Visit Bar Harbor | Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park

If you want to experience some of Maine's best scenery, Bar Harbor and
Acadia National Park should be at the top of your “must-see” list.

Located on Mt. Desert Island, both the community of Bar Harbor and Acadia
National Park abound with an endless variety of sights, attractions and
activities bound to satisfy every palate.

Outdoor enthusiasts can try biking, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, sailing
and golf. If you're more interested in sight-seeing and quieter pursuits will
find spectacular gardens, serene coves just waiting to be explored, rustic
lobster eateries with waterfront picnic tables, unusual museums, festivals and
plenty of restaurants and attractions.

While glaciers created the upside-down claw-like shape of the island that is
known as Mt. Desert, its shape is hardly the only thing that makes it unique.
The third-largest island on the east coast of the United States, Mt. Desert is
home to the only natural fjord on the coast, and also Cadillac Mountain, the
highest mountain on the east coast north of Rio de Janeiro. From atop Cadillac
Mountain's 1,532 feet, visitors are the first to watch the sun rise each day in the
United States.

While there are several picturesque villages on Mt. Desert Island, including
Southwest Harbor, Tremont and Northwest Harbor, Bar Harbor is the island's
largest town.

Beginning in the mid-1800s and continuing through the 1930s, Bar Harbor was
known as a summer haven for the very rich, including the Astors, Fords,
Morgans, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Carnegies. Grand-scale hotels and
mansions - known locally as “summer cottages” – were built during that time
and continue to dot the shoreline. Today, however, many of those “summer
cottages” house some of the most unique and interesting B&Bs in all of Maine.

Of course, those are not the only accommodations in the Bar Harbor/Acadia
National Park area. There are also resorts, hotels, inns, and campgrounds.

While on Mt. Desert, consider sailing on an historic schooner, taking a lobster
boat cruise to see how Maine's tastiest crustaceans are trapped, search for
whales off the coast, or look for seals, puffins, birds and other wildlife that hug
the coastline.

For children, the “Dive-In Theater” cruise comes complete with an underwater
camera. The Bar Harbor Oceanarium is home to the Maine Lobster Museum
and Lobster Hatchery, and Acadia National Park has a complete Junior Ranger
Program.

If you like discovering new places on foot, downtown Bar Harbor is well worth
a stroll. The village contains an incredible assortment of streets, alleys, squares
and piers. In addition to unique boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, there
is a shore path that begins downtown and takes you by the front yards of many
of the town's well-known summer cottages.

If history is your thing, the “Step Back in Time” walking tour comes complete
with a costumed guide. The Abbe Museum, dedicated to Maine's Native
American history, and the Tiffany windows in St. Savior's Church are just two
of the interesting sights along the way.

While Bar Harbor and the other villages of Mt. Desert Island are always fun to
explore, the biggest draw on the island is the magnificent Acadia National
Park. The northeast's only national park, Acadia is truly one of the country's
most popular tourist destinations.

The 47,000-acre preserve is stunning in every way – from its unusual flora and
fauna to its rugged coast line, from its breathtaking views to its man-made
carriage trails, Acadia National Park is an unforgettable experience.

While a guided tour is a great way to see the park, there's nothing like getting
out on your own to discover the wonder and the beauty that is Acadia
National Park. While there, make sure you don't miss the following:

• The Carriage Roads: Explore the 51 miles of gravel pathways and granite
bridges created by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. for horse-drawn carriages. Always
closed to motorized vehicles, the carriage trails are enjoyed by walkers, hikers,
bicyclers, cross country skiers and snowshoeing enthusiasts.

• The Park Loop Road : A 27-mile scenic ride along the eastern portion of Mt.
Desert Island offers access to most of the well-known park sites.

• Thunder Hole: A thunderous sound is made in this natural wonder during
each high tide. As water rushes into the narrow granite channel, it effectively
traps the air. When the air escapes, ‘thunder' follows.

• Jordan Pond: Formed by a glacier, the pond's pristine clear water reflects
the surrounding mountains. While visiting at the pond, stop by the Jordan
Pond House Restaurant and sample its famous popovers.

• Wildwood Stables: The stable offers horse -drawn carriage rides – a
refreshing and unique way to experience the park.

• Schoodic Peninsula : Described as “one of the last frontiers on the eastern
seaboard,” the peninsula is located a few miles away from the main park, but
features working lobstering and clamming areas, blueberry barrens and
timberland, with mountain vistas, islands, and lighthouses. Many think it's the
most beautiful and rugged section of the national park.

To learn more about Acadia National
Park visit http://www.nps.gov/acad/
and for more information on Bar Harbor
visit www.barharborinfo.com . For Maine
travel information, check out the Maine
Office of Tourism Web site at
www.visitmaine.com .

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