Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine, originally incorporated as Eden on February 23, 1796, represents a special blend of natural beauty, rich history, and unique cultural heritage. As the most renowned town on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is situated in Hancock County and boasts a population of approximately 5,089 residents according to the 2020 census. This small seaside community encompasses 28,800 scenic acres, including significant portions of Acadia National Park and the villages of Hulls Cove, Salisbury Cove, and Town Hill. The town’s ethos is shaped by its coastal setting and the distinct Down East character, drawing visitors who seek both tranquility and the authenticity of Maine's rugged coastline.

The term Down East provides an interesting historical lens through which to view Bar Harbor. Nautically inspired, it originated over two centuries ago when large schooners navigated downwind to the east from major cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and New York, aiming towards goods-laden destinations across the Atlantic. This maritime history is etched into the cultural fabric of the area, with the Mainer accent as a charming reminder of its past. Visitors often delight in the local pronunciation of Bar Harbor as "Bah-Hah-Bah" and Maine lobster as "lob-stuh," underscoring the region's unique dialect and enduring character.

In addition to its natural and cultural offerings, Bar Harbor maintains a vibrant community life, characterized by its embrace of traditional New England values and attitudes. The town's ongoing efforts to preserve its natural and historical treasures reflect a deep-seated respect for the environment and a commitment to ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same bounties.

Things to Do Street Map Park Loop Road
Town Clock on Main Street, Bar Harbor
View of Bar Harbor from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia
Bar Harbor Sunrise with Margaret Todd

Unrivaled Beauty

Bar Harbor is renowned for its breathtaking coastal scenery, dotted with numerous yachts and lobster boats, offering views of islands and the ocean under a range of conditions, from shimmering sunlight to dense fog and mist. It encourages us to slow down and appreciate both the natural world and the special relationships in our lives. This is a community where residents live in harmony with the surrounding land. Bar Harbor embodies a lifestyle, an aspiration, and a truly unique place. It serves as the hub of activity for numerous island visitors who are drawn to its diverse assortment of shops, restaurants, taverns, hotels, and charming bed and breakfasts, as well as its convenient access to the forests and shores of Acadia National Park

Special Places

Bar Harbor is home to the College of the Atlantic, a unique and inspiring institution with a primary focus on the relationships between humans and the environment. Bar Harbor also hosts Jackson Lab, the world's largest mammalian genetic research facility. For those unfamiliar with its name, Jackson Laboratory is at the forefront of the genetic revolution that is transforming modern medicine.

The Wild Gardens of Acadia, situated at Sieur de Monts Spring, features over 200 species of plants, trees, and shrubs native to the island. The Abbe Museum, also located at Sieur de Monts Spring, has a year-round site in Bar Harbor across the street from the Village Green. Both museums focus on Native American culture and its history in Maine.

Bar Harbor Shore Path

There is a picturesque and historic Shore Path you should walk on at least one morning during your visit or anytime during the day. The path, originally created about 1880, begins near the town pier and Agamont Park, and continues for about 1/2 a mile along the eastern shore of town. Offshore to the east are the four Porcupine Islands which are especially beautiful at sunrise. Be sure to select the link on this page to view the pictures taken from this Shore Path.

Directly north of the town pier is Bar Island. This island is accessible by foot at low tide and provides a spectacular view of Bar Harbor with the mountains behind it. Be sure to plan and allow enough time so that you do not get stranded or wet!

Bar Harbor Inn at 6:30 AM before Sunrise
View of lobster boats in harbor at sunrise
Sailboat in harbor with sparkles in the water

Additional Information

  • Municipal Phone Number: 207-288-4098
  • Fire Department: Emergencies: Dial 911
    Non-Emergencies: 207-288-5554
  • Hospital: 207-288-5081
    Emergencies: Dial 911
  • Ambulance: Emergencies Dial 911. or 207-288-5533
  • GPS for Town Pier:
    Latitude 44.392087; Longitude -68.204052
  • Harbor Master: 207-288-5571
    3 Town Pier, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
  • Island Explorer Shuttle Bus: 207-667-5796
  • Jackson Laboratory: 207-288-6000
  • Library, Jesup Memorial: 207-288-4245
  • Movie Theater: Reel Pizza Cinerama  •  207-288-3811
  • Acadia National Park: Updates
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Sound Advice

Whenever I meet someone new, they often ask me where I'm from. I usually reply, Maine, and they often respond with something like, I visited Maine once. I then feel obliged to ask, Really? Which part? Most of the time, their answer is a location in southwestern Maine, such as York. At this point, I have to feign surprise, all the while wishing to convey how much they missed by only visiting that area. I start explaining the diverse beauty of Maine, particularly along the coast, and how it becomes increasingly dramatic and rugged as you travel north. I might mention places like Portland and Camden along Route One, but deep down, I truly want to express my pride in the breathtaking beauty of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. I might even take out my phone to show them some pictures, not just to inform but to amaze them, as if delivering a sort of coup de grâce with the natural wow factor. I assure them that they owe it to themselves to make the trip. They would undoubtedly love it. My belief in this has never wavered. Find the time. You owe it to yourselves!

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