Bar Harbor is a little town nestled into a cove on Mount Desert Island in Hancock Country, Maine and home to one of the finest summer colonies in the Downeast region. It is generally thought that Samuel de Champlain ran aground at Otter Point in 1604, not far from Abenkai tribal lands. He would meet with Abenaki leaders and name the island Isles des Monts Deserts or 'island of the barren mountains'.

By 1880, Bar Harbor had already become a hub for Northern New England agriculture and maritime affairs, but also had a thriving tourist economy with over 30 hotels in the town at the time. Notable families taking up summer residences in the area would include the Astor's, Edsel Ford, Katherine Hepburn, J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilt's, Joseph Pulitzer, and the Rockefellers. Each millionaire tried to outdo the next with lavish gardens, swinging social scenes, and monumental 'summer homes'.

In 1947, a fire swept through 'Millionaire's Row' and destroyed many of the fine homes. The business district of the now-named Bar Harbor was spared and still exists as it did in yesteryears.

Activities:
Activities for visitors are limitless in the Bar Harbor region. One is surrounded by Acadia National Park and can visit some of the more picturesque Downeast Maine towns in a nice day's drive around the island. Don't let the previously gilded residents of the town intimidate you from making the trip to Bar Harbor. The tourist town is dedicated to serving every type of visitor, from senior citizen to families with young children.

The crowds can be cumbersome in the peak summer months, but one can easily get out of the downtown district and enjoy a peaceful picnic in nearby Southeast Harbor, known as the backside if the island. Say 'Hiyah Martha' as you pass by her summer estate on your way through Seal Cove onto your stop at the Azalea Gardens near the Asticou Inn.

Is a pleasant place to stroll. The small seaside community has been a favorite summer resort for many years. West Street lines the Waterfront and features some of the town’s finest 19th century mansions, but others are restored as upscale inns.

The harbor is still the town focus. You can enjoy a short (fairly flat) hike a road that leads straight off the pier to the eastern side of Agamont Park. The shore Path leads out along the eastern shore. The trail is less than a mile and it crosses the front lawns of Bar Harbor’s largest summer “cottages”. It ends at Hancock Street which leads you back to Main Street. Main Street is where you can find the small shops, restaurants and the Town Green. Another area to explore is Mt Desert Street which is a national historic district at the park. Abbe Museum has an ethnographic collection of first nation artifacts. Also on this street, many of the homes have been restored as hotels and inns.

Three churches, Saint Saviour’s, the “typical” New England style Congregational, and Holy Redeemer number among the impressive architectural works. At the corner of Maine and Cottage Streets, bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals can be found. The Post Office can also be found on Cottage Street - just blocks west of Main. Acadia National Park is the seventh most visited national park in the United States. Hikes, nature walks and other outdoor activities are offered. Autumn is a great time to view Cadillac Mountain when the leaves on the deciduous trees change from summer green to a riot of brilliant red and gold.

The shore road leads from the pier out to Hull’s Cove before turning up the slopes of the highest peak on the Atlantic Coast of the Americas. From the top you have sweeping views of the forested mountainside, numerous coves and beaches and some of the smaller islands surrounding Mount Desert Island. If the weather is fair, you can even view your ship.

After descending the mountain, follow the one way road in a circular route along the Mount Desert island cost. Other places to view in the park are Thunder Hole, Otter’s Point, Bubble Pond, Jordon’s Pond and Seal Harbor. The landscape was glacier-carved eons ago.

If you're into walking, the carriage roads in the park are great. Designed and built to accomodate the horse drawn carriages of the day, they are wide and well maintained. Pick up a booklet at the park headquarters that will guide you to the various roads and describe them. (Thanks to KK)



BAR HARBOR DIRECTORY: Find Services and Activity Choices

Bar Harbor Brewing Company is Bar Harbor's first and most unique microbrewery. They have produced gold and even platinum winning brews, all while producing only 260 bottle-conditioned barrels oer year. This is not just beer to drink. This is beer to be celebrated. Try any Bar Harbor brew and see what a champ tastes like. You can also tour the Bar Harbor Brewing Company. Give them a call to arrange a tour.
8 Mount Desert Street
207-288-4592
Bar Harbor Brewing Co.

Bar Harbor Whale Watching Tours
Join us for one of our many adventurous boating tours on the Gulf of Maine. We feature several distinct whale watching, sightseeing, light house and nature trips which sail daily throughout the summer season. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company has spared no expense in order to offer you a spectacular opportunity to experience the awe inspiring beauty of the magnificent mammals of the sea. Come and enjoy a fantastic experience you will never forget.
1 West Street
Bar Harbor Whale Watching Tours
1-888-WHALES-4

Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
The Bar Harbor Bike Shop has served the year-round needs of the recreational and sport bikers on Mount Desert Island for more than 25 years. Local residents and visitors from around the world rent, buy, and ride our bikes.From children's tricycles to high-performance off-road and racing bikes, Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop offers the best name brands, the highest quality equipment, and a knowledgeable staff
141 Cottage Street
Home Page
207-288-3886

Abbe Museum
The Abbe Museum is celebrating 80 years of commitment and excellence in collections, exhibitions, and educational programs of Maine Native American historical and living culture. The Abbe offers innovative exhibitions and programs on Maine’s Native American heritage. In recent years, the Abbe has grown from a small but lovely trailside museum, privately operated within Acadia National Park, to an exciting contemporary museum in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor. At the Abbe’s new downtown museum, visitors find dynamic and stimulating exhibitions and activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection. The history and cultures of Maine’s Native people, the Wabanaki, are showcased through changing exhibitions, special events, teacher workshops, archaeology field schools and craft workshops for children and adults.
26 Mt Desert St
Abbe Museum-Bar Harbor, Maine: Celebrating Maine's Native American Heritage
info@abbemuseum.org

Acadia National Park Tours
Specializing in sightseeing tours of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We also provide private group tours of Acadia, bus transportation services, and step-on guide services. 2-½ hours of the best sights and stories our area offers featuring 3 stops inside Acadia National Park. There is more to Acadia than meets the eye! We'll take you to the places you HAVE to see, all the while providing you with the stories behind the sights…After our tour, you’ll know about everything from how last nights lobster dinner was caught to how Cadillac Mountain got its name. Stops include the top of Cadillac Mountain (highest point on the eastern seaboard at 1500+ ft), Thunder Hole, The Jordan Pond House, and Sieur De Monts Spring (Wild Gardens of Acadia). We tour everyday at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM from mid-May thru the end of October.

207-288-0300
Acadia National Park Tours, Bar Harbor

LuLu Lobster Boat Rides
The only Lobster Boat tour in Bar Harbor hosted on a traditional Downeast-style lobster boat. After several successful seasons delighting passengers in the Hancock area of Frenchman/Flanders Bays, Lulu now sails out of Bar Harbor. The The Harborside Hotel & Marina is Lulu’s base of operations. Lulu's two hour tour offers the most exclusive, personal and unique cruise in Bar Harbor.
Harborside Hotel and Marina
Lulu Lobster Boat Rides - Downeast Maine, near Acadia National Park.
26 Mt. Desert St
207-963-2341

All Fired Up!
All Fired Up provides a comfortable setting for you, your family and friends to create your own art. Our goal is to give everyone - from 2 to 102 - options to create that special souvenir or that perfect gift. We offer pottery painting, mosaic and creat-your-own critter projects. Or, choose from a variety of art kits that include glass painting, beading, clay and toys. It's easy and lots of fun!
44 Cottage St
All Fired Up create your own art studio, Bar Harbor, Maine

Other Links of Interest:
Schedule of Cruise Ships entering Bar Harbor
More to Come.

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