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Maine Society
Gateway to Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor, Maine

Gateway to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. World-class hiking, coastal scenery, and a walkable downtown with great food.

Things to Do Where to Eat Where to Stay Events
5,089 residents
12 activities
8 restaurants
3 hrs from Portland

Hike Cadillac Mountain in the morning, eat lobster on the waterfront at lunch, kayak Frenchman Bay in the afternoon. Bar Harbor puts 120+ miles of Acadia trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and some of the best sea kayaking on the East Coast all within 15 minutes of a walkable downtown.

Parking downtown can be difficult in summer. The municipal lot on Main Street fills early. Your best bet is the lots near the Village Green or along Albert Meadow. Better yet, use the free Island Explorer shuttle.

Lobster prices vary wildly between restaurants. The waterfront lobster shacks are usually the best value. Avoid the tourist traps with the biggest signs.

Thunder Hole is worth seeing, but only at the right tide. Check the tide chart and arrive about 2 hours before high tide for the best show. At low tide, it is just a quiet crevice.

The Shore Path is a free, easy walk along the waterfront starting near the Bar Harbor Inn. Locals use it daily. It is one of the best sunset spots in town and takes about 30 minutes.

Popovers at Jordan Pond House are a beloved tradition, but expect a wait in summer. The lawn seating with views of the Bubbles is worth it. Arrive before 11 AM or after 3 PM to avoid the worst crowds.

Explore

Things to Do

Hiking

Beehive Trail

Iron rung scramble up a granite cliff face with panoramic views of Sand Beach and the Atlantic. One of Acadia's most thrilling trails.

Hiking

Precipice Trail

The most exposed climb in Acadia. Iron ladders on sheer cliff faces. Closed April through mid-August for peregrine falcon nesting.

Hiking

Cadillac Mountain

Highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard at 1,528 feet. Famous for being the first place to see sunrise in the US from October through March.

Hiking

Ocean Path

Easy 2-mile coastal walk from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Passes Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff.

Hiking

Jordan Pond Path

Flat 3.3-mile loop around Acadia's deepest lake with views of the Bubbles. Stop at Jordan Pond House for popovers.

Beach

Sand Beach

One of the few sandy beaches in Acadia. Cold Atlantic water, stunning granite headlands on both sides.

Biking

Carriage Roads

45 miles of car-free gravel roads through forest and past lakes. Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Perfect for biking and walking.

Paddling

Sea Kayaking

Guided tours through Frenchman Bay and Somes Sound. Paddle past rocky coves, lighthouses, and seal colonies.

Boat Tour

Whale Watching

Daily departures from the waterfront May through October. Humpback, finback, and minke whales in the Gulf of Maine.

Walking

Bar Island Trail

Walk across an exposed land bridge at low tide to reach Bar Island. Check tide charts before going. The path floods at high tide.

Camping

Blackwoods Campground

306 sites in dense forest, 5 miles south of downtown. Walk-in access to Acadia's best trails.

National Park

Acadia National Park

Over 150 miles of trails, carriage roads, and rocky coastline on Mount Desert Island. The anchor of the entire region.
Taste

Where to Eat & Drink

Geddy's

Seafood / Brewpub

Bar Harbor institution since 1974. Lobster pizza, house-brewed beers, and a live lobster tank. Lively atmosphere on Main Street.

Havana

Upscale Latin-Seafood

Latin-inspired seafood with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. The Parrilla outdoor tapas bar is worth a visit on its own.

Side Street Cafe

Casual American

Award-winning lobster rolls and comfort food. Locals and tourists both line up for this one.

Bar Harbor Lobster Co.

Lobster Shack

No-frills lobster rolls on toasted buns, lobster mac and cheese, and chowder. Right on the waterfront.

Abel's Lobster

Waterfront Seafood

On Somes Sound with sunset views. Classic lobster dinners in a setting that is hard to beat.

Thirsty Whale Tavern

Pub / Seafood

Fried seafood, pub classics, and 14 craft beers on tap. Big portions, reasonable prices, local crowd.

Atlantic Brewing Company

Brewery / BBQ

Craft beer brewed on-site for over 30 years. BBQ plates and sandwiches at the brewery location on Knox Road.

Reading Room Restaurant

Fine Dining

At the Bar Harbor Inn with sweeping ocean views. Local seafood prepared with care. Reservations recommended.

Rest

Where to Stay

Hotels

(3)

Bar Harbor Inn

Resort Hotel

Waterfront property with the Reading Room Restaurant on-site. Walking distance to downtown and Shore Path.

Balance Rock Inn

Luxury Boutique Hotel

27 rooms overlooking Frenchman Bay. Heated pool and The Veranda restaurant. Quiet elegance.

The Bayview Hotel

Boutique Hotel

26 oceanfront rooms with private balconies. Minutes from downtown. Modern and clean.

B&Bs & Inns

(2)

Bass Cottage Inn

Luxury B&B

Built in 1885 on a quiet lane near Town Pier. Short walk to shops and restaurants. Beautifully restored.

Acacia House Inn

B&B

Affordable Victorian inn in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood. Walkable to downtown. Great value.

Campgrounds

(3)

Blackwoods Campground

NPS Campground

306 sites in Acadia National Park, 5 miles south of town. $30 per night. Open year-round. Reservations essential in summer.

Hadley's Point Campground

Private Campground

Family-owned since 1969. Heated pool, cabin rentals, and tent sites. 4 miles from the nearest Acadia entrance.

Seawall Campground

NPS Campground

On the quieter southwest side of Mount Desert Island. Smaller and more relaxed than Blackwoods.

Shop

Shopping & Services

Cadillac Mountain Sports

Outdoor Gear / Outfitter

26 Cottage Street. Clothing and gear from Prana, Smartwool, and Darn Tough. Rentals for summer and winter sports.

Acadia Outdoors Store

Outdoor Gear

45 Main Street across from Agamont Park. Maps, packs, boots. Carries Patagonia, Columbia, Keen, and Merrell.

Sherman's Books & Stationery

Bookstore

56 Main Street. Established 1886, one of the 10 oldest bookstores in the US. Books, gifts, and Maine-themed goods.

Cool As A Moose

Gifts / Souvenirs

150 Main Street. Designer sunglasses, Maine-themed gifts, and curated local goods. Also operates The Beehive General Store.

Calendar

Events & Festivals

July 4

Fourth of July Celebration

Pancake breakfast, craft fair, parade at 10 AM, Seafood Festival, Town Band concert, and fireworks over the harbor. A full-day tradition.

July - August

Bar Harbor Music Festival

Classical, opera, and new music performances throughout the summer. Includes world premiere compositions and free concerts.

Late September

Acadia Night Sky Festival

Stargazing on Cadillac Mountain, astronomy talks, and boat cruises under the stars. Celebrates Acadia's dark sky designation.

Summer

Art in the Park

Over 70 years of tradition. Painting, printmaking, and photography showcase featuring local and regional artists.

October

Oktoberfest Craft Fair

Island Arts Association showcase of local handmade crafts. Timed with peak fall foliage season.

Plan Your Visit

When to Visit Bar Harbor

Spring

April - May

40-70F

Quiet season. Fewer crowds, wildflowers blooming, whale watching begins in May. Some businesses still closed early April.

Summer

June - August

65-78F

Peak season. Best weather, all attractions and restaurants open. Cruise ships dock regularly. Most crowded.

Fall

September - October

45-65F

Peak foliage. Crowds thin after Labor Day. Cooler hiking weather. Acadia Night Sky Festival in September.

Winter

November - March

15-35F

Off-season. Lowest prices, many businesses closed. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Acadia for the hardy.

Explore More

Nearby Towns

Southwest Harbor 15 mi Northeast Harbor 10 mi Ellsworth 18 mi Trenton 12 mi
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before visiting Bar Harbor. Can't find your answer? Contact us.

Is Bar Harbor worth visiting?
Absolutely. Bar Harbor is the base for Acadia National Park, which has over 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the East Coast. The town itself has excellent restaurants, shops, and a walkable downtown. Most visitors stay 3-5 days and wish they had more time.
How many days do you need in Bar Harbor?
A minimum of 3 days to hit the highlights: one day for Acadia's top trails, one day for the carriage roads and Jordan Pond, and one day for the coastal attractions and downtown. A full week lets you explore at a relaxed pace and add kayaking, whale watching, and day trips to the quieter side of Mount Desert Island.
When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor?
June and September offer the best combination of good weather, open attractions, and smaller crowds than peak summer. July and August have the warmest weather but also the most tourists and cruise ships. October is ideal for fall foliage but nights get cold.
Is Bar Harbor expensive?
Bar Harbor is a tourist town, so prices are higher than inland Maine, especially in summer. Budget travelers can save by camping at Blackwoods or Seawall, eating at lobster shacks instead of sit-down restaurants, and visiting in shoulder season. Many attractions in Acadia are included with the park pass ($35 per vehicle for 7 days).
Can you visit Acadia without a car?
Yes, but it's harder. The Island Explorer bus system runs free shuttles throughout Acadia and Bar Harbor from late June through mid-October. You can reach most major trailheads, campgrounds, and beaches by bus. Bike rentals are available for the carriage roads. But having a car gives you much more flexibility, especially for early morning starts and remote trailheads.
Do I need reservations for Acadia National Park?
You need a vehicle reservation to drive to the Cadillac Mountain summit from late May through late October. The park entrance pass ($35/vehicle) is separate. No reservation is needed for hiking trails or other areas of the park. Campground reservations at Blackwoods and Seawall should be booked months in advance for summer visits.