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    Hummusapien » Lifestyle » Travel » 10 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine (2023 Attractions)

    10 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine (2023 Attractions)

    Published Mar 23, 2023 · Modified Mar 23, 2023 · by Alexis Joseph · 19 Comments

    If you've never been to Maine, the charming seaside town of Bar Harbor is one of the best places to visit. Ride a lobster boat, enjoy breathtaking mountain and waterfront views, hike Acadia, and eat fresh lobster to your heart's content. These are the best things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine including where to eat, stay and play. Ideal for couples and families alike!

    ocean view with boats

    The best time to visit

    Summers are wonderful, but I think the best time to visit Bar Harbor is late September or October when the leaves are just starting to change. It's not as crowded as it can be in the early summer months which makes for a more peaceful trip.

    I visited Bar Harbor in August in 2015 and have been dying to visit in the fall ever since!

    How to get there

    I recommend flying into Bangor and renting a car for the hour drive to Bar Harbor, Maine. You'll want a car anyway to get to Acadia as well as some of the most beloved lobster restaurants that are located a bit farther out.

    Another option is to fly into Boston and drive a few hours to Bar Harbor (you can stop and see some other towns along the way).

    blue sky with large sailboat

    Where to Stay

    • We stay at The West Street Hotel, a boutique waterfront hotel in downtown Bar Harbor complete with Maine's only rooftop swimming pool. It's walkable to everything and the pool alone makes it a quite the destination!
    • Another option is the elegant Bar Harbor Inn. Situated right on the harbor, this upscale hotel offers the quintessential Bar Harbor experience, complete with waterfront dining, an infinity pool and luxury spa.
    • The historic Atlantean Cottage Bed and Breakfast offers a more rustic, quaint stay. Don't miss the daily scratch-made breakfast and romantic front porch!

    Now let's dive into the must-do's of this magical coastal town!

    What to do

    1. Take a foodie walking tour

    red picnic table with lobster roll and salad

    One of the best ways to get to know a city and its accompanying food scene is to take a culinary walking tour.

    It's best to do this early on in your visit so you can not only taste a bit of everything, but also score top notch restaurant recommendations from the local guide while meeting new people.

    On our tour we enjoyed fresh lobster rolls on buttery brioche, wild Maine blueberry popcorn, one of the best peekytoe crab cakes I've ever laid mouth on, and so much more.

    2. Sail on the Margaret Todd

    large sailboat on water

    Set sail on this beautiful four-masted windjammer boat for a breathtaking panoramic view of the bay and surrounding islands plus plenty of history.

    We enjoyed the Schooner Afternoon Sail but you can also take a two-hour sunset cruise if you're feeling extra romantic. Don't forget a bottle of wine!

    3. Eat wild blueberry pancakes at Café This Way

    person eating blueberry pancakes, eggs and potatoes

    You don't have to tell me twice! Bar Harbor, Maine is brimming with wild blueberry fields so enjoying them in hot flapjacks is an absolute must. 

    My favorite breakfast spot by a mile was Café This Way, an eclectic spot owned by three women serving scrumptious breakfast and dinner favorites.

    two plates of breakfast with eggs, potatoes and fruit

    There's almost always a wait, but since it's right in the middle of the downtown area, you can peruse the local shops until your table is ready.

    For more yummy breakfast fare, try Two Cats Restaurant (pictured above)

    4. Hike Acadia National Park

    woman hiking on rock with arms up and water in background

    As if Bar Harbor, Maine isn't stunning enough, Acadia's 125 miles of hiking trails are a short ten-minute drive away. The park is enormous, so you can spend an entire day (and then some) there.

    If you prefer driving the park, you can book a ride with Oli's Trolley.

    We drove up to Cadillac Mountain and it was one of the most gorgeous panoramic views I've ever seen. (Check out the National Park Service for more information on closures, parking, passes and fees.)

    Other great hikes are Great Trail Head, Otter Cliff, Bubble Rock Trail, Beehive, and Jordan's Pond Nature Trail.

    5. Devour popovers at Jordan Pond House

    plate of popovers with butter

    Ever had a popover? How about a steaming hot one with an unforgettable view of Acadia in the background?

    Make this foodie dream a reality at the historic Jordan Pond House. I recommend doing a bit of hiking first and then taking a snack break there.

    couple standing in front of mountains

    Of note, the rest of the menu isn't anything to write home about so stick to tea, popovers and the epic view!

    6. Relax and sip coffee at Choco-Latte

    couple drinking coffee

    We love our coffee. We visited Choco-Latte twice while we were in Bar Harbor, once while we were waiting for breakfast and another day as we were strolling along.

    They have plenty of organic coffee drinks, yummy baked goods, and breakfast sandwiches with homemade bread and organic eggs.

    hand holding muffin and coffee

    This is also a nice place to sneak in some work since it has WiFi.

    Another adorable morning spot with locally-roasted coffee, homemade quiche, bagel sandwiches, and plenty of vegan options is Morning Glory Bakery.

    7. Enjoy waterfront cocktails

    hand holding cocktail with water view

    You won't find a better view of Frenchman Bay and Porcupine Islands than at Bar Harbor Inn's outdoor Terrace Grill.

    Relax on the comfy couches while sipping a speciality drink (I'm partial to the blueberry juniper cocktail) and watching the boats in the harbor.

    Save room for wild Maine blueberry pie!

    8. Ride an authentic lobster boat

    man holding lobster on boat

    Did you know lobster used to be the food of prisoners? That's right---it wasn't always considered the delicacy it is today!

    Learn more than you'll ever need to know about Bar Harbor's famed crustacean, including how they used to catch them and how they catch them today, with Lulu's Lobster Boat Ride. If you're lucky, you'll see some seals, too!

    9. Eat lobster at Beal's Lobster Pier

    lobster, butter, cornbread and potatoes on paper plates on blue tray

    It's a bit of a drive away, but locals agree that Beal's is THE spot for the most authentic Bar Harbor lobster experience. They're about to celebrate their 91st season!

    The lobster comes straight from their pier and all the vegetables are grown by local farmers.

    cloudy sky with sailboats on water

    Enjoy a beautiful view of the southwest harbor in a fun and casual atmosphere while you wait for your steamed lobster, cornbread, and red potatoes. Bib included!

    10. Savor ice cream at Mount Desert Ice Cream

    woman smiling holding ice cream cone upside down in cup

    This insanely creamy ice cream is made five batches at a time with premium ingredients, and boy is it obvious. Mount Desert Ice Cream truly has some of the best ice cream I've ever had!

    We went there twice in one weekend and I miss it like crazy. My flavors of choice were butterscotch miso and blackstrap banana bread.

    Now tell me--have you ever been to Maine? Where are you dying to travel to next? Be sure to check out more travel posts here!

    Thanks to Visit Maine for coordinating the hotels, meals, and activities during our stay at Bar Harbor. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own. 

    About Alexis Joseph


    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

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    1. Marianne says

      October 14, 2022 at 10:21 am

      I was in Bar Harbor 20 years ago to release my mother’s ashes and I’m really looking forward to seeing that sweet little town again in early November. Your list of places to eat and drink is really helpful and we’ll be trying each one then. Thanks for writing this article. Great recommendations.

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        October 18, 2022 at 7:29 pm

        That is so very special! I hope you find something you love, Marianne. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Janelle says

      April 21, 2021 at 11:42 pm

      Thanks! We are heading back to Bar Harbor/Acadia for the 4th (?) time - and looking for tips! Thanks!! Looks like you had a blast!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 22, 2021 at 10:16 am

        Awesome, have fun!

        Reply
    3. Sasha says

      July 28, 2020 at 4:47 pm

      We've rented a cottage off of Bar Harbor for the past 6 years and we love it there. To anyone heading up, enjoy the touristy places but also take a drive away from them, too. There is so much to see and do. Somes Sound, Asticou Gardens, Beal and Bunker mail boat to Cranberry Isles are just a few. Go off the beaten path as you'll never know what you see.

      Reply
    4. Anne - Virginia Beach, VA says

      June 07, 2020 at 5:52 pm

      This was awesome! Thank you for the information! Our family is really looking forward to our visit next month!

      Reply
    5. Toni says

      May 09, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Your blog makes me absolutely want to go to Bar Harbor...thank you for your insights. Can't wait for this coronavirus lock down to be lifted.

      Toni from Halifax NS

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        May 10, 2020 at 1:55 pm

        Me too! It's a must once things are back to normal.

        Reply
    6. Alison says

      June 26, 2019 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks for the tips. I took lots of notes. Heading there in August!

      Reply
    7. Kevin says

      December 08, 2018 at 10:13 pm

      Alexis thanks so for the great tour of Bar Harbor Maine! We passed it by when in Maine last time, but Not next time - wow!
      Kevin

      Reply
    8. Jeff says

      October 02, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      I’ve been to all of those places too!!

      Reply
    9. Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says

      October 02, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      Girlllll, I wanna go so bad now! I absolutely love coastal towns like this; has a Cape Cod/Nantucket vibe I think. Also that ice cream sounds delicious! My top remains Salt & Straw, so it would be pretty hard to top, but I trust your judgement completely 😉

      Reply
    10. Ashwini says

      October 02, 2018 at 4:44 am

      I too Love sea foods, Its wonderful idea having sea food as snacks in journey.

      Reply
    11. Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says

      October 01, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      For sure on my bucket list of places to go to!! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Lindsay says

      October 01, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      My mom and I have been visiting Bar Harbor for the last 3 years now and we just love it! Highly recommend watching sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, it requires early wake up but so worth it!

      Reply
    13. Kori says

      October 01, 2018 at 2:41 pm

      I have never been to Maine, but one of Matt's best friends lived there for a while. I sure hope to visit one day!!! And you truly have given so so many amazing recommendations that I really hope to visit. What an incredible trip, and it is SO well-deserved! I hope you feel rejuvenated and relaxed. <3

      Reply
    14. Denise says

      October 01, 2018 at 10:31 am

      As someone from Maine (and still here!), I wish I could smother this post in love. 😉 I love my state, especially this time of year. It is my favorite time for hiking - the temps are perfect and the colors are amazing. Oh the places I could show you! 🙂

      Super glad you enjoyed your visit! Hope you come again soon. 🙂

      Reply
    15. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says

      October 01, 2018 at 10:06 am

      There are just so many incredible spots in the US, it makes me want to travel so much! Bar Harbor looks simply amazing! 😀

      Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
      https://charmainenyw.com

      Reply
      • Pam Lawson says

        August 13, 2020 at 7:51 pm

        Loved all the information on Bar Harbor. It will be a port of call for our cruise passengers next year. Thanks for the work you put into it.

        Reply

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