Location: Southwest Harbor
Top Things to do in Southwest Harbor
10 Things to Do in Southwest Harbor That You Shouldn't Miss
Southwest Harbor in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for Nature & Wildlife Areas. Discover best things to do in Southwest Harbor with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Southwest Harbor
1. Wonderland Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By Glenntherestranteur - Vermont
A mile or so hike through old forest to tidal pools and rocks with crashing surf and surreal landscapes. You will need an Acadia Park pass for this and many other sites on Mount Desert Island.
2. Sea Princess Cruises
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 482 reviews
Reviewed By Craig L - Maple Grove, Minnesota
What a nightmare as you could not see across the harbor & during the whole tour it actually got worse. They should have never taken us. What a waste of money & time.....
3. Island Cruises
Overall Ratings
5 based on 292 reviews
Awarded Yankee Magazine's "Best Island Tour," we are the Bar Harbor area's favorite boat cruise and a family owned business now in our 22nd year. Operating out of Bass Harbor to the islands of Blue Hill Bay, we offer exclusive access to what many consider one of the most beautiful parts of the Maine coast, as well as its prettiest harbor. Being off the beaten path, our formula for success is offering the highest quality experience at some of the lowest rates on Mount Desert Island. Try out our 11:00-2:30 Lunch Cruise to Frenchboro; established in 1820 and one of the last year round island fishing communities in Maine, Frenchboro is a place that many people find hard to believe still exists in our busy, high-tech world. Or, join us for the 3:00-5:00 Nature Cruise, where you'll see seals, bald eagles, and even haul a lobster trap or two. We cherish your business and our many return customers, and you'll find that it shows from start to finish.
Reviewed By wrightsftx - Houston, Texas
The entire two hours are enjoyable, educational, and amazing. The Captain makes sure every one sees the wildlife he spots, bringing the boat gently and closely as possible, first from one side, then the other. He easily shares history about the Quiet Side of this...MoreYour experience is exactly what we're trying to accomplish every time we leave the dock with passengers. We're thrilled you enjoyed the tour, and thanks very much for the kind review.
4. Asticou Azalea Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
The Asticou Azalea Garden shows some resemblance to a Japanese stroll garden but one that was designed for a coastal Maine setting. The garden is meant to inspire serenity and reflection and creates an illusion of space – of lakes and mountains and distant horizons. The Garden is open seven days per week during daylight hours from May through October
Reviewed By YatriForever - Chennai
The month of June is supposed to be the peak of the Azaleas season, so we couldn't find anything in the garden. This garden is close to Thuya Gardens, just a few minutes of walk. The garden is beautiful, worth a stop even in the off seasons of Azaleas. Since we were on Rt3 , we kept exploring that part of MDI. It is essential to go off the Park Loop to discover the hidden beauty of Acadia.
5. Flying Mountain Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By comedybuff - Toronto, Canada
This trail goes through wooded areas and to rocky beaches near the ocean. Falcon's are nesting so the longer trail is closed but the short loop is worth it.
6. Asticou Terraces / Thuya Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 114 reviews
Reviewed By Glenntherestranteur - Vermont
Thank you Rockefellers and others that made and make this incredible garden possible. Pink granite steps lead up to lookouts and phenomenal gardens with incredible landscaping, crafted wood structures, fences and beautiful healthy species including succulents, mosses and flowers.
7. Ship Harbor Nature Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
This scenic hiking trail winds around a tiny cove.
Reviewed By Jess M - Eliot, Maine
We loved this short 1.2 mile figure 8 trail. Amazingly well maintained. Mostly flat but some rocks, roots, steps and slight changes in elevation to be aware of. I would recommend going counterclockwise as the terrain goes more down then up this way.
We saw deer, juncos, hermit thrush, brown creepers and a few others. Fairly busy mid day on a Saturday.
Would definitely return.
8. Beech Cliff Loop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By slscottxny - Warren, New Jersey
A bit outside of the more heavily used hikes in Acadia - this short hike (about 45 minutes) takes you to some beautiful views and a nice flat rock summit perfect for a picnic break. There are other options for other trails that could make the hike longer as well.
9. Acadia Lobster Cruise
Overall Ratings
5 based on 25 reviews
Create a truly memorable vacation with this Lobster Dinner Cruise on a vintage 1967 wooden lobster boat built right here on Mount Desert Island. Learn how lobsters are harvested and enjoy the fresh salt air with views of MDI while Captain Jason Clark prepares your downeast lobster bake and shares his personal knowledge of the area with views of lighthouses and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By Bennett B
If you are staying in Bar Harbor you need to take the short drive to Northeast Harbor for this adventure. Captain Jason is great, guiding the lobster boat around the islands, stopping to check his lobster traps and hauling them on board. You experience what it's like to be a lobsterman and learn all about lobstering. Then Jason cooks what was just caught, with corn and blueberry pie too! You've never had fresher lobster. We've been coming to Bar Harbor for 25 years and this was a highlight for sure. Really great!
10. Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4 based on 478 reviews
One of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine.
Reviewed By NeverUnpacked - Westfield, Indiana
We just beat the crowd to get a parking spot. It can be a popular place. We just took some pictures, but didn't take the trail at the end of the lot. We were running behind and there were just so many people waiting for a spot to open up.
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