Cool Things to Do Around Bar Harbor, Maine

One of our first big family road trips was a drive from Boston, Massachusetts to Bar Harbor, Maine. Along the way, we stopped at the giant L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport, ate lobster rolls in Wiscasset, and stayed overnight to explore scenic Boothbay Harbor. We were excited to arrive in Bar Harbor and explore the small town, along with nearby Acadia National Park. It was the first of many national park road trips that we took as a family. Upon arrival in Bar Harbor, we had an unexpected glitch with our accommodations. The good news was it led to an upgrade to the Harborside Hotel, centrally located in downtown Bar Harbor. This certainly made our stay even better as we now had walking access to local restaurants and the harbor. Here’s our list of cool things to do when visiting Bar Harbor. 
*This post was updated April, 2022

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​Take a Tour on a Lobster Boat.  Learn all about lobsters on a two hour tour on the Lulu Lobster Boat. It’s a unique experience that combines learning some of the local history while the captain and guide teach you all about lobsters. If your timing is good, you may also see seals resting on the rocks, or possibly bald eagles and other seabirds. Even though it has been  a number of  years since we took this tour, I was happy to see that even in 2020 Lulu Lobster Boat still ranks in the top for boat tours on Tripadvisor. 

Walk on the Sand Bar During Low Tide. Kids will love exploring the sand bar in Bar Harbor when the tide goes down, to look for rocks, shells and sea glass. It’s less than a mile to walk to the high point on Bar Island. We definitely could have spent more time exploring, but it was also important to consult the tide chart so we knew when high tide was expected. Be sure to allow plenty of time to get back before high tide starts creeping in. 

Get Up Early to See the Sun Rise.  Everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime. Cadillac Mountain is the highest point along the North Atlantic coast, so it’s the first place in the U.S. to see the sunrise between the months of October and March. Located in Acadia National Park, it is a popular tourist attraction, so allow extra time to get there and dress warmly, even in the summer months (blankets are good if you have them). My kids were young when we went, and I still remember them asking why we were dragging them up so early in the morning.  But the views definitely made it worthwhile. Check out the Ranger Pro Tips for more information about visiting this popular park. For 2022, vehicle reservations will be required for Cadillac Summit Road.  

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Bike Ride Through Acadia National Park.. If you love to ride on wide roads with no car traffic, then cycling through Acadia should be on your list of things to do in the Bar Harbor area. Rent a bike from the local favorite, Acadia Bike, and you can choose to ride directly to Acadia National Park or take the Bicycle Express shuttle into the park. There are forty-five miles of car-free roads that wind through the park. These scenic carriage roads were the result of John D. Rockefeller’s vision and efforts from 1913 to 1940.

​Eat Like a Local.  Plenty of places around Bar Harbor provide you with a chance to experience some of the local foods. The Travelin Lobster is known to have one of the best carryout lobster dinners in town. You can’t visit Acadia National Park without stopping to eat the famous popovers on the lawn at the Jordan Pond House. Or you can stop for breakfast at Jordan’s Restaurant for their famous blueberry pancakes made with wild Maine blueberries. We loved our lobster dinner on the dock at Beal’s Lobster Pier in nearby Southwest Harbor. No matter what, you will find plenty of opportunities for good food and great views while in the Bar Harbor area. 

Some of the activities and restaurants noted here are on a seasonal schedule and closed in the winter months. It's always best to check online to find the latest hours of operation before you plan a visit.