Bar Harbor is a village on Mount Desert Island on the Mid-coast of
Maine, a state of the United States of America.
Get In
By car
• 45 mins - 1 hour from Bangor, Maine, depending on traffic. Take I-395 and
Route 1A to Ellsworth. From Ellsworth continue on Route 3 to Bar Harbor.
• 3.5 hours from Portland, Maine. Take I-95 to exit 182, I-395 and follow
the directions from Bangor. Alternatively, take I-95 to Route 3, exit 113,
just north of Augusta, and follow Route 3 east to Belfast, and then to
Ellsworth and Bar Harbor.
• 5 hours from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
• 5 hours from Boston, Massachusetts
• 7 hours from Burlington, Vermont. Take I-89 South to Montpelier, get on
Route 2 West and follow until Newport, Maine. Get on I-95 North and
take exit 185 to the "Acadia Region". Follow the signs along Route 1 to Bar
Harbor.
• 7 hours from Quebec, Canada
By bus
There is a small
Vermont Transit Bus Line terminal on Main Street, with service from
Boston. Bus service to and from Boston is available only in the summer.
During the remainder of the year there is bus service to Bangor, 74km/46
miles from Bar Harbor.
By ferry
The Cat
(Catamaran), "North America's fastest car ferry" is located on Route 3 about
1 mile out of town. The ferry provides daily service to and from Yarmouth
Nova Scotia between mid May and mid October. Beginning in 2006 the ferry
will serve Bar Harbor four days a week, and operate between Portland and
Yarmouth the remainder of the week.
By air
The
Bar Harbor Airport is somewhat of a misnomer, being located in Trenton
the town which connects Mount Desert Island to the mainland. There is
scheduled air service to Boston. During the summer there is free bus
service between the airport and Bar Harbor. Taxi service is also available.
Get around
The central area of Bar Harbor is quite small and easily explored by
foot. This includes the shopping and eating establishments on Main St. and
Cottage St., as well as the activities at the town pier. Depending on the
time of year you find yourself in town, and your intended goals, your visit
may necessitate different modes of transportation. With many of the nearly 3
million annual visitors arriving in the summer months, the vehicle traffic
may be something you would want to avoid. With just a bit of planning ahead
on where you would like to see, the increasing fleet of
Island Explorer buses would be a great decision for those who envision
leaving their car at the hotel and letting someone else do the driving.
Bicycles can be rented in town and may be put on the front of the buses.
Attractions
• Bar Harbor Historical
Society 33 Ledgelawn Ave., 207-288-3807 or 207-288-0000 Open
Monday-Saturday 1-4pm June-October, open by appointment in the winter.
Closed Sundays and holidays. Free admission.
• Abbe Museum 26 Mount Desert St.,
207-288-3519 Open to school groups and programs by appointment in the
winter, shop and galleries open for the public May 25.
• Village Green Right in the heart of town, the well-groomed park is a
great place to take a break from walking, shopping, etc. Toss a frisbee,
enjoy your ice cream, read a book, or just take a nap. The gazebo hosts the
town band every Wednesday night.
• The Wild Gardens of Acadia
• Sieur de Monts Spring Nature Center
• 2006 Cruise
Ship Schedule
Golfing
• Kebo Valley Golf Course State
Highway 233 ("Eagle Lake Road"). Pro Shop: 207-288-3000, Club House:
207-288-5000, Superintendent: 207-288-2200 Challenge yourself at the 8th
oldest golf course in America. 6,131 yards, par 70.
• Prirate's Cove Adventure
Golf Route 3, 207-288-2133 Open mid-April through October, 11am - 9pm
every day. Two 18-hole courses, Original and Blackbeard's Challenge. Both
courses $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for children. 36-hole adventure: $12/adults,
$11/children. Ice cream window right across the street to celebrate.
Cinemas
• Criterion Theater 35
Cottage St., 207-288-3441. Enjoy a film or live performance at this
beautiful, historic Art-Deco theater. 88 balcony seats, 781 downstairs.
• Reel Pizza Cinerama 3 Kennebec Place, 207-288-3811. Take your pick of
comfy seating and gourmet pizzas in front of one of two screens. Tickets
$5.00 for adults and children. Disability accommodations.
Whale Watching
• The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
Cruise Frenchman's Bay and get up close and personal with whales, dolphins,
porpoises, sea birds and more.
• Mount Desert Oceanarium and Lobster Hatchery 3829 Route 3, 207-288-5005
• Diver Ed's Dive-In Theater
207-288-DIVE (3483)
Sailing
• Margaret Todd Schooner
Office located at 27 Main St. (tickets), 207-288-4585 or 207-288-2373
Sail through Frenchman's Bay on this beautiful, 151-foot, four-masted
schooner and see the sun set over the harbor. Follow the shore path to the
right of the town pier to the dock directly in front of the Bar Harbor Inn.
(You'll see the boat before you get that close). Sails at 10am (morning
sail), 2pm (afternoon sail), and 6:30pm (sunset sail). Tickets are
$29.50/adults, $27.50/seniors, $19.50/kids under 12. Tickets also available
on-line .
Hiking
The following is a list of walks and hikes around the village of Bar Harbor.
For a complete list of mountains on the island, please see the list on the
Mount Desert Island page.
• Cadillac Mtn. 1,530 ft.
• North Ridge Trail
• South Ridge Trail
• Dorr Mtn. 1,270 ft.
• Champlain Mtn. 1,058 ft.
• Bear Brook Trail
• The Precipice Trail - One of the most difficult hikes on the
island, iron rungs and ladders help you make the steep ascent. This trail is
closed at times due to nesting peregrine falcons, which can be viewed from
the parking area.
• The Beehive 540 ft. - A short but steep hike up this mountain
rewards you with some great views of Sand Beach, Great Head, Frenchman's
Bay, and Champlain Mtn.
• Iron rungs and ladders
• Gorham Mtn. 525 ft.
• The Shorepath - A relaxing stroll along the oceanfront, beginning
at the town pier.
• Ocean Trail - An easy walk along the dramatic, rocky coastline
Maine is known for. See Sand Beach, Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs.
• Bar Island - This trail is accessible only at low tide.
• Carraige Roads - Accessible by Eagle Lake
• Great Head Trail
Tips for hiking in Bar Harbor
• Avoid driving and use the free Island Explorer buses. These stop at most
trail heads, and afford an ideal means of taking hikes from one point to
another without spotting cars.
• Bring and drink at least one liter of water per person and use sun
protection. The nearby mountains and shoreline afford little protection from
the sun.
• Dress in layers. Even on the hottest summer days the mountains and
shoreline can be windy and cool.
• Stay on the 160 km/100 miles of trails and 80km/50 miles of carriage
roads.
Paddling
Here's how to explore Bar Harbor by canoe or kayak. For a complete list of
ponds and lakes on the island, please see the list on the Mount Desert
Island page.
• Coastal Kayaking Tours
800-526-8615. .
• Island Adventures Kayaking 207-288-3886.
• Krismark Outfitters 888-746-CAMP..
• National Park Sea Kayak Tours 39
Cottage St., 800-347-0940 Reservations are suggested for these tours, which
primarily cruise the quieter western side of Mount Desert Island, but also
explore Frenchman, Eastern, Western and Blue Hill Bays.
Dining
American
• Bar Harbor Lobster Bakes
207-288-5031.
• Cafe This Way 14 1/2 Mt. Desert
St., 207-288-4483.
• Donohue's Eatery and Spirits
30 Cottage St., 207-288-3030.
• EPI's - 8 Cottage St., 207-288-5853. Pizza, subs, calzones, soups and
salads. Two arcade games and a pinball machine in the back. A busy place in
the summer, but the wait in line is worth it.
• Freddie's Route 66 21 Cottage St., 207-288-3708.
• Galyn's Restaurant and Galley Lounge
17 Main St., 207-288-9706. Open daily, March to November. lunch served
11:30-2:30, dinner 4-10pm. Head to the Galley Lounge for happy hour between
4-6 each afternoon. Reservations are accepted.
• Geddy's 19 Main St., 207-288-5077.
Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, all year-round. Burgers, steaks,
grilled chicken, seafood, and gourmet pizza. Have fun pointing out all of
the interesting Mount Desert Island memorabilia on the walls while you enjoy
the great food and service.
• Havana 318 Main St.,
207-288-2822. "American fine dining with a Latin flair".
• Jordan's Restaurant 80 Cottage St., 207-288-3586.
• Michelle's Fine Dining 194 Main
St., 207-288-0048.
• Poor Boy's Gourmet Restaurant
• Rosalie's - For some of the best pizza in town. A seat upstairs at the
windows gives a nice view down to Cottage St.
• Rupununi: An American Bar and Grill
119 Main St., 207-288-2886.
• The Acadia Restaurant
• The Parkside Restaurant 185 Main St., 207-288-3700.
• The Pier Restaurant 55
West St., 207-288-2110.
• The Quarterdeck 1 Main St., 207-288-1161
• Mache Bistro 135 Cottage St.,
207-288-0447.
Italian
• Mama DiMatteo's 34 Kennebec St., 207-288-3666.
Mexican
• Gringo's
• Miguel's Mexican Restaurant 51 Rodick St., 207-288-5117.
Thai
• Nakorn Thai 30 Rodick St., 207-288-4060.
Drink
• Rupununi: An American Bar and Grill
119 Main St., 207-288-2886.
• Lompoc Cafe and Brew Pub 36
Rodick St., 207-288-9392.
• Carmen Verandah's 119 Main
St., 207-288-2766.
• Little Anthony's Sports Bar and
Pizzaria 131 Cottage St., 207-288-4700.
• Fish House Grill May-October:
207-288-3070, October-May: 941-458-2607
• The Thirsty Whale Tavern 40 Cottage St., 207-288-9335.
Microbreweries
• Bar Harbor Brewing Company
• Atlantic Brewing Company
Lodging
Full Service Hotels & Motels
Room rates in Bar Harbor vary drastically with time of year and also with
category of accommodation.
• Acadia Inn 98 Eden Street (Rt. 3),
phone: 207-288-3500 or 800-638-3636, fax: 207-288-8424. Open April 7
thru November 11. $69 early May-$179 August.
• Atlantic Eyrie Lodge 6
Norman Road, phone: 207-288-9786 or 800-HABA-VUE. Open May 19 thru October
15. $62 mid-May to mid-June - $202 July and August.
Cheapest rooms are on 1st and 2nd floors, more expensive for corner rooms
(two big windows), rooms on upper floors, and those with kitchens.
• Atlantic Oakes by the Sea phone:
207-288-5801 or 800-336-2463, fax: 207-288-8402. Open year-round. $92
Jan.-mid May - $203 July - Labor Day. Room categories from
least expensive: Oceanview, kitchenette, deluxe, superior.
• Bar Harbor Grand Hotel 269
Main St., phone: 207-288-5226 or 888-766-2529, fax: 207-288-8548.
Open April 14 thru November 11. $75 mid-April - mid-May - $195
July and August.
• Bar Harbor Inn Newport Drive,
phone: 207-288-3351 or 800-248-3351. Open March 24 thru November 26. $79
April - $369 July and August.
• Bar Harbor Motel 100 Eden
St., phone: 207-288-3453 or 800-388-3453, fax: 207-288-3598. Open May
11 thru October 21. $60 May - $128 July and August. Rooms
available: 2 double beds or 1 king bed/ 2 queen beds/ 2 bedroom family units.
• Bar Harbor Regency
• Bayview Hotel
• Harborside Hotel and Marina
• Quimby House Inn
Bed & Breakfasts/Guest Houses:
• Acacia House Hotel
• Ridgeway Inn
• Ullikana Bed and Breakfast
Camping
• Bar Harbor Campground
• Blackwoods Campground
• Hadley's Point Campground
• Mount Desert Narrows Camping
Resort
|
