The DL: Bar Harbor is a coastal town and one of the most popular in Maine, thanks to the Acadia National Park. There is a lot more to do compared to some of the other little coastal towns, but things tend to still close early. The peak time to visit is Memorial Day – October, but there was still lots to do when we visited in Mid-May.
Where to Stay
Stay in the downtown, and pay extra for the water view its worth it! We stayed at the West Street Hotel, but would also recommend Bar Harbor Club or Harborside Hotel.
How to Get Here
- The closest is the Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport – about 15 minutes (tends to be options from Boston if you fly there first)
- Bangor International Airport – about an hour drive
- Portland International Airport – about 3 hours
What to Eat
Breakfast:
- Jeannies
- Sunrise cafe
- 2 cats
- Everyday Joes
- Jordans restaurant
Lunch:
- Side Street Cafe
- Local Deli
- West street cafe
- Finback Alehouse
- Geddys
- Bar Harbour Lobster Co
Dinner:
- Bar harbour lobster co
- Galyn’s – lots of options and seating
- Blaze
- Havana – more upscale latin
- Reading room
- Project social – tapas
- Salt and Steel
- Mckay Public House
- The Terrace grill
Itinerary
Friday
- Check into your hotel
- Explore the downtown
- Make dinner reservations at the Reading Room for sunset you won’t regret it! This was the best lobster I ever had, also it was a no work lobster so even more amazing. The views are perfect and the staff was great. You can’t go wrong with anything you order here. Attire is nicer but no jacket needed for men.
Saturday
- Spend your day at Acadia National Park – guide coming soon
- Tip – grab lunch from one of the local delis to bring with you, or plan to be by one of the exits like Cadillac Mountain if you want to do lunch in Bar Harbor.
- Dinner – We didn’t get to go because they weren’t open for the season but I would try: Terrace Grill for views. We ended up getting lobster to go and ate it on our balcony over looking the water, since we were tired from the long day. Other options would be to go to dinner when it gets darker at Havana, Bar Harbour Lobster Co or Mckay public House, since all have no view.
- Grab Ice cream at one of the local shops downtown like Ben and Bills (there is like 100 flavors, and gf cones), Mount Dessert Island Ice Cream or Jordan Pond Ice Cream.
Sunday
- Do one of the tours in the morning: whale tour, puffin tour, lighthouse tour, or trolly tour if tight on time
- Grab Lunch – Side Street Cafe – one of my favorite spots the whole trip – get the rum punch (made with local rum) and the crab and cheese app dip for sure!
- Walk the rest of the downtown, including the little historic district
- Head home!
For other Maine towns check out my Portland guide or Kennebunkport
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