The 49 best things to do with kids in Bar Harbor

A friend and I took the Gorge Trail / Cadillac North trail and it took us 4.26 hours for a 5.4 mile hike. The gorge trail takes you to the Cadillac mountain summit. It is a serious hike that includes rock climbing. We then took the Cadillac trail north back down. We are 51/47 year old women. Be ready. It’s a work out. Have your knees ready. It is Beautful. All of it. Worth the hike. The reward is amazing.

Definitely a nice entry-level park to visit. Came here in October when the weather was cooler, definitely gave some beautiful fall vibes with the changing foliage and crisp air. The park isn't as big as other National Parks but it still offers a lot of great trails and sights. Cadillac Mountain tickets are required to check out the sunrise and for any other time for access. Neighboring Bar Harbour has a great town with plenty of food, bars, and lobster!

So the thing about Acadia is, it’s one of the best parks, but unfortunately, ever since the Covid lockdowns let up it’s been getting busier and busier. When we started going around 15 years ago, I would say there was maybe half the amount of people who go now. And now on a bad day, you can have a hard time finding a park for the better trailhead. But the park is beautiful, the Rangers are great, And it really does have everything you could want. Spend some time in the surrounding area and you’ll avoid some of the crowds now, Southwest Harbor is one of our favorites.

It's a beautiful place, we did the scenic loop and made a few stops. The beach is huge boulders in most places. There are lots of hiking trails and we did several in our first visit in 1971. That was our honeymoon and we were camping, this time we stayed in a nice hotel. Beautiful fall colors.

Beautiful national park. Clean!!! Beaches are beautiful. Hiking is fun with enough variety for most to find something they can enjoy. Campgrounds well maintained. Only negative is the lack of showers at the campground. We stayed at Seawall on the quiet side of the island. Strongly encourage buying a map of the park to help find the trails but things are well marked. Plenty of places to enjoy the sunsets and sunrises.

5/5 ★★★★★ A Must-Visit in the Fall! Acadia is an absolutely stunning park that left us with incredible memories. We specifically planned our trip for the autumn, and we did not regret it for a second. The landscapes were unreal—the foliage was ablaze with every shade of yellow, orange, and red. Hiking through the woodlands and along the rocky shores felt like walking through a fairytale, with a multitude of bright colors everywhere. One crucial piece of advice: be sure to bring a warm windbreaker and a HAT! It is incredibly windy on the peaks and by the ocean; it would have been much less comfortable without one. An interesting note: due to the government shutdown, there was no one at the entrance station, so no one asked for our tickets or our "America the Beautiful" annual pass, which we had ready. Of course, we fully support the parks and are always happy to pay the entrance fee to help maintain these beautiful places. We highly, highly recommend Acadia to everyone, especially in the autumn months! It's a place of power and incredible natural beauty.

This is a gorgeous park and still one of our favorites (2nd time visiting, 1st national park for us 14 years ago). We spent 4 days visiting the week after the 4th of July. And we still didn't have time for everything we wanted to do! The park loop road had some beautiful views. Jordan Pond had a moody feel when we walked those trails. The rock at South Bubble was fun to see and we got some great pictures of us with it, too. Popovers at Jordan Pond were delicious. We stopped by on a Tuesday night after the dinner rush and there were plenty of tables available and parking was easy. The hubby did Beehive himself. Great experience for him and the views were gorgeous. Definitely more challenging and not for everyone. We visited the Carroll Homestead and spent 1 day driving out to the Schoodic Peninsula. The visitor center there is beautiful and has some interesting history of its own. We walked a few trails on that side and drove that loop road - note that it's 1 way for much of it. I also recommend checking out their activities. We spent a few hrs one night on the beach with a ranger for a program watching the sun set. (Unfortunately no stars were out, but it was still cool.) So much to do in the park and mote outside too as well as lots of delicious food.

After hiking all afternoon — finishing with a beautiful 3.7-mile loop around Jordan Pond — we were ready to refuel and had zero desire to drive back into town. With mild skepticism, we decided to try the Jordan Pond House right there in the park… and we were pleasantly surprised! They seated us right away (despite the dinner rush) by a window overlooking the lake — the kind of view that makes you instantly forget your sore legs. Our server, a friendly and funny student from Eastern Europe working for the summer, was a highlight: attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to talk with. We shared the Spinach Bacon Blue Cheese Salad, New England Baked Haddock with mashed potatoes and veggies, Lobster Stew, and of course, the famous Popover Sundae. Everything was excellent — my husband ranked their stew (bisque) in his top two of the entire trip, and the Popover Sundae? Pure indulgence, the kind that makes you consider hiking another 3 miles just to justify it. My Lavender Honey Bee gin cocktail was so good I happily ordered a second round. Ending our hike at Jordan Pond House turned out to be a perfect choice — beautiful trail, great meal, sunset views, and happy bellies.

We decided on a walk around Jordan Pond after a dinner in town when the crowds were gone for the day and parking was easier. I hadn't made reservations for lunch or dinner here knowing we were here at the busiest time of year, but I was interested in seeing the restaurant. We had reservations for sunset on Cadillac Mountain and decided to stop in for dessert before we headed up. Dimitar was our very kind and warm server and the other staff were also friendly and warm. The restaurant was quiet at this point after the dinner rush and we were able to appreciate rhe history of the place while waiting for our dessert. The popover sundae we had heard so much about was delicious- big enough that I am glad we decided to split one, though. Definitely recommend saving room for dessert or coming here for just this, as we did. On our next trip to Acadia I would love to have lunch outside. Highly recommend stopping here for the history, service, and food. And the gift shop! Lots of great stuff there, too.

Thought it would a bad tourist trap, but actually pretty good food for being in the middle of no where. The beef stew was soft and the lobster stew was savory and spicy with some green onions on top. Other lobster stews can be too creamy and boring, but this was really good. However the rice was too slimy because I can tell they don’t rinse the rice before cooking, I don’t think they know that has to be done. The popovers are ok, they’re just yorkshire pudding. Don’t come just for the popovers.

We spontaneously biked to Jordan Pond House Restaurant just to check it out, since it’s an institution, and we weren’t planning on eating a meal here but decided to see how long the wait was. It was only 20 minutes initially, but then a table opened up and we were seated within a few minutes! We had an incredible table right by the windows facing the lawn and lake - absolutely breathtaking. Food and drinks were awesome. We had coffee, popovers, a lobster popover, and the pulled pork sandwich with blueberry bbq sauce. The blueberry sauce was amazing, just so great paired with the pork. The lobster popover was also delicious and good portions. I had a lavender gin and honey cocktail, and my husband had the nom-alcoholic blueberry Moscow mule. Both were so delicious! It’s worth visiting even just for the views, and just checking how long the wait will be. For a party of two it wasn’t bad at all but I can imagine it may be longer for bigger parties - can’t say for sure though!

Came here for dinner and it was delicious. We shared some lobster bisque, clam chowder, lobster Mac and cheese and lobster roll. Everything was really good. The drinks were really good too. We sat outside and the view was amazing. We were served by Lucky who did a great job of making us feel good. Whilst the food is expensive, we thought that it made up for itself and the service was great. In particular you cannot miss the popovers. They are amazing and taste great with butter and jam.

We wanted to stop here while in Acadia, and we thought it would be neat. We weren't sure about the popovers, they seemed like a novelty. After dining here, I realized that you cannot skip this, and popovers are amazing. The regular popovers are light and fluffy and go well with the strawberry jam and butter. The chicken pot pie was one of the best I've ever had, and slapping it in a popover instead of crust was inspired. For drinks, we went with the herbal blueberry iced tea and the blueberry lemonade, of course. Both were delightful. We sat in the restaurant around 11 am on the Friday before Labor Day, and only had a 15 minute wait. Don't try to go at peak times, aim for just before or after.

Parking was difficult but I’m glad we were patient and found a place to park, so we could enjoy the Jordan Pond House Restaurant. The place was packed but our wait to be seated was only 20-minutes. We were able to take an amazing selfie from the upper observation deck. I particularly enjoyed the Jordan Pond House lobster stew and warm popovers.

What an incredible experience. Make your reservations to drive the mountain drive. Explore every backroad possible. The views were amazing and the fall colors were stunning. Pictures don’t come close to showing how beautiful they were. Take the time for this drive.

Despite it being windy and cloudy thwarting our views, it was a beautiful trip up the mountain. I loved being in the cloud! There were fresh ripe wild blueberries, and beautiful trails to explore. I highly recommend! You must make reservations in advance to access Cadillac Mountain. Tickets go on sale 30 days in advance.

We managed to get a summit mountain road pass 48 hours prior and it was an AMAZING sunrise. It was very very very cold though. Would highly recommend seeing this sunrise.

So grateful to have the opportunity trekking on the north ridge trail to see the sunrise. Even though I should wake up at 4.30 AM, the experience was worth it. The view while climbing up the trail was magnificent, great opportunity to have great bonding with friends. On the summit, the view was amazing, you wouldn’t regret to be there. Besides, you could also use car to reach the summit. However, just make sure that you bought the ticket online.

Known for the first bit of sun, we ventured out for sunset. Beautiful view of mountains, ocean, and lakes. Perfect view from the summit road overlook.

Best views in Acadia! I highly recommend the hike up, especially in the fall. It’s also a great place to see the sunrise, and there are several overlooks facing east on the hike up you can stop at for sunrise so you can enjoy the view crowd-free (expect huge crowds at the summit for sunrise). If you’re driving, you MUST have a reservation!

Gorgeous views! Lots of visitors so it’s hard to find parking. Also, you must have a reservation to enter for the sunrise viewing.Good luck with that! We had to take what was available so we went at 10am. It was packed, no parking and also govt shutdown so services were limited.

Lookout area to look at the waves near ocean level. A small section has stairs, other area is simply rock easily walkable. There's small parking lot across the street and a very small visitor center. Nice but similar to other viewpoints.

The star rating isn’t related to the natural beauty of the location it’s just the time we went there was NO action. Beautiful scene, parking was fine, a little over crowded but otherwise a good stop. My only recommendation is to do your research and plan your trip according to the tides/ weather to actually see the majestic natural beauty of Thunder Hole or you may leave a bit disappointed like we did.

Cool pop off spot. You have to go about an hour or two before high tide so it’s busy then. The thunder sound made doesn’t sound the same on video, must hear in person! Prepare for some splashes and crowds along the holes rail. There are also a lot of great rocks to take in the views from.

Thunder Hole along with the entire Acadia National Park coastline is breathtaking. The color of the rocks against the light green color of the ocean is beautiful. Easy to access the viewing points.

Come at high tide and walk down to the lowest part of the viewing area for the best experience! Thunder Hole is a beautiful and fascinating work of nature that highlights the power of the ocean. Parking is limited, but the coastal walk is lovely, so if you have to park further away, just enjoy the walk there. Dogs are allowed, but make sure you hang onto them near the edge.

We call this The Quiet Hole. This is the second time we've been here and it was fairly sedate both times. Supposedly the best time to see it is two hours before high tide but that didn't work for our schedule.

Absolutely loved the trip down here. Gorgeous pictures and loved that it was a nice day! Accidently took a 20 minute detour towards Cadillac mountain, but figured it out afterward. Was definitely worth the 3 hour drive!!

We visited on a Monday morning in late June 2025. There was plenty of spots in the parking lot when we visited around 6:30AM. We came straight after we did Cadillac Mountain for Sunrise. A few of us went to hike Beehive and the other smaller ones went to the beach. The parking lot is shared for those who want to get to beehive trail head which is just across the street. There was large restroom facility and changing rooms as well. There were tables and benches and trash cans. The site has plenty of infrastructure. Because we came earlier in the season it wasn't super crowded yet. I think the park had just started running their shuttle buses that weekend. There was a long hike down to the beach with lots of stairs. I'm not sure if there was ramp access somewhere. You would have to carry all your beach stuff down with you. It was also quite chilly when we visited and no one was really in the water except for maybe their feet. From the beach you can also see all the way up to Beehive which was fun to see all the people going up the mountain side. There is no alcoholic beverages allowed, no glass containers, no fires, no camping, no feeding wildlife and no flotation devices. During the summer from June 15-Sept 8 there are no dogs allowed, no boat launching, no fishing and no surfing. There is also no lifeguard on duty. Overall this was a very nice beach given all the limitations I already stated.

Beach area is beautiful during day time! We also went there for stargazing at night - dark sky filled with millions of little stars, along with the moon reflection on the water and the sound of the waves made it one of the most tranquil experiences ever!

This beach is beautiful, but it is *so* crowded, even in October (which isn’t exactly beach weather). When did Acadia get so insanely popular?

It's a very picturesque beach with mountains and cliffs all around. Perfect for romantic stroll. The place is very child and animal friendly, many families come there to take pictures together. *Despite parking lot being huge it may be difficult to find a place to park. We had to wait for 10min for a spot. Many people park there to hike nearby mountains.

Cool spot to explore the sandy area or just sit and enjoy the weather. We came a week before peak season and it was still relatively crowded and parking was rough. During peak season they say arrive by 9am or hike in by trail.

Visited the 3rd week of October, very busy but beautiful stop! Stars at night are also amazing here, make sure to bring a headlight though.

Small yet beautiful beach with a great view. Has some steps to go down to access the beach. The water was cold even in July.

Very well done exhibits combining history culture and art. Even the local art from children was amazing.

Very nice museum showcasing the areas native tribes. Works ethically with the tribes to repatriate artifacts. There is an active archaeology lab in the building that you can view.

This is a must-see if you are in Bar Harbor. My husband and I spent about an hour and a half exploring the exhibits, learning about the Wababaki history, admiring artwork, and checking out the gift shop. There is something of interest for everyone - lots of history to put everything into perspective, fashion, art, tools and weapons, and so much more. I only wish we were still here for the big festival the weekend after we left. I was looking forward to stopping here as part of our vacation and am so glad we had a chance to do so and took the time. Highly recommend you do the same to get an idea of the history of the area.

A MUST while you’re in Bar Harbor in my opinion. A very well curated museum showcasing Wabanaki history and culture- I will definitely be back next time we’re in the area as we were limited on time.

Excellent museum highlighting the Native History of the area. Wonderful to walk through. If you like to trad all the descriptions, allow 4 hours or so.

A great museum that I highly recommend. Beautiful and modern exhibits with some changing content. Listen to speakers in local languages, contemporary music, and two short films. Very friendly staff. It's amazing how much is in the space. Remember to go downstairs too. I had wanted to see the large room but it was closed.

Very interesting museum. Enjoyed the In t Shadow of the Eagle special exhibit. Small but very well curated museum.

Pretty nice, didn’t go on the hike just walked across when the tide was low. Beautiful walk and you can find some really cool things!

Great to experience once. It is amazing to see the trail covered during high tide and completely clear during low tide. Island offers a great deal of hiking trails to the outdoorsman.

A great hike. Check the tide charts since you can only walk to it during low tide.

Had a blast wading in the water on the land bridge as the tide came back in. The hike was short and relatively easy, although some slopes.

Very neat place to visit. I had never been to a tidal island before. You do need to be careful that you time this correctly. Dry passage is only available around low tide. Not the best for low mobility- the soft pebble ground is not the easiest to walk on. Once on the island, there is a short hike to an overlook to see back towards the mainland.

So fun… except we tried to drive our car down on the beach at the urging of a New Yorker and got stuck in the sand! 10/10 would not recommend, unless you’ve got 4 wheel drive. Good thing she was outspoken enough to get a bunch of guys to push our car out or else we, along with our rental car, might still be there. Or washed out into the bay, which might not have been too bad lol! Go at low tide, look under rocks for starfish and under seaweed for crabs, you won’t be disappointed! We even found a hermit crab(we let him go of course). Spent hours here, which just flew by. I did find some beach glass, not much though.. cool mollusk shells abound though, along with tons and I mean tons of snails.

loved this adventure but the tide comes in surprisingly fast!!

A nice place for short hikes and picnic. Notice that it's pretty crowded and in high season you won't have parking 10am to 4pm . IMO nice but not wroth the hype

Beautiful lake with a nice hiking trail around the edge! The trail is pretty rocky on one side and these plank boardwalks on the other, so definitely wear hiking boots. The trail is pretty crowded and parking is a disaster, but the pond itself is lovely.

Beautiful 3 mile hike in the morning. Parking fills up so get there early. Clockwise goes along elevated log trails and a few rock scrambles but the 2nd half is an easy walk. One of the most majestic trails in all of Acadia. Saved this one for the very last hike after a week long of moderate and challenging hikes. Great way to end our time in Acadia.

Easy hike for the whole family! Highly recommend getting there early in the morning during the fall season due to the popularity and the flat hike. Beautiful all around.

We went really early and it was quiet nice walk. Got busy after an hr but still ok. By the time we left, it was terribly busy. So suggest going early like 7-7:30 am for the trail, finish that and then go to the restaurant - upstairs they have the grab and go section for food with nice upper deck outdoor seating. Also has a gift shop - slightly overpriced because same stuff can be purchased in bar harbour town for a lot cheaper.

Beautiful and peaceful trail around the pond with stunning views of the lake. Easy walk with a mix of boardwalks and dirt paths, but there’s a fork where you can veer off for some fun rock scrambling and climb to the top for amazing views. Totally worth it if you’re up for a bit more adventure!

Parking was a bit tough during the busy season. Definitely suggest taking the free bus in. The trail around the pond was nice, not stroller friendly but very walkable.

We came upon this beach at lowtide. How very interesting to see seaweeds in this form!

Bar Harbor and Acadia are both on this stunning island, but you don't need to venture into either to view breathtaking scenery. I was there late October. Zero crowds, no problem parking anywhere.

The BEST vacation I've ever had and I've been to the Caribbean and Europe! You get everything from mountains to beaches to cute little towns to wildlife right in front of you. Acadia is just breathtaking too. It takes about 30-40 mins to get from 1 side of the island to the other as well, it's the perfect family vacation.

Spent 2 days on the island. Acadia National park was beautiful. Loved walking downtown Bar Harbor.

Island in Maine. Lots of lobsters, granite, fog and water. There's a national park here. It's pretty cool.

We come up here almost every year. Boring? Maybe. Or maybe we just found the perfect laid back, outdoorsy, dog friendly place in the USA to unwind and recharge.

I worked there Flagging for the most part it was really exciting to be there fresh air and the views were awesome people were friendly and understanding to the delays really nice place

On our last two days in Bar Harbor, we were craving a good old-fashioned breakfast — no frills, no foam art, just real food. Jordan’s turned out to be exactly what we needed. It’s an excellent classic diner — friendly, chatty service, the kind that makes you feel like a regular even if you’re just passing through, and simple, home-style food that hits the spot. Everything was fresh, tasty, and served with that comforting “made-with-love” vibe. And let’s talk about the blueberry muffins — warm, soft, and perfectly paired with a hot cup of coffee. Maine blueberries never disappoint, and neither did Jordan’s. Bottom line: if you want a hearty, no-nonsense breakfast served with a smile before your next hike or ferry ride, Jordan’s is the place.

Delicious diner in Bar Harbor, Maine. So grateful to have the opportunity to visit this restaurant. The omelette is so delicious, both the Maine delight omelette and lobster cheese. The blueberry pancake is also delicious, I recommend you to order the maple syrup since both combination will be mouthwatering. I really love the black coffee and half&half, helps you awake for the entire day. The toilets are so clean, and the waiters + waitresses are so friendly and fast. The location of the restaurant is also strategic, since it is next to grocery store.

I liked this place a lot. Came here after watching the sunrise on Cadillac mountain! I was craving a mom and pop type diner food and I got just that :) Stuck to my usual for breakfast. Their toast is good. Coffee is good too. I usually don't drink coffee while dining out. Pancakes were delicious. Staff is attentive and friendly. I would definitely want to come back here next time we're in Maine.

Decent diner, way overhyped. Blueberry pancakes are ok, they are not sweet, which is a nice contrast to the blueberry syrup. I might just try normal pancakes if we visit again. I almost ordered a muffin but wasn’t sure if they use the same batter… French toast was ok, maple syrup was pretty good but didn’t seem worth the up charge. Coffee was good, service was good, food came out quick, and they seem to have pretty quick turnover so you’re not there for hours. I’d come back, but I might try other places first.

The food was mostly good. I would highly recommend the bacon and cheese quiche, lobster roll and clam chowder. The haddock chowder was way too watery and quite disappointing. Service was fairly good but it's so busy that we felt pressured to be quick and get out as soon as possible.

A great local place to get a great breakfast. The blueberry pancakes and western omelette were delicious. The staff were very kind and even gave us a few tips on what to see in the area. If you are going to Cadillac Mountain for the sunrise, this is a good option to catch breakfast before.

JORDAN'S IS A MUST!! If there is one breakfast spot you must stop at in Bar Harbor, it's definitely this gem. As a local who has been living here for a few years now, I can attest that Jordan's is the heart of this town. The owner, David Paine, is a true legend - flipping pancakes for over 50 years with a smile. This place feels like home, like family. David always takes the time to greet his regulars and make sure everyone feels welcomed. There's so much love and warmth in this old school diner, done the way that feels right with spoken tickets and true team work. Highly recommend it for a cozy and delicious breakfast experience! It's humble and done right and I can't wait to try everything on the menu.

Went fishing off a boat by jigging. Caught mackerel, pollack, cunners, cod, and a toad fish! 3 of the cod were over 16.5 inches long. The scenery is beautiful and you don't have to be that far from shore. We saw tons of seals and several porpoises. We used the private fishing tour option from Acadian Nature Cruises with captain Carlos- he was wonderful.

This is right off Bar Harbor Maine. Typical New England port with nice shops and Restaurants.

We took a tender into Bar Harbor. It was lovely.

Great views

Pretty

Perfect spot for climbing. Easy to moderate climbs can be found on the left side of the cliff with a steel bar anchor( which is an odd choice for an anchor). A lot of moderate to hardish routes don't have a fixed anchor. Makes no sense in my opinion but ok. Climbing while the waves crush beneath you feels out of this world. Beautiful!

The Otter Cliff is a 33-meter-high granite rock on the east coast of Mount Desert Island. Pedestrians can access the rock via the ‘Ocean Path’; there is a parking lot nearby on the Park Loop Road. In the summer months, the rocks are a popular spot for climbers.

so it was way down from road level and I did not feel like going down, but most of the pictures you will see in bar harbor stores. - it's from here. it is a wonderful viewpoint that overlooks the coastline and consists of interesting granite rocks. The parking lot for the Otter Cliff Overlook is quite small but it’s not as busy of an attraction as some of the other highlights at Acadia National Park.

Very dramatic views. A beautiful spot.

We were lucky and got a parking spot here. We walked along the cliff area, and it was beautiful. You can walk here from Thunder Hole as well. Just get on the Ocean Path.

Wow. Stunning views and you can see otters running around. Ot is amazing experience in the Acadia. It is must visit place in Acadia to enjoy the nature's beauty.

Excellent sunset climbing (with an interested audience looking on). Various difficulties to choose from and if you are a first time climber or interested in climbing with a guide, check out the climbing store in Bar Harbour.

Beautiful hike, I would say hard because all of the railing and height. But views were rewarding! We visited in fall, so no issue with the parking and not overcrowded. We wore sturdy boots, which is a must here!

Very strenuous. More climbing than hiking. Rewarding views along the way and at the top.

Fantastic hike. Free as you don’t have to enter the park. Parking is plentiful along the road in the early-mid mornings. Much much less people as compared to beehive hike (which is in the park and thus you have to pay). Extraordinary views. It’s fun/challenging but not too long. Took me exactly 1 hour total (35 minutes up the Precipice and then 25 down the Orange & Black trail). Granted, I’m fairly fit and did it as a workout, and with excellent hiking conditions (dry, cool, breezy). My guess is it would take most about 2-3 hours when taking their time and rest breaks. Caution: if you know you’re not in at least average shape, this might not be the hike for you. Also, if it’s rainy weather or if you’re afraid of heights, it might not be a good idea. Overall: it’s one of my all time favorite hikes, and I liked it better than the beehive. If you want a taste of Precipice but to a slightly lesser extent, and don’t mind the crowds and parking headaches, try the beehive hike in the park.

One of my favorite trails. Rock scrambling, vertical sections, cliff faces. Bring plenty of water this is a steep trail a good workout

Awesome fun hike! The first 0.9 miles is a non-technical climb (No Mountain Climbing Gear Required). At 65 years old, my wife & I made it to the top in 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you are afraid of heights or not somewhat in decent shape, this hike is not for you! There is lots of rock scrambling, hiking along cliffs and climbing metal rungs drilled into rock in the early 1900's in the real steep areas. We hiked Beehive first and then Precipice the same day. We can't wait to get back in the area to do it all again!

My favorite hike on this side of Acadia. It's very fun and entertaining and challenging, and not that long. Takes maybe 2 hours? Definitely not for beginners but it's not as hard as you'd think.

Has to be one of the best national park hikes out there! Great views along the entire trail, and so rewarding once you make it to the top. The way down is much easier, and still beautiful.

Great little place. The exhibition is spread all over the space creating an all encompassing environment. It's also interactive. Great dioramas, a nice collection that represents both ocean and land dynamics of the parklands. Worth a visit. This place is special.

Awesome museum! Bigger than it let's on a lot of specimens to see. What made it most interesting was the fact that the animals were taxidermied by students! 20/10 reccomend

This is a wonderful museum! It may be small but they have put a lot of work into the exhibits! Our kids age 11,10,9,8 and 8 months loved it! They enjoyed seeing the animals and the skeletons! The adults in our group especially enjoyed learning new facts about the animals in this region! We would absolutely recommend going if you are near the Bar Harbor area! It is free but the ask for donations. It is a worthy cause!

Wonderful little museum. My 5 year old daughter loved it, and so did I. Small but packed with a lot of interesting stuff. We spent a good hour here on a rainy late October afternoon while visiting Acadia National Park.

Compact, informative nature museum just minutes from central Bar Harbor. Pay as you wish donation admission. Hosts the excellent Touch Tank Talk family program led by an Acadia Park ranger. Great for kids of all ages. Highly recommended.

Great Museum! Free will donation. All exhibits are made by College of the Atlantic's very talented students. The tide pool touch tank is great. Rangers know what they are talking about.

The George B. Dorr Museum is worth checking out while visiting Bar Harbor. My daughter loves animals so we decided to check out the museum on a rainy morning during our week stay in Bar Harbor. We were highly impressed by the variety of animals and details on display created by past students and professors. While it is a small museum, it is packed with beautifully preserved animals and a good amounts of hands on items to explore.

My husband and I decided to immerse ourselves in Bar Harbor with a whale watch. It was truly amazing! One of the best experiences ever! The crew was knowledgeable and taught us about a wide variety of marine life. You watch whales and dolphins in their natural habitat was one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life. I would recommend this your to anyone. Definitely worth every penny!

I booked this for my husband and I the day off on a holiday weekend. So I’m happy we were able to still score tickets. We done the Happy Hour Sunset Cruise. The staff was extremely kind, polite, and very well educated on the history and area around where we sailed. There were plenty of snack and beverage options on the boat. The views were spectacular! If I had to give any advice I’d say dress accordingly, it’s windy if you choose outdoor seating and when that sun starts to set it gets cold. But luckily there were plenty of seats inside to warm up and block the wind!

I apologize for my language but you would have to be a bougie person to write this any less than five stars. The three of us did this 2 1/2 our cruise at Sunset with a bar for $120. Stunning sites of the area as well as spotting of bald eagles, seals, and many other animals. The first hour was narrated for the Sunset Cruise in the last hour and a half was just riding around jamming to music enjoying drinks and sights. You arrived back at Sunset to a bustling Harbor community and a beautiful evening.

While looking online to book a cruise, we came across this option. It was a very nice cruise with an informative narration by Gene. We rode through the harbor and around Acadia national park. We also came very close to a lighthouse and were able to take many pictures, and look for seals. We did see an eagle in a nest, seals, and many other birds. After the first hour, they turn music on, and it turned more into a relaxed atmosphere with looking at the sunset and enjoying the views. It was a good experience, and we would definitely do it again.

Our sunset cruise with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co was great. We got to see many species of birds, including a bald eagle, and harbor seals. It was overall a wonderful evening experience. Highly recommend to enjoy their difference cruise options while in the Bar Harbor area.

My husband and I did the lobster and Egg Island tour today! The weather was amazing and we got to see some spectacular views. The guide explained the lobster harvesting process and we got to see multiple lobsters and crabs. After the lobster harvesting was done we went to Egg island and saw many seals and birds. They had a couple pairs of binoculars that guests could use! The guide and the captain were very nice and knowledge!

After three consecutive days of whale watching with Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co., I can confidently say this is by far the best whale watching operation out there! The crew was warm and welcoming, the captains navigated skillfully and safely around the whales, giving everyone incredible views, and the naturalists, Julie and Zack, shared a wealth of information throughout the trips. Unforgettable experiences from start to finish!

Two beautifully designed, challenging courses! They have the usual paper score card, but also a web app that adds up scores as you go, which is very handy! Very well maintained! Facts about famous pirates from history at every hole is a nice touch!

This was a fun place and unexpected. We didn’t plan on mini golf but the last day of vacation and just tooling around. Glad we found it! Good prices, very friendly staff, fun golf navigation. Go there!

Fun mini golf spot. It was crowded, but it was also 4th of July week. So, you have to be patient and wait for people to take their turns, but there's plenty to while you wait. Interestingly the only mini-golf spot we could find.

Awesome spot and great price. Staff is kind and happy. Two 18 hole courses, one more challenging than the other. Variety of stick heights & ball colors. Upstairs, in tunnel, up and down hill, and water shots. Lots of fun!

Fun, well-laid-out course. You can choose the 18- or 36-hole course depending on how much time you have to play. The course encompasses multiple levels and several water features (be prepared to walk up and down some stairs occasionally). There are plenty of interesting pirate facts and history scattered along the way.

My husband and I played here on a weeknight and had so much fun!! There were a bunch of people still, but that was fine! We did the "scenic" course and the course is really cool and we had a ton of fun! Then when we went to drop off our clubs, we got a free game!!

Had a blast here with my husband. Beautiful grounds (lots of flowers), clean, friendly staff.

On my last day in the area before hitting the road, I decided to stop by Asticou Azalea Garden. It was a quiet Tuesday morning, and I was one of the few visitors to the garden. The helpful staff provided me with a map and suggested that I make a donation to visit the garden, which I happily did. I thoroughly enjoyed walking the paths which were delicately raked and taking in the beauty of the garden. I appreciated all of the various sitting areas where I could quietly ponder and reflect, especially the one overlooking the sand garden. If you find yourself near Acadia national park and are looking to do something a little different, I would highly recommend checking this place out.

Beautiful Japanese-style gardens. Very well curated and maintained. Fun to see with all of the of fall colors. Not very big so it doesn’t take long to talk through it all. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person, which helps cover the costs to maintain it. Really enjoyed this! But I also enjoy seeing trees, plants, flowers, and nicely manicured gardens and landscapes.

A secret garden? No. But certainly a classic one. The Azaleas… wow! Breathtaking. This Japanese influenced design and garden was stunning. It was well taken care of, and should be continuously upheld. They requested donations at the entrance, albeit was a free experience. We donated so that its integrity could be maintained and the garden beauty upheld. While it is next to the Acadia National Park. We were actually able to enjoy this garden more than we were the park that day. Mid July brought out many enthusiasts of this areas outdoors. Thankfully this garden was there and we were able to have some peace away from how busy it was every where else. Personally I’d have liked to sit and read in this garden and take in the scent of the Azaleas as they linger through the air.

This garden is really a gem. I have been to Kyoto, Japan. It felt like I was transported back there for a little while! I loved every serene moment I spent there (except for the one where I accidentally dropped my car keys in the lily pond while crossing the stepping stones... 🥴 Fortunately a very nice man with a cane happened by and scooped them out nearly with the hook end.) I highly recommend these gardens!

Pleasant stroll around the Japanese style gardens. Not huge but well maintained. Very peaceful and wasn't crowed even on a Saturday in season. Hats off to the person who perfectly rakes all the ridges into the walking path and sand garden.

As a person who spent 2 years in Japan I was so happy when discovered this place. You should definitely visit it, it's so close to the imperial gardens found in Japan. The variety of plants is impressive, I also love the layout of the garden a lot - so authentic. What impressed me so much is that it's so clean and neat despite the entrance being free. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed my visit. Please, consider donating when visiting, they deserve it for sure.

Great little secret gardens! The gardens are free but suggest a $10 donation. They have a map for when you enter. It’s not super large but was nice quiet well put together garden. Lots of places to sit and relax. Our favorite moment was getting to watch the hummingbirds.

Extremely expensive. This place was noisy and the food mediocre. I haven’t yet found a decent place to eat in Bar Harbor. Still searching. The lobster, although edible, perhaps weighed 4 ounces. The lobster tail looked to me the size they typically discard when fishing, which leads me to wonder where they actually got the lobster. The steak was under-cooked and contained gristle. The fries were nothing to write home about.

The best cafe and restaurant in Bar Harbor, Maine. So grateful that we could have the table for 7 people, 30 minutes before the resto would be closed. The food was so delicious and affordable. I really recommended people to buy the bangin shrimp, the sauce was so delicious. The grilled salmon was so tasty. The waiters and waitresses were so friendly and fast. The restrooms were clean. Additionally, there was a bar after the resto was closed. Really love the live music and the drinks. Would love to visit side street cafe again.

Pet friendly which is super handy. The staff didn't seem super friendly, but they were efficient which was fine. The food was good. My husband had the burger and it needed some more seasoning and we tried the lobster quesadilla (which sounds ridiculous) but it was so tasty. The sauce and guac made it perfect. The haddock fish tacos were also tasty. I didn't care for the clam chowder but I think that is just a personal preference.

The Side Street Cafe is a wonderful change from some of the other restaurants in the downtown area of Bar Harbor. We arrived quite early since we had a light lunch, thinking around 5:45 and had to wait about 15 minutes to be seated. For an appetizer we ordered the Rodick Street Corn with chips. The dish was fire roaster corn off the cob, zesty butter, lime, Old Bay crema and tajin (chili spice that was a bit mild). The dish was very good. Having the chips to scoop up the corn was better than using a spoon. For dinner my partner and I both ordered the original Mac & Cheese with a parsley garnish. The Mac & Cheese was very creamy and just awesome. Darn good Mac & Cheese. Service is fantastic, great spot for dinner.

Side Street Café is such a wonderful spot! We came here with a vegetarian and several non-seafood-eaters, and everyone had a good meal. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Despite, being busy, our wait time wasn't too long. It's worth noting, if you come with a large group, you can't be seated until everyone in the group has arrived. Nevertheless, such a good spot in Bar Harbor!

We ordered lobster mac and cheese, salmon, sweet potato fries and a drink. Food was generally quite tasty and served warm but small portion. Mac & cheese was in right proportion, cheese not too rich or light. Yet, a bit disappointed on lobster which was cold and cut into small pieces (was that the lobster from lobster roll?)...

My husband & I ate here 2 times because they have the best lobster rolls! I’m gluten & dairy free due to allergies & they took such a great care of me! We love it here!

We had tickets for a whale-watching tour, so we decided to spend the day wandering around Bar Harbor — strolling the Shore Path, climbing on rocks, and pretending we were in a travel brochure. By lunchtime, we were ready for something delicious, and thank goodness we’d made reservations at Galyn’s. From the moment we arrived, the service was top-notch — friendly, professional, and genuinely warm. We snagged a spot on their small porch, which came with a great view and prime people-watching. My husband, on his personal mission to try every lobster bisque in Maine, declared this one a strong contender. We shared crab cakes and the fish of the day — grilled haddock with pesto aioli, served with grains, broccolini, and fresh herbs. The haddock was slightly overcooked but still packed with flavor. My Stephen’s Wild Blue Lemonade (blueberry vodka, obviously) was the perfect sidekick. Just as we were finishing up, we got the dreaded email: whale-watching canceled due to sea levels and wind. Tragic. But, being the resilient travelers we are, we coped the only way possible — with dessert and another round. The Cappuccino Sundae was heavenly, and my second cocktail, a Woodford's Mistress (Woodford Reserve bourbon, white port, spiced cherry bitters, sparkling float, Luxardo cherry), was pure artistry in a glass. I could’ve happily stayed all afternoon sampling more “research cocktails,” but my responsible side dragged me off to hike instead. Bottom line: Galyn’s is a must in Bar Harbor — excellent food, killer drinks, and service that makes you feel like a local. Even if your whale tour gets canceled, you’ll still leave smiling.

They squeezed us in last minute with no reservation which we were grateful for. Service was great and food was delicious. The mussels and haddock sandwich were my favourite. Lobster was really fresh as well. They also have an interesting selection of Maine-inspired cocktails, mostly blueberry flavours.

Galyn's provided a truly wonderful dining experience right on the waterfront! We started with two appetizers: the Lobster Bisque and the Baked Brie. The Bisque was really good—rich, flavorful, and a perfect start to the meal. However, I would recommend skipping the Brie; for $17, the flavor wasn't particularly special, and the crackers served with it left a strange aftertaste. The main courses, though, were spectacular and absolutely earned the five stars! I highly recommend both the Stuffed Pork Chop and the Lobster Fettuccine. Both dishes were beautifully prepared and tasted incredible—I actually forgot to take a picture until they were half-eaten because we dove right in! Finally, our server truly elevated the evening. She was amazing: kind, helpful, and attentive. She was extremely friendly and engaging, striking that perfect balance of warmth without ever feeling awkward. Overall, Galyn's is a must-visit for a fantastic Bar Harbor dinner with exceptional entrees and service.

The food was delicious and the view was amazing! The waitress was very attentive. We got lunch and dessert. The coffee was super smooth and went perfectly with the blueberry-apple crisp. A little bit pricey, but very good.

This was our final "Maine Seafood" stop at the end of a 5-day tour along the coast. From Kennebunkport to Bar Harbor we've visited an amazing variety of Maine restaurants and eaten pretty much everything the state is known for. So, within that context, Galyn's is very...ordinary. Bland, predictable, just okay. The interior is nice, a converted older home. The service was rushed - our guy came by every 20 minutes when we needed him every 10-15, and he was always out of breath, talking really fast and rushing away. The food itself is just fine. That's not really a compliment, but there's nothing wrong with it. Again, within the context of two restaurants a day for 5 days, this was maybe #7 or #8. Expensive, sure, but it's right on the main strip in the tourist heart of Bar Harbor, perhaps the most touristy of all the Maine coastal towns. There was not a thing wrong with our meal but not one dish stood out or was in any way creative or special. Overall it's just fine - a little tired, a little too expensive.

They make old fashions correctly Soup and stuffed mushrooms were good. Excellent cheesecake, it’s a very large slice good for at least 2 people, possibly enough for 4 Fine dining and a quieter atmosphere Food is pricey but well prepared and presented, service is excellent. The wait is long without a reservation, and it is not cheap. But if you like fine dining and have the coin, you won’t be disappointed.

My wife and I had an amazing late lunch at Galyn’s! Our waitress was super friendly and incredibly helpful, making us feel right at home from the moment we sat down. We ordered the Lobster Alfredo and the Crab Cake appetizer both were absolutely fantastic. The lobster was perfectly cooked and the sauce was rich and flavorful without being too heavy. We also tried the Spicy Margarita and the Blueberry Margarita, both of which were fresh, balanced, and delicious. Even the bathrooms were spotless, which says a lot about how well this place is run. If you’re in Bar Harbor and want a cozy, welcoming spot with great seafood and excellent service, highly recommend Galyn’s!

We came on a Sunday night around 5 PM and they said all the tables were for reservations only but we could sit at the bar. The bar filled up quick and then there was a line out the door when we left around six so definitely make a reservation.Athena gave us excellent service! The cocktails were great and the lobster stew had plenty of lobster in it with a nice sherry flavor! The lobster mini bake was a perfect way to try the lobster roll, the clam chowder plus have a little blueberry tart. The atmosphere was nice and we would definitely try this place again. If we were in the area, we preferred it over Stewmans

Overall, a decent place to eat. It's a touristy place more than anything. My take: - Food: average to slightly above average. We had the fried calamari and Brussell sprouts which were both decent. Neither were great. We also had the tuna poke which was very good. We also had a blueberry infused beer which was good. - Service: Was excellent. Wait staff were very attentive, friendly and helpful. No pressure. No issues. - The place itself: Fun, not too noisy. It appears to be a great place to sit at the bar, have a few drinks, and socialize. We had no problems talking or being overwhelmed by noise. I'd recommend it but don't expect to be wowed by the food.

A fun yet homy eatery in Bar Harbor that serves you the local delicacies prepared with the utmost love. A definite must order is the steamed lobster — it is so juicy but still melts from the shell. The buttery sauce complement’s the lobster’s natural sweetness and makes each bite heavenly. The clam chowder is also a recommended order since it is a balanced appatiser that whets the appetite. The star of our meal though, was the blueberry pie. The cream is thick but not cloying and the additional ice cream mellows the tart-sweet richness of the blueberry compote. Paradise.

We loved Geddy’s for the food and the fun vibes! The menu has so many taste tempting offerings it’s hard to decide. I had the fish and chips which were outstanding! The batter was light and very crispy with delicious seasonings. My wife had the grilled haddock with Jasmine rice and grilled vegetables (green beans and carrots) which were flavorfully sautéed and crispy. Our server, Hannah was very gracious and professional and we never felt neglected. There is also a fun merch store downstairs where you can find any kind of items you might want for yourself or as gifts to take home. We would go back if we were in town longer!

For fun and great food this is where you go in Bar Harbor! Tourist town restaurants can be overpriced and low quality; but not Geddy’s. The staff was friendly, attentive and the signature chowder and lobster dinner with blueberry pie doesn’t disappoint. Even the corn on the cob was fresh, sweet and yummy. Thanks for taking the time to serve a great meal at a fair price.

So amazing! This is a great place. I am gluten/wheat free and dairy free and they had so many options. Our waitress said they try to cater their menu to the top five allergens. The fish and chips is phenomenal. Fries that are actually crispy. Fantastic. Highly recommend and would definitely make a reservation and least during peak times and it was pretty busy.

This spot in Bar Harbor is beautiful!!! really great decor and just a nice place to be. The service was awesome. David, the host, was super welcoming and friendly, honestly the best we’ve ever had when visiting the West coast. The food was good. I had a burger that was pretty standard, nothing special, but my wife got the lobster plate and it was amazing. It came with clam chowder and a blueberry pie that were both so good. The lobster was big and totally worth it definitely pay the extra $4 to get it already out of the shell. Way less messy and easier to eat. Everything tasted super fresh, like it came straight off the Maine coast. We’d go back for the atmosphere, the great service, that blueberry pie, and the lobster.

A nice visitor center with lot of information available, the rangers are very helpful and guides you very well. You need to climb 52 steps to reach the center. Ample of parking space and great point to start your Acadia journey. You can buy your entry pass and it also has a souvenir store.

7-24-2025 so many cars. All-day parking was an issue. After driving around the parking lot at Jordan Pond, I just dropped off my family and I kept driving around till they finished. At one point there was a traffic Jam, no cars could move...a park employee should have been directing traffic. Our time for Mt. Cadillac was noon. We got to the top and once again had to drop off my family. I found a spot 18 minutes later. Sand beach same thing. Once parked the park was awesome!!!

Everyone is so kind! We took #4 bus and got off at otter point. We walked back up to sand beach and that worked well as the buses weren't as filled there. It's a beautiful hike!

Normal visitors center. Information booth and gift shop, not great stamping station. Only had one stamp, usually the visitor centers have two, one with name and date and the other more of nature and an animal. There is a handicap parking, if you go the normal entrance be prepared to walk 52 steps, not an issue at all.

We mainly stopped at the Hulls Cove visitor center to park our car and use the free island explorer shuttle. This was so useful to avoid searching for parking at different points of Acadia as it can get very crowded during peak season. Honestly during peak times in a day (mid morning), finding a parking spot at the visitor centre was also very difficult. You can use restrooms, refill bottles, buy any souvenirs, buy the weekly passes for entrance and get any information you want at the centre. The people working there are so kind and are happy to help especially with shuttle timings and routes.

We visited on a Monday afternoon in late June 2025. There were parking spots when we arrived. I don't think it's super crowded here because there really isn't much of a visitor center. You could go inside and they had a tiny exhibit area with mostly large maps of the park. They have 2 lines, one for park passes and one for information. The information line was always long and this is where we had to go for our junior ranger booklets. There are also the National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp here. Don't forget all the other ones in Acadia NP like at the Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Cadillac Mountain Retail Store, Thunder Hole Retail Store, Jordan Pond Retail Store, Little Cranberry Island. They were all different stamps. There was a small merch store here as well which took up about 1/3 of the visitor center. Also there are bathrooms here. Other than these things there is no real other reason to be in this visitor center. It's more of a way station. However I know the brand new Visitor Center just opened up on the road just outside the park with a huge exhibit space and 300 parking spots. The only other thing about this visitor center is that at the entrance there is the typical National Park sign "Acadia National Park". If you wanted to walk over and take a official photo with it. Unfortunately it's not a very pretty background. It's just trees and parking lot.

We visited Acadia national park in Maine USA to see sunrise on Cadillac Mountain at 4.52am it was really beautiful. It's the first place where sunrise rise is seen in USA. We went by car from jersey city. We then drove to Hulls Cove Visitor Center and parked our car. We then visited the centre to be guided regarding hikes in Acadia national park. We collected maps. They gave us bus route timings to different treks. We then caught bus number 5 to go to Jordan Pond. We reached in 20 minutes. We then went first for a small trek to a nearby trail called Carriage Road and finished it. So beautiful with a small stream flowing, lovely bridges and awesome trees. Then went as walk-in to the Jordan Pond Restaurant and booked a table for the 4 of us, we got it in 25 minutes. Then had an amazing yummy lunch and went for a lovely walk around the most beautiful and big lake though they call it a Pond. Then we returned in the evening to catch bus number 5 back to the visitor center. Please do visit when in Acadia national park. Memorable. Dr. Narayan Pratap bangalore

Ice cream is absolutely delicious and texturally some of the best I've ever had. I don't really like aerated ice creams (Tillamook etc) so MDI's dense, almost chewy ice cream was pretty perfect. The sweet cream used to make the ice cream is also really high quality as you can taste it really clearly. We tried blueberry one day (which was delicious) and went back the next for a double peach and blueberry helping. Both flavors were fantastic, not too sweet but the fruit flavor really shines. Staff were also friendly and really fast and helpful with service. Would highly recommend stopping here if you're a dense ice cream lover 🍨

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is a must-visit in Bar Harbor! The ice cream here is unbelievably creamy—truly some of the best texture I've had. The staff was also extremely helpful and patient as we made our selections. We tried several flavors: • Pumpkin: This flavor was spot-on! It tasted exactly like a slice of delicious pumpkin pie—perfectly spiced and rich. • Pistachio: This was good and quite unique! It had an enjoyable amount of pistachio flavor, but what made it interesting was the abundance of nut chunks, which added a great texture. • Cookies and Cream: A solid classic. I'd say the base ice cream itself was okay, but the addition of the cookies certainly made it enjoyable. • Caramel: The absolute standout! This flavor was phenomenal—rich, buttery, and incredibly satisfying. Overall, the quality and creaminess of the ice cream, combined with the excellent service, makes this place an easy five stars. Go for the Caramel!

I’m a tourist from New York, and Mount Desert Island Ice Cream in Bar Harbor is the best ice cream I’ve ever had! At many other places, I usually can’t even finish two scoops because they’re too sweet, but here I not only finished them—I wanted more! I had the Real Strawberry and Vanilla flavors—highly recommended!

Mount Desert Island Ice Cream — where creativity meets creaminess and your wallet meets its match. The ice cream itself? Excellent. 4.5 stars. Rich, smooth, and packed with inventive flavors you won’t find anywhere else. This is where your inner foodie and your inner child join hands and agree on something. Now, let’s address the (frozen) elephant in the room: the service was a little chilly — and not just because of the freezers. The staff (mostly Eastern European students working for the summer) were polite but not exactly radiating joy. And the no-sample policy? Bold move. They’ve got a long explanation for it, but when a single scoop runs about $9, you kinda wish you could confirm that “Basil” isn’t just a prank flavor. Speaking of which — I took the risk, and it paid off big time. The basil ice cream was fresh, creamy, and shockingly delicious. I loved it so much I went back the next day, proving that apparently, I’m now someone who craves herbs in dessert form. The shop itself has a cool, minimalist vibe — clean lines with just enough whimsy to remind you you’re on vacation. Bottom line: pricey, a little pretentious, but worth it for the creativity. You’ll roll your eyes at the rules… and then roll back the next day for another scoop.

Exceptional! The ice cream is amazing here. The "flight" of four flavors was an amazing way to taste four flavors for just $10! The good: Exceptional ice cream. Very flavorful, very creamy, excellent portions. Also very good: Found them in Portland later in the week! Went again. Also in Washington, DC (home) - didn't even know it. And in Japan (maybe someday). Not as good: No tasting here. While that may be a put off to some, it seemed fair to us. Wasted spoons, too much time tasting things while other customers have to wait for you. So if you must taste first go to one of the other places nearby. Or do what we did - get a flight of 4 flavors. Lots of fun. Service: Excellent - staff knew their flavors and had good recommendations. Friendly and helpful (both in Bar Harbor and Portland). Highly recommended.

I’ve been to Mt. Desert Ice Cream twice now, and it’s been a tale of two cones. The first time, I ordered the Sweet Cream Cookies & Cream. It was fine—good texture, nice cookies—but honestly, it was so sweet I felt like my teeth were filing a complaint. Definitely not bad, just not my personal jam (or in this case, cream). The second time, I struck gold: Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter. Oh. My. Goodness. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. Imagine your grandma’s peanut butter fudge, but somehow transformed into cold, creamy perfection. Sweet, salty, nutty, addictive—it’s been living rent-free in my head ever since. I’m already plotting my return like a cartoon villain. If you like peanut butter, don’t even think—just get it.

The ice cream is rich and delicious. The Maine Sea Salt Carmel was fantastic. The Vanilla Bean was vanilla and also good. Order and pay at counter. Plenty of indoor seating.

Large square green space near the coast in Bar Harbor Maine. Great place to sit on a bench and eat your lobster roll, or as we did, a fresh scoop of ice cream. Walking paths lead you through the park where the views of the fountain and waterline are beautiful. The park is really a quiet place to rest for a bit as you walk through the town of Bar Harbor.

Beautiful park with a beautiful view of bar harbor. We enjoyed more than one afternoon sitting here watching boats come in, listening to live street performers, and just enjoying the plush grass. (Bonus points: Grab a popover and drinks at The Stadium!)

Pretty park with plenty of places to sit and view the harbor. Quaint shopping nearby with a wonderful ice cream shop(Jordan's Pond) and near activities such as Ollie's Trolleys and local boat tours. Clean restrooms nearby. Easy to pay for parking at Kiosk.

I love this park, beautiful views and good energy. My dog loved it here too! Bring a blanket and lay on the hill overlooking the harbor.

Beautiful Maine setting over looking a colorful marina. Several restaurants near by with outdoor seating and meals to go and eat picinic style in the park. Groomed lawn, beautiful flowers. Musicians serenade the park guests.

Cute little park with a lot of spots to sit, relax and enjoy the views

Very beautiful and clean park, nice place to take a walk or take pictures.

Dim cloudy afternoon, dense fog covering the harbor below, occasionally light sprinkles of rain, a wonderful garden appears as we exit the woods after a brief climb along a gentle rising path of stone stairs, rocks, natural gravel and moss covered soil. Traditional raised beds and natural plantings, a nice water feature and some zen moments. The one photo is a thought for my own garden. You'll see more while visiting Mt Desert Island of Acadia National Park in Maine.

We parked at the bottom and did the hike. The views were absolutely amazing and well worth the hike!! I highly recommend doing the hike to gardens!!

A must-see stop for garden lovers. Created in the early 1900s and maintained through various efforts, truly an amazing hidden gem tucked into the hillside overlooking Northeast Harbor. The library, when open, is also amazing.

A unique and beautiful property that has a historic lodge to explore. The flower gardens are beautiful and there were butterflies enjoying the blossoms even in late September. The wooded areas are peaceful to walk through. There is a boardwalk entrance for wheelchair access. Definitely worth visiting

A beautiful garden, and clearly very lovingly maintained. Peaceful, serene, colourful. Well worth the effort to carve out the time to pay this little gem a visit. Probably the best compliment I give these gardens is that I felt as though I was back in the Lake District (UK). Should be a must for all visitors to MDI.

garden #10 07AUG2025. summer lodge and formal garden on top of steep slope above northeast harbor. the "border gardens" are fabulous. granite steps up the hill have an ancient middle-earth vibe. clear view of harbor from pavilion part way up hill. A-Scale: 4. there's really just one garden, but it's quite large. with a pavilion on the uphill end and frog pond 400' (120m) away at the other end. B- Art: 5. the border gardens are spectacular, a shock of color and texture, some plants towering over my head, all buzzing with bees. broad grassy path along the beds. C- Unique Specimens/Collections: 4. the border gardens are expertly composed and maintained. D- labels/information: 5. all well labelled. composite score= 4.5

This was such a beautiful garden! We spent a good bit of time here just admiring and taking pictures of all of the flowers. There were several spots to sit and relax. The weather was perfect for being in nature. We also did the free tour of the house. We came back again another day and brought my grandmother since we realized on our first visit that the garden was pretty handicap accessible!

Went on a boat tour with Lulus and had a great time. The boat Capitan was friendly and we checked (3-4) traps which resulted in one lobster and a handful of crabs. The boat guide was very nice and entertaining with plenty of local knowledge. Boat was clean and seating was roomy. Would not recommend sitting in the front left if you want to take pictures as the views are limited and pictures through the windows didn’t turn out well but otherwise a pleasant experience.

If you’re craving a fun, hands-on taste of Maine’s coastal life, Lulu Lobster Boat Tour is a must-do. We hopped aboard in Bar Harbor for a breezy 2-hour cruise, where our captain (a salty local with endless stories) steered us through Acadia National Park’s stunning waters. The highlight? Trapping live lobsters right from the ocean floor—watching them haul up the pots was like a mini National Geographic episode. It’s family-friendly (kids loved the “lobster school” lesson), affordable (around $50/adult), and runs rain or shine—ours was a perfect sunny day, but the covered cabin kept us comfy. Pro tip: Book ahead for peak summer slots. Five stars for the mix of education, eats, and epic scenery. Can’t wait to go back!

My husband, 12 yr old son, SIL and myself went on a trip yesterday. We had Emily as our tour guide and I can’t remember the captains name.we had such a good time. They allowed my son to band the lobster and even drive the boat. Emily was super friendly and I would highly recommend your tour company!

This was a great experience! Our narrator Linda and Captain Tony taught us so much about lobstering and the entire Bar Harbor ecosystem. We got to see several lobsters and crabs that Captain Tony pulled up in his traps. Highly recommended activity for all ages!

Add this as one of the ‘must do’ items on your itinerary to Bar Harbor. Our family had a blast and absolutely loved this tour. Not only do you learn more about lobstering, you also get a tour of the bay, a lesson on local history and information on local marine life. Both our tour guide and captain were fabulous. This trip is appropriate for any age.

This boat tour exceeded my expectations! We were looking for an activity to do the morning of our elopement in Acadia national Park and this 2 hour boat tour perfectly fit the bill! We saw seals, a lighthouse, and several lobster and crabs. We learned so much about the industry of lobster fishing which was so interesting. Our guides were so funny. Highly recommend!

We had an awesome experience on our boat tour! Galen did an excellent job keeping everyone entertained while teaching us all about the lobster industry as well as the other wildlife in Bar Harbor. The captain was friendly and entertaining as well. We loved it!

🌊 Unforgettable Family Fun by the Sea! I’m on vacation with my daughter and her family, and she booked this excursion for us—it couldn’t have been more perfect. The experience was truly amazing, especially watching my granddaughters light up as they interacted with the sea creatures. Their curiosity and delight made the entire outing even more special. Our guide was fantastic—hilariously entertaining and incredibly informative. He had everyone engaged, laughing, and learning all at once. It was the kind of adventure that brings generations together and creates lasting memories. Highly recommend for families looking to add a splash of wonder to their trip!

Diver Ed provides an educational experience in such a fun way. The whole family learned a lot and laughed a lot. Our 10-year-old was eager to take part in every part of the experience, from pushing Diver Ed into the water to touching all sorts of sea creatures, to carefully returning the animals to the ocean.

A wonderful boat ride, learning experience and entertainment! Diver Ed is very devoted to entertaining children while teaching them about the wildlife in the ocean! His crew is knowledgeable and friendly! The directions on how to get there and what to expect or spot on! Would recommend for anybody

We had an absolutely wonderful time with Diver Ed and Captain Evil this past week! Friends who had visited Bar Harbor a few years ago insisted we check out Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater, and they were so right. This is the perfect family-friendly adventure—equal parts educational and hilarious. The experience is incredibly interactive. Kids (and adults!) learn all about sea creatures in a fun, hands-on way, with plenty of laughs throughout. Diver Ed’s sense of humor keeps everyone entertained, while Captain Evil delivers fascinating facts with flair. At the end of the dive, you even get to touch and learn about the critters Diver Ed brings up before they’re gently returned to the ocean. 10/10 recommend for families visiting Bar Harbor—this is a memory-maker! PS: pack a jacket or a sweatshirt it does get chilly out there and book early as his tours do sell out quickly.

This was our most favorite thing we did on our trip. Kids age 4,7,9. Adults loved it just as much as the kids. Talk about someone who just loves children, understands how they learn, how to engage with them and keep them informed. So educational and fun.

Thank you to Diver Ed, Captain Evil, Shucker Punch, Nori, Elver and Periwinkle, AND MINI ED! My family and I had the very best time on the Starfish Enterprise with you all. It was the highlight of our Maine trip. My son is still talking about it. This is the best experience - a must do! I cannot rave about it enough. 1,000 STARS!

This was an unexpected highlight of our trip! We booked this tour with our two kids and in-laws thinking it would be fun just for the kids and we all ended up having a blast! The views were beautiful, the tour was so fun and interesting, we learned a lot! I can’t recommend this enough for all ages!

In our recent visit to Acadia Bar Harbor area, we had dinners on 2 consecutive nights at this beautiful place, overlooking the water. Food was generally good, except for the crab cakes and bang bang shrimps, we definitely had better versions, elsewhere. But the taste of fresh Maine lobsters and sweet ending with blueberry pie made up for any shortcoming. We appreciate Terry and Jamie, who served us and both were really nice and ensured that we had a great dining experience. Thank you !!!

Excellent restaurant on the water away from the down town Bar Harbor congestion and crowd Excellent out door patio overlooking the bay! Nice outdoor boardwalk bar seating area that extends out into the bay Also, nice water view from inside restaurant Excellent wait staff! Solid menu with everything from steak pasta burgers salads and all the best Of Maine seafood!! Risotto with scallops was top notch Whole belly clams were good … could have had a tastier breading Definitely a good spot for good food views and service!!!

My husband and I were in Bar Harbor the week after the 4th of July. This was our first dinner after we arrived and I am so grateful this was the place we picked. As it was the heart of the summer season, the restaurant was definitely busy at the dinner hour, but we did manage to get a table with only a few minutes wait. We did not sit outside, but did have views from our table inside and went out to to enjoy the deck after. If we are in the area again I would love to enjoy a meal by the water. Our waitress Abby was pleasant and helpful, making sure drinks were replenished as needed. Our food we ordered was outstanding! A little pricey- 2 lemonades, bang bang shrimp appetizer, lobster mac and cheese, and teriyaki steak tips totalled $110 before tip - but worth it as a treat. All of the food we ordered was delicious and the mac and cheese especially was a decent sized portion and filling. The shrimp were crispy with the right amount of heat and the tips were flavorful. Highly recommend. We will back if we return to the area.

We were up at 2am to begin our travel to Bar Harbor. After landing in Bangor and driving down, I was hangry. We arrived at The Chart Room at the perfect time - no wait for a table as they were all turned from the lunch rush. The water view was beautiful. The menu has a little of everything, but we went with lobster rolls - one served with mayo and the other with hot butter. They were both delish. Drinks were slow but the food was fast. Our server was friendly and not overwhelming. The music was a little loud for a Sunday afternoon, but who doesn't yearn for the 90's? We were happy with our choice on our first trip to Maine.

Came for an early dinner...great view by the window. Annette was our service...super helpful and attentive. Had the spiced pear martini (perfection), the calamari special, the Maine mussels and then we split the lobster mac and cheese and beaten goat salad. Everything was delicious!!!would recommend and would definitely return!

we had clam chowder, lobster stew, mussels, oysters, fish tacos, blueberry pie, and tiramisu, and it was all heavenly! even the bread (and strawberry honey butter) was beyond delicious. this was our favorite spot our entire trip and the patio on the water was so gorgeous and relaxing. also shout out to our server Valerie who did a fantastic job and made us laugh! also pretty flowers out front!

Fantastic service! Beautiful view! Great food! I had the 4oz lobster roll with fries. The roll was delicious and the fries were perfectly crispy. My husband had Fish n Chips. The breading on the fish was light and crispy. Portion size was large!

We had a build your own pizza and the grandma pizza. Both pizzas were fantastic. They were cooked perfectly and seasoned very well. I would say that it was my favorite meal of my trip. The service was excellent, and the place was nice. Should I return to Maine in the future, this will definitely be my go-to for pizza.

Solid experience at Blaze! The wood-fired options really drew us in, and the menu is packed with a ton of great choices. I went with the mojo chicken, my wife had the steak tacos, and since we were starving after a full day of hiking in Acadia, we also split the fish tacos. Service was good, atmosphere was fine, and overall the food was solid.

The Steak Frites was not as good as expected. The Parmesan fries seemed to me, since I don’t know how to cook, like regular fries just added some Parmesan cheese on top. The steak tasted just okay. Totally not getting it again and would not recommend it. I had better steak before.

Our server was great and made sure we weren’t without drinks or water. Lobster bisque was good and had a nice amount of chunks of lobster. Bacon wrapped scallops (3) were a little disappointing as the blueberry sauce overtook the dish. Pork Belly Lollipops were a not cooked evenly as some pieces were tender and flavorful while others were dry/overdone. Blackened Haddock fish tacos were okay as the fish tasted fresh but sauce was a little overwhelming and covered how great the haddock was. Overall the service was great but the food was underwhelming for the price.

Good to try lunch at Blaze while you are in Bar Harbor! Thai chilly Chicken wings are really good! Pizza’s are must try. We also tried lobster roll, it’s amazing Everything is fresh and tasty

We sat at the bar—so glad we did! The bartender was amazing. Food was delicious—wings, blackened fish tacos, and fries were all perfect. Even the local seltzer hit the spot. Highly recommend!

We ate here truly 3 nights in a row because its just that good!! We got lobster all 3 nights, the wood grilled lobster is 10/10. You must stop and try!!

The Ocean Path begins at the Sand Beach car park at Newport Cove and runs parallel to the Park Loop Road along the spectacular rocky coast to Otter Point at the southern tip of the peninsula. There are several car parks and tourist attractions along the way, such as the Thunder Hole, the Monument Cove and the Otter Cliff.

Stunning walkway filled with gentle slopes overlooking cliff-side beaches on one of the more remote sections of Acadia. Highly recommend at least going for a drive along this route, but a short walk along any segment can lead to incredible views! 👍

Nice easy hike along the cost

Worth doing, I have a handicap yet it was doable, just very straining on the legs

Beautiful path along the ocean with many opportunities to walk down onto the rocks to view the ocean. Parking can be difficult. The farther down the path you get the more parallel street parking available.

The real deal - The staff at our motel suggested this place as the best around and it did not disappoint! We got the sampler 3 roll dinner and a blueberry pie with blueberry ice cream and the food was amazing. Portion sized seemed very reasonable to us. The lobster and rolls were fresh and very tasty. Not too mayonnaise-ey like some are. The pie and ice cream were also delicious. The location is easy to get to from downtown Bar Harbor and has a great atmosphere. Best in the good weather however - no indoor seating if you're after it. Staff were super friendly and service was great. Loved this place - highly recommend it.

Everyone was super nice! You get a discount if you use cash vs card. I shared a lobster dinner. My mom and her friend had lobster rolls! The mini is definitely enough chow for one person! Drinks were on the expensive side. $3 for a canned soda! Everything was very delicious! My lobster claw had a lot of meat in it, the other had none. Haha. I got a dysfunctional lobster. You have to stop here for the lobster dinner and lobster rolls! 10/10!

Hands down the best lobster I’ve had — and we ate our way around all of Bar Harbor! We’re total foodies and tried multiple spots, but this one topped them all. The lobster was fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. It’s the ideal place to sit outdoors, enjoy the beautiful Maine weather, and pair your meal with an ice-cold beer. A must-visit stop if you’re in Bar Harbor!

I've never had a crab roll before today. The crab roll was delicious. I will order that again and again. The crabmeat to bread ratio was perfect. We also ordered the 1 1/2 lbs lobster dinner which came with corn and steamed mussels. All delicious. It was a bit cool outside, but they have fire pits available to keep you warm and music to keep you singing. Great vibes!!! Thanks for the wonderful customer service.

You know it’s good when there’s always a line. Fresh lobster, good beer, what else do you need? The line moves fairly quick if that’s your concern. 100% recommend a stop for some lobster, and try the sampler for a taste of each variety of roll.

Out of all the restaurants we went to in Maine, I think this was my favorite. Had the lobster roll sampler (came with 2 cold and 1 hot), the clam chowder, and oysters on the half shell. I’ve never seen a place use oyster shells for the sauces that come with it - super smart/efficient. Everything was wonderful.

Absolutely delicious!!! Service was very quick, food was great, and they had gluten free options which is what I need. We had the lobster melt and the lobster roll. Highly recommend stopping by on your way to and from Acadia!

Booked the tour and tasting and both employees were incredibly friendly and outgoing in making us comfortable. It said online to be half an hour early for waivers but it was just check in and get your pour for the tour then. The tour showed the typical equipment but also what makes them different and their particular products. And then you get a flight of 3 at the end so it's definitely worth your money. Plan to get the barbecue next door after. The parking area keeps going back too... People were cramming at the entrance but there was more space past it. The sodas are sweet and not too carbonated- it's like drinking blueberry juice and very refreshing.

The beet salad was delicious and my husband loved his BLT!!! Was able to sit on the couches there! Very comfortable for a pregnant woman! My husband bought a stein and a t-shirt! The food came out super quick!

We visited Atlantic Brewing Company on our way home from hiking all day in Acadia. There was a great selection of different beers and plenty of outside seating. We were able to bring our dogs into the outside area.

Loved the space and the beer. Your sustainability efforts are amazing and we are happy to support your amazing company. I’m the girl who kind of geeked out over your onsite waste water treatment! The blueberry beer, and the sodas were out of this world. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to embark on your last brewery tour of the year. We are sad we won’t be able to get your beer back home (Northern KY).

We did the tour and it did not disappoint! I've done several brewery and distillery tours and was super impressed by everything ABC does to be the most eco friendly brewery. Pete was a super awesome tour guide and it was really cool to learn about Maine culture from him. I don't eat gluten and I drank the NA options (root beer and blueberry soda), which were both very tasty, and I'm not typically a big soda fan.

Fun little spot for unique beers. The find of the day, however, was their root beer and blueberry soda!! Such fantastic flavors!! We brought home a case to share with family and friends! The young man manning the bar was super friendly and very knowledgeable. The BBQ place was closed up for the season (mid Oct) but the group of patrons enjoying a brew was social and provided a warm and welcoming vibe. There was a kids play set out back to keep kiddos entertained while the adults enjoyed a beverage. Great little stop!!

We were seated immediately, only about 15 people in the place. Water and drinks came very quickly, and then we were forgotten. We ordered the burrata and it took almost 15 min to arrive. People “after” us got full plates before us, so yes, that changes a fun time into a “won’t go there again” experience. Sad, too, because the food was really good.

Lots of vegan options. We came here twice on our two day trip to Acadia. The staff were attentive to dietary restrictions (refined sugar) and checked the ingredients list (tempeh was marinated with brown sugar so had to avoid that). The hummus veggie sandwich was great to bring on the hikes for both days. Lots of hydrating and flavorful veggies. Our other favorite was the lentil walnut burrito which had a unique seasoning and was nice to enjoy warm! Great option for a quick sit down meal or to go that's healthy and delicious!

Good range of healthy breakfast and lunch items. I particularly enjoyed a chia pudding with almond butter and fruit compote and the cold brew coffee was decent too. Not such a fan of the breakfast sandwich - it didn't really work on the gf bread. The burrito was good. Friendly and efficient service. It seems like most people are ordering to go or collecting orders rather than dining in, at weekend breakfast time at least

Had Zesty south west salad and hummus veggie sandwich. Food was tasty and fresh. Hummus sandwich had a different type bread, tasted like a fluffy naan covered with oil, and filled with fresh veggies which I liked. I am glad we chose this place.

Went here for smoothie bowls during our Acadia trip. Bowls were solid, they don't use sweetened Acai which is a huge plus, and the place is quaint with a nice porch for sitting. They also offer a kids size bowl which is great since the kids never eat all of theirs anyway. Would recommend.

Love this place! We go here every time we visit Bar Harbor. Healthy choices and fun place; outdoor seating and walkable from our hotel.

Oh my goodness! Eggs&Green wrap is the best gluten free wrap I've ever had, and I tried a few 🙌 I am so impressed, it wasn't dry, or falling apart, the filling inside was warm and juicy with cooked greens, everything I needed for my sensitive stomach 🙏 (I would suggest taking extra napkins for the juiciness of it, securing the sides and the bottom, especially if you are eating on the go) I also really appreciated how accommodating they are for adjusting the smoothie ingredients. The atmosphere outside is also nice on a warm sunny day ✨️

Honestly, this is THE BEST place in Bar Harbor! Went back 2 days in a row because I couldn’t get enough! The new counter lady is incredibly personable and made great suggestions! Don’t think twice and come here! Be sure to get the Smoked Salmon Toast! Out of this world!!!!

We absolutely loved our stay here! We stayed 3 nights. It’s a large mom and pop hotel. Our room was spacious, beds were comfy, and bathroom was large. Water pressure was good in showers for after a long hike. It’s located right on main st so easily walkable to everything in bar harbor. It comes with an amazing complimentary breakfast, cold brew coffee (which is hard to find at a hotel and I love), and free parking! Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, too. We loved the fruit infused water out every day, too! Thanks for a great stay.

Best Hotel Breakfast I've ever had! They had various stations to choose from - coffee station (hot and cold brew) yogurt bowl station, breads/toasts, fresh fruits, fruit juice, eggs (hard boiled and omelettes) bacon, French toast, cold cuts, pastries, oatmeal station - LOTS to choose from! The breakfast staff was super friendly and attentive! My favorite part of the stay was access to this breakfast before a long day of exploring Acadia!

Highly recommended. Super location with easy access to Main Street with restaurants, nice shops, and the shoreline walkway. Love the attention to detail for a wonderful experience. Examples are included in the photos - nice electrical covers in the rooms, naturally flavored water in the lobby, Starbucks coffee in the room, and much more. Nice clean, spacious rooms. The included breakfast has many options that are well prepared. Heated swimming pool. The staff is friendly and helpful. Plenty of free parking behind the hotel) street parking is metered.

I’ve visited Bar Harbor several times in the past and I had the pleasure of staying at this hotel for the first time August of 2025. We occupied room 401. Our family of two adults and two teenagers had plenty of space in the two bedroom suite. The bathroom was the cleanest bathroom I’ve ever experienced at any hotel ever, I’m not exaggerating! Breakfast is listed as a continental breakfast but it’s got a couple hot items that satisfy everyone. The vibe the hotel aims for is that of a time gone by and they succeed. The pool and hot tub were welcome on such unseasonably warm days . I would not hesitate to book this hotel on my next Bar Harbor visit.

This was a great hotel choice for visiting Bar Harbor. We were able to park our car for the week and walk to all the downtown destinations. The staff was extremely pleasant and helpful, the rooms were clean, and the little amenities (taffy at the desk, coffee all day, lemon water on tap, etc.) were icing on the cake! The breakfast was delicious and the blankets provided for sitting on the porch in the rocking chairs were a great touch. Highly recommended.

We had a wonderful experience at Bar Harbor Grand Hotel during our trip to Acadia, The location is perfect — close to Main St, Bar Harbor, including the main entrance to Acadia National Park, yet peaceful and quiet. Parking was free and helped to explore local shops just by walking. Room was spotless, and the cleanliness really stood out. The service throughout our stay was excellent; staff were friendly, responsive, and made us feel very welcome. The continental breakfast options were also very good — plenty of choices and everything was fresh. One of the best things about this hotel was its ability to accommodate our group of five in a single room, thanks to a roll-away bed. This was a huge plus and helped us save money, especially since most other hotels only allow a maximum of four guests per room. Overall, a great value and a great stay. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Acadia and Bar Harbor.

We had a fantastic time staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel! From the minute we stepped inside (and even before when calling to request a pack and play) the level of customer service we received was incredible. The staff in all areas, front desk, breakfast, housekeeping, were all exception and helped make this trip great. Easy to walk into town and easy drive into Acadia. I can’t wait to come back and will definitely be staying here again!

We had a lovely time at the Blackwoods Camp Ground (less the rainy weather) Our campsite was well maintained (A029) and walkable to two different restrooms. (Make sure to bring your own hand soap as it is not provided in the bathrooms.) The drive to Bar Harbor is roughly 15-18 minutes. It was fairly quiet when we’re there for 4 nights.

Stayed here multiple times, first time back to Acadia in years, and this time with the kids in tow. They did great and we had a great time. I always wish I could stay here longer but normal life awaits. Site is easy access to two island hopper lines. My only comment is I wish there was a showering place (not pay) on site. Highly recommend for seeing the park at all times of the day.

Blackwoods Campground is nice, clean, and peaceful. As other reviews have mentioned it is advised to take your own hand soap to the bathroom because there is only hand sanitizer available. My wife and I haven’t done much tent camping so she felt safer with all the other tent campers around us. We enjoyed our 2 nights there and the adventure of using the coin operated showers just outside the campground. While planning your trip just start saving your quarters (for the showers😀) and enjoy your adventure!

The campground is quieter than I expected. The bathrooms have hand sanitizer and running water, but no showers. The sites aren't too clustered together for comfort, but it's not like you're secluded from others unless you get lucky. Everyone we met was lovely as were the staff. You can get wood on highway 3 just outside the entrance to the park, none sold inside.

We camp here every year and love it! We love the peace & nurture surrounds - easy access to trails and coast for sunsets. Super clean—bathrooms, campsites, trash areas. Dog friendly! No showers, but there is one close by!

We stayed in B138 which close to the South Cadillac Mtn trail and bathroom. Apparently no RVs are aloud in the B loop so it was pretty quiet. There is no soap in the bathroom so take your own. The picnic table and fire ring were in really sad shape for an NPS campsite.

Nice quiet campground in a densely wooded forest setting. Great place to relax and enjoy nature.

My husband and I shared: - Lobster Benedict - Maine Blueberry Pancake - Home Fries - Atlantic Brewing Blueberry Soda The food was absolutely delicious. I expected to like the Benedict more and it was so good, but the blueberry pancake blew me away. I don't love pancakes, but this one was thin, crispy, and had so much flavor. It was the best pancake I've ever had. The portion sizes are on the smaller side and prices are fairly high, but that's typical of lobster in Maine. We arrived a bit before 11 and didn't have to wait too long for a table.

We had breakfast here three days in a row during our stay in Acadia, and every single meal was fantastic. The staff deserves a special shout-out, Tyler and Brenna were incredible hosts who took such great care of us, making us feel like regulars from the moment we walked in. My husband loved their vegan tofu scramble so much that he ordered it all three days, flavorful, hearty, and perfectly cooked with fresh veggies and crispy home fries on the side. I decided to try something different each day: the ricotta toast on Day 1, the avocado toast on Day 2, and a bagel with herbed cream cheese on Day 3. Every dish was delicious and beautifully presented. The coffee was fresh and strong, just the way I like it, and the quirky, colorful interiors added so much character to the place. From the food to the friendly service and the fun atmosphere, Café This Way truly captures the cozy, creative vibe of Bar Harbor. Highly recommend this spot for anyone visiting Acadia, you’ll leave happy, full, and already planning your next breakfast here! ☕🍳🥑

We stopped at this cafe for brunch since it was highly recommended in Bar Harbor restaurants They did not disappoint. We went on Rainy day so outdoor patio was closed and we had to wait a bit but it was quick service. I ordered peach pancakes and it made my day. It was so delicious. It is so soft and fluffy and melting in mouth. My hubby ordered egg Benedict with lobster and he loved it as well Highly recommended to try this place when you are in the area

TLDR upfront: Cafe This Way was our favorite food place in Bar Harbor over the course of a 4-day Acadia trip. The food, service, and atmosphere were all exceptional, absolutely a must-visit stop for any future visits! We ordered: - Build-your-own omelet with some veggies and goat cheese -> I'm not usually a fan of omelets but the goat cheese was really good, would get this again - White bean shakshuka -> Incredibly flavorful, poached eggs were cooked to perfection, probably my favorite dish we had in Bar Harbor - Blueberry pancake -> The pancake is relatively thin, absolutely stuffed with blueberries, and a little crispy around the edges. I've never had a pancake like this one before but regular ones just won't hit the spot anymore. They served it with house strawberry jam that was delicious and paired perfectly with the pancake as the pancake was not too sweet. 100% would recommend this as the best blueberry pancake in Bar Harbor if you like the crispier texture! - Hot chocolate -> Excellent hot chocolate, whipped cream was great, no notes The staff were all really friendly and attentive, we didn't have to wait long for food even though they were fairly busy, vibes were absolutely immaculate. Prices are about average for Bar Harbor. Only regret is that we didn't get to go back in favor of trying out other breakfast spots around Bar Harbor. While there are some good ones, none of the other places we ate at wowed me like Cafe This Way. Highly recommend!

Charismatic and lively! We loved the atmosphere and the servers were very friendly. I very much appreciated the generous & no charge flask of real maple syrup they give you (instead of those tiny samplers that cost more you usually get at many places). The pancakes were huge, nicely crispy a bit on the edges (though a bit greasy) and fluffy inside. Homefries were no frills, very basic, but fine. Wish the tshirts were a little less expensive. We loved the decor so much, and the food was great- would definitely come back!

Went on weekday for lunch and there was queue. I heard so many good reviews so I didn’t mind waiting. Service is excellent. We were seated shortly and my husband tried the best lobster Benedict and he loved it. One of the best breakfast place in town.

One of my favorite vacation breakfast spots ever! We loved it so much we went twice during our trip. The first time we sat outside before a full day of hiking, and it was the perfect start to the day. The custom egg scramble with sourdough toast was outstanding, and the croissant egg sandwich was also delicious (though a little tricky to eat with how crumbly the croissant was). If we make it back to Bar Harbor, this will always be a must-stop for breakfast!

If you’re looking for a scenic place to eat lobster in an authentic environment, this is it! We recommend making a reservation ahead of time as we were able to skip a very long line and go straight to order at the counter. We tried the butter lobster roll, seared scallops, lobster stew, and fried shrimp. Lobster was tender and brioche roll was nice and buttery. Shrimp were a generous portion and very flavorful. Lobster stew was too sweet for our tastes. Scallops were fresh and tender, but not a standout. Our food came out very quickly. Blueberry soda is a must try but note you can find that around the island. Great spot to sit on the water and make sure to check out the deck on the back.

A super cool experience but the food didn’t live up to the service, atmosphere or reputation. The service was outstanding from the guy at the lobster tank to the wait staff and bussers, everyone was super friendly and genuinely cared about the experience. The atmosphere almost can’t be beat. You’re literally on the pier. Great views of the harbor and sunset. Unfortunately the food wasn’t the best. We had a whole boiled lobster meal and a lobster roll. The roll was ok. It was over soaked with butter so the bread was soggy. The onion rings were cold. The lobster was not the best. It was filled with water which made eating it on the little paper plate they serve it in a mess. The corn on the cob was disgusting. The cole slaw was flavorless. The cornbread was good, but sweet which I know isn’t for everyone. Service and atmosphere made up for the food but if you’re looking for a great lobster pound meal, I found Thurstons to be much better.

Wow! What a find! My husband and I had a delicious dinner here during our vacation in Bar Harbor the week after the 4th of July. This is an order at the counter and food is brought to your table kind of place. Although, I have seen that there is a dining room you can select for table service as well, but that was not our experience. We spent a few minutes taking in the menu and specials and chatting with employees and asking a few questions. They were all very pleasant. We ordered the fried shrimp appetizer, the Buttermilk fried chicken with watermelon pico de gallo special, and a Connecticut style lobster roll with fries. Typical prices for the area - around $80 with tax before tip. We were seated outside overlooking the water and had a lovely view while waiting for our food. I suggest trying to get a table that allows for the scenery; it really added to our experience. Our food was absolutely incredible! The fried shrimp were crispy and the shrimp was well cooked and not rubbery at all. Our lobster roll was one of the best we had over the course of our vacation. It was fairly well filled and very yummy. The unexpected star was the fried chicken sandwich. I admit I had never had watermelon pico prior and we enjoyed it so much that now we make it at home! The chicken was exactly how I like it - thin, crispy, and still juicy. Overall, this dinner was really really good and I highly recommend trying this plzce for yourself.

We really enjoyed the full Maine lobster experience here. GREAT food, excellent prices and the real harbor feel. The wife ordered a salad and added lobster. I ordered the jumbo lobster roll (and it was) and a small order of onion rings. I’m not sure they could have done anything to make it better. We enjoyed our meal under one of their market umbrellas. A wonderful treat. We will be back.

Read about Beal’s in “Outside” magazine as best lobster rolls and view, and I agree. Standard portion lobster roll made a great lunch and the bag of chips is large enough to share. Lobster was high quality and buttery. They also offer a gluten free bun which has a nice texture. Meal arrived quickly after ordering, much appreciated by this hungry hiker who has been exploring Acadia NP. Worth the short trip to the Southwest Harbor.

While the food was fresh and good, it lacked seasoning in general. The lobster bites lost out to the fried breading, as did the clams. The kids' portions were adequately sized and priced. The 4 scallop appetizer for $19 lacked sear and seasoning. A cup of fried clams for $20 was underwhelming. The upstairs was nice and clean with great views of the coastguard and harbor. The tartar sauce was on point, and the lobster tacos were amazing.

Beal’s is an amazing place to try fresh lobster! First, the food was delicious. My family ordered a lobster to share with several sides, and the blueberry pie with ice cream for dessert. Each dish was excellent! Additionally, customer service was amazing! The lobster we chose just happened to have eggs inside, and Matt, a worker there, was kind enough to provide another lobster for us and check in regularly to make sure everything was okay with our meal. It is clear that the staff genuinely care about the experiences of customers. Finally, as for the atmosphere, it is casual, so it’s a great place to visit after a hike. There is seating outside and in a patio. Overall, Beal’s is a must-have experience on the island!

I went in excited for a delicious sandwich…. As I was next in line and asking the owner for a recommendation, she cut me off to take orders outside. When she returned, I ordered a Turkey Rachel, which was served to me very quickly… because it wasn’t toasted! I paid $17 for a turkey sandwich that I barely ate. Wouldn’t go back.

Stopped in for a late lunch and ordered two 4 cheese sandwiches, one on white bread and one on a sub roll. The sandwiches are just average, the sub roll was a little stale and fell apart as I ate it, the cheese was fresh as was the lettuce and dressing. The box lunch comes with a small bag of chips in addition to the sandwich. Not a bad place for lunch, it's quick and easy, take-out only.

The food was fantastic! Great for something quick and on the go, and located next to the park which is a great spot for eating the food. The service was quick and amazing. I got the hot buttered lobster roll and the meat was so fresh, not fishy or chewy at all.

Downeast Deli is a small deli that packs a big punch at a great price! It was recommended to try this place, and it delivered. It is a small deli on a main street with a lot of foot traffic. The interior is small, without any seating. We placed our order and were asked to wait outside where they delivered it to us. We tried their lobster rolls. They were significantly cheaper than other locations around Bar Harbor, and they were tasty and fresh. The lobster rolls were the cheapest we found in all of Maine, and were almost $10 cheaper than anywhere in Bar Harbor. They were made to order and wrapped in very high quality paper. Although they were cheaper, they were still tasty and high quality. They were also LOADED with meat. My mouth is watering just thinking about them... Other locals suggested we try their clam chowder, but we sadly ran out of time.

We stopped by here to grab lunch sandwiches for our long drive back home. The guy who helped us was nice and service was super fast. My husband got a roast beef sandwich and I ordered turkey with provolone, lettuce, with mayo and mustard. We didn’t expect anything amazing, but had a feeling things would taste fresh. My turkey sandwich was probably the best I’ve had in a while. It was fresh and so yummy. Perfect lunch, worth the price.

We ordered their After Thanksgiving Dinner sandwich and it’s delicious! Loaded with turkey, stuffing, cheese and cranberry sauce. The white bread is soft, fresh and a perfect vehicle for the ingredients. Service was friendly and fast. Such a surprise to find a high quality deli in the middle of a tourist town. Can’t wait to be a return customer!

Awesome small sandwich shop with awesome friendly, quick service. I live in a resort area so I know the challenges associated with running a small business who rely on tourist dollars and the lure of making a buck before the season ends, but Down East Deli's focus on great customer service, good food, and affordable pricing breaks away from the tourist trap mould. Even if they charged a few dollars more, they would be worth the price and still be cheaper than other nearby establishments. Great job!

Tldr: just okay. Nothing special. Good for brunch. We got the pulled pork tacos, the breaded haddock tacos, the lobster bisque, and the features of the day. Overall, the food was ok but was unevenly seasoned. The bisque was quite salty while the feature fish did not have much taste. Both tacos had contrasting flavors that was not to our taste. Had a little bit trouble finding parking. No other issues.

Absolutely outstanding experience! We sat at the bar with Rory. She was so friendly and knowledgable about the menu. She was helped guide us through the menu with her personable favorites. The host who sat us have us a great recommendation of the baked brie and it did not disappoint! The oysters were fantastic and so fresh. We sampled all the varieties they had in stock. Each has one unique, but the unicorn was our favorite. We also had the clam chowder and Jonah crab roll. Both were amazing. If you want outstanding service and incredible food, you need to go here. Everyone that worked there was smiling and friendly. Bonus: they have a small seafood market on the side. Even though we were stuffed, we took bluefin tuna home with us.

This was our last dinner in Bar Harbor during our vacation the 1st week of July. And it was a phenomenal experience! We made a last-minute and later in the evening decision to stop here for dinner. There were no tables available and I stead of waiting for one we opted to eat at the bar. The bartender was very nice about the fact we don't drink. The restaurant itself was packed on a Thursday night with diners eating inside and out. As it was our last night, we were in no rush to eat. The clam chowder was very good; more of a broth than cream base but yummy nonetheless. I ordered the haddock sandwich and found it delicious. It had a panko breading that was light but crunchy. Hubby chose the lazy lobster. Decent sized portion and tasty. I sampled the sweet potatoes, too, and they were sone of the best I have had. The bartender said they order a special kind that accounts for the flavor. Finally, the smoked ricotta chocolate Mousse. I had my doubts, but I absolutely fell in love. Trust the chef; if you love chocolate, you will love this. Overall, an outstanding final dinner of a wonderful vacation. If we are back in the area, we will return. Highly recommend.

I used to genuinely love this place but that was back before the remodel/rebrand. Back then it felt more authentic, casual, and cozy to the everyday person. The food was always good the place was always busy, and the staff was super connected to the restaurant. Now the first time for us coming back since the remodel/rebrand our waitress left dead in the middle of waiting on us, no “I’m sorry my shift is over but so and so will be taking care of you” the waitress who took over had no clue about the how the place was or even knew that there was a store front to it. While she was nice she never came to check on us or offer refills on our water and other drinks. My favorite thing there the Smoker Seafood Chowder which is one of my favorite things to eat in this town was so off. It was broken and overly salty, the blackened haddock sandwich I got was super salty and had almost no spice to it as a proper blackened sandwich should. My son’s salmon Rueben panini had little to no coleslaw/kraut on it and the dressing was overpowering to the point it seemed as though there was no salmon on it because it was so thin sliced. My other son however LOVED his lobster roll(he’s a bit of a connoisseur if you will) and my wife really enjoyed her salad and curry crab soup. Overall now I have to give this place a 3-3.5 stars as the atmosphere now seems to be geared more towards the “upscale” clientele rather than the local or “normal” tourist. It’s lost its charm and seems that some of the food quality has gone down a bit in the process. With so many options in and around Bar Harbor I’m not sure that we will rush back here next year when we are in town.

Food was excellent!! We had the Haddock tacos with chips and fruit salsa and the BLT with kettle chips. The tomatoes were grilled and the sauce was yummy (did have a little kick in case you're not used to that). The blueberry pie was delicious and the whipped cream was creamy not sweet. Wonderful. We called in the order for carry out and the staff was confused. I almost walked out with just a bag of chips and a piece of blueberry pie. I had to be totaled out twice and still needed to double check the order. Don't know what inside service is like but make sure to double check carry out. It all worked out in the end.

This was a great spot for food and good vibes. The hot lobster roll was delicious. The standout meal item was the smoked fish chowder! All the food was so good that I was only able to document the oysters. Service was helpful and super friendly!

We enjoyed our dinner so much, we went for lunch the next day. A real Bar Harbor find!! Reasonable prices, exceptional variety and friendly service. Halibut spring rolls, branzani, salmon and chowder were very tasty. Highly recommend!

Amazing place!! One of the few unknown and not super crowded place in Acadia national park. Water are just in the right temperature. There's sand and grass and parking available even in very crowded times.

We visited on a Sunday morning in late June 2025. There was ton of parking spots when we arrived around 9AM. We didn't really have any intention of playing on this beach or going into the water (it was VERY cold by the way) but we were here to do the Beech Cliff Trail with the ladders. This was a warm up test for us to do Beehive Trail the next day. We went down to the beach as we waited for the rest of our party to arrive. There were a number of stairs that take you down to the beach area. I think there is a ramp too if you park further back but we parked pretty close to the beach itself. There are trash cans and recycling here. There is also a bathroom with running water and water fountain as well as a ton of changing rooms. The paved asphalt sidewalk ends and turned into a wooden boardwalk that goes pretty car out into the sand and close to the water. The beach was completely empty except for us and the coolest thing was we saw a turtle laying it's eggs. I know turtles get nervous with people and sometimes this causes them to dig fake nests and try again another time. We tried to keep our distance. Overall a very clean beach with coarse sand and a lot of natural debris like rocks and twigs and leaves. If it was warmer I'd have no problem hanging out here. There really isn't any shade on the beach itself but there was at least 1 picnic table.

Beautiful place to hang out! Went in the fall and the foliage was stunning! The beach was a short walk from the parking lot, making it easy to access. Lots of parking and easy to get to. Highly recommend visiting.

Great little lake beach on MDI. We got there early and the beach was empty until 11 or so. Even in late July the water was pretty cool but it was way warmer than the ocean and it is protected from the wind unlike the beach. The beach isn't sandy but still fun for kids to dig and play around.

Lovely views of the lake. Didn't seem overcrowded during mid-week in late August in the early afternoon. Adequate parking lot.

Quiet beach in lovely setting. Water is fairly shallow for a good ways out. Nice to walk around in.

A quiet little beach with wonderful views. The water is quite shallow for some distance. The site offers bathrooms that were clean and a changing area. Be sure to bring a small beach chair.

Loved it! The different biomes are separate in their own little areas. Everything is well labeled! The nature center is open 9-5 and the gardens close at 6. Definitely recommend if you like knowing about the plants around you.

Diverse gardens ranging practically every biome found in Maine/Acadia. So many goldenrods and asters in bloom when I went (a personal favorite). On the small side but packed with information. Definitely want to come back during a different time to see what else is in bloom!

We're always fascinated by flora and appreciated that this garden curated so many of the plants you can find throughout the park. I've been a long time fan of Sarracenia pitcher plants and was excited to see so many here!

We visited in late September so the garden was starting to wind down, but the trails were flat and level which was a welcomed change after hiking 5 peaks in the park! More beautiful scenery!

It’s a small botanical garden that I thought was ok. The real show is behind it where the board walk goes into the forest. Thought you will walk through it in like 20min, more if stopping for birds

So many hikes to choose from! We chose the Emory and Homan paths. Steep, challenging climb, but the views were worth every step!

Awesome area to stop check out the awesome local plants. Plenty of seating to sit and enjoy the gardens. Even saw a porcupine hanging out in the gardens.

Enjoyed hiking around the pond with the family. Beautiful clear water.

Great easy hike to do with small kids. Lots of wildlife, if you look for it. 4 year old did the entire 3 miles, no problem.

Had an amazing time and saw lots of different wildlife.

Must do when in Acadia. Easily in the top 10 hikes in the park. Absolutely stunning.

BEAUTIFUL 3 mile walk! Suitable for almost every age group. The path is well maintained, the only tricky part is the rock section. But even that is not very hard! Amazing views every second of the walk. It says it’ll take you 2.5 hours, but it only took us 1.5 hours. Depending on how fast you walk and stop for photos! We didn’t get reservations for lunch but utilized the GRAB AND GO cafe. Hearty sandwiches and soups with snacks and beverages. Good option for hikers and you can still get a view while you eat.

Great place

Couldn’t make it as parking was impossible.

My husband and I recently stayed here for a weekend trip to Bar Harbor/ Acadia. We arrived at 1am and someone was waiting for us at the lobby and quickly checked us in so we could get to our room and go to sleep. I was so amazed when we woke up and saw the stunning ocean view from our room! The complimentary breakfast was very good I looked forward to it each morning. The buildings are old but I found everything very satisfactory. The hotel is located about a mile from downtown bar harbor. Without being in the hustle and bustle it was conveniently located near everything we wanted to see.

My husband and I stayed here a couple of weeks ago for 4 nights and we loved every minute. The staff were always very friendly and helpful, the room was very clean and the bed was very comfortable. The best part was the views from the room! The complimentary breakfast was awesome every morning and so convenient, it kept us going through our morning hikes! The location is perfect! Close enough to downtown but just far enough away that is was peaceful, quiet and relaxing. There is a bus station across the street which is great if you don't want to drive around. Highly recommend this place, we look forward to future trips to Bar Harbor and will definitely stay here again!

We loved our stay at this hotel! The property was beautiful and well cared for. The staff was friendly and top-notch. The continental breakfast was delicious and varied. And of course the views and private beach were incredible. For our family of four, the room was spacious and comfortable. If we find ourselves in Bar Harbor again we would absolutely stay here! My only FYI is we booked the Atlantic View building with a first floor room so our kids could have access to the lawn. However, the geese overtook the space so it was not usable. I don’t fault the hotel for this and there are other areas on the grounds to have kids run around. But it was the only thing that didn’t meet our expectations. Everything else was above & beyond!

We were absolutely thrilled with our stay at Atlantic Oceanside. The views were absolutely gorgeous and I’m pretty sure every room would have a great view. We stayed in the Atlantic View building which looked out to a small green lawn (where we happened to witness a gorgeous wedding one afternoon) and then out across the water. The dock where small boat tours load was right there as well so we enjoyed watching the boats go in and out. The room was very nice and clean, spacious and a very nice balcony. The complimentary breakfast is fantastic! A large room with views of the water and a buffet with eggs, delicious breakfast flatbreads, muffins, breads, donuts, cereals, breakfast meats, gluten free muffins, yogurt parfaits, coffee, juice, etc. We loved it! The onsite restaurant, the Bistro was also a great spot. We enjoyed delicious sandwiches for lunch, blueberry pie, and evening drinks there. So nice how it’s a great little spot right on site. We love utilizing the Island Explorer shuttle that stops right at the hotel and takes you into the center of Bar Harbor for shops and restaurants. Overall, we were very impressed and we are excited to return, with our kids next time! I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone!

This place has the charm of a bed and breakfast with the amenities of a hotel. We ventured here with our 14 month old. The grounds are spacious with lots of space to roam. The staff was amazing. Several staff knew my son’s name and would say hi to him by our second day at the hotel. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. It felt like a doable dare I say enjoyable place to hang with a toddler before and after Acadia hikes.

My daughter and son-in-law recently got married at this gorgeous location. Everything was perfect. The rooms were clean. The staff was friendly and very helpful. The food fabulous. They picked the perfect place to have their special day, celebrated with friends and family

Loved everything about this hotel!! (except that the hot tub inside is quite small—4-5 adults max and pool pretty cool, Outside hot tub is better). But clean rooms, great views right to the ocean, nice outside sitting area, really nice breakfast with attentive wait staff keeping it nice and clearing plates and keeping plenty of food available. Also had cookies and milk in the foyer upon arrival. Rooms are nice size and bathrooms plenty big!

Cool as a mouse is really cool. It’s the one store I need to visit every time I go to Bar Harbor the clothing really last a long time and it’s great quality unlike the other shops in the area. There are two floors of products in the basement. they have some sales They accept credit card and cash. I don’t believe there’s a bathroom on site and I wouldn’t say it’s handicap accessible I did not see an elevator that goes down to the basement only stairs I looked around. The staff is super friendly and offered us a coupon for the next time we purchase something They have all sizes for kids and adults. The biggest size I saw was two XL. It’s probably my favorite store on the island. Sometimes you can find parking out front, but this is a walking town.

There are so many souvenir shops concentrated on this area that they can all start to look the same. This one stands out, in my opinion. We found several shirt designs we liked. Lots of great items. Worth stopping in.

Unique souvenir shop located in Bar Harbor that offers a wide selection of quality items! A little pricier than surrounding shops but this shop has something for everyone. Staff were very kind!

I honestly really like this shop. Their merchandise is super trendy. They have a bunch of different logos and designs. The clothing is pretty great quality. Price was higher than a few other tee shops, but I understand they have their own unique branding. The workers were friendly and I loved that they are dog friendly! I definitely recommend stopping in here, you may not find a bargain, but you will find a shirt you like, for sure!

Cute shop with lots of gifts and bar harbor things to buy.

Super cool store, so much to choose from for the whole family. Our cashier was wonderful, very kind and helpful.

Had very high expectations after following this shop on social media prior to my trip, mostly only XL, XXL, & S items left- they did say they plan to stay open until 12/24/25 this year. Maybe a restock?

Stayed at Seawall for three nights while in the park recently. Check in was very easy and the rangers were helpful in explaining the campground rules. My site was in the A-loop and was very well maintained. Bathrooms and water were conveniently located to the camp sites and were well kept. It is a bit of a distance from the Bar Harbor side of the park and driving through the Southwest Harbor is slower speeds, but the traffic through was minimal. Exploring the towns on this end was a good experience as they were not as busy as the other side. Even considering that most of my park activities required driving to the other side, I still thoroughly enjoyed staying here.

While this is the quiet side of the island, I feel there are nicer campgrounds with the same ambiance for the same price. This is about 30 minutes from the more popular Acadia attractions, so we completed the quiet side in 2 days and found ourselves driving 30-60 minutes one way to get to the other attractions. We were super excited about this trip but a lot of factors made us leave early. We had a group of 8 split between two sites. It states you can have two tents at each site, park one car, and are equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. The one site had just enough room to do so. The second site was too small to fit two tents and safety light a fire, so we had to go to the site next door for a fire to keep 8 people warm and cook food for 8. There was no way to have two tents, the fire, a picnic table, and park…check the sites carefully I did and it still wasn’t accurate enough. We chose our loop/sites purposely for the characteristics, including flushing toilets and sinks. Upon arrival we were informed that the bathrooms in our loop were being renovated so we had porta-pots throughout the loop…so no flushing toilets or sinks, which we needed. The other loop wasn’t walkable enough to have 8 people walk back and forth, especially in a rush. Luckily (or unluckily for us) the toilet was right out front of our site…convenient-ish for 8 people but our part of the loop ended up being the most crowded so there were 14 people using one toilet that doesn’t flush. We checked in Saturday, by Monday our site stunk horribly, we ended up leaving early on Tuesday but it still stunk and had not been dumped. It’s also just disgusting to have to see that and sit in that smell. I do want to note that the park staff checked the toilets frequently, stocked them, wiped them down, and they were clean, but not emptied. The park staff were super friendly and great, this was just not a good trip for us overall…couldn’t start a fire because of rain two days and were freezing, rained so hard that all 4 tents took on water, gear inside, clothing, essentials, etc were soaked or destroyed (on two different days); a child got sick for two days, sprayed tents and ourselves constantly but still found ticks inside our bags of fresh, unused clothes, etc. It was cool to hear the buoys dinging on the water.

Everything was great except the design of the restrooms. Who puts transparent windows with a restroom stall? Also operate it to an open position? I was walking around the facility towards the women's restroom when i saw a young guy on his tip toe looking through a window, later realized the window looked into a toilet stall.

Absolutely beautiful! Each side had ample room to sit and enjoy. The trees throughout the camp made it private where you sat. On top of that, everything, even the bathrooms!, was well kept and spotless clean! We can't wait to go back!

Seawall Campground is an official national park campground for Acadia, but it’s a good 20-40 minute drive from the main attractions of the park (depending on where you’re going). The only spot it’s close to is the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. It’s dog friendly and has water and bathrooms, but no showers. If you’re bringing a dog, you can sign them up for the Bark Ranger program here! (Metal tags available at the Hull Cove Visitor Center gift shop.)

The rangers were awesome with the kids. Our site was very clean and had decent service for verizon. Easily fit a 29ft camper and a ram 2500 beside it

Much more out of the way than Blackwoods Campground— you’ll have to drive to get to Acadia’s main attractions, and the closest town (Southwest Harbor) is not as tourist/camper-oriented as Bar Harbor. Convenient for sunset or sunrise visits to Bass Harbor Lighthouse, and only a 5 minute walk to the Seawall picnic area (great for stargazing and sunrises) or a 15 minute walk to the natural seawall (beautiful at sunset). The campsites are a bit more separated from each other than the ones at Blackwoods, and the amenities are otherwise the same (flush toilets, potable water, and a dumpster, but no showers).