Best Things To Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a small Maine town located on Mount Desert Island that welcomes hundreds of tourists at various times of the year. And the fact is that the city holds within itself a myriad of experiences, mainly related to contact with nature and also with the sea that bathes the surroundings.

Among the things to see and do in Bar Harbor during your stay you can visit the Acadia National Park by bike or car, sail on a sailboat in Frenchman Bay, taste the flavours of the local cuisine, whale watching and learn about the culture and history of the region at the Abbe Museum and the Dorr Museum of Natural History. Here's a list of my must-visit options.

Acadia National Park, located east of Bar Harbor, is a must-see for nature lovers. It's a great destination to relax and get away from it all. Whether you want to explore on foot, take a long drive or a bike ride, Acadia National Park is the place to be.

Hiking the trails

There are a number of wooded trails in the park for walking, which are a good alternative. You will be in direct contact with nature, breathe fresh air and get a different perspective of the place.

Driving

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

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

Cycling route

Upon arrival you can rent a bike at Acadia National Park and set off on a cycling route at your own pace. This important natural lung has trails specially designed for cycling, varying in distance and intensity.

Throughout the adventure you will discover places like Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain and Otter Point Sand Beach, etc. Also, the Park Loop Road, a scenic road that connects the east of Mount Desert Island.

During your stay in Bar Harbor you can indulge your taste buds while discovering the local food culture. The city has a great culinary offer with authentic flavours and fresh ingredients that are mainly seafood. This is due to its privileged geographical location, surrounded by nature.

To carry out this taste experience you can go to Main Street, which is a shopping area with dozens of restaurants and food stalls. You will also find many other places to eat throughout the city.

Some of the must-try dishes include the following:

• Lobster Roll: one of Maine's most famous recipes, a sandwich filled with steamed lobster and seasoned with lemon juice.
• Oysters: a common product in the region that is characterised by its freshness and flavour, enriched by the Atlantic Ocean. They are fleshy in consistency and are found in sheltered waters of the sea or river ponds.
• Haddock: a delicious fish that lives in the waters of the region. In Spanish it translates as abadejo (haddock) and can be baked, grilled, steamed and served with delicious side dishes.
• Seafood chowder: Another Maine dish, seafood chowder is made primarily with clams accompanied by bacon, milk, pepper, butter and potatoes.
• Local craft beers: served to accompany the various dishes.

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

Useful information

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

Taking a windjammer sailboat ride on the waters of Frenchman Bay is another must-do in Bar Harbor. This adventure will allow you to enjoy a privileged perspective of the natural environment of the city. You'll also discover some of the wildlife that characterises this region.

As you sail, you'll explore part of the Maine coastline, sailing along the famous Frenchman's Bay, getting quite close to the Porcupine Islands. You'll be enveloped by a tranquil atmosphere and the backdrop will be a dreamy landscape, ideal for some photo opportunities.

And, if you keep an eye on your surroundings during this experience, you'll have the opportunity to see a significant display of wildlife. Such is the case of seals, eagles and the so-called porpoises, a very shy type of cetacean.

Without a doubt, this windjammer sailing trip around Bar Harbor is an activity not to be missed at any time of the year, since fog or light rain are no reason to suspend it. You can also 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 the city of Bar Harbor that often goes unnoticed is the College of the Atlantic Gardens. It's a tranquil spot on the college's waterfront campus, made up of a series of gardens, which provide an incredible natural scene.

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 looking at different flowers, plants and trees. In addition, you have the opportunity to learn about each of these species, as they are properly identified.

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

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

The path starts at Ells Wharf and goes all the way 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, Porcupine Islands and Egg Rock Lighthouse.

One of the best times to visit is in the early morning hours when the sun's rays appear timidly, bringing the whole landscape to life with colourful hues.

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

If you're interested in history and culture, one way 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'll learn about the Wabanaki, the Native American inhabitants of Maine.

Acadia National Park Headquarters

The Abbe Museum Headquarters is located on one of the trails in Acadia National Park. It was built in 1928 and has retained its original appearance. In its rooms you'll find exhibits that show you the history of the museum. You'll also learn how the Wabanaki built their fishing tools (hooks and spears, etc.), baskets, pottery and other artifacts made from stone and bone.

Downtown Bar Harbor location

The second Abbe Museum site you can visit is in downtown Bar Harbor. Here you'll find interesting exhibits such as 'Wabanaki in the World', where you'll learn about the Wabanaki's global presence. You will also see ancient artifacts, current exhibits and participate in activities and workshops. All depending on the season of the year.

Useful information

• Price: Children under the age of 10 are free, young people aged 11-17 pay an average price of €5 and the cost of admission for adults is approximately €10.
• Opening hours: The Abbe Museum's opening hours are usually Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 16:00. However, this may vary according to the time of year.

If you want to see the landmarks of downtown Maine and learn as much as you can about Bar Harbor, then a tour of the streets is the best option for you. You'll see a number of places of great historical and tourist value.

Some of the destinations you'll have the opportunity to see include the following:

• The West Street district: a tourist place, 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, which dates back to 1887 and is an old building with modern touches.

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

During your visit to Bar Harbor, Maine, you can experience a unique whale-watching adventure. These impressive marine species are present in the region and feed on the fish that inhabit these waters. You will only have to sail along the coast, entering the sea to enjoy this natural spectacle.

To carry out this type of adventure you will have to join a guided activity, in which a captain and his crew will take you aboard a boat to the sighting point of 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. Such is the case with humpback, minkes, pilot and fin whales. You may also see similar species such as sperm whales and killer whales.

In case you are a photography enthusiast or just want to venture into the area, you can take advantage of the scenic beauty that the town of Bar Harbor has to offer and take some pictures. You'll discover a wealth of incredible urban and natural scenery.

In the city you'll find destinations worth capturing with your camera lens. You can get up close and personal with the historic West Street district, which is noted for its Gilded Age architecture. Capture the sunset as you cruise the water or walk along the promenade, record scenes worthy of a painting at Jordan Pond.

You'll create stunning compositions, thanks to the melting pot of colours that nature itself makes available on the city's skyline. And at night, the starry sky and city lights provide the perfect backdrop for a different perspective of the city in your photographs.

Another of the things to see and do in Bar Harbor is to visit the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History. It's a must-see attraction in town, where you'll see a variety of wildlife from the Maine coast.

As you walk through the museum, you'll see the tide tank, which contains snails, hermit crabs and starfish. It's an ideal activity if you're travelling with children to Bar Harbor, as they can touch, hear and smell most of the exhibits.

You'll find dioramas of the region's wildlife and, of course, the gift shop with a variety of natural science-related items. You can buy books, jewellery and other items. There are also programmes and activities to learn about natural history.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Hours: The George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History is usually open Monday to Friday (10am-5pm), Saturday (10am-2pm). Closed on Sundays.