What to do in Bar Harbor, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

Bar Harbor showing boating and a bay or harbour
Bar Harbor showing boating and a bay or harbour
Bar Harbor showing a lighthouse and rugged coastline
Bar Harbor featuring a sunset and rocky coastline
Bar Harbor showing general coastal views, landscape views and mountains

Bar Harbor Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Bar 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

Bar 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 Bar 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.

Bar 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 Bar 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 Bar Harbor attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Bar Harbor

Discover the most popular places to visit in Bar Harbor

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Acadia National Park's Visitors Center

Explore the lovely green spaces of Acadia National Park's Visitors Center and also enjoy the hiking trails in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Acadia National Park's Visitors Center
Bar Harbor, Maine USA

Bar Harbor Whale Watching

Enjoy an outing to Bar Harbor Whale Watching during your stay in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Bar Harbor Whale Watching
Cadillac Mountain showing a sunset, mountains and landscape views

Cadillac Mountain

Drive or hike to the top of Mount Desert Island’s tallest mountain at daybreak and you will be the first person to view sunrise in the United States.

Cadillac Mountain
Village Green which includes autumn leaves and a garden

Village Green

Spend some time in this peaceful park in the center of Bar Harbor to experience the village’s thriving community spirit and heritage landmarks.

Village Green
Otter Cliff showing general coastal views and rocky coastline

Otter Cliff

Hone your photography skills by taking artistic images of this towering headland while you listen to the soothing sound of waves lapping the rounded stones at its base.

Otter Cliff
Bar Harbor showing rocky coastline and landscape views

Thunder Hole

Nature’s magic produces a thunderclap illusion and offers panoramic views of the coastline at one of Acadia National Park’s most popular attractions.

Thunder Hole
The Criterion in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine, does not look very much from the exterior, but it is a glorious, well-preserved Art Deco style theatre. Opening in 1932, it has served the town of Bar Harbor as a movie palace ever since, accomodating such prominent families as the Rockefellers on their vacations to nearby Mount Desert Island. Kept in fantastic condition over the years, the theatre still has most of its original interior: seats, curtains, and even the original lighting board for stage performances. The Criterion Theatre also contains a floating balcony, which is rare for most movie palaces. Click on the following link to see a photo of the interior: https://www.criteriontheatre.org/ #History

Criterion Theater

You can enjoy a show at Criterion Theater during your trip to Bar Harbor. Stroll along the waterfront or seek out the hiking trails.

Criterion Theater
Great place to start with your lobster in Acadia National Park

Agamont Park

Explore the lovely green spaces of Agamont Park and also enjoy the hiking trails in Bar Harbor. Stroll along the area's seaside, or simply savor its lively bars.

Agamont Park

West Street Historic District

Find out about the history of Bar Harbor when you take a trip to West Street Historic District. Wander the waterfront and scenic parks in the area.

West Street Historic District

Explore areas of Bar Harbor

Beautiful sunset over looking the harbor!

Downtown Bar Harbor

If you're spending some time in Downtown Bar Harbor, Village Green and Criterion Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Bar Harbor
Panoramic drone shot of sunrise in Northeast Harbor, Main near Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island

Stone Haven

While Stone Haven might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bubble Rock and Acadia National Park.

Stone Haven
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Hulls Cove

Waterfront views, bars, and parks highlight some of the notable features of Hulls Cove. Make a stop by Acadia National Park while you're exploring.

Hulls Cove

 

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 Bar Harbor

Ellsworth, Maine, during autumn leaves.

Ellsworth

Narrows Too Bridge in Trenton Maine cloudy sunny day

Trenton

Frequently asked questions

Is Bar Harbor worth visiting?
Providing a blend of walking trails and hiking, there are many things to do in Bar Harbor. While you're here, visit Acadia National Park, a must-see attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbour Whale Watching and Bubble Rock are two awesome places to kick-start your vacation adventures. Be sure to explore the dining and shopping options in Bar Harbor while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Bar Harbor?
Don't leave without checking out Acadia National Park, ranked the top tourist attraction in Bar Harbor.
Is three days enough to stay in Bar Harbor?
Three days in Bar Harbor is more than enough to enjoy the city's leading attractions. Many guests book for three days on average. Acadia National Park, Acadia National Park's Visitors Centre and Jordan Pond are among the top-rated sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a bit longer to check off nearby hotspots such as Ellsworth.
Is Bar Harbor a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to do and see in Bar Harbor. Several leading attractions, like Acadia National Park's Visitors Centre, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a stroll through one of Bar Harbor's neighbourhoods, Downtown Bar Harbour is 0.32 kilometres away from downtown.
What are some activities to do in Bar Harbor with kids?
Planning what to do in Bar Harbor with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there are loads of family-friendly tours and activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Bar Harbor for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Bar Harbor, with entertainment for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Maine Granite Industry Museum or Naturalist's Notebook.
Are there free things to do in Bar Harbor?
From enjoying parks to wandering around hip neighbourhoods, it's easy to discover free things to do in Bar Harbor. If you're stuck for ideas, ask a local tour guide for recommendations. Acadia National Park's Visitors Centre is a great spot for anyone wanting to save on their travelling adventures.

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