Situated on the northeast coast of Mount Desert Island on the shores of Frenchman Bay, Bar Harbor, Maine is known as both a sea and mountain vacation spot for hikers, mountain climbers, fishermen, boaters, beach and lighthouse lovers, fanciers of seafood, and shoppers. The town of Bar Harbor consists of six villages: Town Hill, Eden, Salisbury Cove, Hulls Cove, Otter Creek, and downtown Bar Harbor itself.
Bar Harbor’s days as a summer Mecca for wealthy families such as the Astors, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Fords, Carnegies, and Morgans lasted from the 1880s until after World War I. The Great Depression of the 1930s, World War II, the coming of the income tax, and destructive October 1947 fire that struck Bar Harbor all took their ultimate toll on that era.
Former mansions transformed into commercial establishments
Those wealthy families were said to have found Bar Harbor a more rustic and wilder version of Newport, Rhode Island. The mini-mansions that were among their summer cottages have since been converted into inns, bed-and-breakfasts, sidewalk cafes, specialty shops, and galleries.
Many of the activities for visitors include biking down carriage trails beside peaks and lakes, rock climbing, camping, canoeing or kayaking on Frenchman Bay, deep sea fishing, whale and seal watching, lobstering, sailing, diving, golfing and mini-golfing, exploring Native American history and museums, and music festivals.
Although the outdoors and neighboring Acadia National Park are what bring many to Bar Harbor, shopping in town is a common activity. Sometimes if time is limited, seeing some of the village of Bar Harbor and enjoying a meal there may be all that can be done in a single visit. Bar Harbor is full of small independent shops, boutiques, galleries, craft stores, and some uniquely named food and drink establishments.
On that point, Geraldine Fabrikant, writing in “36 Hours in Bar Harbor, Me.,” in the New York Times, July 14, 2011, said, “Don’t look for Starbucks, McDonald’s or Ralph Lauren here. Fashion shoppers stop at places with names like Cool as Moose. Carmen Verandah and the Thirsty Whale are among the evening hot spots.”
In the summer months the shopping season is at its height for the boutiques. In the late fall stores offer shoppers holiday bargains.
Availability of walking tours around Bar Harbor
For other diversions in downtown Bar Harbor, it is possible to take a walking tour of the village or just enjoy the view from a park. Agamont Park sits on a grassy hill overlooking the town pier and harbor and the dramatic beauty of the water and outlying islands.
Within a short distance of the Village Green along Main Street are 25 structures, some on the National Historic Register, dating from 1860. They include mansions, churches, and refurbished municipal buildings.
Along Frenchman Bay by the town pier is the narrow Shore Path bordered by beach roses. It is less than a mile with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Porcupine Islands to the left and sprawling homes and inns on the right.
Taking the Bar Island walk first requires checking the tide charts before starting out. During low tide, walkers have ample time to make their way across the shell-covered sand bar from Bridge Street to Bar Island less than a mile away. In sight are Oceanside views of West Street’s Millionaire’s Row and a dramatic view of Bar Harbor from Bar Island’s highest point.
Bar Harbor also is home to Jackson Laboratory, a genetics research center, Mount Desert Island Biological Lab, and College of the Atlantic, a small liberal arts school. In the summer, they offer educational programs for the public.
Knowing what to avoid in Bar Harbor
Locals and other experienced visitors have their own recommendations on which places to steer clear of, tips on parking in often congested Bar Harbor, and avoiding misleading restaurant promotions on lobster specials as well as the times to miss an influx of tourists.
On the parking front, Bar Harbor has a free trolley service, saving time and money and the hassle of looking for a spot. According to AAA’s 2011 Tour Book for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont: “One of the best ways to explore the area is to hop on the Island Explorer, a free shuttle bus operating late June through Columbus Day. Rides to Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Acadia National Park, beaches, campgrounds and other destinations originate at the Bar Harbor Village Green.”
In addition, Bar Harbor is an embarkation point for travel by water to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Located on Mount Desert’s western “quiet side” is Southwest Harbor, a fishing village that some find preferable to Bar Harbor in being less commercial with fewer crowds and not seeking the souvenir crowd.
To reach Bar Harbor and Acadia is a long drive most anywhere outside of Maine. From New York City, the distance is 492 miles and from Boston 264 miles. One route is I-95 north to Augusta, Maine then Route 3 east to Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island. An alternate is staying on I-95 north to Bangor, then taking Route 1A east to Ellsworth and Route 3 to Mount Desert.
It is possible to fly to Bar Harbor/Hancock County Airport on Colgan Air from Boston, or fly into Portland 161 miles away. Bangor International Airport is about one hour away. Vermont Transit Lines offers bus service between Boston and Bar Harbor (207-772-6587).
Sources
- Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Guide, Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park 2011.
- American Automobile Association, Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont Tour Book, 2011 Edition.
- Geraldine Fabrikant, “36 Hours in Bar Harbor, Me.,” New York Times, July 14, 2011
John Seidenberg - John Seidenberg has worked on newspapers, newsletters, radio news, and produced specialized news publications as well as freelance ...
