Mount Desert Island is home to the town of Bar Harbor as well as Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park. The area has long been a summer getaway for well-to-do Americans, including J. P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John Astor and William Howard Taft. Take a short self-guided walking tour to see mansions and hotels built for these celebrities.
Industry giant John D. Rockefeller donated lands for development of the national park in the early 1900s and built 50 miles (80 kilometers) of carriage paths with cut stone guard rails. Hike or bike these trails that were set up with reasonable grade to accommodate horse carriage travel.
Inside the park, Cadillac Mountain, at 1,528 feet (470 meters) tall, is the highest point along the North American coastline. It’s also one of the places in the U.S. where the sunrise is first visible. Join other early risers to drive or hike to the top of the mountain to see and photograph the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. Park rangers frequently give sunset talks atop the mountain, highlighting local geography, flora and fauna and overhead constellations.
The rugged granite of Mount Desert Island is ideal for rock climbing the cliffs can also be treacherous. Hire an accredited guide from a local mountain climbing organization to ensure safety. You’ll learn how to tie knots, belay and find footing and handholds. Or, go on a guided sea kayaking or canoeing trip in the ocean waters around the island.
Sign up for a whale-watching excursion you’re likely to see whales breaching and clearing their blowholes and you may see porpoise, sharks, dolphins, tuna and puffins.
The town of Bar Harbor has numerous art galleries, souvenir shops and dining areas. See lobster farming at the Mount Desert Oceanarium and Lobster Hatchery and local history at the Abbe Museum. Or, visit the free Sieur de Monts Spring and Nature Center to learn about the plants and animals in the park. In summer, enjoy classical and jazz music festivals.
Car parking in Bar Harbor is generally plentiful and free. Sites and activities have fees.
Bar Harbor, ME
Travel Guide
Visit Bar Harbor
Where to stay in Bar Harbor
Downtown Bar Harbor
If you're spending some time in Downtown Bar Harbor, Village Green and Criterion Theater are top sights worth seeing.
Stone Haven
While Stone Haven might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bubble Rock and Acadia National Park.
Hulls Cove
Waterfront views, bars, and parks highlight some of the notable features of Hulls Cove. Make a stop by Acadia National Park while you're exploring.
The Inn on Mount Desert
Super cute decor, and the beds were very comfortable. Loved the baked goods that were baked daily by the staff, and the breakfast never disappointed. We went during the off season, so housekeeping was on request, which was not a problem for us. The inn was walking distance from the main village center, ...
Reviewed on Dec 1, 2025
Bar Harbor Manor
Clean room. Friendly and helpful staff. Simple breakfast.
Reviewed on Dec 1, 2025
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Conference Center
Greeted by happy Jamaican staffs who made sure our stay was comfortable. Kids loved the free stuffed beavers. Room was clean and stocked well with linens and blankets. Balcony with ocean view was the best! Wanted a quiet cold vacation from Florida and it was a good trip. S’mores by the firepit at ...
Reviewed on Dec 1, 2025
Hanscom's Motel and Cottages
Pet friendly, beautiful area and quiet and clean cottages
Reviewed on Nov 12, 2025
Hinckleys Dreamwood Cottages
We were lucky to find this last minute accommodation. We were traveling and it was late at night. Dreamwood had one cottage available and it was perfect. It was clean and very comfortable. I highly recommend dreamwood cottages.
Reviewed on Nov 11, 2025
Bar Harbor Condos
The room was clean and cozy. It is fresh. Kitchen has plates, pans, utensils, coffee machine and other things you may need. The apartment is warm. Beds are comfortable. My friend and I enjoyed this very much. Thank you.
Reviewed on Dec 1, 2025
Popular places to visit
Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
Explore the lovely green spaces of Acadia National Park's Visitors Center and also enjoy the hiking trails in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.
Cadillac Mountain
Drive or hike to the top of Mount Desert Island’s tallest mountain at daybreak and you will be the first person to view sunrise in the United States.
Village Green
Spend some time in this peaceful park in the center of Bar Harbor to experience the village’s thriving community spirit and heritage landmarks.
Otter Cliff
Hone your photography skills by taking artistic images of this towering headland while you listen to the soothing sound of waves lapping the rounded stones at its base.
Thunder Hole
Nature’s magic produces a thunderclap illusion and offers panoramic views of the coastline at one of Acadia National Park’s most popular attractions.
Bar Harbor Whale Watching
Enjoy an outing to Bar Harbor Whale Watching during your stay in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.
Things to do
Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Best of Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
Bar Harbor & Acadia's Ocean Trailhead: GPS-Guided Audio Tour
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Acadia Ocean Path Trailhead App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour
