Things To Do In Bar Harbor, Maine

Update March 2006: Visitor's this summer will see totally redone harbor side park and retaining wall at the start of the Shore Path.

Bar Harbor was originally called "Eden" which should give you a hint of the scenic beauty of the area. Bar Harbor is located on Mount Desert Island just slightly off the coast of Downeast Maine and was once a internationally known hot spot for the ultra-rich with a summer "cottage" community that rivaled Newport.

The great fire of 1947 which burned about 100 of the great mansions and thousands of acres with in Acadia National Park, officially ended the gilded era which had declined since the introduction of the income tax and the World Wars.

What grew among the ashes of the fire was a new version of the resort town. One that was no longer so exclusive but one that appeals to a broader economic range of tourists. Tourism was not longer only for the ultra rich. The emerging middle class found itself with more vacation time and more money to spend on vacations so instead of summer "cottages" of for the rich, hotels, motels and cabins sprung up for the masses. While villages untouched by the fires such as Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor (Martha Stewart and the Rockefellers have houses here) continue to be dominated by the rich who can afford to "summer" in Maine, Bar Harbor offers more for the traveler coming for a week or two.

So while the town still enjoys the reputation from the gilded age it really offers more for the common man - t-shirt shops and gift shops as well as dining experiences everywhere from take out burritos to fine French cooking.

What hasn't changed over time is the incredible rugged beauty of the Maine coast and the access to Acadia National Park. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, picnicking, "rocking", beaches, swimming, birding, horseback riding and/or simply drinking in the natural beauty. Specify in Bar Harbor there enough activities for a day, weekend or full week.

Great Things To Do In Bar Harbor

Walk the Shore Path

The famous Shore Path in Bar Harbor, Maine, begins at the town pier and continues South for about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island. Originally created around 1880, people have walked on this path taking in the sites, sound and smells ever since. Soon the shore path will be extended to the north so that you can walk all the way to the Bar Island sand bar which during low tide will lead, over the sea floor no less, to Bar Island.

Go On A Whale Watch

You can buy tickets for a whale watch trip right down at the town dock. Dress warmly for the trip because you'll be heading way out to see.

See the Famous Stained Glass

One of the most popular destinations of cruise ship tourists according to a recent survey was to visit St. Saviour's Episcopal Church which is the oldest, largest and tallest public building on Mt. Desert Island. It is claimed that St. Saviour's has more Tiffany windows than anywhere else in Maine! There are ten beautiful examples of Louis Comfort Tiffany's technique and artistry here at St. Saviour's. We have a total of forty two stained glass windows in all. St. Saviour's also houses a number of more formal English stained glass windows as well as a variety of historic memorials. The windows span over a century, ranging in date from 1886 to 1992.

Watch the Cruise Ships

Some eighty cruise ship visits a year, you are very likely to see one or two cruise ships in the harbor during your visit to Bar Harbor. Last summer The Queen Mary 2, the largest boat afloat came for a visit.

Visit Acadia National Park

Located on the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite-domed mountains, woodlands, lakes and ponds, and ocean shoreline. Such diverse habitats create striking scenery and make the park a haven for wildlife and plants. Bar Harbor provides close and easy access to the park.

Eat A Great Meal

Maine is known for lobster and seafood but Bar Harbor also offers Italian, French, Chinese, Tai, Mexican and even Cuban restaurants.

See a Movie

For a rainy day or just to relax after a busy day, Bar Harbor has two great movie theaters.

The Criterion Theatre first opened its doors on June 6th, 1932. The art deco Criterion was used for vaudeville performances for many years during the heyday of the vaudeville circuit, as well as motion picture exhibition. The acoustics are excellent, and every aspect of the theater was designed specifically for the location, from the light fixtures to the carpets and wall fabrics.
One very special feature of the building is its "floating" balcony, one of a few of its kind. Not only is this free-hanging structure an architectural feat, it also offers some of the best seating in the house. The balcony is divided into nine sections (loges) separated from each other with half walls and from the back corridor with velvet curtains. Originally rented out by the box to the town's wealthy summer residents, these seats are now available to all, and offer an excellent birds eye view of the screen and stage. The theatre currently seats 88 upstairs and 781 downstairs.

Reel Pizza offers a different kind of movie experience. Reel Pizza combines great gourmet pizza with movies to create a unique dining and munching experience. Come to the theater a half hour early to put your order in so you won't have to get up during the show. The seat all include tables except the front row which is made up of flea market sofas and lounge chairs.

Museums and Tours

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and explore new things in Bar Harbor. Visit the local art galleries, take a tour and visit the museums.
There are a number of museums in Bar Harbor including Bar Harbor Whale Museum, The Abbe Museum of Native Americans and COA's Natural History Museum, The Oceanarium is great for kids and adults and features a lobster hatchery and touch tank. Tours include bus tours of the island, kayak and biking tours, ATLANTIC BREWING COMPANY brewery tours, nature tours from the Park or private tour companies, Boat tours leave the harbor several times a day and the Margaret Todd, a tall ship, sails out into the harbor three times a day.

Plenty of people come to Bar Harbor for a brief visit. Whether they are on bus tour or cruise ship making a quick stop or are on some kind of 10 cities in 10 days kind of tour of Maine but as you can see there is enough to do in Bar Harbor to last a day or a lifetime.