Bar Harbor is a picturesque New England town with a little over 5000 permanent residents located on Mount Desert Island in the state of Maine. This popular destination is a paradise for those who love to enjoy the great outdoors. Bordered by the ocean and adjacent to famous Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is the perfect base for exploring all that this island has to offer.
There’s no shortage of story ideas when you consider the history, culture, natural resources and amenities that make Bar Harbor, Maine, and Acadia National Park two of the most sought-after destinations in the U.S. After all, the region is a destination for all ages from all parts of the world.
Cuisine
Did you know that more than 5,316,000 lobsters are eaten in Bar Harbor every year? That is a lot of lobster! With all of that practice, we are certain that Bar Harbor chefs know the best lobster recipes, from Downeast traditional recipes to their own unique creations. While Bar Harbor has a wide variety of foodie attractions from lobster shacks to upscale restaurants, the essence of Bar Harbor’s food scene is fresh, farm (or ocean) to table dishes that please the most discerning palates.
Check Out:
- Bar Harbor’s booming craft beer scene: Take a brewery tour at Atlantic Brewing Co. and stay for the free tasting. Taste regionally brewed beer at many of the restaurants, as well.
- Bar Harbor’s traditional flavors: Jordan Pond House has been serving popovers and tea since the 1890s. Be sure to stop in for this signature treat while in Acadia National Park. A steamed lobster dinner: lobster, corn on the cob, baked potato, butter, and last but certainly not least, homemade Maine blueberry pie.
- A real working lobster and fish pier: Many people try lobster, the lucky ones eat Maine lobster in Maine, and the luckiest ones enjoy the freshest lobster right on the deck of a real working lobster and fish pier, Beal’s Lobster Pier, located in Southwest Harbor.
- Bar Harbor’s twist on worldly cuisine: Why not a little Latin flair on the coast of Maine? Have dinner at Havana, whose wine cellar earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Sea to Table: While Bar Harbor is home to many restaurants that feature their locally grown and raised produce, we are proud to share the Sea to Table experience. Enjoy some of the freshest Maine seafood that was caught right on the shores of Mount Desert Island.
Nature/Conservation
In 2016, Acadia National Park is celebrating 100 years, along with the National Park Service. The region is proud of the 47,000-acre park we are all able to enjoy today and for the last 100 years. Conservation is taken very seriously here in Bar Harbor to allow for the park to be enjoyed for many centuries to come.
- Starry, starry night – Three Mount Desert Island towns, Bar Harbor, Tremont and Mount Desert, have passed lighting ordinances to protect the quality of the night skies in the region. Several other towns are drafting ordinances. o Stargazing – Acadia Night Sky Festival is an opportunity to join astronomers for stunning, unadulterated views of the Milky Way.
- An eco-friendly vacation: Use the Island Explorer bus system, a fare-free, propane-powered bus system, to tour Acadia and surrounding towns o Rent bikes and pedal your way to each destination o Certain trails and areas are closed to protect the peregrine falcons.
Wildlife – Be on the lookout for bald eagles, whales and dolphins as you explore the region. Have the camera ready! • Sunrise – For many, experiencing the sunrise atop Cadillac Mountain is a must. How does this incredible sunrise start your day off differently?
Nature/Adventure
In 2016, Acadia National Park is celebrating 100 years, along with the National Park Service. The region is proud of the 47,000-acre park we are all able to enjoy today and for the last 100 years. Conservation is taken very seriously here in Bar Harbor to allow for the park to be enjoyed for many centuries to come.
- Rock/Ice Climbing – For the ultimate adventure in a beautiful setting, accredited rock and ice climbing guides are ready to guide unforgettable adventures along Maine’s rugged coastline. Trips are available for all experience levels, including summer youth programs.
- Paddling – From sea kayaking to a relaxing paddle on one of the areas many lakes and ponds, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park offer some of the finest sea kayaking and canoeing in the nation. Local companies offer guided trips and rentals, if necessary. View bald eagles, osprey, harbor seals and more.
- On the Sea – Sailing adventures, sea life up close and personal, and touring the rocky coast of Maine are all right here on this mystical part of the Atlantic Ocean. Experienced captains offer a variety of trips.
- Biking – Rent bikes right on the island and pedal under stone bridges on the carriage roads, or up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in the park.
Hiking – The park features trails for all levels of experience. Pack your lunch and hike along the coastline or test your fears up a mountain using iron rungs.
Culture
Native American – The Wabanaki “People of the Dawnland” have lived in Maine for many thousands of years. Archaeological records illustrate their path and the role their culture plays in the present day.
Dr. Robert Abbe, an archaeology buff and known as the founder of radiation therapy in the U.S., founded the Abbe Museum at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park in 1928. Throughout the years, the Abbe has grown by adding a downtown location that is open year-round. The Abbe Museum is the only museum devoted solely to Maine’s Native American heritage, and the 50,000 objects in the museum’s collection represent 10,000 years of Native American culture and history in Maine. In 2013, the museum was accepted as a Smithsonian Affiliate, the first in the state of Maine. www.abbemuseum.org.
Each July, the Maine Indian Basket Makers Alliance and the Abbe Museum hold the annual Native American Festival and Basket Makers Market offering visitors, collectors and gallery owners the opportunity to buy directly from the artists. It is a rare opportunity to meet the artists and learn about contemporary Indian arts and cultures from Maine and the Maritimes.
Getting Around
Car-free travel is something you don’t necessarily think of when you think of Maine, however, carfree travel to and around Bar Harbor is as easy as a breeze. You have a choice of flying into Bangor (about one hour from Bar Harbor) or the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (20 minutes from Bar Harbor). Car service is readily available to Bar Harbor accommodations. Once you’re here, leave the driving up to the Island Explorer bus system — it’s free!