Best Things To Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are synonymous with one another since they are located a few minutes from each other. I have written about Acadia and the best things to do there along with some of the best hikes. For this post, I want to concentrate on the best things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine. 

The things that I have included are things that I have done and enjoyed. I also give you some other suggestions of things to do, as well as, places to stay for your visit to the area. 

About Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a town located on Desert Island in northeast Maine. The town consists of a little over 5,000 full time residents.

Bar Harbor was formerly known as Eden but the name was changed to Bar Harbor in 1918. The name pays homage to the sand bar that is exposed during low tide which you can walk on that leads out to Bar Island. 

The tourist season in Bar Harbor is from May through October. The town along with all of the Desert Islands population grows exponentially during this time.

In the town there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and ice cream shops to enjoy. There are also many hotels and inns to stay at for your visit.

If you love to shop, then you are going to love Bar Harbor since there are all kinds of different shops to choose from. The town has historic buildings and museums to visit. You can also choose from numerous different boat tours. 

Plus, the town has a nice town center where you can sit down and relax. Agamont Park is a nice park down by the pier. 

Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor

1. Whale Watching

The first time that we visited Bar Harbor we went on a whale watching tour. It was really worth the time and money. On the tour, you not only can see whales, but they also go by islands that have puffins, lighthouses and other birds. The tour will last from 3.5 to 5.5 hours. The day that we went on the tour it lasted around 5 to 5.5 hours.

There is only one company in Bar Harbor that does whale watching and that is the Bar Harbor Whale Watching Co. On the tour, they will share about the history of the Gulf of Maine and more. There is a galley with light snacks and a bar. 

The boat has restrooms and you can sit inside and outside of the boat. I would recommend dressing warm. It can get quite chilly. Plus, you can always take off layers if you get warm.

The day on our tour, they had to go into Canadian waters to get to the whales. It was more than worth it. We saw numerous whales that were right by the boat.

No refunds are given if you don’t see a whale. Your ticket acts as a voucher that is good for 3 years. So, you can do another tour at no cost to you. 

They do offer other kinds of cruises. You can check out their website to see all of the different ones that they have to offer. 

2. Walk the Shore Path

The shore path starts at the town pier right next to Agamont Park. The path goes by the Bar Harbor Inn and winds along the shore for 3/4 of a mile.

The path gives you great views of the bay. There are numerous islands that you can view as you are walking the path. If you go early in the morning, you can be greeted with a beautiful sunrise.

Along the path, there are benches to sit down and enjoy the view. You can also climb down onto the rocks of the shore if you are feeling adventurous. 

Right before the inn there is a gazebo where people like to take photos. You will also see some beautiful private homes on the path. 

You can park right at the pier or the park. Both spots give you easy access to the Shore Path.  The path is wide enough for people to pass by each other comfortably and it is nice and flat. 

3. Walk Landbridge to Bar Island

Starting 1.5 hours before low tide until 1.5 hours after low tide, there is a bar that connects Bar Harbor to Bar Island. 

To me it is one of the coolest hikes that you can do. You are walking on the bottom of the harbor as you walk to the island. 

If you travel all the way to the top of the island it is 1.9 miles round trip. At the top of the island, you have great views of the harbor and Bar Harbor. 

The island itself is part of Acadia National Park. The hike is considered an easy hike. If you want to learn more about the hike, you can read my blog post “7 Great Hikes to Do in Acadia National Park.”

4. Go Shopping

I am not a shopper. Okay, I shop but I am not someone who goes into a store and just browses. Most of the time if I need something I shop online. 

When I go shopping in a store, the vast majority of the time I am on a mission. I know exactly what I want when I go into a store. I buy the item and I leave.

If you love to shop or are someone who loves to browse, then you are going to love Bar Harbor. There are all kinds of different stores that you can go into in the town. 

You can find pet shops, wood carving stores, coffee shops, candy stores, clothing stores and many other types of stores. One of the nice things with shopping in Bar Harbor is that the shopping area isn’t overly big. It is easy to walk from store to store. 

The town of Bar Harbor is buzzing during the summer months. So, you will want to pack your patience when shopping. 

5. Eat at any of the great restaurants in town

If you are a foodie or are someone that just loves food then you are going to love Bar Harbor. The town has a ton of restaurants to choose from. 

Maine is known for its lobster and seafood and you can find many places that serve that in Bar Harbor but you can also find cafes, coffee shops, Chinese, Italian, pizza, barbeque, pubs, bars, American and delis. 

Some of the restaurants that we have enjoyed include Geddy’s, Downeast Deli and Boxed Lunch Company, Paddy’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, Everyday Joe’s, and Blaze.

If you are looking for some great ice cream there is Mount Desert Island Ice Cream and CJs Big Dipper. 

6. Relax in Village Green Park or Agmont Park

The Village Green Park is located in the heart of the downtown area of Bar Harbor. It is a great place to sit down and relax while having a bite to eat, enjoying some ice cream, or people watching. 

There are park benches located throughout the park. There is also a large gazebo in the park. 

Agmont Park is located down by the town pier. The park gives you wonderful views of the harbor and pier. There are a few benches in the park to sit down and enjoy the view or you can lay a blanket down on the grass. 

The park has a small fountain and two cannons that are aimed towards the harbor. You can also follow the paths throughout the park to take a short walk. 

The park has a public parking lot and restrooms. The beginning of the Shore Path is located at the edge of the Agmont Park. . 

7. Celebrate the 4th of July

Our family was in Bar Harbor over the 4th of July and I was impressed with all the town had to offer in celebrating the 4th. 

During the 4th of July, you can do a lobster scavenger hunt, where you try to find lobsters at local businesses. You can also have a Rotary Club breakfast and lunch at the Bar Harbor Athletic Field.

There is also a craft fair, parade, live music at the Pier and Town Square areas, as well as, a fireworks display. The parking in Bar Harbor on the 4th is also free. 

My wife, Tonya, and I were in town most of the day. We tried to do the Rotary Club breakfast but their credit card system was down and we didn’t have any cash. 

The parade was a typical small town parade. There were floats, bands, fire trucks and more. The parade went down Main Street and we set up some chairs there.

To watch the fireworks, we set up chairs for our family in Agmont Park. My one son-in-law isn’t a fireworks fan but he was super impressed with the fireworks display. It lasted around 30 minutes. It was quite impressive.

Other Things to Do in Bar Harbor

Acadian Boat Tours– The company offers four distinct tours that leave from Bar Harbor. Tours are 2 hours long and are pet friendly. 

Premium Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (3.5 hours)– You will ride in a luxury Berkshire Minibus as you discover more about Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Bar Harbor Whale Watching Co.- Besides whale watching, the company offers a number of different types of cruises. You can do a sunset nature cruise, puffin and lighthouse cruise, historical lighthouse and Acadia National Park cruise and a number of others.

Pirates Cove Adventure Park– Pirates Cove is about 15 minutes from Bar Harbor. We went there and had a great time. There are two different 18 hole putt putt courses to pick from. Udder Heaven Ice Cream is right across the road which has great ice cream. 

Scenic Flights of Acadia– If you would like to get a different perspective of Bar Harbor and the surrounding area then this will be for you. This has a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor. 

Olie’s Trolley– They have narrated tours of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. You can select different lengths of tours with each one.  

Acadia Gem Electric Cars– These seemed to be a popular item the last time we were in Bar Harbor. They offer 2,4, and 6 seat vehicles that are all electric. 

Schoodic Peninsula– This is part of Acadia National Park and is about an hour and a half drive from Bar Harbor. It is very picturesque and not as touristy. 

Acadia Stand Up Paddle Boarding– You can rent paddle boards or you can take a guided tour. 

Diver Ed’s Dive in Theater– This is a great experience if you have younger kids or if you are a kid at heart. Diver Ed goes scuba diving and brings up different sea creatures. It has a 5.0 rating on TripAdvisor.

Abbe Museum– The museum is located in the downtown area of Bar Harbor.  The museum pays tribute to the Malkai tribe of Maine. The museum is the only Smithsonian Affiliate in the state of Maine. 

Places to Stay

Bar Harbor and the surrounding area has many different types of places to stay. You can choose a hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, cottages, camping, Airbnb’s. You can even rent homes through real estate companies. . 

The first time that we were in Bar Harbor we stayed at a hotel. This past time we rented a home. 

One of the nice things about staying at one of the hotels in town is that you can walk to restaurants and attractions. If you stay in a hotel just outside Bar Harbor, they offer bus service into Bar Harbor. 

Parking can be an issue when driving into town. So, being able to walk to everything or having transportation into the downtown area is nice.

Highest rated places to stay in the area

Bar Harbor Manor– The hotel is located in Bar Harbor and is walking distance to the downtown area. 

Atlantic Eyrie Lodge– We stayed at this hotel the first time we were in Bar Harbor. The hotel is set up on a hill that has a great view of Frenchman’s Bay. The rooms were nice and clean. 

Bar Harbor Inn– The inn is an iconic place to stay in Bar Harbor. You have great views of Frenchman’s Bay since the inn is located right by the water. 

Bar Harbor Motel– The motel is located one mile from Acadia National Park and two miles from downtown Bar Harbor. You can access the park through the hotel’s hiking and biking trails. 

Bar Harbor Grand Hotel– The hotel has a great downtown location and is one of the newer hotels in the area. It is based on the historic Radick House. 

Sand Bar Cottage Inn– The inn is a former home with 19 different guest rooms. It is a short walk to the waterfront, stores and restaurants. 

The Inn on Mount Desert– You are only a five minute walk from the waterfront, shops and restaurants. The rooms have a coastal theme. Plus, there is free continental breakfast. 

Hampton Inn Bar Harbor– The hotel is located a mile from the downtown and waterfront area. They have a pool and offer free breakfast. 

Hearthside Inn– The inn is a 1907 home. It is located on a side street in the downtown area. There is a free breakfast served every day. 

Bass Cottage Inn– This boutique inn is steps away from the waterfront, stores, and restaurants and they have a free gourmet breakfast each morning. 

The Primrose– This bed and breakfast is located in downtown Bar Harbor. You are steps away from shops, restaurants and other attractions. They serve a free breakfast each morning. 

Atlantic Oceanside and Event Center– The hotel is located on the ocean. It is one mile from Acadia National Park and downtown Bar Harbor. 

Eden Village Motel and Cottages– This is a more budget friendly option. There are 11 cottages along with 10 motel rooms. It is a 15 minute drive into Bar Harbor. 

Summer Rental Home

We rented a home this past summer that we really enjoyed as a family. There were 7 of us that stayed at the place. 

The name of the house is Tide Race. I thought that the name of the place was appropriate for our family since my wife’s maiden name is Race. 

It is located at the end of Somes Harbor on SR 3. It was a 15 minute drive into Bar Harbor and 10 minutes to Acadia National Park. 

The home was built in 1941 by famed architect George Howe. The look of the home is very mid century modern. I personally love that style of architecture. 

The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. In the family room, it is all glass to the back with great views of the harbor. 

Down the steps from the family room there is access to an outside covered porch area with chairs to relax in and take in the view. 

The house comes with a dock. There is a nice path that leads to it. We got a lot of use out of the three kayaks that came with the house. 

We drove 3 vehicles and there was plenty of room in the parking area for the 3 cars. It could even fit four. It has much of the original charm. We didn’t mind that at all and would rent it again if we had the chance.

You can see rates for the home and read more about it by clicking the link. 

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the size of Bar Harbor fool you when it comes to things to do in the town itself or surrounding area. As you can see, there is really something for everyone to see and do while you visit Bar Harbor. 

Make sure to read my post about 7 hikes to do in Acadia, as well as, my post about 10 great things to do in the park. Also, go to my blog to learn how to save on travel, travel itineraries, credit card miles/points and more, make sure to check out my blog Travelwidstom.