Best Things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine is one of our favorite small towns we’ve been to. Its location along the coast and proximity to Acadia National Park make it a premier destination. The town oozes Northeast coastal charm and you’ll be glad you came.
This guide will help you make the most of your time in Bar Harbor whether you are looking for activities around Bar Harbor to the best things to see and do in Acadia itself.
Our Top 11 Activities in Bar Harbor, ME
Explore Downtown Bar Harbor
One of the great things about Bar Harbor is its walkability. All the shops, galleries, bars and restaurants are pretty confined to a small area in downtown Bar Harbor.
Walk down Main Street and you will pass storefront after storefront of gift shops, local apparel and goods and galleries. Many times when travelling we find gimmicky and poor quality souvenir shops, but not in Bar Harbor. We had so much fun just popping in stores that spoke to us to find treasures to bring back home for ourselves and family. There’s some great spots with local Maine syrups, Maine blueberry jams and jellies, Acadia apparel and locally crafted goods.
While you are out and about, be sure to stop somewhere for a bite to eat or grab a drink. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is a great stop for a sweet treat with some of the creamiest ice cream with really unique flavor options or stop by our favorite Project Social for tapas and/or a drink.
Bar Harbor Shore Path
For a laid-back walk with ocean views head over the Bar Harbor Shore Path. This is a great place to wind down after a busy day and has some great scenic views.
You’ll get some great lookout points of sights like the Porcupine Islands, Balance Rock, Egg Rock Light and the Schoodic Peninsula.
Hike Acadia
You can’t have a list of best things to do in Bar Harbor without mentioning Acadia National Park. It’s likely that is one of the reasons you are traveling here. It is one of our favorite national parks not only for the epic scenery, but really fun and challenging hike options.
If you are up for an adventure be sure to check out the Beehive Trail where you get to scale ladder rungs and climb your way up to a beautiful lookout or take a leisurely stroll around Jordan Pond. You won’t be disappointed with any of the hikes here. We do have a full guide on the best hikes in Acadia, so be sure to check that out.
Boat/Cruise Excursions
There are so many cruise excursions you can do out of Bar Harbor. A popular activity is whale watching tours, but there are also tours that specifically go for viewing of seals, puffins, and lobsters.
If you pick a whale watching tour just be prepared for a long trip, cold temperatures, rocky boats, and hit or miss with seeing whales depending on the timing. It’s still an awesome activity, but with some caveats. If you want to see whales the best time is during the summer months when whales are more active.
Our pick is one of the nature cruises. There are some that travel during the day or some at night. It’s a great balance of seeing different wildlife, areas of the island and history of the area. Usually they last about 2 hours and give you a variety of experiences! Bass Harbor Island Cruises or Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. have some great tour options.
Bike the Carriage Roads
Acadia has 45 miles of stone-crushed old carriage roads that are perfect for biking and seeing all that Acadia has to offer. There are several places in town like Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop to rent a traditional bike or E-bike for a half or full day. You then can ride your bike directly into the park.
For a scenic loop try the Tri-Lake Loop that takes you around Eagle Lake, Bubble Pond and Jordan Pond.
Bar Island Sandbar Trail
An activity unique to Bar Harbor. A sandbar exposes itself about 1.5-2 hours before and after low tide where you can walk across from Bar Harbor to Bar Island.
This is a fun activity you can accomplish in just 1-1.5 hours where you can explore tide pools and get a view of Bar Harbor from Bar Island. The trail is an easy 2 mile walk, just make sure you are prepared and check tide timings. You don’t want to get stranded on the other side!
Drive Park Loop Road
Park Loop Road is an incredibly scenic drive that loops around the east side of Mount Desert Island. If you are planning on hiking in Acadia, you will likely be driving along this road a lot.
It winds along the coast and takes you by popular spots such as Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake. It’s definitely worth a drive around to see the top spots if you aren’t hiking or just to take in all the beauty.
Visit the Schoodic Peninsula
If you are tired of fighting all the crowds in Acadia head over to the Schoodic Peninsula. It’s a very low-trafficked part of the park, but still insanely scenic and worth a visit. It’s just a little bit more out of the way. You can either drive there which takes about an hour or just take the ferry! It’s only about 35-45 minutes and you’ll get to enjoy a trip out on the water which takes you directly to Winter Harbor.
Once there you’ll find many scenic hikes, trails and viewpoints. If you want to see it all, it might be best to drive, but it’s also a fun option to bring along a bike.
Bar Harbor Bass Light
Located on the southern tip of Mount Desert Island you will find the iconic Bass Harbor Head Light Station. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Bar Harbor, but it’s a scenic drive. We opted to do this on a rainy day when it wasn’t a great hiking day.
The parking lot here is small, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. We found that it went fairly quickly though with visitors coming and going. You can see the lighthouse from both sides, but the more scenic view is found by taking the path on the far side of the parking lot. You’ll go down a short staircase and traverse over a few rocks to get close, but it’s a photogenic sight with the waves crashing against the rocks and the lighthouse tucked away in the background.
Abbe Museum
While Bar Harbor is known for its plethora of outdoor activities, you might need a reprieve just for something different or on a rainy day. Abbe Museum is located in downtown Bar Harbor which first opened its doors in 1928 with a small collection of early Native American artifacts from the Frenchman Bay area.
Now, its main exhibit focuses on the history of the Wabanaki people. There are also rotating exhibits from Wabanaki artists. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the area.
Watch the Sunrise
Bar Harbor and Acadia is a gorgeous setting for catching the sunrise. It has a claim to fame with being the first place to see the sunrise in the US during certain times of the year.
The most well-known spot is Cadillac Mountain, but you’ll have to snag a reservation to score a spot here. There are plenty of other great places to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean including Sand Beach, Boulder Beach or Gorham Mountain. Check out our best places to watch the sunrise in Acadia for a full breakdown and recommendations.
Best Time to Visit Bar Harbor
We personally believe the best time to visit Bar Harbor is in the fall. The gorgeous autumn colors make the already beautiful views pop even more.
It’s usually less crowded than in the summer as well. But, it truly depends what is most important to you! Check out our Best Time to Visit Acadia/Bar Harbor post for all the details.
Final Thoughts
Bar Harbor truly is an adventurer’s dream. With so many outdoor activities and just plain epic scenery, you won’t be bored. We hope this guide gives you a good launching off point for your time in Bar Harbor!
We were only there for a few days, but wish we could have spent longer there. We loved every moment and hope to be back very soon so we can do all the things we didn’t get around to the first time.
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