A Quintessential Maine Experience ​Bass Harbor Head Light Station isn't just a lighthouse; it's the postcard-perfect image of the Maine coast brought to life. Standing sentinel over the rugged, wave-battered granite, this iconic station is an absolute must-see when visiting Acadia National Park or Mount Desert Island. ​Unforgettable Views ​The views here are truly breathtaking. From the short, easy trail that leads you to the viewing area, you get an immediate sense of the wild, untamed beauty of the Atlantic. The classic brick structure of the 1858 lighthouse contrasts stunningly with the green pines and the deep blue water. ​The experience of descending the wooden stairs and carefully navigating the rocky shoreline to get that classic, low-angle photograph is worth the minor scramble. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes! It's one of the few places where you feel completely immersed in the dramatic coastal landscape.

Definitely a must if you’re in the area! Get there early as parking and spots at the rocks are very limited, especially during busy seasons. I went the first weekend of November which isn’t considered a busy time and there were still a good amount of people and there were only two parking spots open an hour before sunset. The views were amazing! I love sunsets and always go hunting for a nice spot, this one is top of my list. The perfect spot to enjoy and relax for a while.

My husband and I visited the Monday after the 4th of July weekend. It was pretty busy in the mid-afternoon when we arrived, but we fortunately got a spot pretty quickly. The lot is small and at rhe wrong time of day you could be waiting awhile. This is a beautiful lighthouse with gorgeous views. The cliffside has steps descending and then rocks you can scramble over for better views and pictures. Thankfully, my husband is adventurous and took some great shots for us. This is a must see. Definitely try to come when it is less busy (so not at sunset) if possible.

During our visit we sat in a line of cars for close to an hour to get a parking spot. Then walked down a windy rocky trail to view the light house. It was okay but to be honest after judging the wait, the crowds, and what it was I could have done without. The views are nice though and most of the people friendly and courteous.

This is a beautiful lighthouse on the south side of Acadia National Park. If you are daring abd climb out onto the rocks you can get a spectacular shot. But even from the less challenging trail it is one of the most beautiful places with the waves crashing on the rocks and the lighthouse and the bouy bell clanging. Not to be missed when visiting Bar Harbour and Acadia.

The Bass Harbor Head Light Station has two separate trails that offer two separate views of the Light Station. There is a very small parking lot near the entrance to the two trails, maybe fits about 12-15 cars. The lot was full when we arrived so we parked on the street with a long line of cars close to the "no parking on the road" sign and received a violation notice as the park ranger drove through the area. Be careful. With it being mid October of 2025 and the Gov shutdown, we thought the rules were a suggestion, our bad, follow the rules. The trail to the left of the parking lot takes you out to a few stairs that lead you down to the rocks so that you can walk on the rocks and get some great views of the light station and the coast. Great spot to sit on the rocks and enjoy the views. The trail to the right of the parking lot takes you down to the light station where you do get additional views of the coast line. Smaller area with fencing around, but great views Overall, it's a fun spot to check out.

Lighthouses are already magical, but a lighthouse placed where you can capture both it and the sunset is next tier. During the seasons where the weather is good, a lot of people tend to also want to catch the sunset here, so be prepared and come early to get a parking spot. Also be prepared to have people get in your way if you're wanting to take pictures, because the evening I actually got to see the sunset, there were at least 50 people also out on the rocks with the same idea, if not closer to 100. Nevertheless, the sunset is always a beautiful thing to see. Honestly, I was more enamoured with the view towards the east, with the colour of the water, and how the rocks seemed to glow in the evening light. My one disappointment was that the lens of the lighthouse was not on, or perhaps not functioning. That would have made it perfect.

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.

This is a beautiful trail in a beautiful place. But let’s be real: this trail is absolutely packed with people. It’s like the Disneyland of national park trails. Literally thousands of people parading down a mostly level path for several miles. If that’s what you’re into, you’ll love it. If you prefer a more tourist-free experience, find somewhere else. With that said, there are beautiful spots to climb out onto the rocks, and the trail is good for kids and/or elderly folks. Also if you continue for a few miles, the tourists thin out and the trail gets more interesting. All in all, a good experience, but be forewarned that you’ll be stuck in a massive traffic jam getting in and surrounded by literally thousands of people for at least the first couple miles.

Beautiful route with great views and photo spots. Much of the first half is along the road. The first half is fairly accessible (save for a few steps on the way up from the parking lot, but this can be circumnavigated by walking on the shoulder of the road in stead of following the path). A popular route, so don’t expect to be alone for any portion of it. Toilets available at the starting point.

- It took about 2 hours to go out and back. The trail is flat with numerous viewpoints that overlook cliffs. - There’s plenty of parking throughout the park in lots and along the road - The trail features Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs - Acadia charges to enter the park. I’m from out of state so I paid $35 for 7 days. There aren’t any additional fees once you’re in the park unless you’re doing Cadillac mountain (you need to pay $6 online to drive to the peak).

This trail comes with beautiful scenery, plenty of forresty, shaded paths, and lots of stairs, so you can feel satisfied with your leg day workout at the end. Plus, if you park in the right place, there's a long stretch of cold, soothing ocean to soak your feet in after your long and tiring ruck. The surrounding city (Bar Harbor) is quaintly picturesque, with plenty of places to stop and eat on your way. 10/10, you shouldn't miss out on Acadia National Park. You've already come all this way to vacation in Maine - explore and touch literal grass!

The Ocean Path Trailhead starts at the Sand Beach parking lot and is an easy out and back trail where you can see so many amazing sights on the way like the Sand beach, Thunder hole, and otter cliff viewpoint. The path is easy to walk on and offers beautiful views.

Good and easy hike. It was fun to do and stop at the viewpoints. We weren't able to get a good view of the ocean most of the time except for the scenic overlooks.

We hiked from sand beach to thunder hole to otter point. It’s a fairly easy trail with beautiful scenic views. You can also walk out onto the rocks instead of the path. We started around 9am so the trail wasn’t too crowded.

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.

Thunder Hole is one of the most fun and unique spots in Acadia National Park. When the waves crash just right, the water hits the rocks and shoots up with a loud boom like thunder. It’s amazing to watch and really shows the power of the ocean. The best time to visit is about one to two hours before high tide when the waves are strongest and the splash can reach impressive heights. Be ready for some sea spray because it’s all part of the fun. The viewing area has railings and is easy to access, but it can get crowded during peak times, so go early if you can. It’s a quick stop but absolutely worth it, exciting, beautiful, and a perfect example of Acadia’s wild coastal energy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hands down the BEST popovers and strawberry jam! Popover Pot Pie was also AMAZING! I got this half turkey sandwich on rye w lentil soup. It was flavorful and delicious. The sandwich didn't come toasted which I was expecting but it was actually good soft and more cold as is. So no complaints there. I recommend getting the thousand island on the side which was very tasty! Actually it was kinda nice to have a cold turkey sandwich with a warm flavorful bursting lentil soup. Highly recommend. I would go back in a heartbeat! Please please make a reservation!! I made mine months ago and SO glad I did! One of the first people to be seated at 11am when they open! Also don't be alarmed with the huge line!! If you have a res, move yourself over to the left and you will be seated!! The line is for folks who are trying to "walk in" without a res. The service and quality of food really was spectacular! We would've sat outside bc of the gorgeous weather and view but opted out since there were lots of bees. There is also a gift shop here that is worth checking out. The prices are high so be warned. I thought the prices at the restaurant was reasonable. Two popovers for $10. I am going to check out their new popover cocktail bar hopefully tomorrow! This is first come first serve, no reservations but if all you want are popovers this is a good option! Thank you for the lovely experience! Will be back!

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.

The popover pot pie was good, menu said there were potatoes in it, there were not. By far the best clam chowder I’ve had. The clams were not chewy at all. The lobster stew was so good. All was very hot with great flavor. Had the popover sundae with blueberry ice cream. We both highly recommend this. It was very good. We did have a 35 minute wait but it was worth it. The service wasn’t great, but they were busy. The atmosphere and view more than made up for any issues. Overall we would definitely go back.

My wife and I took the 930 to 1215 tour out of Northeast Harbor around several of the islands and up into the sound. The naturalist was very knowledgeable and friendly and ready to answer any questions. The boat captain and crew were very attentive and made sure that everybody got a look of anything to see. We saw lots of birds, porpoises, as well as lighthouses and the other magnificent scenery around Acadia National Park. Well worth the price. Pictures to follow.

Had a great time on Sea Princess today. We saw seals, various sea birds, and even a bald eagle. Also got to learn some great facts about the park and lobster culture in the area. Highly recommend going on the morning tour with a National Park Ranger, and making sure you get the park cancellation stamp at the Islesford Historical Museum.

A well run tour from Northeast Harbor. Plenty of space on board for all. Shaun and Betty are both really experienced and knowledgeable. We headed out in blue skies and by the time we had gone out to Little Cranberry island the sea mist had rolled in. This didn’t spoil the trip however. Shaun steered us towards lots of interesting things along the way. We passed Bear Island Lighthouse. We saw seals and bald eagle and lots of sea birds. We sailed into the fjard (a fjord to the rest of us) and saw the lovely summer cottages. I highly recommend this trip!

Our cruise led by park ranger, Tess, was perfect. She was very knowledgeable about the area and kept our attention during the entire trip. We stopped for about 45 minutes during which time we wandered around Little Cranberry Island. We saw seals and even a bald eagle. A highlight of our time in Acadia!

We visited on a Tuesday morning in late June 2025. There was plenty of parking spots and they said you could park anywhere that didn't say reserved or no parking. So we parked under a bunch of trees since it was supposed to be a pretty warm day. We booked the 9:30AM Islesford Historic Cruise with the NPS Ranger over to Little Cranberry island. We booked the cruise months in advanced and it looked like the cruise was sold out. We at least had a very full boat. Check-in was at 9AM and we just walked up tot he building and there was a window there where we talked to the admin staff. We paid about $400 for 7 adults, 2 children and 2 toddler/infant. We were told that once we had checked in, we would just wait down by the dock where the granite bench was and the ranger would tell us what to do from there. We sat in the last row in the back when we got onto the boat. It was a little difficult to hear the ranger talk sometimes. There were actually 2 rangers on the first tour because they also shuttle the 2nd ranger to the Little Cranberry Island where they station the Islesford Historical Museum run by the NPS and also provide tours while the cruise ship is docked at the island. We decided to do our own thing and skipped the tour. You only get like 45 mins on the island itself and there is just so much to do and see. Before the cruise begins they do a safety talk and then it's off out of the harbor. They drive by a number of old historic buildings and lighthouses and circle around multiple times and make sure both sides of the boat can see and get good pictures. They identify a bunch of wildlife as well. They have laminated maps and info sheets they pass around for wildlife identification. One of the coolest stops was around the Bunker where all the seals were sun bathing on. Sadly this tour is not far enough north to see the puffins. On the island itself there are restrooms. There are also a couple of food shops if you didn't bring your own snacks. We did grab some food at The Salty Fisherman. It's directly adjacent to Little Cranberry Lobster store. When you arrive you actually walk by the restaurant that inspired the Krusty Krab and it looked pretty spot on. There are a couple stores on your right as you walk down the dock to the island itself. Immediately on your left is the Islesford Boatworks. They seem to have children activities inside. I got scolded because I tried to take pictures of what it looked like and they have a strict NO PHOTOS rule because there are youth working in there but I only had adults present in my photos so it worked out. Then right behind that on the left is the Islesford Historical Museum. There was a number of exhibits in there and also a small merch shop and NPS Passport Cancellation Stamp. One of my cousins wanted to mail a post card to himself so he quickly ran into town to do it but the rest of us wanted to check out the food place for a snack. Sadly after we got the food and ate it, it was basically time to go back. We only had a min to step into the couple of shops on the pier as we raced back to the boat. I took a few photos and had quick conversations with the owners but that was it. In the future definitely wouldn't mind coming out on different ferry and stay for the better part of a day exploring this island. We headed back and made some more stops along the way hunting for wildlife. The cruise lasted about 3 hrs and when we got back we were still hungry and luckily the Bucking Lobster food truck was right there in the middle of the parking lot and the food was very good. Overall a great cruise experience with Sea Princess and NPS. They did allow strollers on the boat as well but they needed to be folded up and they were stored in the center. Honestly with us only being on the island for 45 mins, I'm not sure if it was worth it for my little 1 and 3 year old nephews. Not sure if we would do this exact cruise again but maybe a different one the next time we visited.

This was a great tour of bear island, the cranberry isles and somes sound. Also, a nice lunch stop in Islesford. Maureen, a retired park ranger, was our guide and she was awesome! So many stories, area information and she was just a great person. I’ve been coming to the island for years and can’t believe this was my first trip on the sea princess! I highly recommend for anyone wanting a view from the water at a reasonable price.

Very enjoyable cruise where you can see so much from the water. Loved seeing the Seals especially. Only suggestion is to have padded seats and backs as two hours on a piece of wood hurts after awhile

We visited on a Tuesday in mid-June 2025 for breakfast before our National Park Cruise with Sea Princess Cruise out to Cranberry Island. This place was open early enough that one of my cousin wanted to grab a quick breakfast sandwich. I did not order anything myself but wanted to check it out. it's actually a very nice restaurant with a market. The one staff lady that was there was super nice and accommodating constantly talking with us as our items were being prepared. Super friendly. I didn't actually buy any food so I can't really rate it but the service was nice and there were a couple groups in there in the early morning but it was pretty quiet. I bet it could be a little more rowdy during lunch or dinner. I would certainly consider coming back here to grab something to eat and/or sit down for a meal.

This market has a large food and drink menu, and everything was delicious that we ordered. The prices were more than reasonable ($42 for 6oz lobster roll, $33 for 4oz). Excellent location with a big patio, environment inside is open and spacious and not too loud. Great store too!

Had a 8:45pm reservation for a group of 7 - ate dinner post sunset hike. We were struggling to find a spot that stayed open past 9pm in Bar Harbor / Mt Desert. Nor’Easter was still busy this late on a Monday. Food took a while to come out; the server was friendly but very busy with lots of tables. Food was fine - very fried, and meal rounded out to over $350 for everyone to have an entree, a drink and we split a few appetizers. Shared the lobster Mac and cheese which I do not recommend it was not very hot and noodles were dry. Crab cakes on the Cesar salad were fine - not great, not bad. Would recommend this restaurant for splitting an app and one drink, not a full dinner.

Nice and clean environment near the harbor, plenty of parking space. Food was decent but nothing to call home about. On the expensive side for the quality and quantity of food. Clam chowder was not creamy instead a bit starchy. Fried fish tasted good.

Pappardelle Alfredo with lobster was to die for! Perfectly paired with a whoopie pie sundae for dessert. Fish tacos were yummy but would have preferred a bit more sauce as they were a tad dry. To be fair I could have asked for more. We ordered a side Caesar salad and side of broccoli, which were fine but nothing of note. The broccoli was not very tender. We had a small mishap with our meal but our server took care of us very kindly. We would come back to enjoy the delicious food and views!

We ate lunch here on Aug 13 after a nice hike at Acadia NP. Low key place, great service from everyone, especially our server Angie. We both had hardshell steamed lobsters and they were perfect. No crowds to deal with, great beer menu. Highly recommended!

Great off the beaten path place to eat. Not too busy if you want to get away from the hubbub. Food was very good. Very extensive menu options. Service was wonderful. There's a nice outdoor deck and cool comfortable large indoor area too.

Beautiful dinner outside with a view of the marina. The calamari was to die for, best I've ever had. The mussels came out a bit cold and chewy, but they tasted very fresh. The seafood Alfredo was fantastic. The scallops were perfect and the haddock was delicious.

We had an amazing dinner at Seafood Ketch! Everything we ordered was delicious, but the escargot and seafood bake were real standouts. We finished the meal with a perfect blueberry pie à la mode. The service was friendly and helpful, and we loved sitting out on the patio by the water, enjoying a spectacular sunset. It’s a great spot for seafood lovers, though there are solid options for non-seafood eaters too. Excellent quality, beautiful views, and a great value—we’ll definitely be back!

Calamari was excellent, just the right amount of coating and flavors. Wife had the fisherman’s platter and I had the surf and turf (scallops and steak). Pics are taken after a few bites…we couldn’t resist! Topped it off by sharing a warm blueberry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Waitress was excellent, food was fantastic and relaxing serine views from Bass Harbor made it our favorite place yet!

Off the beaten path and totally worth it. The dining room is the old school style but the service and food were outstanding. I had thr baked haddock, large portion and the Ketch fries were super good! The scallops were huge and cooked perfectly. Very nice service as well.

Just had a delicious lunch on the terrace overlooking Bass Harbor. My son had the haddock sandwich which arrived hot and looked great. He reported it was well cooked and ‘very tasty’. I had the clam roll with Ketch wedges. The wedges were hearty with a crisp crust and tender fluffy potato centers. The clam roll was a special kind of perfection: fresh, briny, lightly battered fried clams on a delicious top-split bun griddled in butter. Even the Cole slaw and tartar sauce were exceptional. I would put this up against any clam roll I’ve had, even those costing 50% more - just fantastic!!! My son had an Atlantic Brewing Upside Dawn - great to see a good NA option on the menu! All in, an ideal lunch on the coast of Maine - a true gem worth traveling to!

Seafood Ketch is fantastic! The ambience was great—warm, inviting, and perfect for enjoying a meal by the water. We tried their garlic steamed mussels, which were fresh and full of flavor, and the seafood fettuccine alfredo, which was creamy and packed with delicious seafood. An excellent dining experience from start to finish—highly recommended for seafood lovers!

Fun view of the bay, got to watch the sunset while seated outside. The seafood bisque was 4.5/5, the clam chowder was 3/5. The seafood pasta was like a 4/5, but the brussel sprouts were more like 2/5. Bread was made fresh, which was pretty good.

We stopped in for some pizza & wings around lunchtime on a Monday - the place was fairly empty but we sat right away & got waters. We ordered buffalo wings & a large margherita pizza. Wings definitely needed more sauce, very dry on the outside but still decent inside. The pizza was disappointing, not cooked long enough, very chewy and doughy. No crisp to the crust at all & it was definitely not a margherita pizza as you can see from my photos. We did finish our meal but won’t be back. Cook the pizza longer and use mozzarella cheese and fresh basil for the pizza. Wondering if we just got them on a bad day or what considering the other 5 star reviews but wanted to be honest with our experience!

I love Pat's Pizza! Not only is the food great but the owners and employees are wonderful too. Don't miss Pat's Pizza when you are in Bar Harbor and Acadia. They can do large orders too, ask for Jason and Georgia. We planned a rehearsal dinner from out of state and then had it at Schoodic Institute and hour away. They made the process so easy, I just can't say enough about them.

Food, drinks, service, atmosphere - ALL 1000/10!!!! The pizza is delicious but the curry goat is AMAZING. Nothing here is disappointing. Super friendly and welcoming service, there is a pool table downstairs so it’s a very relaxed and happy vibe. Love the reggae music. We’re from Indiana but we would drive all the way back to Maine just for this restaurant alone. We’ll be back!

The pizza was pretty good, no crust on the bottom but the toppings are pretty good. We ordered takeout, and it was pretty clear to us they didn't start cooking anything until we got there (about 5 minutes past the estimated time we were told over the phone while ordering). It wouldn't have been so frustrating, but the only person working the entire shop kept telling us we were "almost" ready for 15 minutes. We also found it to be very hot in the restaurant, they have AC units but all were off. This is probably the best pizza in the area but that's not saying much, and we were glad we ordered takeout so we didn't have to eat hot pizza in a hot restaurant on a hot day.

Despite its low price point, the food was one of the best restaurants in Bar Harbor. We enjoyed the sausage pizza, Caribbean jerk chicken salad, spaghetti with meatballs and a generous 8 oz hamburger with cheddar and bacon. The service was great, professional and polite. We ended up going there 3 times. Especially after whole days hiking and biking. This is a great Italian restaurant with a Caribbean twist.

Such a gem of a place! We just move to Bar Harbor recently, and so glad that we found our pizza and wings go to already! Also, a big shout out to our server Tenica- she definitely made us feel more at home here. Thank you for your kindness. Will be regulars here for sure!

This is a small place but the food is so good. I had a calzone and enjoyed it very much. My family member had a pizza which was good also. We are glad we stopped here for a meal.

We had an amazing dinner at Havana in Bar Harbor! 🌟 Our waiter, Harley, was awesome and so much fun — he made the evening extra special with his energy and great recommendations. The service was top-notch from start to finish. I had the lobster, which was perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious, while Kathy enjoyed the halibut, which was fresh and flavorful. Both dishes were spectacular and beautifully presented. If you’re in Bar Harbor and looking for an unforgettable dining experience with incredible food and exceptional service, Havana is a must-visit! 🦞🐟🍷

Our absolute favorite meal on our trip. I will literally be thinking about the tostada for the rest of my life— SO good. The lobster was so fresh and the steak was amazing. The staff was very kind and attentive. Yes, it’s pricey, but to us it was worth every single penny!!

We celebrated our 33rd anniversary at Havana last night, and it was outstanding from start to finish. Our server, Enrique, was warm, engaging, and made the evening feel truly special. We started with the Butternut Bisque and Sopa de Frijoles—both flavorful and comforting, the perfect way to begin. From there, we shared small plates instead of entrées, which we love to do. The Beets & Squash and the Tostada were our absolute favorites—each dish beautifully balanced and full of creative flavor. The Chicharone brought that perfect crispy richness, and the Mejillones (Maine mussels with smoked pork belly, chèvre, and leeks in a lemongrass cream sauce) were decadent and delicious. We paired everything with two cocktails—the Havana Martini and the Periodista—both bright, balanced, and refreshing. Every dish felt thoughtful and full of care. Between the food, the atmosphere, and Enrique’s exceptional service, Havana made our anniversary unforgettable.

The service was great here and the food was ok. Food did not meet my expectations. But perhaps I am from a big city where there are lots of good restaurants and we were not impressed with any restaurant we went to in Maine during our 5 day trip. I had the seafood paella. It had lots of seafood which was good but slightly dry and I have had tastier. The food was visually appealing. I am sure there are plenty who would have loved this dish. Mom had the lobster moqueca which she said the sauce was good but there was hardly any lobster. I think the lobster moqueca was the better of the 2 dishes. Overall service was great but the building and the furniture rustic, like most places in Maine.

We had such a wonderful evening at Havana in Bar Harbor waited in by Molly and her staff! From the moment we walked in, the service stood out—warm, attentive, and thoughtful. A highlight was when the busboy kindly wished my mom a happy birthday—it was such a simple gesture, but it made the night feel extra special. For dinner, we ordered the Lobster Moqueca and the Filet Mignon. The Lobster Moqueca was perfection—lobster simmered in a coconut broth with haddock, peppers, and onions, served over jasmine rice with grilled pineapple. The Filet Mignon was equally memorable, tender and flavorful with creative touches that elevated the dish. Even the soup to start was a delicious surprise. Street parking nearby was mostly easy. Highly recommend Havana for anyone looking for excellent service, standout dishes, and a dining experience that feels both elevated and personal.

I came here one night after a long day of hiking. They have a very attractive menu that fuses Central/South American dishes with a little bit of local cusine. I'd order anything on that menu, but I went with the seafood paella. The quality of the seafood alone made it a good dish. Otherwise, flavors were pretty good, but could have been bolder for Latin American cuisine. I'd rate the dish 7/10. I would have definitely had an app and/or soup if my apppetite was bigger that night. The bread service was okay. Blueberry cornbread and Italian bread w/ black bean hummus were interesting twists, but the cornbread was a little dry. The restaurant vibe is suitable for a date night or nicer-dressed evening on a trip. The primary reason I'm docking stars was for the service. I sat for 15 minutes before a server came to my table, while all the tables around me (including those who were sat after me) were waited on promptly, had drinks, and even ordered entrees before anybody came to me. I had to go ask the hostess to be waited on, and even after that, I kind of felt like I was treated like a 2nd-class citizen.. little attention or effort. For that reason alone, I'd probably go elsewhere next time, but food and atmosphere get a B grade.

This was our first time having dinner at Havana. It was DELICIOUS! We were celebrating our wedding anniversary and the restaurant had a card at our table signed by the staff. It truly made us feel special. One of the best restaurants in Bar Harbor!

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.

Got on the afternoon tour in July and it was a beautiful day in land. It was a bit foggy in the ocean but the crew took us to a different spot that they went on that morning and we saw a lot of humpback whales in separate areas. It did take us a while to find them but on our way back was when they were active and looking for food. Sunset was a plus. I wore 3 layers of clothing on board with head covering. I also sat inside during the ride because it was freezing to sit outside. They have a souvenir photo for purchase. Bring snacks just in case the tour goes longer than expected. They ran out of food on the boat. Also get there early to find parking. Bar Harbor is a tourist heavy town. I would recommend this tour.

We had a very pleasant experience. We went in September on a very rainy day but got a great view of the seals, got to see a bald eagle and porpoise (they sort of look like dolphins). They have an inside and outside sections, was a little cold outside but the view was much better. Was a great day. Only down side was that they only take cash for the snacks and bar so make sure to bring some

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!

Road on Oli's Trolley a few weeks ago and learned so many things about Acadia and Bar Harbor. I live in Maine, so was pleasantly surprised that most of the facts the driver shared, I had not heard before! Did the 30 min downtown tour and loved it so much, I then did the 2.5 hr tour of the national park. Highly recommend! Was a great trip and looking forward to doing it again soon!

Tour of Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National Park was awesome! Jim was our tour guide and was a wealth of insight to all things historicak, botanical and more! ❤️ Highly recommended 🌞

This review pertains to the step on guide service that Oli’s also offers to large Motorcoach groups. Bar Harbor and Acadia are set up very well in terms of bus parking and pull offs. Shoutout and kudos to Lizz who coordinated our visit. She was excellent with communication and went above and beyond to make sure our visit was excellent and memorable. In addition to setting us up with a guide, she helped coordinate lunch and popovers for our group. Pricing was fair and it was clear that she is very experienced and skilled at what she does. Mark was our guide and he was very knowledgeable about Bar Harbor and Acadia. He planned and guided us on a thorough visit into the park with multiple stops at top sites. The pickup and drop-off point (Agamont Park) worked beautifully. Looking forward to our next visit to Bar Harbor and will definitely use Oli’s again.

Came in off a cruise ship and hopped on this 2.5 hour tour of Acadia National Park for $65 per person. Guide was excellent, great driver, two nice stops (20 min) with slowdowns in several places for views. Great way to see the park off a cruise ship and much more enjoyable than a large coach bus with tons of people.

This was a great trip to Acadia. Our driver (Bill) was entertaining and informative. It was great to see the sights and not ha e to worry about driving or parking.

This was the perfect way to spend our anniversary. Jim was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, kind, prompt and an overall great guide. I would highly recommend this trip!! Loved it!!

My friend and I did the 4-Hr tour of Acadia National Park. The views were beautiful and our driver Fred was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was also a great way to learn more about the history of the park, and of Maine. The only stop I would recommend removing (and adding more time to other stops) is the first stop at “Sieur de Monts Spring”. There wasn’t much to see there. Other than that, great tour!

We had a wonderful time on the Margaret Todd Schooner! She was so majestic looking while docked in the bay. The weather was perfect for our sunset cruise and we couldn’t have asked for a better excursion. Highly recommend your team!!

Such a beautiful and relaxing experience. We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The ride was so smooth and the ocean was like glass for us. If you’re looking for something to do at sunset, I 10/10 recommend booking the Margaret Todd. The staff were super friendly and it was such a nice way to wind down the night.

We booked a round-trip on the Cranberry Cove Ferry through Downeast Windjammer. It was a quick ride on a spacious, comfortable boat. The service was on-time and the crew was friendly. We had a fun day on Great Cranberry! It's definitely worth a day trip if you're on MDI for the week.

A beautiful, tranquil sunset cruise. When we decide to travel to Bar Harbor for vaca with our dogs in tow, we never thought we’d be able to take them on a sail boat. Now these guys frequent small fishing boats, so I knew they would enjoy this and boy did they ever... They loved all the attention, the wind in their hair, and one even fell asleep during the cruise. The live folk music was a lovely touch. We also enjoyed being able to purchase a beer on board. Truly a beautiful evening on the harbor and if we ever come back, we’ll gladly book another sail.

I have a mobility impairment and followed the directions in advance. I walked where I could walk, and my partner brought the rollator down. some staff were very helpful, including the woman at the staircase on the boat, the young man on the other end, and Kate and a manager who has a 2 Hour Dr. drive who helped to push me up the steep ramp. Make sure people know what it will take to get down. I thought the boat was over subscribed which distracted from the enjoyment of the cruise. There was not much wind and it ended up being a very short Ride but I was able to see a great sunset and appreciated the opportunity to be on the water. I hope you will consider selling fewer tickets, maybe increasing the price point. I know you need to make money and cover your costs but so many people made it much less enjoyable. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate.

Beautiful and relaxing sail around Frenchman's Bay in Bar Harbor. Cool reproduction of a four masted sailing schooner. The crew is friendly and full of information. You can help raise the sails or sit back and relax. Great way to spend a few hours and we'll worth the ticket price. Go for it and have a beautiful day on the bay.

Beautiful cruise around Frenchman bay. Boarding process was seamless. We were invited to volunteer to help raise the sails! Cool experience. Bring layers it gets chilly in the evening. Drinks and excellent on board entertainment made the night! Highly recommended.

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.

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!

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

Start here when visiting Acadia National Park. The Rangers are super helpful and answer questions, handout maps, give directions, etc. There is a great bus system here also, ran by the park service. We parked our car and rode the bus to all the sites along the way.

I hiked around the Jordan Pond and wanted to hike up one Bubble Rock. It happened to be the south Bubble. It is a nice short hike up there with some interesting spots where you need to climb a little. That was so much fun. The view from up there over the Jordan Pond is amazing 😍. Definitely a must see. Finding a parking spot there can be tricky. The day before I went there and had no luck. You can go there really early to get one or just take one of the buses that go to the Jordan Pond House. From there you would need to hike along the pond but that hike is nice too. That way you combine two hikes into one👍🏼.

Bubble Rock is one of the most iconic and beautiful sites in Acadia, and well worth the hike. Make sure to carry on to North Bubble for another spectacular overlook down onto the valley below. Parking at the trailhead is very limited, so plan to start early—we arrived at 9 am in early October and still had to wait for a spot to open up. Though we got lucky and didn’t have to wait long, the cars lined up behind us were likely waited at least 15 minutes to get a spot. When we finished our hike, there was a line of 10 cars trying to cram into the little lot, including one idiot who decided to block off the entire road, causing the next 20 cars back on the road to be stuck waiting, too, whether they were interested in hiking there or not.

The south bubble can be a great add on to the Jordan Pond loop trail which we did and LOVED! It has some strenuous climbing at points mid way/higher up if you add from the Jordan Pond Loop trail but recommend if you’re comfortable with moderate-slightly strenuous hikes!

We drove by this hike many times, and the parking lot was either full or very busy. We went in the morning at about 6, and there were only a few people on the trail so we mostly had it to ourselves. The view was amazing to rest and look at. Out and back, moderate, steep rocks you need to climb.

This is a gorgeous hike in Acadia National Park. It’s pretty easy with some mild elevation change and several stairs but otherwise quite fun and well worth the effort. It took about an hour round trip to do the South Bubble hike.

This place had the biggest amount of people than in any other hike. But everyone could get a nice photo! We chose this spot for a snack- views beer amazing and there was enough space to relax in the solitude.

Beautiful and pretty challenging hike, with lots of rock scrambling. We started from the Jordan Pond Path with the ascent first then came back on Bubble Divide back to the Jordan Pond Path. Would absolutely not recommend coming down the south bubble trail to jordan pond, as it could be scary with the rock scrambling would also not recommend while raining.

Saturday, July 2025: My husband and I traveled from Wisconsin to Maine and wanted an authentic lobster experience on the water. We liked the outdoor dining setting at The Terrace Grille so opted to have lunch there outside. We went there at 1PM on a Saturday and were seated right away. We didn't get a table right next to the edge but we could see the water perfectly from our seats. Our waiter was very friendly but he, and most of the staff, were transplants. Our waiter told us he didn't know where lobsters came from until he recently moved here. lol For an appetizer, we shared the Crab & Appetizer Dip. It was delicious!!! Definitely not healthy but we didn't care, we ate most of it. Tip: eat it while it's hot! It's definitely not good cold. For lunch, I had the Bar Harbor Lobster Cobb salad and my husband had the Steamed Maine Lobster. My salad was amazing! The lobster was fresh, tender, and overall the flavors of the salad went well together with the honey citrus dressing. My husband wasn't crazy about his lobster, he said the meal was acceptable but the lobster was overcooked.

Came here on a lark with no reservations so waited just long enough to have a smoked blueberry margarita. Best decision of the day. View goes very with lobster pappardelle. Hubs had steamed lobster plate. Both dishes amazing. Restaurant is on the shore path so an after dinner stroll is a must. Friendly and accommodating to my service dog os always appreciated.

The best part about dining at The Terrace Grill is the view across the harbor toward Bar Island. It’s stunning. Next is the service. Our server, Kim, did an excellent job balancing checking on us and giving us space. She paid special attention to details with our order and answered our questions about the harbor and the community. Finally, the food was very good and well presented. My wife had the Blueberry salad with Salmon which was outstanding. I had the fish tacos with grilled haddock and they were quite tasty. The sauce and salsa had excellent flavor. The fish was a little dry. The prices were quite reasonable and I would definitely go back.

I honestly expected better from this place. The food was average probably the least tastiest food I’ve had in bar harbor. The plating was nice. I had the lobster bruschetta which had way too much mayo, was not great. The haddock sandwich which was good but a little spicy. Fish tacos which were not that great. Cesar salad was drenched in dressing. I had 2 bites and had to send it back. The service was not great either, workers would go the other way when you’re clearly trying to get their attention. I had to literally get up to get the workers attention for things I needed. The views are amazing though. I would only come here for drinks.

Best restaurant in Bar Harbor. I’m still dreaming about the Lobster Bisque and Lobster Rolls. Bisque was hot and tasty. Roll was sturdy and didn’t fall apart. Also best blueberry pie and ice cream we had. And the atmosphere of being under the umbrellas next to the water was perfect.

Sometimes you have to sacrifice food quality in exchange for an amazing view of the water, but not in this case. We loved our entrees here, especially the lobster pappardelle. Unfortunately, they didn’t nail the ending, as the blueberry pie tasted like store-bought …and stale. I would still return, though, the view is absolutely stunning!

Had the lobster bisque. Went with the bowl. Good choice. It was very good. Followed up with the traditional lobster role. Highly recommend adding the spicy butter on the side. Took everything over the top. Will come back.

We enjoyed an amazing meal right down by the pier at Stewman's in Bar Harbor. Our party split a 2-pound lobster with corn and potatoes, paired perfectly with a Virgin Bloody Mary. The view of the harbor was absolutely stunning. Our server was wonderful—though I can’t quite recall her name, I think it was Jacqueline. The fresh seafood, friendly service, and incredible waterfront setting made this a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend for anyone visiting Bar Harbor!

Overall experience was nice, ambiance, service was very good, best views, comfortable seating. Nice beer selection. Salad and Lobster Dip were marvelous, the Haddock was average, Peel an Eat Shrimp were excellent. Two of our Lobster Rolls were average - chewy. Would definitely return.

Can't beat the setting - we were seated on the deck on a beautiful early September day. Outstanding harbor views. Umbrellas on each table took care of the bright sunshine. My wife and I both had the "full experience". The lobster was good. Not the best ever, but good. Mussels were small and flavorless. Corn and potatoes were good. The blueberry pie was excellent! Overall a solid 4+. Might have been a 5 if our server hadn't forgotten my beer at first (got it after reminding her when lunch was served, and it was a good local brew). Overall, I strongly recommend this place for the atmosphere alone, and the meal was good and worth the price.

If you are going to have a meal in Bar Harbor, Stewman's is your place. Classic restaurant right on the harbor with nice views of the water. We were there during low tide so the water view was almost no existent, but yet still entertaining. The food was solid. The menu should please all age levels. The staff was exceptional and attended to our large party and made us feel welcomed and appreciated. This place deserves returns visits to experience all of the choices on the menu.

There was a lot of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s on the water with a nice view. It did take us a while to get our drinks. Our server, Marlon was nice but I don’t think he was able to keep up because he kept saying let him take care of this table and he would be back but I went to the car to get a sweatshirt and came back and he still hadn’t come back by. We wound up just getting the $20 seafood dip and 2 drinks and left. Nothing on the menu was screaming to us and things were taking too long to come out. The seafood dip was pretty small for the price but it was good. The drinks were ok

Loved it so much visited three times!! We had the Lobster experience, oysters, the shellfish tasting, fried shrimp, Long Island, lavender thyme cocktails, and most importantly - blueberry pie. All phenomenal. Ambience fits the vibe of bar harbor. View was incredible. Servers are very friendly and on point. Great prices too! You should definitely try it!

View was stunning. I loved the experience. We didn't have a long wait at all. Was seated right away. This place doesn't take reservations at all and it gets super crowded. Luckily we beat the crowd. Staff was nice and friendly. Food took pretty long to come out. We questioned if they forgot about us. We got the seafood dip as an app and it was under whelming if we're being honest. Believe the reviews. Burger was pretty and bae's soup looked good too. I would come back here but this time I'd get something different.

Family dinner after a long day exploring the town. The Irish Pub vibe was definitely more upscale, though still felt on point. 8 of us were able to be seated and served in a reasonable time. The service staff was excellent - attentive and friendly. Food came out as expected and for the most part everyone was happy enough with their meals. The summer chicken dish was phenomenal - paired with potatoes and root veggies which all tasted great. Fish and chips were also a great pick - very traditional one huge filet. The lesser favorites at our table included the nachos (on kettle chips) and the salads. Given the mixed reviews on the food, the price didn’t feel quite right. A bit expensive for the quality when there are other excellent choices nearby. We’ll probably skip this place on the next visit.

I was a little nervous by the reviews and after eating so much seafood we were on the hunt for something casual with good drinks and a great atmosphere. We found that here and it was perfect and a unique spot right on the water. We sat at a booth with a private little tv to watch the game. Had yummy drinks and the food was actually really good! We got the pretzel and the French dip. Pleasantly surprised.

Cute decor and ambience, we came for an early dinner before the crowds (~5pm). Liam was a great server; he was patient, fast, and gracious when I spilled water all over the table. We got a couple of drinks, a salad, their poutine, corned beef sandwich, a couple of burgers, a fish sandwich, and finished with dessert. It was all delicious, we ate so fast we forgot to take pics of our mains!

Beautiful location with a lovely dog friendly outdoor seating area. We started with whipped feta, very good. Dinner was the two fish tacos with a whole fish piece similar to the fish and chips both were delicious. The burger was well seasoned and good and the lobster salad had a TON of lobster meat! Definitely worth a stop

9/25 - On a NE bus tour and decide to have lunch here. The wife had the seafood chowder & I had the corned beef sandwich, both were great. Service was good, prices were reasonable. See no reason for you not to give them a try

With so many places to eat this one really stood out. The outdoor seating right by the pier was the perfect place to unwind from a long day and enjoy the village while enjoying a good meal and drink. Service was great and the restaurant is very neat.

Great location. Staff was very nice, but it took a tiny bit to get served. Maybe b/c it had just started to rain and they had to empty the sidewalk tables. Our medium burger was medium rare at best. I never send stuff back, but was willing to.

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.

Galyn’s had a more upscale feel and a well-rounded menu featuring Maine seafood, steaks, chicken, and vegetarian options—something for nearly everyone. The space itself blends old-world charm with a modern touch: high ceilings, harbor views, and walls adorned with original Maine artwork. When we arrived, we were told there’d be a half-hour wait, which gave us time to explore the town a bit more. Once seated, I ordered the appetizer of two crab cakes and a Caesar salad. The crabcakes were decent but small ( I’ve tasted better), and the salad was limp—underwhelming overall. My husband went with his usual burger and fries, and his bacon-topped burger earned a solid 8/10 from him (which is high praise—he never gives a ten!). Dessert was the highlight. I had the flourless chocolate torte with ganache; raspberry coulis cleverly shaped like a lobster —rich and satisfying. Dave tried the Indian Pudding, a molasses and cornmeal dessert topped with ice cream. It was unique, and he genuinely enjoyed it. I'd give it a B+ I loved browsing the artwork and soaking in the atmosphere. Dave, however, found our server a bit patronizing. The food had its highs and lows, but the setting made it a memorable stop.

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 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.

One of the first stops on our drive through the Acadia National Park Loop Road and really enjoyed Sand Beach. The parking lot is not that large but most people don't stay long so there is a chance you can get a spot close to the beach. If not, there is parking on the Loop Road. There are a few steps down to the beach where the sound of the surf is quite loud and the waves hit the beach. The beach does have large amounts of sea weed when we visited giving the beach an amazing dark green color. The beach is not that large, but the views are amazing. Large rocks border the sides of the beach giving the area that typical Maine coast feel. Beautiful and worth the stop if driving the Loop Road through Acadia.

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.

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!

Beautiful place to stop if you get hungry or for a good flat hike for any age. Food is great and service is great. But kids and folks any age will love the hike around the pond. So beautiful, so quiet and peaceful. You can view Twin Peaks and also take a detour to Bubble Rock if you want. If you are doing Park Loop drive and need a stop. This is a good place. So plan accordingly.

We stopped here in the evening of our 1st day when the crowds were gone and we had rhe trail mostly to ourselves. It was very cloudy and cooler temps, but I loved seeing it like this. We didn't walk the whole trail, but did see a good amount of it. The gift store at the teahouse was still open and we also stopped in there. Lots of lovely souvenirs and an overall fun place to look around. This is a great place for all ages to explore; the trail is mostly flat and accessible from the parking area. Definitely recommend stopping by early morning or after dinner when the crowds are gone for the day.

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.

We had a great experience visiting. Shop staff were knowledgeable about the museum and town and very friendly. There's something for everyone to learn here and the exhibits are clear, engaging and creative. In the shop there are a range of things to buy including beautiful artwork by native artists.

Loved catching the bus and exploring the park. The downside is it is unreliable. If you have a later reservation, for dinner for example, you need to plan 1. Bus service can run early causing you to miss your bus or it can run late and 2. If the bus is full, you will have to catch a later bus and depending on where you are in the park, the next bus may not come for an hour or two or more!. You can arrive at the bus stop TEN MINUTES early only to discover the bus already came and went!! That is extremely inconvenient!! On one bus, when the driver was about to leave 5 minutes before it was scheduled to leave,another passenger called the driver out in front of everyone. The driver appeared angry, shut off the bus and left us there while she went to the restroom. I would just say, this is a great way to see the park but you have to plan for the bus service disrespecting your time.

All of the drivers and staff were so wonderful!! We learned so much from all of them. They gave us great tips for a great trip. You can tell they all love their jobs. I am so happy this service was available! Very well organized!

This is fantastic! Rif De a comfy bus that leaves the Free parking lot at Acadia Gateway of course several other stops and takes you over the bridge into downtown Bar harbor right in the green! No traffic to sit in wasting your fuel .. free did I say free? And beyond that super comfy.

What timing/blessing that the bus to Trenton, driver inquired where we were headed and when we said Hadley campground, he said get on board! Saved us time and he was full of a great personality! Please let him know we were thankful and a few more like him in our world would be a good thing!

We planned to ride the island explorer in bar harbor but were refused boarding because we had two Brompton folding bicycles that were too small to fit in the bike rack. While I understand that it is the policy of the shuttle line to not allow bikes on board, these bikes fold to be about 16x16 inches, smaller than folding stroller (which are allowed). These bikes fit in a carry on bag, and if we had packed them in a carry-on bag, the shuttle service would have allowed us to bring them on board. Most public transportation services that restrict bikes on board the vehicle (I.e., municipal bus lines) exempt folding bikes from this restriction for the reasons I described. Applying this policy in this way is needlessly rigid and arbitrary.

I hate to give such a bad review, because the bus is great to avoid the hassle of trying to find parking during busy season. However, I have to warn everyone: DO NOT WAIT FOR THE LAST BUS OR THEY WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED THERE!!! We were waiting at the Jordan Pond stop for the last bus of the day at 6:10 pm. The last bus driver showed up, and the first thing she said to everyone waiting at the bus stop was "I can't take you all". This caused a panic but instead of providing a solution, she took whoever she could and left the rest behind. Luckily, I made it on the bus, but about 10 people did not. I hope they made it back home, but that bus driver definitely did not care.

This bus service is amazing and free. If you stay anywhere in Bar Harbor and want a free way to get around, this is perfect. Otherwise you pay for parking almost everywhere you go. Leaving from the park visitor center, this bus is a great way to visit Acadia National Park. Just don't try to catch the last bus of the day to get out, because they are strict about the number of passengers and you might miss out if it's full from a previous stop. During the day and in the morning, this is the best way to get through the park, in my opinion. In Var Harbor, the main stop downtown is in the middle of all the restaurants and shops.

Very nice place and not super crowded. Nice short walks in the nature with some wildlife. If you have the time take the climb, it's intense but short and has some amazing views

We visited here on a late Monday afternoon in late June 2025. There were plenty of parking spots in the parking lot. There is a bathroom also located in a separate building off the parking lot on the other side. The visitor center was open when we visited. There were 2 ranger staffing the inside who were super friendly. There is a small merch store here as well and a number of exhibits all around the walls. There were more exhibits to look at here than at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center but the merch store was a lot smaller. They also have their own National Park Service Passport Cancellation Stamp for this location. We looked around inside for about 15 mins before walking out to check out the gardens themselves.

This nature center is fantastic!! So many trails and plants/flowers to see! I love it so much! I was also happy to see that you can get a stamp for the national park passport here too - it’s right by the register when you walk in the gift shop. They also had “bark ranger” and “junior ranger” stamps here!

A lovely garden of native plant species! I can now differentiate between Maple trees and Birch trees! 😅 The place is peaceful and I’d recommend stopping by here to learn about the plant and wildlife of Acadia!

Great hikes and garden right behind the center. Staff very knowledge. Great experience

Beautiful area with many species of birds. The gardens are very nice and the Jesup trail is a easy path through this wonderful habitat.

Wonderful little garden put together by the National Park Service. Information from park rangers was interesting. Will come back to see more of the area.

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!

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.

Amazing but quite hard trail especially if it’s raining. Make sure you’re in shape as once you start, the way back is even harder unless you reach the top and take an alternative trail.

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.

One of the coolest theaters I’ve been to in a long time. Really pleasant and fun. At only eight dollars, seeing first run films is affordable. Pizza was pretty tasty too!

Possibly my favorite movie theater ever? The pizza is phenomenal, the theater is cozy, you get an intermission to run to the bathroom, and I can get a pitcher of diet pepsi for only $7, what more could you need? Not to mention, the movie tickets are extremely cheap for today's economy. I literally come here to see movies I have no interest in just for the vibes. Also, the staff members are always so pleasant and helpful!

The pizza crew was excellent! We only had a few minutes before our bus. They made some pizzas quickly, gave us popcorn, and they were so friendly! The vibe is awesome! Comfy couches. Bummed we were in a hurry, would love to have stayed and enjoyed the theater.

I LOVE IT HERE!!!!! Staff are soooo cool and Colin the owner is a wonderful person! If you like movie theaters then this place is an absolute must if you are visiting, they have COUCHES!!!!! Middle left side couch in theater two is the most comfy in my opinion. Also the pizza is actually fantastic and super duper well priced for a tourist town. Same goes for movie tickets. Love it herrrrrrrrrrre omg

We stopped here for dinner one night on our visit to Bar Harbor. Didn’t visit the cinema but we sat outside with our dogs to enjoy the pizza and it was delicious! They have a parking lot right next to it and the staff were all friendly.

This is a GREAT little theater with really excellent food. Everything was really reasonably priced and the pizza was really good. You can’t go wrong here if they’re showing a movie you want to see.

Maybe the best attraction in Bar Harbor You may have one of these in your home town, but we don't. A nice little movie theater, but there are couches with TV trays, and then the regular Cinema seats have every other row removed with counters in front of the seats. So you can order pizza right there, and eat it during the movie, just like you were at home. And the pizza was pretty darn good, too!

Project Social had fantastic food; they served us creative dishes that still felt cohesive. The standouts were the crab cakes, lobster crepe, and the pork belly. The crab cakes were probably the best I've ever had - so crabby and packed with sweet seafood flavor. The lobster crepe was great as well, since it turns out that lobster, pancetta, and butternut squash go great together. The pork belly was fork tender and served over a crispy polenta cake. The other dishes were amazing too! I will say that to get full at this spot you'll be dropping a good amount of money. In my eyes it's money well spent though edit: 30 minutes after posting the above glowing review from my experience last night, I went back again for some light eats and had a pretty horrible experience. The food was still good, but we were seated on the left side of the restaurant, the "bar" area. This area is completely unattended with absolutely zero service - we never got even a water. We went up to the window to order and the bartenders were so busy that I stood there for about 10 minutes before being spoken to - and that was the first and last time I spoke to a staff member tonight. Considering the price of the food, this area really should have the attention of at least one server - even if it's intended to be more "bar" style. It really left a bad impression on me and I'm not sure I'll be coming back any time soon.

I've traveled the world and dined everywhere from hidden gems in Athens to Michelin-starred kitchens in Paris — and Project Social Kitchen & Bar in Bar Harbor belongs in the top 1% of all those experiences. This spot is an absolute standout. Cocktails: Next-Level Mixology Their cocktail game is elite. We sampled: Blue My Mind – A flavor bomb with blueberry and lavender that was somehow both bold and smooth. Social Contract Martini – Sophisticated, herbal, and perfectly balanced. Red Kryptonite – Powerful and unforgettable. One of the best cocktails I’ve ever had, full stop. Each one was expertly crafted and worthy of any NYC or Paris bar scene. Dishes That Deliver The food? A culinary joyride. Every plate was as beautiful as it was flavorful: Beef Skewers: Tender, smoky, with a peanutty chili sauce and sesame hit — perfectly charred. Butternut Squash Soup: Velvet texture, deep flavor, garnished with edible petals — art in a bowl. Root Veggie Platter: Roasted to perfection and plated like fine art. Carnitas Tacos: Bright, bold, with just the right kick. Pork Belly: The coup de grâce — melt-in-your-mouth richness atop crispy polenta cornbread, swimming in a sticky glaze that was absolutely addictive. Sweet Ending We capped it all off with an Affogato — the perfect contrast of hot and cold, bitter and sweet. A smooth finale to a phenomenal meal. Ambience & Vibe Rustic-chic meets cozy cocktail lounge w/ Black Rabbit (IFYKYK) subtle vibes. The vintage china, creative plating, and welcoming staff bring it all together in a way that feels both upscale and unpretentious. Final Verdict: If you're in Bar Harbor and skip this place, you're missing out. Project Social isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience. Easily one of the best dinners I’ve had in years.

Love the backyard vibes with the waterfall and cute pond. Food was decent - tasty but not super satisfying. That said, it’s a great place to pregame dinner after a full day of hiking. Service was attentive. They also have good happy hour deals which we don’t really take advantage of. Overall good experience for a pregame or later night spot.

We ate at Project Social twice while in Bar Harbor on vacation and loved it both times. Over those two visits we tried the banh mi toast, prosciutto toast, hummus, scallops, chowder, lamb kofta, and beef skewers. Everything was fun and delicious. I wasn't as impressed with the cocktails I had for the price ($13-16/each) but I enjoyed sitting outside and taking in the cool ambiance.

Service and food were excellent. Enjoyed the scallops, lamb, butternut squash soup and blueberry crepe. Everything was excellent and the staff were so nice. Visited twice during our trip, enjoyed the beer garden and the dinner side!

We LOVED this place for cocktails and appetizers! Great outdoor patio area and amazing food and drinks! The lamb dish was probably our favorite, but we loved them all!

The food was amazing! The scallops were the best I've ever had! We also had the Mediterranean mezza which was a very generous portion and delicious. It was fun to mix different flavors with each bite. The atmosphere was very nice and feels private even though it's on the main street in Bar Harbor.

Be prepared to wait - arrived around 6:30 on a Wednesday with a group of 6. Waited around an hour for a table. They have an outdoor bar and high top seating where you can grab a drink and play corn hole while you wait. Beautiful harbor - great place to watch a sunset while enjoying a meal. Check out the yacht yard adjacent to the restaurant - cool boats. Service was helpful and friendly. Our group liked our food - highlights were the corn bread (a must try!!) lobster Mac and cheese and wedge salad. Recommend this restaurant but be cautious of the weather as most seating is outdoors and it started the rain as we paid our bill which caused all guests to try to huddle indoors which was a little bit of a mess / crowded. Make sure you’re visiting on a clear night, or opt for indoor seating if rain is in the forecast!

This WAS one of my favorite lobster pounds in the Bar Harbor area. The location on the water with sunset views and an outdoor bar, seating, games, and fireplace creates an unmatched ambience. Usually there is a wait at dinner time, especially for indoor seating. Food this year was eh. Oysters were smaller than in prior years. Lobster roll was not good. The bun is too big and too toasted. Fries were also not good. The curry the mussels were in was incredible, and the cornbread and chowder were also excellent. But I was disappointed the quality of the lobster roll was so poor this year, given it’s a lobster pound. I would absolutely come here for the ambience but I will now be going to other lobster pounds if I want a good lobster roll.

We tried Abel’s based on a google search and it did not disappoint. We sat outside on the little bar looking over the harbor. A spot I highly recommend as the view was beautiful and the seats were shaded. Stopped in for a late lunch/ early dinner in September and there was no wait. The fries were terrific. We actually ordered a second round for dessert. Of course we had the soft shell lobster -YUM. We could not leave Maine without a lobster meal. This is a spot you cannot skip while in Acadia.

Dinner here was one of our best memories from our Maine vacation in July! We didn't have reservations, but were seated quickly at this counter that faced the dining room and the water. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. The food - particularly the fish and chips were absolutely delicious. Perfectly crispy - they struck the right balance with a nice crunchy batter and a moist tender fish inside. Accompanying fries were also very good. The salad was fine. I wish we had been there longer than just a few days; I would very much like to have had a chance to return and try more of the yummy looking menu items and sit outside for a meal. Highly recommend.

Such a fun place to eat seafood! The vibes are so warm, friendly and casual while still being really high-quality food. The lobster rolls are good here, though I personally prefer the crab rolls. Sooo much crab meat and so little anything else! Heavenly. Our waitress, Di, was so much fun, I made the whole dining experience a joy for us. She also gave us some really good recommendations off the menu! (The brussels sprouts are so delightful. You barely know their brussels sprouts…) It was dark when we had dinner here, so I would definitely go back to enjoy the incredible view — if you go in the summer, absolutely dine outside!

Went here for lunch at the recommendation of a friend & loved it so much that we went back for dinner. The service & food were excellent! Mussels - yes! Lobster roll - yes! Lobster Mac n cheese - YES! Cornbread - yes! Blueberry pie - yes! House-made breads & local ingredients with a great view. Did I mention we loved it?

My husband and I stopped here for our last night on the island. I was eager to get lobster one more time. The host was kind enough to find us a spot on the tail end of a very busy night for them. The lobster was the BEST!! It was a soft shell... Perfectly cooked and the meat was so tender and sweet. We also had fantastic lonneck clams that were caught locally that day. Our waitress, Sandy took great care of us, gave us great background on the fresh seafood and was just really sweet. We also had the lobster bisque, a great salad and some tasty and unique cocktails - Liquid Gold and a lobster martini. The location was BEAUTIFUL, which just topped off the whole experience. When we come back to Acadia, we will be stopping here again. Thank you!

This was the best views of the park by far! Saw the park from a boat tour, drove the park, then did this flight tour at the end of the week. I recommend saving the flight for last to be able to recognize certain things from the air that was seen earlier in the week. My pilot Erin was great, she is an excellent pilot and knew all kinds of interesting facts of the park and surrounding areas. Being a solo passenger I was a little apprehensive about doing it but very glad I did, Erin was very welcoming and made the trip very comfortable. A must do at Acadia

We booked the "All Acadia" 35-minute flight and it did not disappoint. As a pilot, my wife and I take to the air on most vacation destinations to get a greater appreciation of the area. On Friday, Erin was our pilot, and she did an excellent job flying the Cessna 172 on fantastic cloudless day. She was super knowledgeable of the area and its history. It was a plus to exchange experiences of boating and flying in South Florida and the Bahamas. We highly recommend the aerial tour, and we will be back!

My recent experience with Scenic Flights was surprisingly comfortable and enjoyable. Even though the plane was compact, the seating felt cozy and well spaced. The crew was wonderful throughout, especially Erin, who was incredibly kind, attentive, and made the journey feel genuinely welcoming. Takeoff and landing were smooth, announcements were clear, and the crew stayed clean and calm. The entire experience felt organized and relaxed, with thoughtful service and a friendly atmosphere. Overall, a pleasant trip and special thanks again to Erin for the great hospitality.

We had an amazing experience with Scenic Flights of Acadia! Our pilot, Erin, was skilled, knowledgeable, funny, and kind—she pointed out landmarks and shared great insights that made the flight unforgettable. The views of Acadia, the coastlines, and the sparkling waters were breathtaking from above. The whole experience exceeded our expectations, and we highly recommend it—especially if you get Erin as your pilot!

I had such an incredible time flying with Erin! She’s super friendly, easy to talk to, and just has this calm, confident presence that immediately puts you at ease. From takeoff to landing, everything felt smooth and relaxed. She pointed out so many cool spots and shared great little bits of info along the way — you can tell she really loves what she does. The views were absolutely unreal, and Erin made the whole experience feel personal and special. I left with the biggest smile on my face — it’s one of those things I’ll be talking about for a long time. Couldn’t have asked for a better pilot or a better experience!

This was one of the best activities I did while on vacation in Bar Harbor! Jack was my pilot and we did an amazing job. He was very knowledgeable about the island and made it a great experience for me. It was so neat to see the whole island from a bird’s eye view and see areas I wasn’t able to get to on land. I would highly recommend this experience and company to anyone coming to Bar Harbor!

I took the All Acadia Tour with pilot Erin, and it was absolutely incredible! The entire flight was smooth, comfortable, and full of breathtaking views of the park and coastline. Erin was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the whole experience feel effortless. You really get to see Acadia from a whole new perspective — the mountains, islands, and shoreline are stunning from above. This is something you have to do if you’re visiting Acadia. 100% worth the time and money!

This was a nice little stop we made on a rainy day. This was recommended on an online thread and had marked it down. Very interesting little museum displaying the remarkable work of Wendell Gilley, a local artist known for his intricate bird wood carvings. Only $10 per person, quick little stop but definitely worth the visit!

A very sweet little museum dedicated to Wendell Gilley - an extremely talented wood sculptor. His birds are spectacular, and his story is great. I really enjoyed my time here. There was also a special exhibit of textile art that was equally enchanting. I get the feeling that the museum is different each time you visit. ❤️🐦🦆🦉🐦‍⬛🦅

Even though this museum is small, my visit was one of the most delightful museum experiences of my life. So much love and care went into the art and it's curation! Visiting here is a must for lovers of birds, nature, art, and craftsmanship.

Loved this place, I didn’t really know anything at all about wooden bird carvings but I learned a lot in an hour. Definitely worth an hour of your time. If you like birds, this is fascinating and beautiful.

Very enjoyable visit. The curator was most helpful to orient us to the museum’s content and origin. Local wood carvers were present and shared the process of carving.

Tiny, quirky local museum dedicated to one man's passion for carving birds. How good could it possibly be? It's *lovely*, and well worth a stop for an hour or two. There's also regular classes which are excellent, and a small specialized library.

Great museum—amazing pieces, friendly staff, lots of events. I guess if you don’t like birds (crazy) then maybe skip it

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

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.

Stopped by because of a recommendation and had a lovely dinner. Returned for breakfast a couple days later and it was perfect - would rate it six stars if I could. Whatever is in the breakfast potatoes will fill your belly and your soul. Special thanks to Ana, our server for both dinner and breakfast, who was a huge part of falling in love with this place.

An underrated stop for dinner!! Skip all the others in town and go here I promise you the name makes it seem like a casual sandwich shop but they have a ton of great options that were 10/10! There was a bit of a wait but for good reason so make sure you secure a reservation if you can. For how packed it was they were still so efficient and ran things very well. Everything was well timed. We were both in the mood for burgers and they were SO tasty and perfectly cooked. Drinks & apps were great (we got the bruschetta and coconut shrimp, both delish), and the dessert was this tasty blueberry cobbler like dish with awesome whipped cream on top. Would go back here if ever in town!!

Very upscale dinner-don't let the name fool you! Our party of 4 had an absolutely awesome meal. The staff was attentive and jovial. Highly recommend this restaurant!

The best meal we had in Maine. Lobster ravioli and the haddock. Amazing! And service was top notch with our waitress giving a great wine recommendation. Also is a coffee shop which we enjoyed in the daytime. Truly surprised there is anything but 5 stars… can’t wait to come back!

Spent a week on MDI and this might have been our favorite restaurant of the trip! Was there while they were only serving the breakfast menu but it was soooo good. One of their specials we tried was a brunch stuffed pepper that our server recommended and it was 10/10!

Was the only place open at around 3pm on a Tuesday. Apparently had to sit outside because they were on a break before dinner. Not sure why the seating made a difference. Server seemed to be confused at the concept of tasting a salad dressing before ordering. When my son was trying to ask for a certain set of vegetables the server complained saying he just needed to know what we DIDN'T want on it. Then when we ordered a salad we told him what we didn't want on that, but the server complained again saying 'what DO you want on it? '. Very confusing and annoying. Food was tasty and portion size was good, but we'll never be back.

This is a popular local spot known for its delicious Mediterranean-American-diner inspired menu and cuisine. They offer a variety of fresh pita wraps 🫓salads 🥙entrees, often featuring locally sourced ingredients. The casual atmosphere makes it a great place to grab a quick bite after exploring the beautiful bar harbor area and the light house. It has quite a few vegetarian 🌱 options. We ordered the chefs special tomato basil soup with grilled cheese sandwich, followed by the Mediterranean platter 🥗, the vegan burger 🍔with a side of house fries🍟 They also have a large selection of home made desserts that you must try, I really wanted to try their blueberry 🫐 stuffed pancakes 🥞 but they didn’t have it that day. The interiors of this joint is very vintage and rustic, they have a large selection of local 🍺 and wines 🍷that they offer. The staff is friendly and welcoming, the portion sizes are large enough to feed 2 people per dish. Loved everything that we ordered.

Excellent breakfast and great decor! The biscuits are delicious, moist and fluffy. The bacon & mushroom omelette was large and didn't skimp on fillings, and the home fries were really tasty. Pancakes were large and fluffy. Did not have to wait long for our food. Love the Halloween decorations outside!!