2008
Bar Harbor Vacation Plans
Scroll down for an overview of our plans, links to the area and some of our favorite places......
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2008 Bar Harbor Vacation Plans
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Scroll down for an overview of our plans, links to the area and some of our favorite places......
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The wonders of Bar Harbor, ME and surrounding areas are worth sharing. When August comes around, we review our camping list, pack the Honda and start the 300 mile, 6 hour drive to Bar Harbor. Of course, we make the usual stops on the way. Eating lunch at Newicks at 431 Dover Point Road in Dover, NH offers a quick bite of seafood fare at very reasonable prices to eat-in or to take-out. Our next stop is to check out the globe just off exit 17 , Rte 295 at the DeLorme Map Center. We then take the Freeport exit and head to LLBean’s in search of last minute camping gear or just to check out the clearance racks. After leaving Beans, we stay pretty much on course. Hopefully we’ve enough time to pick up a few groceries in Ellsworth, ME, stop at the Information Center in Trenton, ME to grab current brochures and maps of the area and reach our favorite Bar Harbor Campground before dark. The only thing worse than putting a tent up in the dark is having the poles break while you are trying to set up in the dark. Having that very thing happen two summers ago has provided us with enough incentive now to keep us traveling and shopping with one eye on the clock. With the aid of duck tape and a piece of rubber hose generously donated by the campground we had the tent up by midnight (grrrrrrr!). If there was a contest for the weirdest looking tent, we surely would have taken the blue ribbon. Once our "home away from home" is built we allow the songs of the crickets and the warm, gentle Maine breezes to caress us to sleep. And this is just the beginning of an amazing vacation experience. One of the first things you’ll want to do once in Bar Harbor is to go to Acadia National Park Visitor Center. They can provide you with everything you will need to learn about the Park’s (encompassing more than 40,000 acres) offerings. Be Sure and pick up a copy of the park newspaper, the Beaver Log, when you arrive in the park for a complete program listing of the parks events for the week. One of our favorite evening events is Stars over Sand Beach. Come join us..... Some of our other favorite Acadia adventures include:
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 as you look over Frenchman Bay’s Porcupine Islands.
only during low tide.
Another Tide Chart
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Visit the World's Largest Moving Globe by Delorme in Yamouth ME.
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Newicks sea food restaurant on Dover Point.
The Lobster Claw Take-Out - eat in or take out.
Gringos Mexican Restaurant - for lounge in or take out.
Custom burritos, hand crafted salsas, fresh fruit smoothies
Mother’s Kitchen
This Way Cafe |
Reel Pizza Cinerama Mount Desert Island’s most extensive fresh-dough pizza menu offering all the basics plus unique gourmet items like sundried tomatoes, calamata olives, artichokes, local chevre, soy cheese, pesto, smoked salmon and more. Create your own wheat or white crust pie or choose a delicious combo. Order take out or enjoy it at tonight’s movie. In Bar Harbor by the Village Green at the top of Rodick Street. Open at 5pm. Takeout: 288-3828 Film information: 288-3811
Mama DiMatteo |
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409 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Somes Sound View Campground - (207) 244-3890 86 Hall Quarry Rd. Mount Desert, ME. 04660 - deb@ssvc.info Smuggler's Den Campground - (207) 244-3944 Southwest Harbor, ME (Located on the "quite side" of MDI) Hadley's Point Campground (207) 288-4808 33 Hadley Point Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 Mt. Desert Narrows (866) 917-4300 1219 State Highway 3, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 |
Bar Harbor Campground
Other Commercial Campgrounds on Bar Harbor Acadia National Park (NPS) - General Information Acadia National Park (NPS) - Specific Campgrounds |
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39 Cottage St. Bar Harbor, ME 800 347-0940 207 288-0342 visit their web site at www.acadiakayak.com Last year we had a perfect day for kayaking the coastline of Maine. We took advantage of a half day guided tour and had a blast! The guide was knowlegable and fun. All the staff were helpful and patient with our many questions. Definitely worth the price of admission ($45 per person, 4 hours). We would definitely choose National Park Sea Kayak again. Island Adventures Bike rentals and bike shop 141 Cottage St. and 193 Main St. Bar Harbor Ellsworth, ME 207 288-3886 (207)667-6886 Visit www.barharborbike.com for info, prices, and maps E. & F. Abbe Museum The heritage of Maine’s Native Americans is celebrated here. Located near the Bar Harbor Village Green and at Sieur de Monts Springs (cost $2 adult, $1 children). On the web at www.abbemuseum.org 288-3519 Little Hunters Beach is marked only by a simple set of wooden stairs leading down to the water and is often overlooked by motorists in search of grander vistas. But this is one of Acadia’s most peaceful and sheltered spots, a steeply pitched cove lined entirely with cobblestones, small egg-shaped rocks polished by the pounding surf. Asticou Gardens - on Route 198, Northeast Harbor Thuya Gardens - Route 3, Northeast Harbor Municipal Pier, Northeast Harbor Great Harbor Maritime Museum on Route 198, Northeast Harbor Sieur de Monts Springs: Take a wonderful stroll along the lowlands of Sieur de Monts Springs. Bring your camera. The narrow trail at times uses wooden planks to cross wetlands and is surrounded by a picturesque birch treed forest. The trail culminates at the Wild Gardens of Acadia and the Abbe Museum. |
Rock Climbing Think you might want to try some Rock climbing? Check out the available Guidebooks at the following link http://nerock.com/Bookstore/bookstore Visit the National Park Service Site for Climbing. Park Loop Road One of the first things you will want to do when visiting Bar Harbor is check out Acadia National Park Visitor Center. Then take the 27 mile-long scenic drive known as the “Park Loop Road” which offers a spectacular sampler of the island’s coast and interior. Officially beginning at the Visitor Center in Hulls Cove, it may be entered at many points along its course; note that most of its length is one way.
Along its route are:
Park Entry Fees: Horse-drawn Carriage Tours depart from Wildwood Stables in Acadia National Park - 2002 prices for adults were $17.50 for a two-hour ride, $13.50 for a one-hour ride, and $15.50 for a two-hour trip which includes stopping at Jordon Pond Restaurant for afternoon tea and popovers. One and two-hour trips are available. Call 276.3622 for schedules and reservations. The Great Maine Lumberjack Show is something we have wanted to do, but haven’t. Shows every evening at 7pm, rain or shine. Fourteen events include axe-throwing, log rolling, chopping, sawing, and speed climbing. It is located on Rte. 3, Bar Harbor Road in Trenton, ME (only 15 mins. From Bar Harbor). 2002 cost was $7.50 adults, $5.50 kids, under 4 free. 207 667-0067 More Information at their website www.mainelumberjack.com |
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Take in the Local Contradances while in Bar Harbor. August 21st in Trenton, ME and August 28th at Hulls Cove, ME
Live Music at Donohue’s Restaurant, 30 Cottage Street in Bar Harbor. Donohue’s has famous burgers, salads, and other items as well as a great selection of beers and drinks. Come for food, stay for the music.
You may want to check out a performance by Maine's own Jackson Gillman somewhere on Mout Desert Island through out the summer. Check his website for Schedule. Be sure and vist the 4th Annual American Folk Festival. Held in Bangor Maine at the beautiful downtown waterfront. Don't miss it. More info at (207) 992-2630
Catch one of the Outdoor Concerts on Friday Nights at LL Bean Freeport Store from June 14 through August 31. Concerts start at 7:30 PM and it is best to bring a lawn chair. |
Search the Bar Harbor Upcoming Calendar of Events for other events as they are added. Also See Mount Desert Island Chamber of Commerce , Southwest Harbor/Tremont Chamber of Commerece and the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerece for additional activities.
Search the Ellsworth American Calendar of events.
Search the National Park Service Event Calendar for things to do. See August 15 thru August 31, 2008
Cabaret Theater at the Deck House Restaurant and Cabaret Theater in downtown Southwest harbor at the Great Harbor Marina.
Every night is a different show. Acadia Repertory Theater on Route 102, Somesville. Enjoy the great music of the Bar Harbor Town Band Monday and Thursday evenings on the Village Green from 8pm to 9pm during the months of July and August. (207) 288-5103
or BarHarborMaine.com
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Activities in Acadia Hiking, Biking and Swiming Trail Difficulty Rating Guide Hiking Hints Acadia's Historic Trails Acadia National Park Hiking Trails Leave NO Trace....!! Please |
Fast Facts Biking Ranger Led Programs - ( Stargazing ) (Discover Acadia) Hulls Cove Visitor Center Museums in Acadia |
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Bar Harbor - Chamber of Commerce Bar Harbor Resource and Vacation Guide Bar Harbor, Municipal Site Wildwood Stables offers Carriage Tours on the 57 Miles of dirt roads in the Park. (Located just sout of the Jordan Pond House.) View the Schedule and Rates |
Internet Cafe Services at the Opera House 27 Cottage Street 288-3509
Try the Propane Powered Island Explorer for gertting around the Island without Driving.
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National Weather Service Current conditons for Bar Harbor |
The Island Explorer
Free Acadia Shuttles featuring 7 bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National
Park and neighboring village centers offering visitors and residents free accessible transportation to hiking trails,
carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants.
You can even hook your bike on the bus.
Check out www.Exploreacadia.com
Public Bathrooms: Bar Harbor in the Police and Fire Bldg. at the west end of the Village Green. At the Town Pier on the waterfront. |