Bar Harbor

Hi everyone! Today’s post will be my last post of the Bar Harbor series. In my previous post (Adventures in Bar Harbor, Maine part 2), I talked about my restaurant recommendations for Bar Harbor. In this post, I will be talking about some of the fun things to do in Bar Harbor, including Acadia National Park! So let’s get started! Here are my top things to do and see in Bar Harbor, Maine:

1. Acadia National Park

I could not put anything other than Acadia National Park in my #1 spot. Truly, Acadia is a natural wonder. It has mountains, lakes, hiking trails, beaches, wildlife viewing, and several fantastic tours that will show you the highlights of this amazing national park. If you have never visited Acadia before, I recommend taking a tour of the park first, so that you will get to know the main photo ops and places to see. (Some people feel that organized tours are too “touristy,” but I personally think they are a great introduction to any new place.) I chose to take a tour with Acadia National Park Tours, and I loved it! This tour included stops around Mount Desert Island plus visits to Thunder Hole, the Jordan Pond House, and Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. Our tour guide, Roger, was both educational and entertaining. He kept everyone on the tour involved by asking trivia questions about Bar Harbor, teaching us “Maine-ish” phrases, and demonstrating how to identify and pick wild berries atop Cadillac Mountain!

Park Loop Road, the main (one-way) road throughout the park.

2. Sand Beach

My next must-see place is Sand Beach, which is located inside Acadia National Park. This little beach is actually the only ocean-side beach with true “sand” in Bar Harbor! I recommend getting there as early as you can because parking spaces are few, and they fill up fast. One day during my trip, I woke up extra-early and enjoyed breakfast on the beach, and what a treat it was! Even the fog that descends early in the morning gives a quiet, serene feeling to the beach as you listen to the waves crash against the shore. You will probably not do much swimming at this beach, however, because the Labrador Current makes the water in this area very cold. (Around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even in the summer.) It is fun to stick your toes in the chilly water and race to escape the waves, though! Also, there are some interesting tide pools and rocks to explore that would be a lot of fun for kids with adult supervision. Those who really want to swim can visit Echo Lake, also in the park, that has warmer water.

3. Whale Watching

Another must-do in Bar Harbor is whale watching! Because of the local emphasis on ecological responsibility, all Bar Harbor whale watching companies are legally required to be respectful of the whales and cannot chase them or agitate them at any time. This means that whale watching in Bar Harbor is one of the best ways to see beautiful whales and learn about their conservation! There are a few issues that may come up with whale watching, however. First, there is the issue of fog. There was heavy fog for two days in a row during my visit, and I was pleased that the company I chose, Bar Harbor Whale Watch, refunded my entire ticket price and offered me a discount in their store. When it comes to fog in Bar Harbor, there is always a chance that your trip may be cancelled. The second issue that may come up is sea sickness. When I read the reviews for several whale watching tours, there were some people who experienced sea sickness during their tour. If you know that you get seasick, or if you think there is a possibility that you may, be sure to take Sea Bands, ginger, or Dramamine with you. (I’ve also heard that green apples help too!) In spite of the issues that may come up, if you are able to go whale watching, I would still definitely recommend it as it will be a trip that you will cherish for years to come.

Ramp leading to the whale watching tours boat dock

4. Downtown Bar Harbor

If you love shopping, or if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir for your trip, check out the shops in downtown Bar Harbor! I had such a blast going into each shop, talking to the friendly shop owners, and purchasing items that supported the local economy and that would remind me of my great trip to Bar Harbor. Pretty much anything you are looking for, whether it’s a T-shirt or hand-carved wood sculpture, can be found in the many shops here. There are also great ice cream shops, candy and fudge shops, and restaurants if you get hungry during your shopping trip. Also, if you go at the end of the summer season, many shops offer great discounts on their merchandise!

The Sea Dog Gift Shop! — The Sea Dawg Gift Shop!

Thank you so much for reading this post, and I hope you enjoyed my Bar Harbor, Maine series! Stay tuned for my upcoming blog series on Chattanooga, Tennessee!

Good morning, everyone! As promised, here is my follow-up to my previous post, Adventures in Bar Harbor, Maine (Part 1). Previously, I talked about where to park and stay in Bar Harbor; in this post, I will be talking about some of the great places to eat in Bar Harbor!

Let’s talk about food! Bar Harbor is the place of seafood lovers’ dreams. If you love lobster, crab, shellfish, oysters, etc. then you have definitely come to the right place! There are so many great restaurant options in Bar Harbor, but a few that I tried really stand out. Here are my favorite Bar Harbor restaurant spots:

1. The Side Street Cafe

This restaurant was the best dining experience that I had tried during my trip. It was wonderfully out-of-the-way (hence the name, Side Street Cafe), the food was outstanding, and the service I received from the staff was impeccable. I really loved this restaurant because they guarantee that their seafood is caught that day, and they serve it very simply so that you can enjoy its natural flavor. I went during off hours, around 2:00 p.m., and found that there was no wait. I have heard, however, that during prime lunch hours (11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) wait times are much longer, so be sure to plan your schedule accordingly. Although this was one of the pricier restaurants I visited, I thought the cost was well worth the excellent quality of food that you receive.

The delicious lobster roll at the Side Street Cafe!

2. Thurston’s Lobster Pound

This is the best place to go for an authentic lobster meal experience. And no, it’s not just a meal; it really is an experience! Unlike other restaurants that serve you a pretty lobster tail with fancy side dishes with a fancy price to match, at Thurston’s you will pick out your lobster at the cash register (and hold it if you want!), and it will be served to you whole, on a platter, with a half-cob of corn and some great coleslaw. You will also be given a bib, some wet wipes and a shell-cracker to help you get out as much of the delicious lobster meat as you can. Although this is the messiest way to eat lobster, there really is no comparison as to the freshness and incredible taste of meat that you dig out yourself. Finish off your meal with a slice of blueberry cake, take the last swig of your blueberry beer, and you will have officially enjoyed a truly authentic Maine meal. **Thurston’s is also one of the many stops scheduled by the Island Explorer tram.** You will encounter large crowds during the summer, so get there as close to opening time as you can!

The view from the dining area at Thurston's — The view from the dining area at Thurston’s

My delicious Thurston's Lobster Pound meal! — My delicious Thurston’s Lobster Pound meal!

3. Jordan Pond House

The Jordan Pond House in a must-visit, especially if you plan to go to Acadia National Park, because the JPH is the only restaurant in the park! This Acadia classic is known for it’s delicious tea and popovers, served with house-made strawberry jam. I discovered the JPH when my tour bus stopped there during our visit to Acadia, and I loved it so much that I went back again on my own the next day! Now, I know I have talked about long waiting times and large crowds before, but the crowd that gathers for their popovers here is like no other. The Jordan Pond House opens at around 11 a.m., but plan to get there at least a half hour early. No joke. There will already be a line forming at around 10:30! But honestly, it will all be worth it when you sink your teeth into a buttery, sweet popover and enjoy the view of Jordan Pond and the Bubble Mountains from your table in their beautiful yard. **This is also a regular stop for the Island Explorer Tram!**