48 Hours in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park
Explore the best things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine, including epic hikes, lobster feasts, and more
Do you love the sea, the mountains, and the forest? Acadia National Park is a triumph of all three. This destination perched along the Atlantic coastline of Maine is an outdoor paradise that offers accommodations ranging from elegantly comfortable to ruggedly beautiful. Sleep in one of the luxury cottages and inns on Frenchman Bay, or sleep under the stars at a no-frills campsite. Regardless of where you rest the head, prepare to set your internal clock to a natural rhythm of tidal shifts, sunrises, and sunsets.
Arrival in Acadia
Bar Habor is the most popular town in which to stay while visiting Acadia National Park. It’s located on Mount Desert Island, where the majority of the 50,000-acre park resides. The bustling tourist town that offers grand hotels, quaint inns, locally owned shops, and harborside restaurants serving fresh-caught buttered lobsters.
Although staying in Bar Harbor can be pricier than other locations that service Acadia, it’s worth it for easy access to the park and all the amenities at your doorstep. To secure extra savings, leverage AAA member hotel discounts, and consider a shoulder-season visit, such as in late spring when crowds are thinner.
Among the most popular hotel choices is the AAA Four Diamond Harborside Hotel, Spa & Marina. It has an enviable downtown location with spectacular views of Frenchman Bay. Even its outdoor pool offers 180-degree views of the harbor. West Street Hotel, a nautical-themed boutique hotel, is another popular AAA Four Diamond choice in town. It boasts an adults-only rooftop pool with panoramic views of Frenchman Bay. For a more budget-friendly option within walking distance to town, Hampton by Hilton Bar Harbor has ocean and mountain views with convenient access to hiking trails.
A major perk to staying in downtown Bar Harbor: a great dining scene. After checking into your hotel, walk to Stewman’s Lobster Pound Downtown Bar Harbor for dinner on the water. Try “The Down East Lobster Experience” for a quintessential Maine feast. The platter features New England clam chowder, steamed Maine lobster, local mussels, buttered sweet corn and potatoes, plus a side of home-made blueberry pie for dessert. If you’re not a seafood fan, the popular spot also offers chicken, burgers and salads.
Wondering what to do in Bar Harbor after dinner? Stroll the harbor to spy working lobster boats, whale watching vessels, and massive sailboats. You may also have time to shop the cottage-style storefronts that sell nautical clothing, Maine-made sweets, and handcrafted gifts. To cap off the night, head to Agamont Park, where vacationers gather on blankets with blueberry ice cream and watch the sun set over Frenchman Bay.
Day one
Morning
Rise and shine, sunshine. Start your day with a visit to Cadillac Mountain, a popular sunrise spot. Make the 3.5-mile drive to the tallest point in the park—at 1,530 feet—to witness the beauty of Acadia waking up. You will need a reservation for your vehicle, so be sure to secure this a few months in advance.
Of course, this isn’t the only place for epic Acadia sunrises. Otter Cliffs also provides dazzling morning views of the bay framed by granite rocks and a sand beach. If you’re not a morning person, you may prefer to watch the sunrise from your private hotel balcony before falling back asleep to start your day a bit later.
Fuel up with a breakfast of wild Maine blueberry pancakes at Jordan’s Restaurant before some hiking. Acadia’s Park Loop Road, a 27-mile drive around the east side of Mount Desert Island, links popular spots such as Sand Beach, Otter Point, Jordan Pond, and Cadillac Mountain—all of which feature impressive hiking trails.
Adventurers can ascend the Beehive Loop or the Precipice Loop, two of Acadia’s most challenging climbing trails. Looking for something more relaxing? Travel the auto-free Carriage Roads—comprising 45 miles of woodland roads that weave through Acadia—via foot, bicycle, horse, or carriage ride.
Afternoon / Evening
Head to Jordan Pond House for a plate of decadently warm and fluffy popovers, an Acadia tradition since 1895. These light rolls are crispy on the outside and soft and hallowed out on the inside—perfect for fillings savory or sweet. Pair your popovers with a late lunch as you enjoy the views overlooking two iconic landmarks within Acadia: Jordan Pond and The Bubbles.
After your meal, spend some time exploring this area of the park. You’re close to the start of The Jordan Pond Path, a 3.3-mile loop around the shoreline of Jordan Pond that is serenely scenic.
After freshening up in Bar Harbor, dine at The Veranda, one of Bar Harbor’s upscale oceanfront restaurants. Its menu features dishes that highlight ingredients local to New England and the North Atlantic.
Day two
Morning
Today’s mission: rolling with the tides. Check Acadia’s tide schedule (either online or ask the hotel’s front desk), and then plan your day around what will be accessible as the ocean water comes and goes. After having a quick breakfast at your hotel, grab your water shoes or wellies for today’s adventures.
The first stop: Acadia’s Bar Island for some tide-pooling. About 1.5 hours before and after low tide, you can walk the natural “bar” of land that connects Bar Harbor to this island. Along the way, look for barnacle-covered rocks and crabs—and maybe even sea stars.
Time your next visit to Thunder Hole, ideally within an hour or two before high tide. At this time, the water surges into the narrow, rocky inlet and explodes into thunderous claps and sprays that delight visitors.
From Thunder Hole, walk the Ocean Path Trail. The coastal trail winds past Acadia’s rocky cliffs and quiet coves, and in and out of pine trees. Stop at Sand Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand surrounded by forested cliffs, for some rest in a postcard-perfect Maine setting.
Afternoon / Evening
Stop at Town Hill Market for a to-go lunch. Since it’s your last day in Acadia, this will allow you more time to explore other attractions along the Park Loop Road that you may have missed, such as Sier de Monts. This garden-filled paradise includes a nature center, gorgeous native gardens, and the Abbe Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate that highlights Maine’s Native American cultures, history and archaeology.
Before bidding Acadia farewell, snap some pictures, and load up on Maine foods—such as wild blueberries and Whoopie pies—to savor as you head home. This two-day experience in Acadia will undoubtedly inspire you to return.