Land of Liberty Explorers

The majority of Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island. The island got its name from French explorer Samuel de Champlain who thought the island looked like an island of barren mountains (L’isle de Monts-déserts). Native Americans lived on the island much earlier. Tourism began to flourish on the island in the mid-1800s after the Hudson River School for painters popularized the island’s natural beauty. The first tourists were known as “rusticators.” They rented space from local farmers and fishermen. Soon thereafter, the island became a popular summer home for wealthy families like the Rockefellers, Fords, and Vanderbilts. Today, the island is home to several lovely villages that continue to support the area’s tourism industry.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is our home away from home on Mount Desert Island. Bar Harbor sits on Frenchman Bay on the eastern edge of Mount Desert Island. It has the most options for guest accommodations on the island offering everything from luxury hotels to bed & breakfasts to budget friendly campgrounds and everything in between. Our favorite place to stay in Bar Harbor is Maples Inn – a lovely bed & breakfast famous for its classic tranquility. Maples Inn is on a quiet side street with lovely rooms, delicious breakfasts, and the friendliest innkeepers!

Bar Harbor features many great restaurants and dining options – notable for the freshest lobster anywhere. However, being from the Mid-west, seafood isn’t our favorite menu option. For similar travelers, here are some of our favorite restaurants:

Rosalie’s Pizza – The best pizza on the island with a fun 1950s theme.

Side Street Cafe – Eat like a local at Side Street! This fun locally owned restaurant has a big menu. We love the burgers and mac ‘n cheese!

Blaze – A wood fired oven flavors the steaks, sandwiches and pizza at Blaze. The jerk tacos are a favorite among Bar Harbor’s locals.

Havana – Fine American dining with a Latin flair. We enjoy sitting in the open air Parrilla after an afternoon of hiking Acadia’s peaks.

Atlantic Brewing Company – The Bar Harbor location on Cottage Street has an interesting rotating menu to match the local brews. Blueberry Ale is delicious. We appreciate the Gringo’s Burrito that serves as a tribute to Bar Harbor’s former quick service Mexican grill. If craft beer isn’t your thing, try an Old Soaker Blueberry Soda.

CJ’s Big Dipper – This old fashion ice cream parlor has a wide range of flavors at more reasonable prices than other Main Street ice cream shops. Try a blueberry soft-serve!

Here are some of our favorite Bar Harbor shops:

In the Woods – This shop sells all sorts of handmade wood products made from sustainably harvested Maine trees. Profits go toward land conservation. For a donation, you can ride the giant rocking horse!

Window Panes – We like this cute home furnishings shop. They always have unique local items and kitchen gadgets.

Cool as a Moose – Our favorite place to buy Maine, Bar Harbor, and Acadia apparel.

Acadia Shops – With several Bar Harbor locations, these shops have cool hiking gear and often feature products from local artists.

Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop – Sherman’s has a little of everything in addition to books. We love checking out the wide selection of jigsaw puzzles and toys.

Bar Harbor also has two notable walking trails to explore. Shore Path begins at the town pier, travels along the shore in front of Bar Harbor Inn and then meanders between historic homes and bed & breakfasts. It offers amazing views of the Porcupine Islands. The path is paved and mostly flat. It provides a nice escape from the busy main streets of Bar Harbor. The Bar Island Trail is a bit more adventurous. The trail is only available twice each day. It starts to appear about two hours before low tide and disappears about two hours after low tide. Plan accordingly by checking the tide charts. The trail starts at the end of Bridge Street. Once you cross the sand bar, the trail ascends to the top of small hill. In the spring, enjoy the large field of lupine along the trail. The trail ends with a great view back across the water to Bar Harbor.

Northeast Harbor

Northeast Harbor is a beautiful “quiet side” village at the mouth of Somes Sound. It is known for its two beautiful gardens. The Asticou Azalea Garden features design elements inspired by classic Japanese gardens. The garden is open between May and October. While Azaleas may be the star attraction, we enjoy the unique peonies and flowering cherry trees in early Spring. The Thuya Garden sits at the top of the Asticou Terrances – a series of stone switchbacks that provide amazing views of the harbor below. If you’d prefer an easier way into the garden, there is also a narrow driveway to the top. Thuya Garden’s season runs from the end of June through October. The Land and Garden Preserve does a great job maintaining both of these historic gardens.

While you are in Northeast Harbor stop at The Colonel’s bakery for the best donuts on Mount Desert Island! We love to pick up a blueberry and a chocolate before a hike, then enjoy the fresh donuts at the top of a pink granite peak. The Colonel’s restaurant features large menu and friendly staff. It is good place to grab a bite for lunch or dinner as well.

Southwest Harbor

Southwest Harbor lies across Somes Sound from Northeast Harbor. Our favorite sailing excursion on the Island – Sail Acadia – leaves from Southwest Harbor. Click here for more on our favorite tours around Acadia. Little Notch Bakery sells exceptional baked goods and breads, but it is also a nice spot to grab a sandwich, salad, or slice of pizza for lunch after a morning of quiet side hiking. Milagro Coffee & Expresso is a nice spot to start a day. Grab a delicious breakfast sandwich and a coffee at this cute little coffee shop.

Bass Harbor

Bass Harbor is the home of one of Acadia’s most famous landmarks – Bass Harbor Light. Its red light marks the entrance of Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. The light station was built in 1858 and was operated by the United States Coast Guard. In 2020, ownership of the light station was transferred to the National Park Service. A short paved trail leaves the parking lot to the right; this trail leads visitors to the front of the lighthouse. There is also an unpaved trail that leaves from the left side of the parking lot. It leads visitors through a small grove of trees then down an impressive wooden stairway onto the rocks below the light. The lighthouse is best photographed from the trail to the left of the parking lot.

If you prefer the quiet side to bustling Bar Harbor, check out Nancy’s tiny house on AirBnb! We stayed in Nancy’s place on a recent trip to Acadia National Park and enjoyed the privacy and peace of Tremont!

Bass Harbor is also the location of the ferry terminal for Swans Island. Swans Island lies 6 miles off the coast of Mount Desert Island. The Burnt Coat Harbor Light Station is a fun place visit. The lighthouse is open to visitors during the summer Tuesday through Saturday. There are a series of lovely hiking trails around the lighthouse. If you plan to stay awhile, you can even rent the keeper’s house. Another highlight of Swans Island is Fine Sand Beach. A short hike through a forest leads to a beautiful crescent shaped beach.