10 Best Tours and Day Trips in Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor has so much to offer, from national park excursions to bike tours, guided walking tours of the historic centre , and food tours. But these are just some of the best things to do in Bar Harbor.

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

By choosing the latter option, you can travel the 27 miles of Park Loop Road and be dazzled by the 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 car tour, a type of tour where the guide is a mobile app. In addition, the self-guide will tell you about the park's points of interest and curiosities.

This experience will take you to the park's most iconic locations, such as Cadillac Mountain, the Ocean Trail, Jordan Pond, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. You can also stop at viewpoints 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 admission to the park.
• Duration: the tour takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, but you should add on the time for any stops you wish to make.
• Means of transport: car.

One of the advantages of this city is that it has both sea and mountains, so an exciting experience is to venture out on a Windjammer sailing trip in Bar Harbor. You can enjoy the natural beauty of the coast and spot marine wildlife.

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

You can admire the landscape from a different perspective, far from the hustle and bustle and traffic. You will see the islands, lighthouses, mountains and cliffs that make up Acadia National Park. You will also see birds, seals, dolphins and whales.

Details of interest

• Price: estimated at around €70 per adult.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: sailing boat.

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

The sightseeing bus tour is ideal for those who want to get an overview of the city. The bus departs from the Hulls Cove Visitor Centre and during the journey, you can admire panoramic views of Frenchman's Bay, Bar Harbor Harbour, 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 the previous tour, but also takes you through the historic city centre.

In addition, the tourist bus will also take you along the coastal route, a road that runs along the ocean and offers spectacular views. This option includes a professional guide who will tell you interesting and curious facts about the places you visit.

Details of interest

• Price: the cheapest tourist bus tour costs around €55 per person, while the most expensive can reach €70.
• Duration: approximately 3.5 hours.
• Means of transport: tourist bus.

Finding out how to get to Acadia National Park from Bar Harbor is not difficult, but one of the best ways is with an organised excursion to explore little-known trails in Acadia Park by bike. Remember that this park is one of the most spectacular in the United States, with 240 kilometres of trails offering views of mountains, forests, lakes and the ocean.

One of the most recommended routes is the one that follows the transportation roads built by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr between 1913 and 1940.

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

Details of interest

• Price: the cost is around €20 per person.
• Duration: the bike ride can take around two and a half hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle.

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

The tour takes you to restaurants, cafés, shops, and markets. At each stop, you'll get to sample food or drink, accompanied by an explanation from a guide. Some of the delicacies you can enjoy include clam chowder, crab cake, lobster roll, blueberry ice cream, and more.

Not only will you delight your palate, but you will also appreciate the charm and history of Bar Harbor, as the tour takes you to iconic locations such as Village Green, Shore Path, Bar Harbor Inn, and Criterion Theatre.

Details of interest

• Price: estimated at around €65 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.

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

The ghost tour of the town is a unique and mystical experience. You will be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you the most chilling and surprising 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 stories of ghosts, witches, murders, and curses.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €20 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
• Means of transport: on foot.

The thrill of the unknown can lead you to have different experiences when discovering new places. For example, participating in a treasure hunt adventure at Bar Harbor Bash is a challenge-clue activity that allows you to discover the charms of this city while having fun with your family or friends.

Bar Harbor Bash is a treasure hunt that takes place on your mobile phone, using an app that will guide you through different points of interest in the city. You will have to solve clues, complete tasks and take photos.

You will visit places such as Village Green, Shore Path, Bar Harbor Inn, Criterion Theatre, Abbe Museum and Agamont Park, among others. You will also learn interesting facts and anecdotes about Bar Harbor.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £10 per person.

• Duration: the adventure lasts about 2½ hours.

• Means of transport: on foot.

One of the best ways to learn about the history of Bar Harbor is with a self-guided tour, which allows you to explore the city at your own pace while listening to professional narrations and interesting 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 historic district of West Street, where you will see some of the houses from the Golden Age, such as La Rochelle and The Turrets. You will pass Holy Redeemer Catholic Church , St. Saviour Episcopal Church and the Criterion Theatre.

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

Details of interest

• Price: the price ranges from €10 to €12 per person.
• Duration: it can be done in 2 to 3 hours.
• Means of transport: your choice.

If you are a beer lover and want to discover the best places to try it, you should take part in a pub crawl in Bar Harbor. You will discover the variety and quality of local and national beers, accompanied by delicious snacks.

The pub crawl is conducted through a mobile app, which will guide you through different pubs and breweries, where you can sample different styles of craft beer. In addition, you can listen to interesting facts offered by the app about the history of each beer.

The tour includes places such as the following:

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

Details of interest

• Price: around €25 per person.
• Duration: can last around 3 hours.
• Transport: on foot.

One of the most popular and exciting activities in Bar Harbor is whale watching and marine life viewing on a boat trip. It is a unique experience that allows you to observe these majestic animals up close in their natural habitat.

You can also enjoy panoramic views of the coast, the harbour and the nearby islands. The boat trip takes place on board a comfortable and safe vessel that departs from the Bar Harbor pier and sails through Frenchman's Bay.

The most common species of whales that can be spotted 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: approximately 3.5 hours.
• Means of transport: by boat.

Bar Harbor is a tourist destination that offers a wide variety of activities and attractions for all tastes. But which is better? Taking 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 most iconic places and learn about their history in the company of an expert. Meanwhile, visiting Bar Harbor on your own gives you more freedom and flexibility to explore the city at your own pace.

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

Also, remember to wear comfortable clothing and footwear, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen. As an additional tip, make sure your mobile phone is fully charged and you have an active data plan, as you may need it for some excursions.