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A picturesque historical retreat just off the coast of Maine, Mount Desert Island is home to expansive brick mansions along with acres of national forest. Once a remote finishing and timbering village, Bar Harbour grew into a destination for the Gilded Age elite. We’ll stroll past their home in the historic district and hear stories of this glittering era.
The Bar Island Trail offers a chance to explore the tidal pools here, or you can continue on to see the La Rochelle museum, perched on the coastline and preserving a 41-room summer “cottage” of the 1890s vacationers! The Village Green offers plenty of photo opportunities, while the Abbe Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Wabankai people. Main street has plenty of restaurants – eat outside if possible! We’ll finish up our tour by strolling by the coast and hearing stories of Frenchman Bay.
A walkable downtown full of historic architecture, fascinating museums to dive deeper into Maine’s culture, and endless Atlantic coast views – Bar Harbour is a fantastic stop for anyone who wants to explore a little of that Gilded Age luxury along the rocky coast.
There are rideshares, taxi, and bus services available from all the nearby airports. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB) is the closest; only about 20-30 minutes away from Bar Harbor, but it is a smaller airport with fewer connecting flights. Bangor International Airport (BGR) is about an hour and 15 minutes away from Bar Harbor, and the only airport in the area to offer international service. For travellers wanting to visit Massachusetts on their way to Maine, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is 5.5 hours away and also offers bus and car service to the island.
Route 3 connects Mount Desert Island to mainland Maine at Trenton with a bridge, so all entry onto the island comes by that route. Once across the bridge and on the island, it only takes about 20 minutes to take Route 3 straight to downtown Bar Island. Keep in mind that there may be increased traffic during the busy summer season.
There are two popular museums along our walking tour route. Both require tickets to enter, which are not included in the price of the audio walking tour. La Rochelle charges an admission fee for all visitors over the age of 7, which can be purchased online or at the door. There are also guided tours from historians available for an additional fee. There are discounts available for seniors, students, veterans, and groups. The Abbe Museum also requires tickets to enter, which can be purchased at the door. Groups of 10 or more people need to make a reservation ahead of time for a self-guided tour. Visitors with a valid Museums for All pass, Tribal ID, or Military ID can enter for free.
Bar Harbor is a true seasonal town. It comes alive in the summertime, with accommodations ranging from affordable motels and home rentals to luxury hotels. Most of the hotels here provide that laid-back, classic New England vibe, so expect plenty of coastal charm here, with beachfront strolls and casual dining encouraged.
If you want to stay on the mainland, Trenton is the nearest town. It offers additional options, including chain hotels where visitors can find a good deal within easy driving distance of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
If combining this Bar Harbor walking tour with a visit to Acadia National Park, camping in the Park is an option. Sites are limited and must be reserved online before arrival. There are only two campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and the sites fill up quickly – sometimes up to six months in advance. Sites are a mixture of RV and camping spots, with water, toilet, trash, and picnic facilities available.
The best time to take a walking tour of Bar Harbor is during the warm, sunny summertime from June to August, when museums, restaurants, and shops are all open and the weather is perfect for exploring. Dining options offer a break in the air conditioning, and the seaside breeze keeps things comfortable near the shore.
Fall is a close second due to the famous New England foliage of nearby Acadia National Park. While the town winds down, museums remain open until the end of October, and dining and shopping are still available. Temperatures are cooler, usually in the 50s and 60s, so dress for an Atlantic breeze.
Winter is a quiet time in this seaside town, with museums and many restaurants closed. However, November through March can be peaceful for photographers capturing the icy coastline or travelers wanting to experience life outside tourist season. Just pack warm layers.
Spring is a good time for travelers who don’t mind a lingering winter chill. While museums reopen in late May, more amenities become available during April and May. This is also a great time to explore walking trails with fewer crowds.
This 1.5-mile walking tour can be completed any time of day; customize start/end times based on priorities. The tides change seasonally, so make sure to check the tide forecast if planning to walk the Bar Island Trail and adjust schedule accordingly. La Rochelle and the Abbe Museum open mid-morning and close in the late afternoon, so plan a trip in this time frame to see both. Evening is a lovely time to enjoy the main street dining scene and see Frenchman’s Bay.
This guided audio tour offers an easy stroll through Bar Harbor’s historic downtown. While the walk can be completed in about two hours, allow more time to take additional tours at La Rochelle or The Abbe Museum, if desired.
Two full days on Mount Desert Island offers the opportunity to spend more time walking along the coastline of Bar Harbor, exploring the Bar Island Trail, and dining on Main Street. This still allows plenty of time to see Acadia National Park and enjoy some hiking on the second day before heading back onto the mainland.
Only visible at low tide, this gravel path across a sandbar creates a path between Bar Harbor and Bar Island for 1.5 hours on either side of low tide. Don’t worry – water taxis offer quick transport for those who lose track of time on the island.
Don’t miss this museum among the quaint buildings of downtown Bar Harbor! The Abbe Museum preserves the history of the Wabanaki, the original inhabitants of Mount Desert Island, and interprets the story of the complex ecosystem at Acadia National Park, too.
A great spot to relax and even take in some live music before choosing a restaurant along Main Street. The Village Green has a number of selfie-worthy spots, from the spot where President Taft once gave a speech to a Baroque fountain.
Walk through the charming Gilded Age neighborhoods, lined with Victorian and Colonial Revival homes. Hear the tales of how America’s new-money elite put Bar Harbor on the map as a coastal getaway 150 years ago – and the dangers that nearly destroyed it.
One day is enough to explore historic Bar Harbor’s downtown. If checking the tide forecast ahead of time, visitors can time their day to include the Bar Island Trail, which emerges at low tide and takes about 90 minutes to walk. Both the Abbe Museum and La Rochelle offer guided tours that add about another hour each. The Village Green and Main Street offer more historic photo-opps plus places to rest and enjoy a meal.
With a second day, visitors will want to expand into Acadia National Park. Guests can revisit favorite spots from around downtown, then take the free Island Explorer Bus to the National Park to enjoy some hiking and pine forest scenery.
You can complete this walking tour through Bar Harbor’s historic district in a single morning or afternoon. Pro tip: check the tide forecast ahead of time if you want to hike the Bar Island Trail, since it’s only accessible for 1.5 hours on either side of low tide!
Set out in the morning with a stroll through the historic district, then take the gentle hike around Bar Island. After that, take a tour of La Rochelle before finishing our loop of downtown Bar Harbor. You’ll conveniently end up on Main Street, just in time for lunch. Then, finish up with a seaside stroll at Frenchman’s Bay. From there, you can explore more of Bar Harbor on your own, or take our driving tour through Acadia National Park.
Two days gives you plenty of time to explore the history and beauty of Bar Harbor more thoroughly. With two days, it’s definitely worth it to tour both La Rochelle and Abbe museum, since both offer such different views of the island’s history. Take a little extra time to enjoy the views around Village Green and Frenchman’s Bay. Plus, two days gives much more time to enjoy the many restaurants along the waterfront.
Filled Water Bottle: We’ll be strolling through historic downtown, so bring a filled water bottle to stay hydrated while we explore. There are limited opportunities to refill water bottles, but plenty of dining options in downtown Bar Harbor.
Sun Protection: Especially during the summer, glare from the water can quickly cause sunburn. Pack the essential sun protection, including a hat, sunglasses, and powerful sunblock.
Insect Repellant: Summer is the peak season for visiting Bar Harbor; it’s also the peak season for mosquitos and black flies. A good insect repellant should keep them away.
Footwear: If planning to walk the gravel sandbar trail to Bar Island or explore the rocky coastline, pack grippy hiking shoes to provide traction. If preferred, we can stick to the paved streets and sidewalks of our walking tour – just pack comfortable walking shoes.
Phone Charger and Battery Pack: Using the GPS on a smart phone will drain the battery a little more quickly than usual, so pack a charger and a backup battery just in case.
Cash: It’s a good idea to bring a small amount of cash just in case a water taxi to or from Bar Island is needed. Most of these require cash payment, though a few do take card or app-based payments.
Layer Up: Temperatures can be much cooler near the water or in air-conditioned museums and restaurants. It’s always a good idea to bring a seasonally appropriate jacket or coat to handle temperature fluctuations along the route.