Tours and Day Trips from Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor has a lot to offer, from whale-watching cruises to bike tours, guided walking tours of the historic downtown and food tours. But these are just some of the best things to do in Bar Harbor.

The city is the ideal destination for nature, culture and food lovers. Its charm is not in question; few destinations combine the wonders of the coast with the beauty of the mountains. Discover this city, with activities and attractions for all tastes and ages.

A unique and unforgettable experience in Bar Harbor is to drive into Acadia National Park. You can enjoy the nature, history and culture of this region on your own or on a self-guided tour.

If you choose the latter option, you can drive the 27-mile Park Loop Road and be dazzled by views of the coast, mountains and forests.

If you want to explore the park without missing a thing, I recommend opting for a self-guided driving tour, a type of tour where the guide will be a mobile app. In addition, the self-guide will tell you about the points of interest and curiosities of the park.

This experience will take you to the park's most iconic sites, such as Cadillac Mountain, the Ocean Trail, Jordan Pond and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. You'll also stop at scenic overlooks and trails to enjoy the beauty and diversity of this natural paradise.

Details of interest

• Price: The self-guided tour costs approximately €10-15 per person, including the cost of entry to the park.
• Duration: the tour is estimated at 3 to 4 hours, but you should add time for any stops you wish to make.
• Means of transport: car.
• Advantages of this option: you can go at your own pace, without depending on timetables or groups.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need your own or a rented car and a mobile phone with an internet connection.

One of the advantages of this town is that it has both sea and mountains, so an exciting experience is to venture out on a Windjammer sailboat ride in Bar Harbor. You'll be able to enjoy the natural beauty of the coastline and spot marine wildlife.

Sailing is an ideal activity for the whole family and requires no experience. During the tour, a skipper will tell you about the history and curiosities of the area. You will also have the opportunity to hoist the sails or take the helm.

You will be able to admire the landscape from a different perspective away from the hustle and bustle of the traffic. You'll see the islands, lighthouses, mountains and cliffs that make up Acadia National Park. You'll also see birds, seals, dolphins and whales.

Details of interest

• Price: estimated at about €70 per adult.
• Duration: the tour takes approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: sailing boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to admire the landscape from the sea and enjoy a different perspective.
• Disadvantages of this option: if the weather and sea conditions are not favourable, you may not enjoy it as much.

One of the best ways to learn about the culture and customs of the area is to discover ingredients and recipes on a culinary tour of Bar Harbor. It's a fun and convenient activity for food lovers.

The tour takes you through restaurants, cafes, shops and markets. At each stop, you'll taste a sample of food or drink, accompanied by an explanation from a guide. Some of the delicacies you'll enjoy include clam chowder, crab cake, Lobster Roll, blueberry ice cream and more.

Not only will you delight your taste buds, you'll also get a taste of Bar Harbor's charm and history as the tour takes you past landmarks such as the Village Green, the Shore Path, the Bar Harbor Inn and the Criterion Theatre.

Details of interest

• Price: estimated to be around 65€ per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the local gastronomy, learn about its tradition and diversity, discover new flavours and recipes.
• Disadvantages of this option: not suitable for people with allergies or food restrictions because alternative options cannot be guaranteed.

If you like horror stories, mysteries and urban legends, I recommend testing your nerves on a ghost walking tour of Bar Harbor. The city is beautiful, but it also hides many secrets and paranormal phenomena that you can discover.

The ghost tour of the city is a different and mystical experience. You will be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you the spookiest and most amazing stories of the place.

During the tour, you will visit places such as Ledgelawn Cemetery, the Malvern Hotel, the Rodick family home, the Abbe Museum and Agamont Park, among others. In these places you will hear anecdotes and tales of ghosts, witches, murders and curses.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately €20 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts about 90 minutes.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: it is a thrilling, suspenseful and fun experience to get to know the secrets of this city.
• Disadvantages of this option: although it is suitable for all ages, caution should be exercised with young children as some of the stories can be shocking.

The thrill of the unknown can lead to different experiences to see different places. For example, participating in a Bar Harbor Bash scavenger hunt adventure is a challenge-trail activity where you can discover the charms of this city, while having fun with your family or friends.

Bar Harbor Bash is a scavenger hunt that is done through your mobile phone, using an application that will guide you through different points of interest in the city. You'll solve clues, complete tasks and take photos.

You'll visit places like the Village Green, Shore Path, Bar Harbor Inn, Criterion Theatre, Abbe Museum, Agamont Park and more. You'll also learn fun facts and anecdotes about Bar Harbor.

Interesting details

• Price: about $12 per person.

• Duration: the adventure lasts about 2.5 hours.

• Means of transport: on foot.

• Advantages of this option: it is a different way of getting to know the city and can be done at any time of the day.

• Disadvantages of this option: you need at least two people, a basic level of English to understand the trails and a mobile phone with an internet connection.

Knowing how to get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor is not difficult, but one of the best ways is with an organised tour to explore little-known trails in Acadia Park on a bicycle. Remember that this park is one of the most spectacular in the USA and there are 240 kilometres of trails with mountain, forest, lake and ocean landscapes.

One of the most recommended routes is the one along the transportation trails, built by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr between 1913 and 1940.

These trails extend 72 kilometres and connect different points of interest in the park, such as Eagle Lake, Jordan Pond, Mount Day or J Mount Cadillac. Keep in mind that, by bike, you can cover a greater distance and see more places in less time.

Details of interest

• Price: the cost is about €20 per person.
• Duration: the bike tour can take about 2.5 hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: you can enjoy the beauty of the park in less time without polluting or making noise.
• Disadvantages of this option: you depend on weather conditions and you must be careful with obstacles and animals that may cross your path.

One of the best ways to learn about Bar Harbor's history is with a self-guided tour, which allows you to explore the town at your own pace, while listening to professional narration and fun facts. The tour is done with a mobile app, which acts as your personal guide, audio guide and map.

This experience will allow you to discover the West Street Historic District, where you'll see some of the Gilded Age homes, such as La Rochelle and The Turrets. You will pass by the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church , St. Saviour's Episcopal Church and the Criterion Theatre.

The tour continues along the Shore Path, a path along the coast that offers panoramic views of the mountains. You'll visit the Abbe Museum, which houses exhibits on Native American culture and history. Finally, you'll arrive at Agamont Park, where you can enjoy the sunset.

Interesting details

• Price: the price ranges between 10 and 12€ per person.
• Duration: it can take between 2 and 3 hours.
• Means of transport: your choice.
• Advantages of this option: you can walk around at your own pace and get to know the history, culture and secrets of Bar Harbor in a fun and interactive way.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need a good internet connection, sufficient battery and a data plan on your phone.

If you're a beer lover and want to know the best places to try it, you should join a pub crawl in Bar Harbor. You'll discover the variety and quality of local and national beers, accompanied by delicious snacks.

The bar tour is conducted through a mobile app, which will guide you through different pubs and breweries, where you can sample different styles of craft beer. You can also hear fun facts about the history of each beer from the app .

The tour includes places such as the following:

• Lompoc Cafe and Brew Pub: offers craft beers from different regions and countries, as well as having a relaxed atmosphere.
• Atlantic Brewing Company: a craft brewery that produces its own beers using natural and quality ingredients.
• The Thirsty Whale Tavern: has a fun and lively atmosphere and offers craft beers, cocktails and traditional food.

Details of interest

• Price: around €25 per person.
• Duration: can be extended for around 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you can get to know Bar Harbor's craft beer offer in a fun and interactive way.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will need a stable internet connection to use the app.

One of the most popular and exciting activities you can do in Bar Harbor is whale and marine life watching on a boat tour. This is a unique experience, allowing you to get up close and personal with these majestic animals in their natural habitat.

You'll also enjoy panoramic views of the coastline, harbour and nearby islands. The boat ride takes place aboard a comfortable and safe vessel that departs from the Bar Harbor pier and sails through Frenchman's Bay.

The most common whale species to be sighted are humpback, minke and fin whales, although orcas, sperm whales and blue whales can also be seen.

Details of interest

• Price: around €60 per adult and €30 per child.
• Duration: about 3 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: by boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the richness and diversity of Bar Harbor's marine fauna in a respectful and sustainable way.
• Disadvantages of this option: the sighting depends on weather conditions.

If you want to tour Bar Harbor without missing a thing, then hop on a bus and visit the main destinations in town on a tour that will take you to the most interesting and iconic places in the area.

The sightseeing bus tour is an ideal tour for those who want to get an overview of the town. The bus departs from the Hulls Cove Visitor Centre and along the way, you'll take in panoramic views of Frenchman's Bay, Bar Harbor, Cadillac Mountain and Thunder Hole.

And if you're looking to delve deeper into the culture and history of the area, you can also join a premium bus tour of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. It includes the same stops as above, but will also take you through the historic city centre.

In addition, the tour bus will also take you along the Coastal Route, a road that runs along the ocean and offers spectacular views. This is an option where you will have a professional guide who will tell you interesting and curious facts about the places you visit.

Interesting details

• Price: the cheapest tour of the sightseeing bus is around €55 per person, while the most expensive tour can cost up to €70.
• Duration: about 3.5 hours.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.
• Advantages of this option: You can relax and enjoy the scenery without worrying about traffic, parking or the map.
• Disadvantages of this option: it can be limited in terms of time and flexibility.

Bar Harbor is a tourist destination that offers a wide variety of activities and attractions to suit all tastes. But which is better: a guided tour or visiting Bar Harbor on your own?

The answer depends on your preferences, budget and time. A guided tour allows you to see the landmarks and learn about their history in the company of an expert. Visiting Bar Harbor on your own gives you more freedom and flexibility to explore the city on your own itinerary.

If you want to enjoy a trip to Bar Harbor, I recommend that you plan your trip in advance. Keep in mind that the city is very popular, especially in the summer months.

Also, remember to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. As an additional tip, keep your mobile phone with plenty of charge and an active data plan as you may need it for some excursions.