Activities & Things to Do
There are lots of fun things to do in the Bar Harbor / Acadia area — from hiking the iconic carriage roads and climbing the Beehive, to swimming at Sand Beach, browsing local farmers markets, and dining on popovers at Jordan Pond House. Below is a sortable directory of parks, sights, lakes, gardens, golf, tennis, theater, rentals, tours, and services. Click any business or place name to visit its website.
ⓘ Click a business name to visit their website.
| Business | Location | Phone | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park & Natural Areas | |||
| Acadia National Park | Mount Desert Island, ME | (207) 288-3338 | A 49,000-acre national park with the highest rocky headlands on the U.S. Atlantic coast — mountains, lakes, forests, and shoreline. |
| Hulls Cove Visitor Center | Route 3, Hulls Cove (4 mi NW of Bar Harbor) | — | Acadia's main visitor center — maps, exhibits, ranger talks, and the park film. Typically open mid-April through October. |
| Cadillac Mountain | Acadia National Park, MDI | — | The tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast (1,530 ft). Vehicle reservations required for the Summit Road late May–late October; sunrise reservations sell out fast on Recreation.gov. |
| Schoodic Peninsula | Winter Harbor (off Route 1, ~1 hr from Bar Harbor) | — | The mainland portion of Acadia — dramatic rocky point, scenic loop road, and far fewer crowds than MDI. |
| Acadia Carriage Roads | Eastern Acadia National Park, MDI | — | 45 miles of car-free, broken-stone roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. — ideal for biking, walking, and horse-drawn carriage rides. |
| Maine Coastal Islands NWR | Petit Manan Point, Steuben (NE of Hancock) | (207) 594-0600 | A 1,900-acre wildlife refuge with mainland hiking trails plus 60+ offshore seabird-nesting islands. |
| Schoodic Institute | Schoodic Point, Winter Harbor (in Acadia National Park) | (207) 288-1310 | Research and education center on the former Navy base inside Acadia, hosting public programs and citizen science. |
| Mountain Hikes | |||
| Beehive Trail | Across Park Loop Rd from Sand Beach | — | Short but exhilarating 1.4-mile loop with iron rungs and exposed cliff ledges climbing 520 ft to panoramic views of Frenchman Bay. |
| Precipice Trail (Champlain Mountain) | East face of Champlain Mt., off Park Loop Rd | — | Strenuous non-technical climb up Champlain Mountain via iron rungs and ladders. Typically closed mid-spring through summer for nesting peregrine falcons. |
| Day Mountain Trail | Off Route 3 between Seal Harbor and Jordan Pond House | — | Moderate 2.4-mile round-trip through woods to a 583-ft summit with ocean views toward the Cranberry Isles. Carriage roads also reach the top. |
| St. Sauveur Mountain | West side of Acadia National Park, near Echo Lake | — | Quieter 679-ft mountain on Acadia's west side reached via wooded trails, with views over Somes Sound. |
| Beech Mountain & Beech Cliff | Above Echo Lake, west side of Acadia National Park | — | Short hikes leading to a fire tower summit and dramatic clifftop views overlooking Echo Lake and Somes Sound. |
| Swimming, Beaches & Lakes | |||
| Sand Beach | Park Loop Rd, Acadia National Park | — | A 290-yard pocket of sand (largely crushed shell fragments) tucked between granite headlands. Ocean swimming is bracing — typically 50–60°F. |
| Echo Lake Beach | Off Route 102, west side of MDI (Acadia National Park) | — | Freshwater swimming beach with lifeguards in summer, gentle entry, restrooms, and changing rooms tucked beneath Beech Cliff. |
| Seal Harbor Beach | Village of Seal Harbor, off Route 3 | — | A small village beach with views of the Cranberry Isles, restrooms, and free parking adjacent to the harbor. |
| Long Pond | Between Somesville and Southwest Harbor | — | The largest lake on MDI (~4 miles long); popular for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. |
| Beech Hill Pond | Otis, ME (~30 min north of Bar Harbor) | — | A clear, deep, spring-fed pond known for excellent swimming and landlocked salmon and lake trout fishing. |
| Lamoine State Park | Lamoine Beach Rd, Lamoine (off-island) | (207) 667-4778 | A 55-acre state park on Frenchman Bay with a pebble/sand beach, picnic area, boat launch, and oceanfront campground with views of the Acadia mountains. |
| Gardens | |||
| Asticou Azalea Garden | Routes 3 & 198, Northeast Harbor | (207) 276-3727 | A serene Japanese-inspired stroll garden famous for spring azaleas, a pond, sand garden, and pine groves. Free admission with donations welcomed. |
| Thuya Garden | Above Northeast Harbor, off Route 3 | (207) 276-3727 | A formal English-style perennial garden reached by a beautiful uphill trail of stone steps and lookouts. |
| Wild Gardens of Acadia | Sieur de Monts area, Acadia National Park | — | A small living museum with 400+ native Maine plant species displayed in 12 habitat sections. Free to visit. |
| Sieur de Monts Spring | Off Route 3 / Park Loop Rd, Acadia National Park | — | Historic spring known as the "Sweet Waters of Acadia," surrounded by the Nature Center, Abbe Museum, and the Wild Gardens. |
| Golf | |||
| Kebo Valley Golf Club | 136 Eagle Lake Rd (Rt 233), Bar Harbor | (207) 288-3000 | Established 1888 — the oldest golf club in Maine and 8th oldest in the U.S. 18-hole course surrounded by Acadia's mountains. |
| Northeast Harbor Golf Club | 15 Golf Club Lane, Northeast Harbor | (207) 276-5335 | Private 18-hole golf club incorporated 1916; open to the public in spring and fall. |
| Causeway Club | 10 Fernald Point Rd, Southwest Harbor | (207) 244-3780 | Nine-hole links-style course (founded 1920) on the shores of Norwood Cove with Acadia mountain views. |
| Tennis | |||
| Bar Harbor Public Courts | Glenn Mary Park, Lower Ledgelawn Ave, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-5907 | Public outdoor tennis and pickleball courts maintained by Bar Harbor Parks & Recreation. First-come, first-served. |
| Northeast Harbor Municipal Courts | Near the village athletic field, Northeast Harbor | (207) 276-5534 | Public tennis courts operated by the Town of Mount Desert. Free to use on a first-come basis. |
| Down East Family YMCA Tennis | 17 State St, Ellsworth (~30 min from Bar Harbor) | (207) 667-3086 | Indoor tennis and pickleball courts at the YMCA — members and day-pass guests welcome. |
| Hancock Point Tennis Club | Hancock Point (peninsula east of MDI) | — | Community-run clay courts requiring a small seasonal membership fee (~$25) to use. |
| Theater & Local Attractions | |||
| Acadia Repertory Theatre | 1154 Main St (Masonic Hall), Somesville | — | Intimate 144-seat summer theater (since 1973) presenting a four-play season of dramas, comedies, and mysteries. |
| Bar Harbor / Eden Farmers Market | YMCA parking lot, 21 Park St, Bar Harbor | — | Weekly seasonal farmers market (Sundays in summer) with local produce, baked goods, seafood, cheese, and crafts. |
| Beal & Bunker Mailboat Ferry | Municipal Pier, Northeast Harbor → Cranberry Isles | (207) 244-3575 | Year-round passenger mailboat ferry — the primary public transportation between Northeast Harbor and the Cranberry Isles (Great Cranberry, Islesford, Sutton). |
| Jordan Pond House | Park Loop Rd, Acadia National Park | (207) 276-3316 | Historic Acadia restaurant famous for popovers and tea on the lawn with views of Jordan Pond and the Bubbles. Seasonal: mid-May to mid-October. |
| Abbe Museum | 26 Mount Desert St, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-3519 | Smithsonian-affiliated museum dedicated to the Wabanaki peoples — Native American art, history, and culture of Maine. |
| Boat, Kayak & Canoe Rentals | |||
| Acadia Paddle | Bar Harbor (delivers to cottage) | (207) 801-1531 | Kayak, paddleboard & canoe rentals — delivers directly to your cottage and picks up on departure. |
| Mansell Boat Rental | Southwest Harbor / Somes Sound | (207) 244-5625 | Powerboat rentals ideal for exploring Somes Sound, Seal Harbor, and the Cranberry Islands. |
| Island Cruises | 12 Little Island Way, Bass Harbor | (207) 244-5785 | Family-owned — lobster trap hauls, nature cruises, fishing & sailing charters from Bass Harbor. |
| Morris Yachts | Bass Harbor | (207) 244-5509 | Custom-built sailboats; full-service boatyard and yacht services. |
| Downeast Boat Rentals | Sullivan, ME (25 mi from Bar Harbor) | (207) 565-2087 | Pontoon boat and Boston Whaler rentals in the Downeast area. |
| Kayak Tours & Water Activities | |||
| Acadia Bike & Coastal Kayaking Tours | 48 Cottage St, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-9605 | Guided sea kayak tours around the Porcupine Islands in Frenchman Bay — operating since 1982. Also rents bikes and scooters. |
| Acadia Outfitters | 106 Cottage St, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-8118 | E-bike, scooter, sea kayak, and paddleboard rentals plus guided kayak tours. |
| Bicycle & Scooter Rentals | |||
| Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop | 141 Cottage St, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-3886 | Full-service bike shop (est. 1978) with a large rental fleet — road, hybrid, e-bike, and mountain bikes for Acadia's carriage roads. |
| Southwest Cycle | 370 Main St, Southwest Harbor | (207) 244-5856 | Bike rentals including e-bikes and kids bikes (est. 1981), with direct access to Acadia carriage roads. |
| Acadia Bike & Coastal Kayaking | 48 Cottage St, Bar Harbor | 800-526-8615 | Scooter and bike rentals; kayak tours also available. |
| Horseback Riding & Carriage Rides | |||
| Acadia by Carriage | Wildwood Stables, Acadia National Park | (207) 600-7204 | Horse-drawn carriage tours on Acadia's historic Rockefeller carriage roads — the current NPS-licensed concession operator. Seasonal. |
| Double L Stable | Hancock (20 min from Bar Harbor) | (207) 422-3001 | Trail rides and horseback riding, a short drive from MDI. |
| Acadia Horse Center (Pete's Place) | Trenton | — | Horseback trail rides and Amish emporium near Bar Harbor. |
| Whale Watching & Boat Excursions | |||
| Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. | 1 West St, Bar Harbor | (207) 288-2386 | Maine's largest boat tour company — whale watches, puffin cruises, lighthouse tours, and nature cruises. |
| Acadia Charter Company | Southwest Harbor area | (207) 479-9082 | Private dog-friendly day charters aboard classic downeast wooden boats; fishing and sightseeing. |
| Pet Care & Doggy Day Care | |||
| Karen Smith | — | (207) 812-1279 | Pet sitting and dog care; picks up and returns pets. |
| Susan Witscher Desantis | — | (207) 244-4035 | Dog walker/sitter; also cares for cats, birds, and reptiles. acadiaskeeter@gmail.com |
| Mia Sawyer | — | (207) 669-2244 | Dog and pet care. 2013whoodle@gmail.com |
| Nora Baker | — | (703) 965-2917 | Pet sitting. nora.b1095@gmail.com |
| Jonathan Miller | — | (540) 272-8330 | Pet sitting. jjm1995117@gmail.com |
| Boat Moorings & Launching | |||
| Butler's Boat Yard | Bar Harbor Airport area | — | Boat storage and yard services near Bar Harbor Airport. |
| Northeast Harbor Harbor Master | Northeast Harbor | (207) 276-5737 | Town moorings and launch services for Northeast Harbor. |
| Bar Harbor Town Launch/Ramp | Bar Harbor | — | Public boat launch ramp in Bar Harbor. |
| Dysart's Great Harbor Marina | 11 Apple Ln, Southwest Harbor | (207) 244-0117 | Full-service marina with floating docks, fuel, showers, and repairs. Family-run since 1990. |
| Bar Harbor Boating Company | Somes Sound | (207) 276-5838 | Boat moorings and services on Somes Sound. |
| Misc. Rentals & Services | |||
| Ellsworth Rent-a-Center | 8 Downeast Hwy, Ellsworth | (207) 664-6127 | Furniture, appliances, and equipment rentals about 30 minutes from Bar Harbor. |
| Activities Planning & Concierge | |||
| Local Island Concierge | Mount Desert Island | (207) 460-9628 | Comprehensive local activity planning, reservation assistance, and visitor guide booklets. |
| Transportation & Getting Around | |||
| Island Explorer (Free Shuttle) | Mount Desert Island & Schoodic | — | Free propane-powered bus system serving Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and surrounding villages. Runs late June through Columbus Day. No car needed — pick up and drop off at most cottage areas and trailheads. Schedules and route maps at exploreacadia.com. |
| Bar Harbor - Bangor Bus (Concord Coach) | Bar Harbor to Bangor, Portland & Boston | (800) 639-3317 | Daily scheduled bus service connecting Bar Harbor with Bangor, Portland, and Boston (South Station). Seasonal Bar Harbor service runs late May through mid-October. Bangor Airport connections available. |
| Downeast Transportation | Hancock & Washington Counties | (207) 667-5796 | Regional public bus and demand-response service for Hancock County including Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, and surrounding communities. Year-round routes and rides by reservation. |
| Bar Harbor Taxi & Car Service | Bar Harbor | (207) 288-4020 | Local taxi and car service for airport runs, ferry connections, and around-town trips. |
| Beal's Lobster / Cat Ferry (Bar Harbor Ferry) | Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia | (207) 288-3395 | Seasonal car ferry service between Bar Harbor and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia operated by Bay Ferries (The CAT). Check schedule at ferries.ca. |
| Maine State Ferry Service | Bass Harbor to Swans Island & Frenchboro | (207) 244-3254 | State-operated ferry connecting Bass Harbor (on Mount Desert Island) with Swans Island and Frenchboro. Year-round service; vehicle reservations recommended in summer. |
| Bangor International Airport (BGR) | Bangor, ME (about 1 hr from Bar Harbor) | (207) 992-4600 | Nearest major airport to Bar Harbor, about 1 hour away. Served by American, United, and Delta with connections via Boston and New York. Car rentals available at the airport. |