10 Things to Do in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a small town in Maine located on Mount Desert Island that welcomes hundreds of tourists throughout the year. The town offers endless experiences, mainly related to contact with nature and the sea that surrounds it.

Among the things to see and do in Bar Harbor during your stay are exploring Acadia National Park by bicycle or car, sailing in Frenchman's Bay, sampling the flavours of the local cuisine, whale watching, and learning about the culture and history of the region at the Abbe Museum and the Dorr Museum of Natural History. Here is a list of my essential picks.

Acadia National Park, located east of Bar Harbor, is a must-see for nature lovers. It's the perfect destination to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle. Recommended if you want to explore the area on foot, drive along its long roads or go on a bike ride.

Hike the trails

The park has a series of forest trails that are ideal for walking, which are a great alternative. You'll be in direct contact with nature, breathe fresh air and get a different perspective of the place.

Car tour

Another way to explore Acadia National Park is by car. You can use a mobile app that will guide you along the way, allowing you to stop at any places you find interesting. This is one of the best tours of Bar Harbor if you want to enjoy a flexible itinerary.

Some of the places you will pass on this tour include Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in the nature reserve at 466 metres; Sieur de Monts Spring, a beautiful spring; the scenic Ocean Path Trailhead, ideal for watching the sea being held back by the rocks, etc.

Cycling route

When you arrive, you can rent a bike at Acadia National Park and set off on a cycling route at your own pace. This important natural haven has paths specially designed for cycling, which vary in distance and intensity.

Along the way , you will discover places such as Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain and Otter Point sandy beach, etc. There is also Park Loop Road, a scenic road that connects the east of Mount Desert Island.

During your stay in Bar Harbor, you can delight your palate while discovering the local gastronomic culture. The city has a wide range of culinary offerings with authentic flavours and fresh ingredients, mainly seafood. This is due to its privileged geographical location, surrounded by nature.

To enjoy this taste experience, head to Main Street, a commercial area with dozens of restaurants and food stalls. You will also find many other places to eat throughout the city.

Among the dishes you won't want to 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, characterised by their freshness and flavour, enriched by the Atlantic Ocean. They have a meaty consistency and are found in protected sea waters or river ponds.
• Haddock: a delicious fish that lives in the waters of the region. It can be baked, grilled, steamed and accompanied by exquisite side dishes.
• Seafood chowder: another Maine dish made mainly with clams accompanied by bacon, milk, pepper, butter, and potatoes.
• Local craft beers: served to accompany the different dishes.

This is a tour that you can take on your own at any time of the year. However, if you want to enjoy the company of a culinary expert who can tell you the history of each restaurant and the dishes to try, then you could opt for a guided activity. For example, one of the food tours in Bar Harbor.

Useful information

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

Taking a ride on a windjammer sailboat through the waters of Frenchman's Bay is another thing you can't miss in Bar Harbor. This adventure will allow you to enjoy a privileged perspective of the city's natural environment. You will also discover some of the wildlife that characterises this region.

As you sail , you will explore part of the Maine coastline, entering the famous Frenchman's Bay and coming quite close to the Porcupine Islands. You will be enveloped in a peaceful atmosphere with a dreamlike landscape as a backdrop, ideal for taking some photographs.

And, if you keep an eye on your surroundings during this experience, you will have the opportunity to see a significant sample of wildlife. This is the case with seals, eagles and porpoises, a very shy type of cetacean.

Without a doubt, this windjammer sailboat trip through Bar Harbor is an unmissable activity, to be done at any time of year, as fog or light rain are no reason to cancel 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 Bar Harbor that often goes unnoticed is the gardens of the College of the Atlantic. It is a very peaceful place on the coastal campus of this university, consisting of a series of gardens that offer an incredible natural setting.

Some of the gardens are named after former horticulturists who helped develop 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.

You can take this tour at any time of the year. However, if you want to see the plants in full bloom, spring is the best time to take amazing photographs.

If you are looking for relaxation, appreciation of natural beauty and a little physical activity, then you should venture out for a walk along the Shore Path. It is a path of approximately 2 km along the coast of Frenchman's Bay.

The trail begins at Ells Pier and runs to Wayman Lane. Along the way, you'll see beautiful coastal views of some of the region's tourist attractions, such as the Schoodic Peninsula, the Porcupine Islands, and Egg Rock Lighthouse.

One of the best times to visit is in the early morning, when the sun's rays timidly appear, bringing the entire landscape to life with shades of colour.

You may also see local fishermen preparing for the day's catch and venturing out in search of scallops and lobsters, mainly. You will see boats and yachts moored in the surrounding area and pass by some private properties such as mansions with beautiful rose gardens.

If you are interested in history and culture, one of the best 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 will learn about the Wabanaki, the Native American inhabitants of Maine.

Acadia National Park location

The Abbe Museum is located on one of the trails in Acadia National Park. It 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 artefacts made from stones and bones.

Headquarters in downtown Bar Harbor

The second Abbe Museum location 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 this population worldwide. You will also see ancient artefacts, current exhibitions, and you can participate in activities and workshops. All of these are seasonal.

Useful information

• Price: children under 10 enter free of charge, young people aged 11 to 17 pay an average price of €5, and the cost of admission for adults is approximately €10.
• Opening hours: The Abbe Museum is usually open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. However, this may vary depending on the season.

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

Among some of the destinations you will have the opportunity to visit are the following:

• The West Street district: a tourist spot where you will find houses from the city's golden age.
• The Abbe Museum, which houses an important collection of Wabanaki artefacts.
• Main Street, dotted with a number of restaurants and shops.
• The Bar Harbor Inn, dating from 1887, is an old building with modern touches.

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

During your visit to Bar Harbor, Maine, you can enjoy the unique adventure of whale watching. These impressive marine species are found in the region and feed on the fish that inhabit these waters. All you have to do is sail along the coast, heading out to sea to enjoy this natural spectacle.

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

During this experience, you will encounter a variety of whales. These include humpback, minke, pilot and fin whales. You may also see similar species such as sperm whales and orcas.

If you are a photography enthusiast or simply want to explore the area, you can take advantage of the beautiful scenery of the town of Bar Harbor and take some photographs. You will discover a wealth of incredible urban and natural settings.

In the town, you will find destinations worthy of being captured by your camera lens. You can visit the historic district of West Street, which is notable for its architecture from the so-called golden age. You can also capture the sunset while sailing on the sea or walking along the promenade, and record scenes worthy of a painting at Jordan Pond.

You will create amazing compositions, thanks to the melting pot of colours that nature itself offers you on the city's horizon. And at night, the starry sky and city lights become the perfect backdrop for capturing a different perspective of the city in your photographs.

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

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

You will find dioramas with examples of the region's wildlife and, of course, the gift shop with various items related to the natural sciences. You can purchase books, jewellery and other items. Programmes and activities to learn about natural history are also offered .

Useful information

• Price: Admission is free.
• Opening hours: the George B. Dorr Natural History Museum is usually open Monday to Friday (10:00 to 17:00) and Saturdays (10:00 to 14:00). It is closed on Sundays.