Where to Stay in Bar Harbor
Live availability and pricing from top booking sites
nAbbe Museum
Dedicated to the history and culture of the Wabanaki Nations, the Indigenous peoples of Maine. Excellent permanent collection, rotating exhibitions, and educational programs in a striking downtown building. Address: 26 […]
Acadia National Park
One of America’s most beloved national parks covering most of Mount Desert Island. Hike Cadillac Mountain for the country’s first sunrise, walk the carriage roads, swim at Sand Beach, and […]
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
The most popular whale watch operator in Bar Harbor, offering trips into Frenchman Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Best sightings mid-April through October for minkes, humpbacks, finbacks, and pilots. […]
Bluenose Inn
Hilltop inn with panoramic Frenchman Bay views, two pools, full spa services, and one of Maine’s most celebrated wine programs. A Kennebunkport Resort Collection property. Address: 90 Eden Street, Bar […]
Cafe This Way
Bar Harbor’s beloved breakfast and dinner spot with a fun retro interior and gourmet casual fare. Famous for creative breakfasts including Kit’s Burrito and house-made pastries. Part casual, part gourmet. […]
Harborside Hotel & Marina
Full-service waterfront resort with private marina, heated pool, spa, and Bluenose Bistro. Walk to all downtown shops and restaurants from this prime location on West Street. Address: 55 West Street, […]
Havana
Fine dining staple open year-round offering American cuisine with a distinctive Latin flair. Creative seasonal menus using local Maine ingredients with a sophisticated atmosphere. Address: 318 Main Street, Bar Harbor […]
Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
Classic Maine lobster pound where fresh seafood is cooked over an open fire in large pots of saltwater. Pick your lobster and watch it cook. Open-air seating and the real […]
West Street Hotel
Upscale boutique hotel with a rooftop pool offering panoramic views of downtown and the harbor. World-class spa, fine dining, and luxurious rooms in a prime downtown location. Address: 50 West […]
Bar Harbor is Maine’s most celebrated destination — a charming seaside town on Mount Desert Island that serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park. With its stunning natural scenery, vibrant restaurant scene, and rich maritime heritage, Bar Harbor draws visitors from around the world while maintaining the character of a genuine Maine coastal community.
Acadia National Park
Acadia is the crown jewel of the Maine coast and the reason most visitors come to Bar Harbor. The park encompasses much of Mount Desert Island and offers some of the most dramatic scenery on the Atlantic seaboard. Cadillac Mountain, at 1,530 feet, is the highest point on the eastern US coastline and one of the first places in the country to see the sunrise. The park’s 45 miles of historic carriage roads are perfect for cycling and walking, while 158 miles of hiking trails range from easy shoreline walks to challenging summit climbs.
Things to Do in Bar Harbor
Beyond Acadia, Bar Harbor itself offers plenty to explore. The town’s Main Street and Cottage Street are lined with galleries, shops, and restaurants. Whale watching cruises depart daily from the town pier in season, offering the chance to see humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes in the rich waters of the Gulf of Maine. Sea kayaking around the islands is another popular activity, and several outfitters offer guided tours for all skill levels.
Where to Stay in Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor has an exceptional range of accommodations from grand historic inns to cozy bed and breakfasts. The Bar Harbor Inn sits on the waterfront with sweeping views of Frenchman Bay. Numerous B&Bs occupy beautifully restored Victorian homes throughout the town. For those who prefer to be immersed in nature, Acadia National Park’s Blackwoods and Seawall campgrounds offer sites within the park itself.
Restaurants & Dining
Bar Harbor’s restaurant scene is outstanding for a town its size. Fresh lobster is the star — whether you prefer a traditional lobster pound experience or an upscale preparation at one of the fine dining establishments. Thurston’s Lobster Pound in nearby Bernard is a local favorite, while Havana brings creative Latin-influenced cuisine to Cottage Street. The craft beer scene is represented by Lompoc Cafe and the Bar Harbor Brewing Company.
Getting to Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is about 4.5 hours from Boston by car via I-95 north to Bangor, then Route 1A and Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. Bangor International Airport is the closest major airport, about an hour away. In summer, the Cat Ferry operated by Bay Ferries connects Bar Harbor directly to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, making it a popular gateway for Canadian visitors.