What are the best things to do in Bar Harbor?
Top picks in Bar Harbor include Bar Harbor Historical Society, Abbe Museum, The Abbe Museum:Original, The Bar Harbor Whale Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Bar Harbor travel guide.
🇺🇸 United States travel guide
North America · North America
Bar Harbor Travel Guide
Bar Harbor, United States
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Why visit Bar Harbor
Travel guide for Bar Harbor, United States — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Bar Harbor is a stop in United States, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Bar Harbor Historical Society, Abbe Museum, The Abbe Museum:Original instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Bar Harbor
1
Bar Harbor Historical Society
2
Abbe Museum
3
The Abbe Museum:Original
4
The Bar Harbor Whale Museum
5
Dorr Museum of Natural History
6
The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
Budget travel
Free things to do in Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor Historical Society
The Bar Harbor Whale Museum
The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Bar Harbor itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Bar Harbor Historical Society
- Visit Abbe Museum
- Visit The Abbe Museum:Original
- Eat at Bee's Yarn, Sweaters and Candy
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit The Bar Harbor Whale Museum
- Visit Dorr Museum of Natural History
- Visit The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
- Eat at Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium
Budget
Bar Harbor trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Bar Harbor, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Bar Harbor
Estimated total (USD)
$3,300
≈ $1,650 per person · $471 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $200/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Bar Harbor mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Bee's Yarn, Sweaters and Candy
Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium
CJ's Big Dipper
Jordan's Restaurant
Mount Desert Island Ice Cream
Rosalie's Pizza
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
The Acadia Hotel
Acadia Inn
Atlantic Eyrie Lodge
Atlantic Oceanside Hotel & Conference Center
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel
Shopping
- Acadia Bike
- Cadillac Mountain Sports
- Argosy Gallery
- Island Artisans
- Bark Harbor
- Cool as a Moose
Nightlife
- Atlantic Brewing Company
- Bar Harbor Brewing Company
- Carmen Verandah's
- Fish House Grill
- Tail Gate Sports Bar and Pizza
- Lompoc Cafe and Brew Pub
Museums & culture
- Abbe Museum
- The Abbe Museum:Original
- The Bar Harbor Whale Museum
- Dorr Museum of Natural History
In pictures
Bar Harbor gallery
Photos: Quintin Soloviev, Billy Hathorn, Adavyd — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Bar Harbor travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Bar Harbor?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Bar Harbor?
Plan at least 2 days in Bar Harbor for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Bar Harbor?
Popular stays in Bar Harbor include The Acadia Hotel, Acadia Inn, Atlantic Eyrie Lodge. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Bar Harbor cost?
On the ground in Bar Harbor (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Bar Harbor, United States. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
