Things to do in Bar Harbor Maine
What makes Bar Harbor, Maine tourism so great? With the dramatic mountains of Acadia National Park as a backdrop, the stunning waters of Frenchman Bay at its doorstep, and local business owners who are cordial and welcoming. It is no wonder that this picture-perfect seaside village is one of the best places to visit in Maine.
What is Bar Harbor Maine known for?
Located on Mount Desert Island, in Downeast Maine, (so-called for the downwind tack that sailors need when following the Maine coast eastward), Bar Harbor is one of the most popular Maine vacation spots and well worth a visit. The town and surrounding villages are filled with plenty of things to do and activities and events to keep every visitor busy.
Although summer may be the best time of year to visit Bar Harbor the fall foliage is spectacular in autumn, crowds are non-existent in springtime, and winter provides a peaceful serenity. You can’t go wrong!
Attractions for Bar Harbor, Maine Tourism
If you love nature and outdoor activity, visiting Bar Harbor, Maine can be perfect. For starters, there is what Bar Harbor, Maine tourism is best known for the Acadia National Park. Acadia is the only national park in Maine and covers nearly 47,000 acres of land, most of which are on Mount Desert Island.
Acadia National Park
Travelers from around the world visit the Bar Harbor area for hiking in Acadia National Park, kayaking, canoeing, camping, and cycling, horseback riding, fishing and swimming, sightseeing on the 27-mile Park Loop Road, with stunningly gorgeous views, and for early risers – the fabulous sunrise on Cadillac Mountain, the Acadia Park centerpiece.
Although Acadia Park is certainly a must-see for almost everyone who vacations in Bar Harbor, Maine, tourism attractions also include many other outdoor and indoor activities – good for any type of Bar Harbor, Maine weather forecast!
Bar Harbor Whale Watching Tours
As you cruise the Gulf of Maine on the Bar Harbor Whale Watching Tours – past famous lighthouses and deserted islands – you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see lobster fishermen, the Atlantic Puffin, seals and dolphins, and humpback, finback, minke, and right whales.
Or, get a closer look at the northern Atlantic wildlife by paddling through Frenchman Bay (referred to often as Frenchmans Bay) with an experienced Aquaterra Adventures guide or Coastal Kayaking Tours.
Bar Harbor kayak rentals and canoe rentals are also available for those who enjoy the serenity of paddling solo.
With majestic sails, the 151′ four-masted Schooner Margaret Todd, departs from the West Street town pier for morning, afternoon and sunset sails through Frenchman Bay. Join the Schooner Margaret Todd crew or take a cruise on one of the other seven vessels of Downeast Windjammer Cruises fleet, including Bar Harbor ferries that provide fishing trips, sightseeing cruises, and passenger service to picturesque Cranberry Cove and Winter Harbor.
Many Bar Harbor, Maine tourism attractions are open seasonally. Please be sure to check schedules before planning your Bar Harbor vacation!
Back on land, the locals work hard for Bar Harbor, Maine tourism, and they make it very easy for visitors to get around. The Mount Desert Island Explorer is a free shuttle that seasonally services the entire Acadia region, “linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers”. Hop on and hop off at various stops, or let the knowledgeable Conductors on Oli’s Trolley take you on a 1 hour or 2-1/2 hour narrated tour of Bar Harbor and Mt. Desert Island. If you want a self-guided Bar Harbor tour, Acadia Bike rental is just for you.
Bar Harbor Museums
Whether you are looking for fun family activities in Bar Harbor or traveling through the area alone, Bar Harbor museums, such as The Bar Harbor Historical Society, Abbe Museum, and the Bar Harbor Whale Museum, are all popular with tourists as is the Mount Desert Oceanarium, certainly a unique place to visit.
Tours of Bar Harbor are also available, by land, by sea, and by air. As you can imagine, the view from Scenic Flights of Acadia and Acadia Air Tours puts Mount Desert Island into a totally different perspective.
Bar Harbor Shopping
After all of these Bar Harbor tourism adventures, if you still have time left, Bar Harbor, Maine shopping is plentiful. Downtown Bar Harbor and the roads leading to and from have lots of gift shops – many of them featuring Maine Made items: unique clothing stores, specialty food retailers, and art galleries displaying the creative works of famed Maine artists.
And if the Bar Harbor tides are out and there is plenty of time before the next high tide, you can cool off with a walkout to Bar Island.
Hotels Bar Harbor, Maine, Inns, Motels and B&B’s
From glorious oceanside resort hotels in Bar Harbor, Maine, to Victorian-style bed and breakfasts, elegant country inns, rustic seaside cabins and cottages, and secluded mom-and-pop motels, there is a wide variety of great places to stay in Bar Harbor, Maine. However, picking the best place to stay in Bar Harbor may not be easy.
Do you want to be downtown or a short drive from it? Are you looking for an upscale waterfront hotel in Bar Harbor, a cheap Bar Harbor motel room, or a compromise?
Bar Harbor Inn and Spa
If an in-town location and proximity to the water is important. Sitting atop rolling lawns that lead to the harbor, is the Bar Harbor Inn and Spa, an oceanfront resort, with an enviable downtown location and sweeping views of the picturesque harbor and Frenchman Bay.
Harborside Hotel, Spa and Marina
Just a short distance away is another luxury Bar Harbor resort, with a name that speaks for itself, the Harborside Hotel, Spa and Marina. Heading in the opposite direction (although not on the water), is the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, designed as a replica of the 1875 Rodick House.
Waterfront Bar Harbor B&B
If you prefer a bed and breakfast in Bar Harbor, Maine, within walking distance to the waterfront attractions you will find quite a few, including the Saltair Inn – a romantic waterfront Bar Harbor B&B, the Primrose Inn – a historic Bar Harbor bed and breakfast, and Bass Cottage Inn – a small luxury B&B.
If a Bar Harbor motel is more your style, the Quality Inn Bar Harbor, Maine and the Aurora Inn – “a Quaint Little Gem in the Heart of Bar Harbor” are both no more than a 10-minute walk into the center of Bar Harbor Village.
Other great lodging accommodations that cater to Bar Harbor, Maine tourism – such as the Bar Harbor Hotel Bluenose Inn, the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Conference Center, the Best Western Acadia Park Inn, the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Bar Harbor, the Edgewater Motel and Cottages, the Bar Harbor Regency, and many, many others are located on the outskirts of town, within an easy drive to the Village and to Acadia National Park.
Bar Harbor, Maine camping
For visitors wanting a more rustic feel to their Downeast vacation, Bar Harbor, Maine camping is available at several Bar Harbor campgrounds: the Bar Harbor KOA Oceanside, Bar Harbor Woodlands KOA, Mount Desert Narrows, Hadley’s Point Campground, and the Bar Harbor Campground.
And campgrounds in Acadia National Park – Blackwoods Campground, Seawall Campground, and Wildwood Stables (although only if traveling with a stock animal), also ensure a unique camping experience.
Bar Harbor, Maine Restaurants
Bar Harbor, Maine tourism relies heavily on the great selection of restaurants in Bar Harbor – most of which are within an easy walk of the town docks, the village shops, and in-town lodging accommodations. If you like seafood, you are in luck.
Seafood Restaurants
There is certainly not a shortage of seafood restaurants in Bar Harbor, Maine. Menus in nearly every eating venue feature locally caught fresh fish and shellfish (including lots of Maine lobster). You will find casual dining in Bar Harbor, fine dining, take-out stands, cafes, bakeries, and ice cream shops all around town.
Some of the more popular restaurants that cater to Bar Harbor, Maine tourism, are near the docks, where the Bar Harbor ferries and cruise boats tie off. However, further along, West Street and along Main Street, and the side roads in between, are many other excellent Bar Harbor dining options.