Location: Bar Harbor
Top Things to do in Bar Harbor
Things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine (ME): The Best Sights & Landmarks
Mansions and majestic hotels serve as reminders of Bar Harbor’s past (in the 19th century, it was a favorite vacation spot of society’s upper crust). Today, visitors kayak, explore Acadia National Park, go bird- or whale-watching, and enjoy salty sea air and sandy beaches.
Restaurants in Bar Harbor
1. Jesup Memorial Library
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
2. Duck Brook Bridge
3. Egg Rock Light
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By 960janisf
Interesting . To see it up close, you need to take the boat trip out. We did the Acadian Boat Tours 2 hour tour, with tickets available downtown at the Sea-Dawg gift shop. We saw two young Bald Eagles plus a lot of seals, harbor porpoises on our boat tour.
4. Land Bridge to Bar Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,301 reviews
Reviewed By 185barbp - Madison, United States
as soon as you arrive in the Bar Harbor area check out the tide schedule so you know when you can walk this and go when you can walk it and when you cannot to see the difference. Incredible experience.
5. St. Saviour's Church :
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
St. Saviour is an historic Episcopal church. The oldest part of the church was begun in 1876; later parts were added through 1901, including the renowned collection of stained glass windows by Tiffany and others. The parish is still active today, and we invite you to visit for a tour, for worship, or just for a moment of quiet respite in your day. During the tourist season (June - October), the church is open daily from about 8:30 - 4:30 for self-guided tours. Guided tours Sunday 11:15 (after the 10:00 Eucharist) and other times by appointment. The Church office (next door) is open as posted in the "hours" section. May God continue to bless you!
Reviewed By adinam929
The stained glass windows in this church are so unique and beautiful. The church was empty the day we walked in and we were able to take it all in without a lot of people around us. Very beautiful and worth a stop.
6. Bar Harbor Congregational Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By on_the_go_98765
This White Church is the 3rd iteration of the Congregational Church; the original (1853) White Church was replaced by a granite church in 1942 and, after that church was destroyed in fire, the third and last (1951) form of the church took shape. It is very similar to the original church and feels so very "New England." Although the church opens on Sundays for worship (and not during the week for visits), it is a very welcoming religious community and holds a community-wide dinner every Tuesday night. It also promotes itself as hate-free, writing its message in 5 languages. The meaning is perfectly clear. The historical 1790 cemetery is right next door; a much earlier Congregational Minister is credited with its founding. The Civil War monument in the cemetery honors the contribution made by then-Eden's son, in defense of the Union. The church is on one of the most interesting streets in Bar Harbor: Mt. Desert. Next to Main Street, this is one street we'd highly recommend for an in-town walking tour of this history-rich Main treasure called Bar Harbor.
7. Compass Harbor Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By directorfantasies - Tampa, United States
If you are interested in the history of Acadia National Park, a visit to Compass Harbor is a must. Tucked in a shady wooded area are the stone & brick remains of the Old Farm house foundation. This was the home of George Dorr, whose preservation efforts during most of his adult life & inheritance made Acadia National Park possible. It is a bit hard to find as there is little signage along Route 3 less than a mile south of downtown Bar Harbor, just north of the intersection of Route 3 and Schooner Head Road and the parking lot is small enough it can be easily missed. If you are leaving Bar Harbor, the parking lot will be on the left hand side of the road. Once parked, there is an informational sign at the beginning of the trail. Make your way into the the woods & follow the signs. Better yet, download the OldFarm app from the App store and the videos will help you as you follow the numbered posts to learn about Dorr. When we visited, we did not the app and went a round about way ending up at the beach first. It was here that Dorr used to swim in the frigid water. The beach is very secluded and at least two private residences border the beach cove. Walking along the beach is nice & would be fun for kids to explore. At one end of beach is Dorr Point, a granite outcropping. It looked difficult to climb it so we didn't. We turned back into the woods and followed the trail back to find steps leading up to the old foundation. Having spent 4 years of my childhood in Maine, I find old ruins to be fascinating. It is fun to image what the house must have looked like. I figured out correctly where the main entrance to the house is. Take note of the patterned brick patio, once a covered open porch. The plans are available to view at the Bar Harbor Historical Society. This trail is fairly level so safe & doable for kids & dog friendly (even met a man walking his dog). Except for the beach, kids may become easily bored, In the fall when we visited, we had the extra bonus of beautiful fall foliage & it was very quiet & peaceful.
8. Bar Harbor Town Pier
9. Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
10. Mount Desert Street Cemetery
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