Bar Harbor, Maine
Hi Friends,
I’m back - and so excited to share with you all this latest installment of The Travel Dispatch covering Bar Harbor, Maine. A vacation destination that I hold very close to my heart, Bar Harbor and the surrounding towns and beaches have been an escape to me and my family since childhood.
This past August, I was able to take Ethan with me for his first, but certainly not his last, visit to Bar Harbor. We spent four incredible days staying in the area revisiting some iconic spots like Thunder Hole and Jordan Pond and eating at some local institutions: The Upper Deck and The Union River Lobster Pound.
An eight-hour drive from the New York City area, Bar Harbor lends itself to be a long weekend trip. If done right, four days is more enough to get acquainted with and perhaps fall in love with this part of Maine.
I hope you enjoy this selection of recommendations, and please let me know if you’re on your way up to Maine anytime soon!
Cheers,
JC
Sights
Cadillac Mountain
Perhaps one of the most synonymous locales when mentioning Bar Harbor is Cadillac Mountain - located in Acadia National Park, is the highest point on the East Coast and offers breathtaking panoramic views that are particularly stunning at sunrise. A scenic drive or hike to the summit is rewarded with one of the most stunning and expansive views of Maine and perhaps the East Coast. Spectacular at any time of the day, the summit is at its quietest and most dramatic at dawn, while mid day tends to get quite busy. Visitors should be aware that advanced reservation is required to drive up the summit at rec.gov.
Seal Harbor Beach
Much quieter than its more-well-known big sister Sand Beach, Seal Harbor Beach is hidden gem. If avoiding the national park crowds is your MO - this is your best bet in dipping your toes in the Atlantic. Located in the hamlet Seal Harbor, the beach features soft sands along clear Atlantic waters, a natural cove this beach expands and contracts with the tidal cycle of the day. When we visited in late August the water was a balmy 51º F - but that didn’t deter me from launching my body into the water. Conveniently, the parking lot across the beach also includes a family restroom, so an afternoon dip to evening dinner is an easy itinerary.
Schoodic Peninsula
If you’re seeking more of a ‘moody’ Maine - experience the rugged beauty of Schoodic Peninsula, an inviting yet remote section of Acadia National Park. Its dramatic coastal landscapes provide breathtaking views, sheltered coves, and a chance to witness the power of the Atlantic Ocean. Considerably less busy than the Main Park of Acadia, Schoodic provides a quiet yet dramatic reprieve the ‘hustle and bustle’ of Bar Harbor.
Experience
Sail Acadia in a Friendship Sloop
The one experience I always recommend when in Bar Harbor is to get on the water, and there is no better way than renting or chartering your own little sail boat experience. In our most recent trip in August, we went with SailAcadia.com, for a three hour sunset sail around the Cranberry Islands and the greater Mt. Desert Narrows. Honestly, its one of those paid experiences that I just don’t shut up about - everything was perfect, the sailboat was exquisite, the captain was knowledgable and warm, and it was so beautiful to take in the views of Bar Harbor and its environs from the water. I simply could not recommend this more, especially with Sail Acadia - I mean the picture already does all the work for me here.
Tide Pooling At Tidal Falls Preserve
Perhaps the most underrated thing one can do while in Bar Harbor is to visit Tidal Falls Preserve. A tidal strait, this nature conservancy is known for its vibrant tide-pooling and starfish population. Personally, I love a microbiome - and seeing tiny sea animals in tide pools fills my heart more than any of you will ever know, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I would recommend checking out the tidal charts before heading over so you get the best time to spot all types of creatures including their starfish.
Sunset at Bass Head Lighthouse
Bass Harbor Lighthouse, located on the southwestern tip of Mount Desert Island in Maine, offers a breathtaking, albeit precarious, experience at sunset. As the golden hour approaches, the lighthouse stands sentinel against the rugged coastline, casting a warm glow over the waters of Frenchman Bay. Visitors perch on the rugged cliffs and fallen boulders teetering on collapse for the ultimate Maine sunset. It’s honestly one of the most beautiful places in all of Bar Harbor. Visitors should expect to arrive a healthy amount of time before dusk, as it does get quiet crowded at the sunset hour.
Dining
Beal’s Lobster Pound
Weathered shingles, decorative bouys, and a no-frills attitude, Beal’s is unapologetically cliché - but its institutional status precedes itself. This charming dock-side restaurant serves up some of the freshest lobster on the island. Order at the counter style, Beal’s serves lobster in every way imaginable, but they stand out the most in their Lobster Roll variations, which include a hot-honey butter roll - Chef’s Kiss. Eating dock-side here almost lets you forget the exorbitant amount you’ll pay for market price lobster by the pound, but would I do it again? Yes, a million times over, nothing screams more “I’m here in Maine and I’m going to enjoy my lobster roll on an outdoor deck overlooking a harbor” than eating a Beal’s,
Atlantic Brewing
Bar Harbor is dotted by breweries serving up local craft beers, but none have been as prolific as The Atlantic Brewing Co. A modern space in a town where kitsch and antiquity rules, Atlantic Brewing Co is the spot where out-of-town yuppies go to taste a flight of Maine’s finest brews. Known for it’s blueberry beers and root beers (my preferred), its a must try for beer enthusiasts and those sampling local flavors. The adjacent brewery store is perfect to grab a pack and enjoy the brews on a beach or boat!
The Upper Deck
Owned and operated by the DuBois family, which have been on MDI for generations, The Upper Deck is a mainstay in Southwest Harbor. Its familial warmth and kitschy-yet-fun atmosphere is favored by deckhands moored in the Marina and locals alike. The team at The Upper Deck puts out some excellent New England classics like Fried Clams and Lobster Nuggets - washed down with a variety of local Maine beers. Come for the sweeping marina sunset views and stay for the warm hospitality the Dubois family serves up. With any luck you might see me and Dani singing karaoke behind the bar.
