Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Set on the doorstep of Acadia National Park, this alluring coastal town once rivaled
Newport, RI, as a trendy summer destination for wealthy Americans. Today many of the
old mansions have been turned into inviting inns and the town has become a magnet for
outdoor enthusiasts. The
Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
( 207-288-5103;
www.barharbormaine.com
;
1201 Bar Harbor Rd/ME 3, Trenton; 8am-6pm late May-mid-Oct, to
5pm Mon-Fri mid-Oct-late May)
has a convenient welcome center just before the bridge onto
Mt Desert Island.
Activities
Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co
CRUISE
( 207-288-2386;
www.barharborwhales.com
; 1 West St; adult $34-64, child $22-34; mid-
May-Oct)
Operates four-hour whale-watching and puffin-watching cruises, among other
options.
Downeast Windjammer Cruises
CRUISE
( 207-288-4585;
www.downeastwindjammer.com
; 27 Main St; adult/child $40/30)
Offers two-
hour cruises on the majestic 151ft, four-masted schooner
Margaret Todd
.
Acadian Nature Cruises
CRUISE
( 207-288-2386;
www.acadiannaturecruises.com
; 1 West St; adult/child $28/17; mid-
May-Oct)
See whales, porpoises, bald eagles, seals and more on these narrated two-hour
nature cruises.
Sleeping
There's no shortage of sleeping options in Bar Harbor, ranging from period B&Bs to the
usual chain hotels.
Bar Harbor Youth Hostel
HOSTEL$
( 207-288-5587;
www.barharborhostel.com
; 321 Main St; dm/r $27/82; )
In a converted
home a few blocks south of the village green, this pleasant, friendly and very clean hostel
has simple male and female dorm rooms, each sleeping 10, and a private room that
sleeps four.
Holland Inn
B&B$$$
