Your Guide to 3 Perfect Days in Bar Harbor, Maine

Nestled along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a setting you do not want to rush. Take it from someone who spent a week exploring its forested trails, rocky beaches, and towering cliffs in summer and met many a disappointed day-tripper who lamented not devoting more time to it. New England cruises and East Coast road trips often only allocate a single day to Acadia. Base yourself in Bar Harbor, a charming town located on Mount Desert Island (the largest island in Maine and where the majority of Acadia is located) and rent a car that’ll allow you to explore as you please.

In this article, you’ll discover the best ways to spend time in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, including where to find the best views, great ways to explore and hike, local-favorite Maine lobster restaurants, and more.

Day one

Morning

Set your alarm well before sunrise to drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Perched more than 1,500 feet above the ocean, it’s where the sun’s first rays kiss the Eastern seaboard. You’ll be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of coastline, islands, and ocean amidst an awe-inspiring emergence of daylight that has inspired poets, painters, and photographers. Be sure to make your timed vehicle reservation to park at the summit in advance at recreation.gov as sunrise spots are always the first to sell out.

After an inspiring start surveying Acadia from above, drive back down to Bar Harbor for some coffee and a popover—a soufflé-like roll unique to Maine—and devote the rest of the morning to exploring Acadia’s historic Carriage Roads. The park is home to 45 miles of well-maintained gravel roads that weave through the mountains, valleys, and waterways of Acadia. Because these roads are motor-free, you have 3 transportation options: on foot, bicycle, or horse.

Opt for bike or horse to maximize what you see in a short amount of time. You can pre-book a horse-drawn carriage tours out of Wildwood Stables, the only horse stable in Acadia National Park. This offers a relaxed way to explore alongside a knowledgeable guide. If you’re feeling more adventurous, however, rent a bike in Bar Harbor to explore on your own.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon at Jordan Pond. This postcard-worthy lake framed by picturesque mountains is one of the most popular spots in Acadia. A 3.3-mile hiking trail of uneven wooden boardwalks, rocks, and footbridges loops around the lake under a canopy of trees. If you’re able to snag a lunch reservation at the Jordan Pond Restaurant, you could enjoy a park tradition: afternoon tea paired with popovers and strawberry jam. However, a DIY picnic alongside the lake is a lovely (and more budget-friendly) option.

Evening

After some rest and freshening up, enjoy a seafood feast at Stewman’s Lobster Pot Downtown, a popular lobster shack with an oceanfront location in downtown Bar Harbor and a perfect prelude to tomorrow morning.

Lobster banding demo.

Day two

Morning

Spend the morning getting oriented to one of Maine’s most famous animal ambassadors—the lobster—by joining a lobster boat tour. Most depart from Bar Harbor. On these 2- to 3-hour tours, you’ll learn all about this iconic creature and how it’s caught. You may even be invited to pull up a lobster trap. Even if lobsters aren’t your thing, these boat excursions offer incredible views of Acadia from the sea and provide a solid vantage point to spot seals, bald eagles, and lighthouses.

If you have little kids in your party, consider this alternative to the traditional lobster boat tour: Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theatre. This family-friendly boat trip doesn’t go very far and includes kid-targeted humor and interactions. The highlight: getting to gently handle sea creatures that Diver Ed pulls up from the ocean—such as lobsters, crabs, sea stars, and sponges—before they are all safely returned to the ocean.

Afternoon

After your crustacean education, head to one of the many lobster shacks in the area. For a traditional lobster pound experience where you can select your freshly caught lobster and have it cooked to order, drive to Thurston’s Lobster Pound, a no-frills lobster shack perched above a laid-back harbor filled with lobster boats.

After a hearty lunch at Thurston’s, drive a quick 10 minutes to the Wonderland Trail. This family-friendly trail is a 1.3-mile out-and-back coastal hike popular for birding and tidepooling at low-tide. You can also pair the hike with a stop at Bass Harbor Head Light Station, an iconic lighthouse just down the road.

Evening

Perhaps you’ve grown tired of lobster by this point. If so, head to Havana for a departure from the bib-around-the-neck lobster feasts for which Maine is renowned. It’s fine dining with Latin flair—utilizing ingredients sourced no more than 100 miles away—paired with an award-winning wine list. Havana has attracted the likes of President Barack Obama, Martha Stewart, and Martin Scorsese. Given this notoriety, make your reservations in advance.

Day three

Morning

Enjoy a light breakfast before driving to Sand Beach for a morning hike. 2 popular options await, depending on your level of fitness and ambition.

For those seeking a challenge, the Beehive Loop is a classic Acadia National Park hike. Be prepared for a steep climb up granite staircases, with sections that require the use of iron rungs and ladders. Those who make this 1.4-mile round-trip hike ascend 450 feet and are rewarded with wow-inducing views and bragging rights.

For those who want a more moderate hike with an uphill ascent that isn’t quite so arduous, the Great Head Trail is a great option. The 1.9-mile loop has a gradual climb that takes hikers 145 feet above sea level, with sparkling ocean views and plenty of rocky scrambles to keep you in the present moment.

However, if you simply want to stay put on Sand Beach for the morning, it’s wonderful option for those who want to soak up the views without breaking a sweat. As the park’s largest sandy beach, it’s a fun setting where you can build sandcastles, dip a toe into the chilly Atlantic waters, explore the giant rocks around the edges of the beach, or relax on a blanket to rhythmic sound of Maine’s surf.

Afternoon

After a big hike, indulge in a big lunch. Drive to Abel’s Lobster just before it opens, as it doesn’t take reservations, for a memorable feast in a picnic-table setting on Somes Sound. Abel’s—which has been in operation for more than 80 years—is famous for its wood-fired lobsters cooked in fresh seawater. Other notables to fill your belly include lobster rolls, pan-roasted halibut, clam chowder, Maine oysters, blueberry pie, and cobbler.

Before heading back to your accommodations to rest and digest, make a stop at Little Hunters Beach. This cobblestone beach nestled in a little cove is remarkably quiet and secluded. It’s not obvious from the main road, which makes it a relaxed spot to explore and take pictures.

Evening

You are likely still full from lunch. Work it off by meandering the shops of downtown Bar Harbor for last-minute souvenirs. End your shopping quest with homemade ice cream from one of the ice cream parlors lining its Main Street.

If you’re craving a more unique-to-Maine way of concluding your trip, however, take a seat at Timber Tina’s Great Maine Lumberjack Show. The 75-minute performance brings Maine’s legacy of lumberjacking to life by featuring skilled men and women sawing, chopping, log-climbing, axe-throwing, pole-climbing, and logrolling. Amidst the kitschy banter and educational demonstrations, the show invites audience participation. You could return home with newfound lumberjack skills acquired in Acadia.