Bar Harbor, Maine is the perfect place for family adventures. With its beautiful rocky coastline, majestic mountains, and crystal clear lakes, it offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities, sight seeing, and chasing inspiration. The charming coastal town is also home to vibrant shops and low-key restaurants.
Bar Harbor is your gateway to the highlight of the area, Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
We traveled to Bar Harbor, Maine after a stay in Cape Cod, Massachusets. Looking back on it, this was the trip that inspired Rich Life Adventures.
I’d love to bring you behind the scenes and present to you the inspired vibes of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
Let’s wander!
Where is Bar Harbor, Maine?
Bar Harbor is nestled along the rugged coastline of Downeast Maine and is home to Acadia National Park. It’s about 2 hours drive from Bangor International Airport and 5 hours from Boston Logan International Airport.
If you’re driving, the ride is quite pleasant with lots of views of the Atlantic Ocean crashing on the beach and walls, picturesque forests and not-overwhelming traffic.
Bar Harbor sits on the northeast edge of Mount Desert Island. Yes, it is indeed on a literal island, but since we’re in the north you may not recognize island vibes that accompany beach towns. It’s more of a rugged, wild beach, with an ambiance to match.
Check VisitMaine.gov for more information about Bar Harbor and the surrounding areas.
Things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine
We’re all in on family travel, so everything we did was with a 4 and 8-year-old in tow. This would be an amazing solo destination or a romantic getaway for an active couple. We have family who hiked Acadia for their honeymoon. It truly is a destination for anyone.
Downtown Bar Harbor
Let’s start with the town itself. Bar Harbor is a haven for hikers and adventurers. While you’ll meet plenty of daytime activity, don’t expect a late night bite to eat. We rolled up to our hotel after 8 PM and were pretty much on our own for food. Once we knew to plan for that, we were good.
The town is incredibly walkable. We splurged for a stay at Harborside Hotel and Resort so we could be right by the entrance to the national park. It was less for comfort and more for convenience, and pet-friendly options were hard to come by.
So, we called it a splurge and felt fancy for a long weekend!
Walking around the town, you’ll encounter live music in quaint parks, cute shops, delicious coffee and food. The vibe is definitely all about the outdoors, so expect to encounter plenty of hiking gear stores and clothing boutiques. Some of it feels touristy, but there are plenty of eclectic shops, too. I especially enjoyed A Little Mad, a shop that seems destined to inspire writers and wanderers alike.
Grab an ice cream cone or gelato, stroll the streets, and make your way to the town pier to wave away the whale-watching tours. Remember to plan ahead for late-night snacks, and you’ll be set for an amazing time in Bar Harbor!
Bar Island
I love natural attractions. There’s no admission to pay, no gate to pass and no greeter to appease. We make a point of finding enjoyment in nature wherever we go, and Bar Island was an awesome happen upon.
At low tide, an area of sand appears and connects to make passage to Bar Island from Bar Harbor. At high tide, water covers the flat expanse, and you’ll need a boat to get there. So, you don’t want to get stuck on the other side when the tide comes in! Bar Island is a small place but home to a variety of wildlife and great wandering.
We were fortunate enough to have this natural attraction right outside of our hotel, so it was a blast to watch people make their way out and back.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park was the primary reason we went to Bar Harbor. It’s an amazing park and I highly recommend you visit if you can. We spent two days in the park enjoying the family-friendly hiking trails Acadia has to offer.
Acadia is said to be the second busiest national park, second only to Yellowstone. Crowds can easily steal the joy out of a trip focused on nature, but I’m here to tell you, it didn’t feel crowded at all.
Ocean Path
More of a walk than a hike, we trekked about 2 miles of this 4-mile out-and-back trail. Considered an easy hike, the path is pretty flat and wide open with gorgeous views of Sand Beach and Otter Point. We took our time, enjoyed the views and appreciated this moderate and not-too-crowded trekking trail.
Cadillac Summit Loop Trail
A unique trail in that it is only .3 miles, but it’s chock-full of the BEST views in the park. Since we were able to drive to the summit, this was our opportunity to bring our aged dog to the national park. She deserved to enjoy the fresh air, too! If you’re traveling with someone who has mobility issues, little kids or old dogs, make this your must-do.
Jordan Pond
A highlight of Acadia is Jordan Pond. Several trails weave around the pond and lead to some of the best views in Acadia. We hiked a good portion of the trails around this beautiful lake, and it was absolutely breathtaking.
Fun thing to see in Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a small town with an adventurous spirit. Whether you’re looking for a short getaway or longer family vacation, here are some of the best things to see and do in Bar Harbor.
• See Bar Island at Low Tide – When low tide hits, an area of sand appears and connects Bar Island from Bar Harbor. Take advantage of this natural attraction before it disappears again with the rising tide!
• Explore Acadia National Park – Home to hiking trails, ocean views and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities; Acadia National Park is a must-see when visiting Bar Harbor.
• Enjoy fresh Maine lobster – With its rich fishing history and access to the Atlantic Ocean, Bar Harbor is known for its fresh seafood offerings. Make sure to try some classic lobster dishes while you’re there! Go into it expecting to pick your jaw up off the floor when you see the price.
• Family-friendly shopping– Stroll through downtown streets filled with live music parks, cafes and boutique shops offering unique souvenirs that can only be found in Maine!
•Join a whale-watching tour– We didn’t head aboard, but you can join in or enjoy wave whale-watchers goodbye as tour boats depart from the town pier on their way out.
• Listen to live music in the park- We cherished a Sunday afternoon in the small town of Bar Harbor. Sitting under the tree shade enjoying live music and children running in the part was Sunday perfection worth etching into memory.
What We Learned in Acadia National Park
As a roadschooling family, seeking natural opportunities for knowledge is our way of life.
For me, I learned to turn to nature for inspiration.
I carried this out of the park in a BIG way and was called to apply for a position with the National Forest Foundation shortly after the trip. It didn’t pan out, but I found a tremendous connection to nature on this trip that has stuck in beautiful ways.
Our children lived their education on this one.
We learned that you could see a variety of wildlife around Jordan Pond, including seals, porpoises and bald eagles. In addition to nature’s lessons, the children learned about geography, topography and geology more in-depth than we ever could have with only a book to read.
We learn by stopping to read the placards and observing their lessons in nature.
We learn by speaking to park rangers and passersby to hear their experiences and insights.
We learn by discovering and seeking, both of which were plentiful in Acadia.
Who we Met
Perhaps more important than what we learned was who we met.
This was a family vacation that melded work and life, and compelled me to live a life where both are combined.
A highlight of the trip was my children meeting several of my co-workers. Seeing my children meet and speak with some of the people I’ve worked with for their whole lives was a true treat.
Ending The Journey
Overall, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park was an incredible family vacation. Our time there taught us many life lessons that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. I highly recommend visiting here if you’re chasing inspiration or looking for a chance to explore nature, meet new people, and make lasting memories.
We encourage you to create Rich Life Adventures everywhere you are and explore all the world has to offer! If you’re in search of your next family vacation destination, consider Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park! You won’t be disappointed.
Happy travels!
Joshua
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