There is so much to love about this library! The staff is exceptional, friendly, and informed. The…read moreprogramming shows an understanding of the patrons of all ages. There are books available for loan, for purchase, for free, serving all the needs of the people. It is a welcoming space even when it is closed! The Director is kind and knowledgeable.

We love this sweet library! They have a great selection of new and old books, and their kids area…read more(downstairs) is so much fun. During the summer, they have kid events and reading plans. We highly recommend!

Clearly the word knows that Bar Harbor is a special place! Tourists swarm here from all over the…read morecountry every year. As a born and raised Mainah I do love visiting Bar Harbor too. It has that coastal charm and more seafood and ice cream shops than you can count. Thankfully when my wife and I visit we have family that live within walking distance of downtown so we can enjoy it with minimal complaints. We do love visiting before the craziness of summer happens or end of the tourist season in fall to have a little less crowding. Due to the nature of being a tourist town a lot of businesses are seasonal. I would be leaving out a huge part of Bar Harbor if I didn't mention Acadia National Park! A truly magical place to enjoy nature, an absolute must visit. Some of the areas like Cadillac Mountain may require some more planning with a reservation but book that in advance. Like any tourist town you'll find plenty of gift shops and touristy restaurants. Lots of seafood based as you'd expect but plenty of other varieties too. A downtown worth exploring and you can even visit the original Sherman's Books location as the oldest Maine Bookstore! A special town worth visiting with a coastal charm and beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and nature views!

On the outskirts of Acadia National Park it's a perfect home base. Plenty of touristy places…read moredowntown. A few decent Irish pubs but amazing oysters at The Barnacle with great Maine beers. Wonderful views of the ocean and coast. The best lobster shacks were on the outskirts of town. Loved our stay , but too many dam people downtown. 4.5 Stars

Lovely building, perhaps a part of an earlier Carnegie bequest that has meant small communities can…read morehave great public libraries. A wonderful spot, serving the island community well. An excellent resource & connector & a welcoming spot to spend time in.

This spot was in the absolute middle of nowhere. If you are like us and staying in Bar Harbor, it…read morewas a long drive on one-lane roads with huge potholes to get here. We were in town during the off-season early May before everything tends to open back up about mid-month. So, nothing to eat and nothing to do. Town was deserted. The lighthouse is pretty - but it's not a hike to it, more of a short walk and rock scrabbling to get the instaworthy shot everyone wants. Small parking lot which I can see as a major problem during summer... we had no issues on May 2nd. There are a couple nearby hikes that can be found 2 minutes drive - with super small parking areas.

Great views particularly at sunset...but the small parking lot, which accommodates about 20…read morevehicles, can get full. During our visit, about 40 minutes before sunset mid-week in late August, we, along with about 4 other cars, patiently waited along Lighthouse Road while cars left in order to take their spots. It must have been good timing as about 5 cars left within about 10 minutes. The path from the west of the parking lot, takes you down directly to the lighthouse. The path to the east of the parking lot is very popular as you can take some stairs down to the rocky area which gives you some great views of the lighthouse set to the backdrop of the rising or setting sun. Note that the west path is fairly easy to navigate, but the east path has stairs. You then have to climb onto (some uneven) rocks in order to get a clear view of the lighthouse. This may be difficult for mobility-impaired individuals or those with strollers. Note that during our visit here we did NOT have to show any park pass to enter and park in this area.

This place is waiting for you. A little bit of history along with the simple beauty of a lighthouse…read moreon a cliff surrounded by trees, the waves lapping the coastline, various trails made spongy-feeling by the dense foliage long since released from its branches leading down to the shore, benches under a thick pine awning, amazing water views ... wow. Come during their hours of operation and get a tour of the lighthouse and the Burnt Coat Museum. Learn some island history from the kind folks who manage the lighthouse. If you have a special event and are looking for a place to host it, you are able to rent the Burnt Coat Harbor House next to the lighthouse. This is my third trip, and although they closed 30-minutes prior to my arrival, Kimberly, as she was exiting the building, stopped to talk with me and answer a few questions. I learned that Harbor Island (the big island straight across from the lighthouse) is owned by four families, has a wharf, electricity and they allow visitors to dock and hike around the island. If you're feeling *really* adventurous (and have a boat) you can take advantage of that opportunity as well.

beautiful to catch a sunset here. the lighthouse is so cool to checkout. i remember seeing a…read morebutterfly around here. highly recommend

This part of Acadia National Park. The view is breathtaking, ocean by mountains, rocks. Do I dare…read moreventure out on the uneven rock steps to see a closer view? I did not. You take a chance if you do so if you're in shape and brave you still must be very careful. There is a small parking lot so that's why I took the Island shuttle you get from the visitor center. They are organized, air conditioned and numbered so take that instead of driving in. It is beautiful and your not here very long unless you want to stand or sit on the rocks you were brave to try.

Gorgeous views of the water…read more We did the Ocean Path Trail from Sand Beach to Otter Cliffs, and unless you have plenty of time and are just looking for a nice relaxing walk on the side of the road, I'd recommend parking in the closest lot to the cliffs and just doing the trail from there. This portion is more of a hike with some minor inclines and rocky paths. We came while it was raining and foggy, so the views were nice but limited, and there was no wildlife out whatsoever. However, I can only imagine how beautiful it would have been in the sun with good weather. Definitely be careful here when it's wet as the rocks are smoother and can get pretty slippery. Good stop worthy of the views.

Located inside Acadia National Park. It has a parking lot across the street for you to park and…read morewalk over. I liked that there are steps at various levels, so you can get a range of different views of the rocks and water. Plus it's a great place to get your steps in (if thats important to ya). I really enjoyed this spot on our way out leaving the park. Beautiful scenery to enjoy nature. One could spend a few minutes here or a couple of hours here taking it all in. It was not high or low tide, so I did not get to here the "thunder" but still really cool to look at. According to the internet: "Thunder Hole is a popular inlet known for the loud thunder like boom and spray created when the waves crash into a narrow sea cave. The sound and spray are most dramatic 1 to 2 hours before high tide, but it also interesting at low tide for a closer look at the cliffs." While it was cloudy and chilly on my visit, I still had a great time with my group. Enjoy!

This may have been our favorite place to visit in Bar Harbor. Loved exploring the rocks, the sounds…read moreof the waves, and the scenic view. Hike wasn't bad, was able to park along the road and walk along the way on a paved pathway. On a beautiful sunny summer day, the sound of the waves and smell of the salty ocean was perfect.