What to do in Southwest Harbor, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal scene with a lighthouse, rocky shoreline, and a large white house with a flag.
A harbor with multiple boats docked, surrounded by a coastal town with houses and greenery.
A coastal sunset with a lighthouse, rocky shoreline, and calm sea.
A beach with footprints leading to the water, surrounded by fog and trees.
A rocky shoreline with clear blue water, seaweed-covered rocks, and a distant cliff.

Southwest Harbor Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Southwest Harbor has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Southwest Harbor is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Southwest Harbor to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Southwest Harbor Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Southwest Harbor.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Southwest Harbor attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

CA $21
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide

Best of Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

CA $21
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Best of Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour

CA $22
per traveller
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour
Bar Harbor and The Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Tour

Bar Harbor & Acadia's Ocean Trailhead: GPS-Guided Audio Tour

CA $24
per traveller
Bar Harbor & Acadia's Ocean Trailhead: GPS-Guided Audio Tour
Discover US East Coast Self Guided Audio Tour

Discover US East Coast Self Guided Audio Tour

CA $201
per traveller
Discover US East Coast Self Guided Audio Tour
Kids Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour 3-8 yrs old

Kids Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour 3-8 yrs old

CA $21
per traveller
Kids Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour 3-8 yrs old
Acadia National Park Ranger-led Bicycle Tour

Acadia National Park Ranger-led Bicycle Tour

CA $103
per adult
Acadia National Park Ranger-led Bicycle Tour
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Most fun & popular experiences in Southwest Harbor

Tours & day trips

See all 55 activities
Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbour and Acadia National Park

Narrated Bus Tour of Bar Harbour and Acadia National Park

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 634 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $96 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 16 activities
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour

Activity duration is 365 days
7.8 out of 10 with 27 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $24 per traveller
Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving TourOpens in new tab

Wildlife & nature

See all 5 activities
Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike

Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike

Activity duration is 8 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $606 per adult
Acadia Full Day Small Group Tour & HikeOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 4 activities
Savour Bar Harbour Culinary Walking Tour

Savour Bar Harbour Culinary Walking Tour

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 33 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $227 per adult
Savour Bar Harbour Culinary Walking TourOpens in new tab

Cruises & boat tours

See all 3 activities
1.5 to 2-Hr Windjammer Sailing Trip in Maine w/ Licensed Captain

1.5 to 2-Hr Windjammer Sailing Trip in Maine w/ Licensed Captain

Activity duration is 2 hours
8.2 out of 10 with 257 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $99 per adult
1.5 to 2-Hr Windjammer Sailing Trip in Maine w/ Licensed CaptainOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Southwest Harbor

Number of things to do
64
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Bar Harbour Acadia: CA $12
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Southwest Harbor

Stay near popular Southwest Harbor attractions

Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead

9.0/10 (7 reviews)
Explore the lovely green spaces of Ship Harbor Nature Trailhead and also enjoy the hiking trails in Southwest Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.
See properties

Where to stay in Southwest Harbor

Find the best Southwest Harbor areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Southwest Harbor
Learn more about Southwest Harbor

Seawall

Seawall might not have many top sights, but Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Asticou Azalea Garden are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
A wooden pier extending into calm water with sailboats anchored in the distance and hills in the background.

Manset

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Manset and surrounding area, you can visit Wendell Gilley Museum and Asticou Azalea Garden.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Southwest Harbor

A harbor with boats, a bridge, and houses on a hillside.

Northeast Harbor

A coastal scene with boats, a dock, a white house, and a forested island in the background.

Bernard

A calm lake at sunset with rocky shores and sparse vegetation.

Seal Cove

Frequently asked questions

Is Southwest Harbor worth visiting?
Whether you plan to experience the local charm and cultural highlights or sample unique foods and explore in nature, there are many things to do in Southwest Harbor.
How do I spend a day in Southwest Harbor?
Start your day with a visit to Bubble Rock and Echo Lake Beach. Then, explore different parts of Southwest Harbor for local restaurants and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Southwest Harbor?
Don't leave without visiting Acadia National Park, rated the top tourist attraction in Southwest Harbor.
Is three days enough to stay in Southwest Harbor?
Three days will be enough time to tick off the leading city highlights, such as Acadia National Park, Jordan Pond and Echo Lake Beach. The average stay in Southwest Harbor is three days. If you have the time to extend your escape, Bar Harbour isn't far away.
Is Southwest Harbor a walkable city?
Some leading attractions in Southwest Harbor, like Echo Lake Beach and Northeast Harbour Golf Club, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from central Southwest Harbor is Manset and Bernard is 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Southwest Harbor with kids?
If you're searching for activities and attractions for all ages, have a look at these excellent ideas for what to do in Southwest Harbor with kids.

What to do in Southwest Harbor for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Southwest Harbor, with activities for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Maine Granite Industry Museum or Naturalist's Notebook.
Are there free things to do in Southwest Harbor?
From visiting parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to find free things to do in Southwest Harbor. If you're stuck for ideas, get some tips from a local tour guide. Echo Lake Beach is a great spot for anyone wishing to save on their sightseeing adventures.