The Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
What to do in Bar Harbor
Book a trip aboard the Margaret Todd
Experience Frenchman’s Bay aboard one of the most beautiful Windjammers! The Margaret Todd sets sail from the dock near The Bar Harbor Inn and you can book a variety of tours throughout the day and at sunset. They are pet friendly AND have adult beverages available for purchase so you can enjoy an evening cocktail watching the sun set over the ocean.
Take a Walk on the Sand Bar
But don’t get stuck out on Bar Island! The Sand Bar, from which the town gets it’s name, is accessible from Bridge St about 2.5 hours on either side of low tide. But pay close attention to that tide time and give yourself a buffer, our tides rotate every 6ish hours so if you miss your window, you’re going to be out there for a while! And DON’T park your car on the sand bar! We’ve seen it done and it’s ended badly for the car. In fact, about a month after this published an SUV thought doing donuts in the flats would be a great idea. Their bronco got stuck for two days before they could fish it out of the bay. That’s one way to ruin a perfectly brand new car!
Bar Island has a hiking trail that heads to the center of the island so there’s a lot to explore on the island itself once you’re done marveling at all the shells along the sand bar.
Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater
Take a boat out onto the ocean and watch as a diver heads down into the depths and brings up a whole host of sea creatures to learn about. Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater may sound like it’s for the kids, and it certainly is, but also highly entertaining for adults as well! Learn all about our sea life here in Maine without diving into the cold waters yourself!
Go on a Whale Watch
Dean would highly recommend taking some Dramamine and THEN going on a Whale Watch. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. is located right downtown on West Street and they offer 3.5-5 hour tours for whales, lighthouses, puffins, and bay cruises. We are only half joking about loading up on the Dramamine, the one time we headed out on the tour the waves were a bit rough and it was Dean’s first time on a boat that size!
Kayak the Bay
Set out on a single or double kayak and tour around the islands in Frenchman’s Bay. Coastal Kayaking Tours offers everything from a short day trip to multi-day camping trips among the island. What better way to see the area than out on the water. Get a unique perspective!
Where to Eat in Bar Harbor
Everywhere! No really. You can’t go wrong anywhere on the island in our opinion. Here’s a bullet point list of a few of our favorite places to eat in Bar Harbor and surrounding areas.
• Paddy’s (Irish)
• Leary’s Landing (Irish)
• Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream
• Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
(try the lobster ice cream - and let us know how it is because we’re too scared to try it!)
• Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast
• Choco-Latte
• Blaze
• Havana
• Pat’s Pizza (a Maine staple for pizza!)
• The Nor’Easter Pound and Market (in Kimball Terrace Inn, Northeast Harbor)
• The Travelin Lobster (Rt. 102 right near the entrance to the Island)
• Jordan Pond House (afternoon popovers and tea are a must!)
Where to Hike in Acadia National Park
It’s so hard to pick our favorite hikes in Acadia National Park but we will try our best. I highly recommend if you want to hit all the spots in the park that you grab a trail map or download the AllTrails App for your phone. You’ll get nearly real-time reviews of trail conditions and a brief description of each trail - including if it’s pet friendly or not.
Bike the Carriage Roads
Ok. It’s not a hike but it certainly is enjoyable. Whether you bring your own bike or rent one from the outfitters in Bar Harbor it’s easy to get access to these relatively flat and wide trails throughout the park.
Jordan Pond Trail & Jordan Pond House
If you’re lucky enough to snag parking in one of the lots for Jordan Pond House you have to take full advantage of it. Stop into the restaurant and put your name in for reservations then set out on the trail around the pond. The full loop is 3.1 miles and it’s relatively flat with some “boardwalk” style planks here and there over the mushy parts. It’s a great, kid-friendly trail. But don’t plan on going in the water, it’s a protected water source and you’re not allowed to swim in it.
The Bubbles
These are two great, easy trails again that are on the opposite side of Jordan Pond from the Jordan Pond House. It’s a short stroll to the top if you take the trail to the right. If you take the trail to the left it’s a bit steeper and takes you above tree line where you have to scramble over some boulders. Both trails end at the top of North Bubble with beautiful views of the pond and the ocean beyond. And don’t forget to stop and pose at Bubble Rock - a big round boulder balanced precariously on the edge but not falling off.
Precipice Trail & Beehive
NOT for the faint of heart. Both of these trails offer amazing views along with some dare-devil trails that include narrow planks along the edge with iron rungs to hold onto. I’ll admit, I’ve never done either of these trails. I’d love to but I know my knees wouldn’t let me. I’d get all wobbly and end up freezing up not being able to continue on.
Great Head Trail
This is an easy loop trail just off Sand Beach. When we’ve taken this trail there has never been a big crowd and you get gorgeous views of Sand Beach from above. Did you know the water here is really clear and blue? Just like tropical waters! But don’t let the color fool you, it’s freezing! But at least there’s some pretty amazing views of the beach and then the cliffs in the distance from this trail.
Gorham Mountain
Another trail that’s easily accessible from the Loop Road. It’s a relatively easy trail up the 525ft mountain with sweeping views of the Atlantic and relatively close to Beehive so you can get a different vantage point of that mountain! Bonus: During July and into August there are wild blueberries everywhere! Don’t forget to sample a few.
Otter Cliffs
You can view these amazing cliffs from the top or from the unique perspective of climbing up the face of them. The climbing option isn’t for the faint of heart! Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School offers courses and tours for both rock and ice climbing so no matter the season, you can definitely scale something amazing! There are routes to cover every skill level from beginner to advanced so don’t feel intimidated!
Of course the list above is just our favorites that stand out and we will constantly be updating it with more info and pictures for you.
If you’re looking for a complete list of businesses and things to do, check out the Bar Harbor & Acadia Chamber of Commerce
