Bar Harbor has long since been a draw for tourists. From the mid-1800s and right through the 1930s, it was a summer haven for the rich and famous, attracting the Astors, Fords, Morgans, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Carnegies. Today, it’s a vacation destination for everyone, especially families. The town is located on Mt. Desert Island, and the world-famous Acadia National Park is a short drive away. Here, why you should choose this destination for your family’s next vacation.
The Bar Harbor Inn
This property is a destination in and of itself. It has a stunning location right on the water, overlooking the rocky shores of Frenchman Bay and the Porcupine Islands. It’s an iconic New England resort: picturesque, charming, and utterly relaxing. Plus, the staff is extremely hospitable (both welcoming and accommodating). There are two on-site restaurants, a luxury spa, a spacious pool with two Jacuzzis, and the property has a key location—within walking distance to all the shops and restaurants that make up Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park is just a short drive away.
The property is historic, with the main building dating back to 1887. Yet renovations are continuous, so the property feels updated and fresh on the inside. The beautifully manicured gardens give the property a tranquil, calm feel. There are 153 rooms. The nine two-bedroom loft suites are ideal for families; the main bedroom has a king bed, the second bedroom has two queen beds, two bathrooms (one has an oversized Jacuzzi bath) and a spacious living room with a fireplace. The upstairs of the suite has a large balcony overlooking the coastline. Be warned: you may not want to leave.
So what makes this property so special? “I don’t know of a lot of properties so privileged in location as we are,” says general manager Jeremy Dougherty. “There are a lot of oceanfront properties in the world, but the views from our rooms and the property are truly special.” Access to the historic Shore Path right out the door, leading into Bar Harbor and just minutes from Acadia National Park really check off a lot of boxes for travelers. “We’ve found so often that people find us because of our location and the stunning ocean views, but they come back the next visit because we care about making that first visit so special.” The repeat visitor number is quite high—above 50 percent for July-September. In fact, Dougherty notes that some families have been coming each summer for 20 to 30 years.
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The property has done a great job during the pandemic,restricting the pool and restaurants to no more than 50 people. Continental breakfast, which is included in the hotel rate, is packaged individually (muffins, croissants, cheese, and fruit). The staff has daily temperature checks. Everything feels clean and sanitized.
While there is plenty to do and see in Bar Harbor, nobody would blame travelers for wanting to spend a chunk of their time simply relaxing at the resort.
Lulu Lobster Boat Tour
This boat tour is consistently ranked as one of the top activities in Bar Harbor and for good reason. The two-hour tours are engaging and interactive and are aboard a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat. Families will learn all about lobsters and what it takes to be a real Maine lobsterman or woman. The highlight is when the lobster traps are hauled on the boat, and everyone has a chance to hold one of these creatures and learn about the anatomy and life cycle (they can grow claws in their eye sockets). The boat also cruises up to Egg Rock Lighthouse, a picturesque spot chock full of seals. There’s also a chance you’ll see bald eagles, porpoises, and other wildlife.
Exploring Acadia National Park
If you’re into hiking, there are some fabulous trails that are not difficult to ascend but offer stunning views. One of the best is the Gorham Mountain and Ocean Path Loop, which has amazing views of the coastal mountains, rocky coastline, and Mount Desert Island. You’ll walk along the Atlantic Ocean past Newport Cove and Thuderhole and up Gorham Mountain (for an added level of fun, make sure to take the Cadillac cliff detour). The amazing views will keep you going on this three-mile hike, and you’ll end at Sand Beach where you can have a picnic and enjoy the water.
Another iconic hike is South Bubble Mountain, which is a short hike with an amazing pay off at the top. For a different part of the park, head to Flying Mountain Trail, located near Southwest Harbor. It’s good for families and has beautiful wild flowers as well as great views. Go to Maine Trail Finder to find other great hiking options.
If you’re traveling with bikes, Acadia has 45 miles of beautiful, well-maintained carriage roads that are wide and allow plenty of room for bikers (no cars allowed). Two great routes are the Jordan Pond and Eagle Lake paths—sure to allow for plenty of time for stops to see beavers, frogs, turtles, and other wildlife.
There are also so many other great activities in Bar Harbor, including Whale Watching boat tours and walks along the Shore Path and across Bar Island at low tide, kayaking, and more.
The Culinary Scene in Bar Harbor and Beyond
After a day of hiking in Acadia, be sure to treat yourself to some freshly made ice cream at Udder Heaven Ice Cream Retreat. Owners Bob and Cathy Wisecarver have been overseeing operations since 2008. Bob says the Maine cows are what make the ice cream taste like it’s from heaven. With more than three dozen flavors to choose from—including fan favorites like blueberry cheesecake and moose tracks—the portions are a good size at a reasonable price. You can also indulge in sundaes, milkshakes, floats, and more. The queue signals the popularity of the place, but don’t worry, it moves quickly.
A good dinner option near Acadia and not far from the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse is Beal’s Lobster Pier. This iconic establishment dates back to 1932 when it was a family-owned year-round working fish and lobster pier. In 1969, the third generation of Beals opened the restaurant at the end of the pier, and the vision still remains today: fresh seafood served up from a working waterfront. Today, owners Stuart Snyder and Russel Bernard are hands-on, greeting and interacting with customers, and serving up Maine spirit. A true testament to the popularity of the place is the long lines—no matter what the weather. What makes Beal’s so special is that the lobster is so fresh.It comes from the working lobster pier located on premises. It doesn’t get fresher than this. Be sure to get the classic lobster dinner (with corn on the cob, cornbread, and coleslaw). Beal’s is also famous for its lobster rolls (there are four different kinds). For an appetizer, but sure to get the lobster bites—fried lobster with two dipping sauces. If you’re not into seafood, the beef is Maine-raised, and the vegetables are grown by local farmers. Be sure to leave room for the blueberry pie ala mode and the whoopie pie, two fan favorites. While the food is top-notch, the views and atmosphere make dinner here a true experience. Views of the Southwest Harbor are stunning and the warm, welcoming atmosphere makes this a family-friendly find.
If you’re eating dinner in town, Geddy’s restaurant caters to families and has a casual, friendly atmosphere with Downeast hospitality. Owners Arthur and Heather Davis have been running the place since 1986. In 1996, the couple converted part of the space into a retail shop thatHeather now runs. It’s called Geddy’s Down-Under and is located directly below the restaurant. At the restaurant, be sure to try the popular local drink, the blueberry beer. Fan favorite dishes include the pizzas. Arthur went to school to learn the art of making true Neapolitan Italian pizza, and unique toppings include lobster, shrimp scampi, and Brussel sprouts. Other popular menu items include tuna tacos (made with apples, which give it a sweet, crisp taste); lobster rolls (served with either fresh corn or jalapenos, a slight twist on the traditional New England lobster roll) and the clam chowder.
Another popular place in Bar Harbor is West Street Cafe, owned and run by Jessica and Kevin DesVeaux. The restaurant was designed and rebuilt in 2017 and is airy and modern with high ceilings, plenty of windows allowing light in, and plants and greenery throughout. Situated in the middle of town—walking distance from shops and accommodations—the property gets a good deal of foot traffic. Favorite dishes include the Cafe Delight (pasta with lobster meat, North Atlantic shrimp, mushrooms, and topped with homemade cheese sauce) and the crab cakes. If you’re lucky enough to grab a table by the window,the views of the water are really stunning.
If you’re looking to sit outside, head to Sweet Pea’s Cafe, which is owned and operated by husband and wife Nicole and Christian Cuff, along with Christian’s brother Jacob who is the chef (Nicole is a sommelier). Nicole also operates a coffee shop on the property (alongside the roaster Dirk Erlandsen). The restaurant opened in 2017 and the coffee shop opened in 2019. Popular dishes at the restaurant include the salmon (it’s served over crispy polenta with citrus tomatoes and fresh wood-fired vegetables) and the roasted chicken leg (served with kale and potatoes). Families especially like the wood-fire pizzas. The setting is another part of the draw. Tables are set not only behind the restaurant but also in the adjacent vineyard. Plus, a roaring outdoor fire keeps diners warm and cozy on crisp nights.
Another Maine Town Well Worth A Visit
If you’re combining Bar Harbor with another seaside town in Maine, Ogunquit is a great place to stop (it’s also a great halfway point from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut). The Ogunquit Beach is a great place to spend the afternoon, and the Marginal Way one-mile paved coastal path is a great cliff walk trail for families (the kids will love climbing on the rocks and looking for crabs). Perkins Cove is worth exploring, as well.
A good family property is the Meadowmere Resort, which has two pools, two Jacuzzis, and a nice location just a short walk to the beach. Be sure to eat at Jonathan's Ogunquit, which has been family owned and operated since 1976. Many of the items on the menu have been grown on Jonathan's farm, located in a nearby town where he has provided farm-to-table items since before it became popular to do so. Two fan favorite dishes include the caramelized salmon and the seafood stuffed haddock. But it’s not just the food that entices people to dine here. Ogunquit has always been an artist's community, and Jonathan wanted to showcase art in the restaurant. Artwork can be seen throughout the restaurant, and Jonathan's collection consists of local and globally known artists such as Henry Strater, Charles Woodbury, Marguerite Pearson, and Annie Leibovitz. Kids will love the 600-gallon fish tank (it was added to the restaurant in the early 90's and is so popular with families, it remains today).
