path, Jordan Pond Path, or the carriage roads on rainy days.
Can you still do whale watching in the rain?
Yes. Bar Harbor whale watch boats operate in rain unless there are high winds or severe weather. Dress in waterproof layers and bring a hat with a brim. The whales are just as active in overcast conditions, and some regulars say sightings are actually better when the glare is off the water.
What should I pack for rainy weather in Bar Harbor?
A good rain jacket is essential. Bring waterproof shoes or hiking boots, a packable rain layer for the backpack, and an extra dry layer for after getting wet. An umbrella works in town but is useless on trails. A dry bag for your phone and camera is worth the $10 investment.