Lonely PlanetAug 20, 2026
11 things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine, and the best way to do them
Experience the best of Bar Harbor, Maine – gateway to Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain – with these top things to do.
21 things in this story
- Thurston'sRestaurantcasual dockside lobster pound overlooking Bass Harbor
- Elsewhere
- Acadia National ParkNature reserveBar Harbor, United Statesmountain hikes, wooded carriage roads, wave-battered shores
- Cadillac MountainSightBar Harbor, United Statessummit offers magnificent views over Frenchman Bay
- John D Rockefeller JrPlaceBar Harbor, United Statesgifted Acadia with 45 miles of carriage roads
- Eagle LakeSightBar Harbor, United Statesa lovely spot reached by carriage roads
- Jordan PondTrailBar Harbor, United Statesglassy waters reflect Penobscot Mountain
- Acadia Ebike AdventurePlaceBar Harbor, United Statesrental place for bikes near Hull's Cove
- Jordan Pond HouseRestaurantBar Harbor, United Statesafternoon tea tradition since the late 1800s
- Island ExplorerPlaceBar Harbor, United Statesfree bus service from Hulls Cove
- Carriage Road Carry-out CounterRestaurantBar Harbor, United Stateswell-suited for cyclists and strollers
- Cafe This WayRestaurantBar Harbor, United Statesserves fluffy pancakes with Maine blueberries
- Abbe MuseumMuseumBar Harbor, United Statescontains artifacts related to Maine's Native American heritage
- Acadia Country StoreMarketBar Harbor, United Statesstocks T-shirts, mugs, tea towels, maple syrup, jams
- Sea BagsPlaceBar Harbor, United Statessells bags from repurposed sailcloth
- Sherman'sPlaceBar Harbor, United Statesstate's oldest bookshop, sells regional authors
- Mount Desert Island Ice CreamIce cream shopBar Harbor, United Statesa Bar Harbor summertime institution
- Wonderland TrailTrailBar Harbor, United Statesreaches coastline with tide pools and critters
- Bar IslandSightBar Harbor, United Stateswalkable at low tide, offers views of seabed
- NOAA's Tide AlertPlaceBar Harbor, United Statesapp for checking tides
- Thirsty WhaleBarBar Harbor, United Statesserves unfussy seafood classics, draws locals and tourists
- North Ridge TrailTrailBar Harbor, United States4.2-mile round-trip route up Cadillac Mountain