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Town in Maine, United States
Photo: Smudge 9000, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bar Harbor is a village on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County in the Down East area of Maine. It is a useful base for those visiting Acadia National Park.
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Listed on the National Register of Historic places, the museum exhibits memorabilia, maps, antique clothing and pictures.
Devoted to the Native American tribes of Maine. The new Abbe museum is much larger and offers plenty of activities for both adults and children. A good rainy day activity. Open to school groups and programs by appointment in the winter.
Located at Sieur De Mont, this one-room museum is the original MDI Native American museum. A bit pricey, but lots of information.
The well-groomed park is a great place to take a break from walking, shopping, etc. Toss a frisbee, enjoy your ice cream, read a book, or just take a nap. The gazebo hosts the town band every Monday and Thursday night. On summer nights, there are often concerts on the bandstand. Street performers will often roam the sidewalks, and there's free Wifi! Just create an account name and sign on.
Home to the Wild Gardens of Acadia.
The museum is devoted to whales and other sea creatures. There are many real skeletons (from stranded marine mammals) on display including a 28-foot long juvenile humpback whale. Other exhibits include climate change, bioacoustics, marine adaptations, and a brief history of whaling. Great for kids and adults. Great souvenirs and presents to be found in the gift shop.
Dedicated to the natural history of the North East. Exhibits vary from year to year, and are designed by College of the Atlantic students. There is always a touch-tank filled with sea creatures, and plenty of taxidermied animals to examine. Child friendly.
Offers a two- or three-hour sail with a native captain on a 25-foot Crosby Catboat built in 1915. 6 passenger maximum & nice dogs sail free. Trips depart from the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Conference Center dock (119 Eden St) daily.
Cruise Frenchman's Bay and get up close and personal with whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea birds and more.
Dive-In Theater is a family-friendly 2-hour interactive marine life boat cruise.
The only lobster boat and seal watch tour in Bar Harbor hosted on a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat. After fourteen successful seasons delighting passengers in the Hancock area and Bar Harbor, Lulu sails out of downtown Bar Harbor. The Harborside Hotel & Marina is Lulu's base of operations. Lulu takes you on a two-hour tour offering the most exclusive, personal and unique cruise in Bar Harbor.
A 151-foot, four-masted schooner. Bring your own drinks, alcohol permitted. Be on the lookout for whales, seals, porpoises, and puffins. Sails at 10AM (morning sail), 2PM (afternoon sail), and 6:30PM (sunset sail).
A Maine Coast tradition since 1968. Take a scenic nature cruise from Northeast Harbor (20 minute drive from Bar Harbor). View Bear Island Lighthouse, Osprey, Eagles, Harbor Porpoise, Harbor Seals, visit the Cranberry Islands and the Islesford Historical Museum, and cruise into majestic Somes Sound Fjord.
They offer several types of tours and instruction led by the best licensed Maine guides. They provide you with all of the equipment that you will need on the trip and have their own dock located right behind the shop so there is no need to shuttle anywhere or lug equipment.
Reservations are suggested for these ecological tours, which cruise the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island.
This trail ascends the 1530 foot Cadillac Mtn.
This trail ascends the 1530 foot Cadillac Mtn.
1,270 ft.
This trail ascends the 1058-foot Champlain Mtn.
This trail ascends the 1058-foot Champlain Mtn. It is one of the most difficult hikes on the island, iron rungs and ladders help you make the steep ascent. This trail is closed at times due to nesting peregrine falcons, which can be viewed from the parking area.
540 ft. A short but steep hike up this mountain rewards you with some great views of Sand Beach, Great Head, Frenchman's Bay, and Champlain Mtn.
525 ft.
A relaxing stroll along the oceanfront, beginning at the town pier.
An easy walk along the dramatic, rocky coastline Maine is known for. See Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs.
This trail is accessible only at low tide.
Accessible by Eagle Lake.
Offers scenic flights with both gliders and old-fashioned biplanes that allow you to see Acadia National Park from a unique perspective.
Challenge yourself at the 8th oldest golf course in America. 6,131 yards, par 70.
Two 18-hole courses, Original and Blackbeard's Challenge. Ice cream window right across the street to celebrate.
A live improvisational comedy show.
Take your pick of comfy seating and gourmet pizzas, beer and wine, in front of one of two screens. Tickets $6 for adults and children. Disability accommodations.
A classic movie theater with plenty of seating. Always showing new movies.
They really do sell candy, yarn and sweaters. Best part? They have penny candy! A dollar goes a long way at Bee's.
Ben & Bills may have long lines in the summer. Known for their lobster ice cream and hand-made chocolate.
The big dipper refers to CJ's "Magic Wand," which he dips in each batch of ice cream.
Breakfast served all day.
Serves homemade ice cream. Ever had Strawberry Balsamic? Chocolate Wasabi? Cinnamon, nutella? MDI ice cream pushes the boundaries on flavor, but their ice cream is spectacular.
For some of the best pizza in town. A seat upstairs at the windows gives a nice view down to Cottage St.
This cafe has incredible food, and a warm inviting atmosphere. Dinner can be pricy, but go for breakfast and the prices are low! Known locally for a great place for a Sunday hangover brunch.
Head to the Galley Lounge for happy hour 4-6PM each afternoon. Reservations are accepted.
Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, all year-round. Burgers, steaks, grilled chicken, seafood, and gourmet pizza all provided by cisco systems. Have fun pointing out all of the fake Mount Desert Island memorabilia on the walls while you enjoy the great food and service.
Mexican food with some interesting options, like gingerade and mango salsa.
Traditional Thai food, and a full sushi bar.
American fine dining with a Latin flair.
French food with a local flair from acclaimed chef Kyle Yarborough, formerly of Havana. An intimate setting and perfect portions make this a must-do on any Bar Harbor trip. Open year round.
Phenomenally good food. Freshly prepared, seasonal, wonderful. Specializes in freshly caught seafood. Call for reservations.
Pizza, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and a variety of shareable appetizers. Two pool tables, arcade games, and 15 big screen TVs.
This cozy little cafe offers a selection of seasonal dishes, along with a full bar. There are frequent open-mic nights, and even an outdoor Bocce court! Indoor and outdoor seating.
Open year round. Comfortable booths and a full bar make this location a great place to spend an evening with friends.
Open year round. Free wireless internet. Coffee, daily made bread, freshly made sandwiches, low prices. Try the sticky-buns and you'll be addicted instantly. Eat in or take out.
Offering fee based internet access (wired and wireless), coffee & pastry, come in and to online or simply hang out and play Scrabble, chess, checkers or many other games.
Cheapest rooms are on 1st and 2nd floors, more expensive for corner rooms (two big windows), rooms on upper floors, and those with kitchens.
Open year-round. All rooms ocean view. Room categories from least expensive: Oceanview, kitchenette, deluxe, superior.
Open Apr 14 - Nov 11.
Open Mar 24 - Nov 26. There are two restaurants at the Inn, the Reading Room Restaurant and the Terrace Grille.
Open May 11 - Oct 21.
26 room oceanfront boutique hotel with complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking, and downtown shuttle.
Cottages, suites and motel rooms all overlooking the ocean.
Newest hotel in Bar Harbor as of 2018, ocean and mountain views, indoor and outdoor pools, free hot breakfast.
All rooms one low price for one or two people.
8 rooms.
Charming home with nine guestrooms run by the former owners of the Morning Glory Bakery. Breakfast is included in the price and is made from locally sourced ingredients and prepared to order. Open year round.
Atop an 80 foot cliff, amidst towering pines and overlooking Frenchman Bay, sits the Inn at Bay Ledge. The Inn at Bay Ledge has twelve units: eight rooms in the main lodge; three hillside cottages; and a private summer cottage on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The Inn at Bay Ledge is locally referred to as the Eden of New England.
Year round operation by National Park Service, 306 sites, no hookups.
Grassy and wooded sites with hookups, pool, hot showers, etc.
Includes a Patagonia, Nike and North Face shop in adjacent buildings.
Pet supply store. Clothing, beds, and treats.
Tons of moose-themed items (because who doesn't love moose?) Lots of T-shirts and novelties as well.
For books and postcards.
Offers gifts, clothing, toys, jewelry, and outerwear.
Kids love the rock specimens and can get a geode to break at home. Mom can enjoy some custom jewelry including local granite and Maine tourmaline, custom made in the shop.
Hemp goods of all kinds: clothing, toys, books, bags, bumperstickers, and more. Also home to the Acadia Silver Exchange- tons of gorgeous jewelry.
By plane
The Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is in Trenton on the outskirts of Ellsworth, on the mainland adjacent to Mount Desert Island.
By bus
By ferry
Depending on the time of year you find yourself in town, and your intended goals, your visit may necessitate different modes of transportation.
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Bar Harbor · Regional · BHB
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