First settled in 1763, Bar Harbor is a small town on Mount Desert Island and is a popular spot in the 'Down East' region of Maine, USA. For such a small spot it has a lot going on with friendly people and an authentic feel that draws weekenders, cruise ships and those looking for an outdoor adventure.
The best time to visit Maine for good weather is between June and August. If you're hoping to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more laid-back holiday, the best time to visit Maine is during the spring or fall.
Bar Harbor is known for its stunning coastal beauty, its many yachts and lobster boats, and its view of islands and ocean in settings that can range from glistening sunlight to thick fog and mist. It slows our lives down so we may appreciate nature and the relationships with those in our lives whom we love even more.
The average stay is is 3-4 days but, if you plan on exploring the surrounding villages or the Schoodic Peninsula section of Acadia National Park, it can be longer.
Top Attractions in Bar Harbor
- Acadia National Park. 1,873 reviews. Nature & Parks.
- Mount Desert Island. 2,889 reviews. Nature & Parks.
- Shore Path. 1,956 reviews. See 2 Experiences.
- Land Bridge to Bar Island. 1,300 reviews.
- Ocean Trail. 944 reviews.
- Schoodic Peninsula. 463 reviews.
- Frenchman Bay. 378 reviews.
- Village Green. 388 reviews.
Bangor is only 50 miles north of Acadia National Park so it is a convenient 90-minute drive from Bangor to Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park, and the tourist town of Bar Harbor. Bangor is also only 90 miles south of Baxter State Park and Mt.
The best time to visit Acadia National Park in terms of pleasant weather is between late spring and fall. However, it's often crowded. A less busy time with great weather is the two weeks after Labor Day in September until mid-September, just before the leaf-peeping crowds arrive.
Walking Distance from Bar Harbor & Near Main Entrance to Acadia National Park. It is about 1/2 mile walking distance from the borderline going to DT Bar Habor; Seemed safe to walk(we love to walk), but at night not well lite along a windy 2 lane road.
We have five quaint and cozy cabins RIGHT on the ocean in Hulls Cove very close to the Acadia National Park Visitor Center. Cabins are available for nightly or weekly rental for two guests and a pet.
Driving from Portland to Bar Harbor takes about three hours. When you pack up and hit the road from Portland, you may want to break-up your trip with a stopover in the Maine Midcoast. Take Route 1 and carve your way through the beautifully quaint and scenic Maine Midcoast.
This 27-mile (43 km) road is the go-to scenic drive around the east side of Mount Desert Island, connecting Acadia's lakes, mountains, and shoreline.
You should plan to spend around $128 per day on your vacation in Bar Harbor, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $23 on meals for one day and $38 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Bar Harbor for a couple is $165.
Spot the celebrities among Maine's summer people
- JOHN TRAVOLTA and KELLY PRESTON, Islesboro.
- ANNA KENDRICK, Portland.
- CHRIS O'DONNELL, Isleboro.
- DAVID McCULLOUGH, Camden.
- DAVID MORSE, Bar Harbor.
- DREW TAGGART, Freeport.
- JOAN LUNDEN, Naples.
- MARTHA STEWART, Seal Harbor.
In Bar Harbor, the summers are comfortable; the winters are freezing, wet, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 16°F to 73°F and is rarely below 1°F or above 81°F.
Bar Harbor is a nice town as is MDI just filled to the brim most of the year except winter. There are a few on here to let you know what it's like maybe even a new "local" from last fall. There are some great towns around that don't get so crowded. Winter in Bar Harbor is wonderful.
Bar Harbor cost of living is 114.8
| COST OF LIVING | Bar Harbor | Maine |
|---|
| Grocery | 112.7 | 107.1 |
| Health | 118.1 | 100.1 |
| Housing | 153.5 | 99.2 |
| Median Home Cost | $354,800 | $229,400 |
Acadia only has seven known species of reptiles. This includes five snakes and two turtles. Other snakes found in Acadia are the smooth green snake, redbelly snake, ringneck snake and eastern milksnake.
Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport
Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers into the center of Bar Harbor. It's a small, very picturesque town with colorful buildings, shops, cafes, and restaurants. Almost all the tours depart within 1600 feet (a 6-minute walk) from the ship's tender dock.
Bar Harbor (Southwest, Bass Harbor) will be very quiet in the winter. Lodging is available, restaurants and a few shops are open. Some sections of the Park never close and, depending on the weather, winter sports (x-country skiing, skating, etc.) may be available.
You should plan to spend around $157 per day on your vacation in Maine, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $39 on meals for one day and $40 on local transportation. So, a trip to Maine for two people for one week costs on average $2,201.
Where to Stay For The Maine Lobster Festival
- 250 Main.
- Trade Winds Inn.
- Hampton Inn & Suites, Rockland.
- The Samoset Resort.
- Camden Hills State Park is a destination unto itself, offering recreational vehicle camping in an oceanside location, with hiking trails and glorious mountaintop views of Penobscot Bay.
The Best Places to See Maine Fall Foliage
- Fort Kent. Head way up to one of the northernmost towns in the state of Maine, to the fishing and logging village of Fort Kent.
- Acadia National Park.
- Baxter State Park.
- Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway.
- Camden Hills State Park.
- Moosehead Lake.
The best time for Maine whale watching begins in mid-April when hungry whales arrive to feast in local waters rich in sand eels, copepods, plankton, and fish. In October, they'll head south toward warmer seas.
15 Best Places To Vacation in Maine—Where To Stay For A Great
- Kennebunkport. Combining a blue-blood reputation with a series of perfect beaches, Kennebunkport is among the most stylish places to vacation on Maine's south coast.
- Portland.
- Belfast.
- Peaks Island.
- Rockland.
- Ogunquit.
- York.
- Camden.
Maine has one of the most comfortable statewide summer climates in the country. Peak temperatures normally occurring in July average about 70°F throughout the state. Summer nights are usually comfortably cool. Winters are generally cold, but very prolonged cold spells are rare.
ACADIA NAT'L PARK — Managers here issued a notice to visitors Tuesday that a black bear has been spotted in the vicinity of the Blackwoods Campground in Otter Creek. Bears, like moose, are seldom seen on Mount Desert Island, although biologists believe there are small local populations.
Acadia is famous for its stunning fall foliage, but it is also beautiful in the winter, when it is often blanketed in white. Winter scenic drives and hiking are thus popular options. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are wonderful ways to see the park in winter, and volunteers sometimes even cut trails.
