Bar Harbor, Maine
Gateway to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. World-class hiking, coastal scenery, and a walkable downtown with great food.
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.
Skip the downtown lots entirely in July and August. Park at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton (free) and ride the Island Explorer bus into town. It drops you right on the Village Green and runs every 15-30 minutes until 10 PM.
The sweet spot is the last two weeks of September. Summer crowds are gone, fall color is starting, the air is crisp, and most restaurants and shops are still open. You can actually get a parking spot at Jordan Pond and walk Cadillac Mountain without a reservation.
Shore Path starts behind the Bar Harbor Inn and runs along the waterfront for about a mile. Free, flat, and gorgeous at sunset. Most visitors walk right past the entrance without noticing it. Follow it all the way to Wayman Lane for the full experience.
Rainy Day in Bar Harbor
Bad weather days happen, and Bar Harbor has plenty to do indoors. The Abbe Museum on Mount Desert Street covers 12,000 years of Wabanaki history and culture. The Criterion Theatre, a restored 1932 art deco movie house, shows films and hosts live performances. For something more casual, do a brewery loop: Atlantic Brewing on Knox Road for BBQ and beer, then Bar Harbor Brewing for smaller-batch options. The shops on Cottage Street and Main Street can easily fill an afternoon.
Exploring Beyond Downtown
Bar Harbor is the starting point, but Acadia National Park sprawls across most of Mount Desert Island. Don’t miss Beehive Trail for iron-rung scrambling above the ocean, Sand Beach for the park’s best swimming (cold but worth it), and Cadillac Mountain for the famous sunrise. The quieter western side of the island, around Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor, is worth at least a half-day trip.
Is Bar Harbor worth visiting?
Yes. It is the home base for Acadia National Park, which has over 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and some of the most dramatic coastline on the East Coast. The town itself has excellent restaurants, a walkable downtown, and easy access to kayaking, whale watching, and island ferries.
When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor?
June and September offer the best mix of good weather, open attractions, and fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are warmest but busiest, with cruise ships docking regularly. October is great for fall foliage, though nights get cold and some businesses start closing.
Where should I park in Bar Harbor?
In summer, skip downtown lots and use the free Island Explorer shuttle from the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton. Off-season, the Village Green and Albert Meadow lots have the most availability. Main Street meters fill by 9 AM in July and August.
Bar Harbor vs Camden: which should I visit?
Different experiences. Bar Harbor is all about Acadia National Park, with big-scale hiking, kayaking, and natural scenery. Camden is a smaller, quieter harbor town focused on sailing, Mount Battie views, and fine dining. If you have a week, do both. If you have three days, choose based on whether you want national park adventures (Bar Harbor) or a relaxed harbor village (Camden).
Spring
April-May. Quiet, with wildflowers and whale watching starting in May. Some businesses still closed in early April.
Summer
June-August. Peak season with the best weather and everything open. Most crowded, especially when cruise ships dock.
Fall
September-October. Fewer crowds, fall foliage, crisp hiking weather. The Night Sky Festival in September is a highlight.
Winter
November-March. Most businesses closed. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Acadia for those who like solitude.
Things to Do
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.
Precipice Trail
The most exposed climb in Acadia. Iron ladders on sheer cliff faces. Closed April through mid-August for peregrine falcon nesting.
Cadillac Mountain
Highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard at 1,530 feet. Famous for being the first place to see sunrise in the US from October through March.
Ocean Path
Easy 4.4-mile out-and-back coastal walk from Sand Beach to Otter Point. Passes Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, and Otter Cliff.
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.
Sand Beach
One of the few sandy beaches in Acadia. Cold Atlantic water, stunning granite headlands on both sides.
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.
Sea Kayaking
Guided tours through Frenchman Bay and Somes Sound. Paddle past rocky coves, lighthouses, and seal colonies.
Whale Watching
Daily departures from the waterfront May through October. Humpback, finback, and minke whales in the Gulf of Maine.
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.
Blackwoods Campground
306 sites in dense forest, 5 miles south of downtown. Walk-in access to Acadia's best trails.
Acadia National Park
Over 150 miles of trails, carriage roads, and rocky coastline on Mount Desert Island. The anchor of the entire region.
Where to Eat & Drink
Geddy's
Seafood / BrewpubBar Harbor institution since 1974. Lobster pizza, house-brewed beers, and a live lobster tank. Lively atmosphere on Main Street.
Havana
Upscale Latin-SeafoodLatin-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 AmericanAward-winning lobster rolls and comfort food. Locals and tourists both line up for this one.
Bar Harbor Lobster Co.
Lobster ShackNo-frills lobster rolls on toasted buns, lobster mac and cheese, and chowder. Right on the waterfront.
Abel's Lobster
Waterfront SeafoodOn Somes Sound with sunset views. Classic lobster dinners in a setting that is hard to beat.
Thirsty Whale Tavern
Pub / SeafoodFried seafood, pub classics, and 14 craft beers on tap. Big portions, reasonable prices, local crowd.
Atlantic Brewing Company
Brewery / BBQCraft beer brewed on-site for over 30 years. BBQ plates and sandwiches at the brewery location on Knox Road.
Reading Room Restaurant
Fine DiningAt the Bar Harbor Inn with sweeping ocean views. Local seafood prepared with care. Reservations recommended.
Where to Stay
Hotels
(3)Bar Harbor Inn
Resort HotelWaterfront property with the Reading Room Restaurant on-site. Walking distance to downtown and Shore Path.
Balance Rock Inn
Luxury Boutique Hotel27 rooms overlooking Frenchman Bay. Heated pool and The Veranda restaurant. Quiet elegance.
The Bayview Hotel
Boutique Hotel26 oceanfront rooms with private balconies. Minutes from downtown. Modern and clean.
B&Bs & Inns
(2)Bass Cottage Inn
Luxury B&BBuilt in 1885 on a quiet lane near Town Pier. Short walk to shops and restaurants. Beautifully restored.
Acacia House Inn
B&BAffordable Victorian inn in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood. Walkable to downtown. Great value.
Campgrounds
(3)Blackwoods Campground
NPS Campground306 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 CampgroundFamily-owned since 1969. Heated pool, cabin rentals, and tent sites. 4 miles from the nearest Acadia entrance.
Seawall Campground
NPS CampgroundOn the quieter southwest side of Mount Desert Island. Smaller and more relaxed than Blackwoods.
Shopping & Services
Cadillac Mountain Sports
Outdoor Gear / Outfitter26 Cottage Street. Clothing and gear from Prana, Smartwool, and Darn Tough. Rentals for summer and winter sports.
Acadia Outdoors Store
Outdoor Gear45 Main Street across from Agamont Park. Maps, packs, boots. Carries Patagonia, Columbia, Keen, and Merrell.
Sherman's Books & Stationery
Bookstore56 Main Street. Established 1886, one of the 10 oldest bookstores in the US. Books, gifts, and Maine-themed goods.
Cool As A Moose
Gifts / Souvenirs150 Main Street. Designer sunglasses, Maine-themed gifts, and curated local goods. Also operates The Beehive General Store.
Events & Festivals
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.
Bar Harbor Music Festival
Classical, opera, and new music performances throughout the summer. Includes world premiere compositions and free concerts.
Acadia Night Sky Festival
Stargazing on Cadillac Mountain, astronomy talks, and boat cruises under the stars. Celebrates Acadia's dark sky designation.
Art in the Park
Over 70 years of tradition. Painting, printmaking, and photography showcase featuring local and regional artists.
Oktoberfest Craft Fair
Island Arts Association showcase of local handmade crafts. Timed with peak fall foliage season.
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.
Nearby Towns
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before visiting Bar Harbor. Can't find your answer? Contact us.