Best Things To Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a small Maine town located on Mount Desert Island that receives hundreds of tourists at different times of the year. And the fact is that the city holds within itself a myriad of experiences, mainly related to contact with nature and also with the sea that bathes the surroundings.

Among the things to see and do in Bar Harbor during your stay are to visit the Acadia National Park by bike or car, sailing on a sailboat in Frenchman Bay, taste the flavors of the local cuisine, whale watching and learn about the culture and history of the region in the Abbe Museum and the Dorr Museum of Natural History. Here is a list of my must-see options.

Acadia National Park, located east of Bar Harbor, is a must-see for nature lovers. An ideal destination to relax and disconnect from the hustle and bustle. Recommended if you want to explore the place on foot, explore its long roads by car or take a bike route.

Hiking the trails

In the park there are a number of trails with forests to undertake a route on foot, which stand out as a good alternative. You will be in direct contact with nature, breathe fresh air and get a different perspective of the place.

Tour by car

Another way to explore Acadia National Park is by car. You can use a mobile app that will guide you all the way, being possible to stop at the places you consider convenient. This is one of the best Bar Harbor tours if you want to enjoy a flexible itinerary.

Some places you will pass through on this tour are usually Cadillac Mountain, the highest point of the nature reserve at 466 meters; the Sieur de Monts Spring, a beautiful spring; the scenic Ocean Path Trailhead, ideal for contemplating how the sea is slowed down by the rocks, etc.

Cycling route

Upon arrival you can rent a bike at Acadia National Park and start a cycling route at your own pace. This important natural lung has trails specially designed for biking, varying in distance and intensity.

Throughout the adventure you will discover places like Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain and Otter Point Sand Beach, etc. Also, the Park Loop Road, a scenic road that connects the east of Mount Desert Island.

During your stay in Bar Harbor you will be able to delight your palate while discovering the local gastronomic culture. The city has a great culinary offer with authentic flavors and fresh ingredients that are mainly seafood. This is due to its privileged geographical location, surrounded by nature.

To carry out this taste experience you can go to Main Street, which is a shopping area, which concentrates dozens of restaurants and food stalls. You will also find many other places to eat throughout the city.

Among some of the dishes you can't miss are the following:

• The Lobster Roll: one of Maine's most famous recipes, consisting of a sandwich filled with steamed lobster, seasoned with lemon juice.
• Oysters: a common product in the region that is characterized by its freshness and flavor, enriched by the Atlantic Ocean. They have a fleshy consistency and are found in sheltered waters of the sea or river ponds.
• Haddock: a delicious fish that lives in the waters of the region. In Spanish it is translated as abadejo and can be prepared baked, grilled, steamed and accompanied with exquisite garnishes.
• Seafood chowder: another Maine dish that is prepared mainly with clams accompanied by bacon, milk, pepper, butter and potatoes.
• Local craft beers: served to accompany the various dishes.

This is a tour you can undertake on your own at any time of the year. However, if you wish to enjoy the company of a culinary expert who will tell you the history of each restaurant and the dishes to be tasted, then you could opt for a guided activity. For example, one of the gastronomic tours of Bar Harbor.

Interesting information

• Price: the guided tour starts at 133 €.
• Duration: the guided activity lasts about 3 hours.

Taking a windjammer sailboat ride on the waters of Frenchman Bay is another must-do in Bar Harbor. This adventure will allow you to enjoy a privileged perspective of the natural environment of the city. In addition, you will discover an important part of the wildlife that characterizes this region.

As you sail, you will explore part of the coast of Maine, entering the famous Frenchman Bay, arriving quite close to the Porcupine Islands. You'll be enveloped by a tranquil atmosphere and the backdrop will be a dreamlike landscape, ideal for taking some photographs.

And, if you keep an eye on your surroundings during this experience, you'll have the opportunity to see an important sample of wildlife. Such is the case of seals, eagles and the so-called porpoises, a very shy type of cetacean.

Undoubtedly, this windjammer sailboat ride in Bar Harbor is an unmissable activity, to do at any time of the year, since fog or light rain are no reason to suspend it. In addition, if you wish, you can bring some snacks and drinks for a small picnic on the deck of the sailboat. You will have a magical time.

One of the places in the city of Bar Harbor that often goes unnoticed is the College of the Atlantic Gardens. This is a very peaceful spot on the waterfront campus of this college, made up of a series of gardens, which offer an incredible natural scene.

Some of the gardens are named after former horticulturists, who helped in the development of these natural spaces. You can take a walk at your own pace while observing different flowers, plants and trees. In addition, you have the opportunity to learn about each of these species, as they are properly identified.

This tour can be done at any time of the year. However, if you want to see the plants in full bloom, the spring season is the best time to take amazing pictures.

If you are looking for relaxation, appreciation of natural beauty and a bit of physical activity, then you should venture out for a hike along the Shore Path. This is an approximately 1.5-mile path along the entire shoreline of Frenchman's Bay.

The trail starts at Ells Wharf and goes all the way to Wayman Lane. Along the way, you will see beautiful coastal views of some of the region's tourist attractions such as the Schoodic Peninsula, Porcupine Islands and Egg Rock Lighthouse.

One of the best times to visit is during the early morning hours, when the sun's rays appear timidly, bringing the entire landscape to life with colorful hues.

You may also observe how the local fishermen prepare for the day's catch and venture out in search of scallops and lobsters, mainly. You will see boats or yachts moored in the surroundings and pass by some private properties such as mansions with beautiful rose gardens.

If you're interested in history and culture, you should know that one of the ways to learn more about Bar Harbor and the Maine region is to visit the Abbe Museum at either of its two locations (Acadia National Park and downtown Bar Harbor). You'll learn about the Wabanaki, the Native American inhabitants of Maine.

Acadia National Park Headquarters

The Abbe Museum Headquarters is located on one of the trails in Acadia National Park. The museum was built in 1928 and still retains its original appearance. In its rooms you will find exhibits that show you the history of the museum. You will also learn how the Wabanaki built their fishing tools (hooks and harpoons, etc.), baskets, pottery and other artifacts made from stones and bones.

Downtown Bar Harbor location

The second Abbe Museum site you can visit is in downtown Bar Harbor. Here you will find interesting exhibits such as "Wabanaki in the World," where you will learn about the presence of the Wabanaki people worldwide. You will also see ancient artifacts, current exhibits and you can participate in activities and workshops. All of these depending on the season of the year.

Information of interest

• Price: children under 10 years old enter for free, young people from 11 to 17 years old pay an average price of 5 € and the cost of admission for adults is approximately 10 €.
• Hours: The Abbe Museum's admission hours are usually Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. However, this may vary according to the season of the year.

If you want to see the landmarks of downtown Maine and learn as much as possible about Bar Harbor, then taking a tour of its streets is the best option for you. You will see a number of places with great historical and tourist value.

Some of the destinations you will have the opportunity to see include the following:

• The West Street district: a touristic place, where you will find houses from the golden age of the city.
• The Abbe Museum, which houses an important collection of Wabanaki artifacts.
• Main Street, dotted with a number of restaurants and stores.
• The Bar Harbor Inn, which dates back to 1887 and is an old building with modern touches.

For this type of activity, you can install a virtual guide on your cell phone. It is an application with a map that marks a route of approximately 1.5 km through the city. Also, specific comments about the history of each of the destinations visited.

During your visit to Bar Harbor, Maine, you can experience a unique whale-watching adventure. These impressive marine species are present in the region and feed on the fish that inhabit these waters. You will only have to sail along the coast, entering the sea to enjoy this natural spectacle.

To carry out this type of adventure you will have to join a guided activity, in which a captain and his crew will take you aboard a boat to the sighting point of these species. This is usually in the direction of the Gulf of Maine (about 30 kilometers from the coast).

During this experience you will encounter a variety of whales. Such is the case of humpback, minkes, pilot and fin whales. You may also see similar species such as sperm whales and killer whales.

In case you are a photography enthusiast or just want to venture into the area, you can take advantage of the scenic beauty that the town of Bar Harbor possesses and, thus, take some pictures. You will discover a wealth of incredible urban and natural scenery.

In the city you will find destinations worthy of being captured by the lens of your camera. You can get close to the historic district of West Street, which stands out for its architecture of the so-called golden age. Likewise, capture the sunset while sailing the sea or walking along the promenade, record scenes worthy of a painting at Jordan Pond.

You will create amazing compositions, thanks to the melting pot of colors that nature itself puts at your disposal in the city's skyline. And, at night, the starry sky and city lights become the perfect backdrop for a different perspective of the city in your photographs.

Another of the things to see and do in Bar Harbor is to visit the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History. This is a must-see attraction in the city, where you will see a variety of wildlife from the Maine coast.

As you tour the museum, you will see the tide tank, which contains snails, hermit crabs and starfish. This is an ideal activity if you are traveling with children to Bar Harbor, as they will be able to touch, hear and smell most of the exhibits.

You'll find dioramas of the region's wildlife and, of course, the gift store with various items related to the natural sciences. You can purchase books, jewelry and other items. There are also programs and activities to learn about natural history.

Information of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Hours: The George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History is usually open Monday through Friday (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Saturday (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). It is closed on Sundays.