Downtown Bar Harbor

Exploring Downtown Bar Harbor

Despite Bar Harbor's small size, you'll likely find yourself spending ample time in its charming downtown. Main Street and its surrounding thoroughfares boast colorful, clapboard storefronts housing local restaurants and shops. The combination of independent shops, galleries, the nearby waterfront, and picturesque city parks create a romantic atmosphere. Begin your Bar Harbor adventure at Agamont Park to relax and take in views of Bar Island and Frenchman Bay.

Shopping

While there are plenty of souvenir shops for T-shirts and trinkets, downtown Bar Harbor also offers intriguing stores and excellent galleries. Need outdoor apparel and gear? Cadillac Mountain Sports has you covered. The Rock and Art Shop is both a store and a museum, with natural-history-themed merchandise and curiosities. Island Artisans showcases a curated selection of Maine-made fine crafts. For a vast selection of Acadia-related gifts, goodies, and souvenirs, stop by the Acadia Shop.

Restaurants

Wander downtown to discover a variety of restaurants serving local lobster, with favorites like Galyn's and Stewman's Lobster Pound, and plenty of wild-blueberry-infused dishes, considering wild blueberries are Maine's official fruit. Jordan's Restaurant earns high praise for its wild Maine blueberry pancakes. For a unique breakfast experience, visit Café This Way for options like a Monte Cristo French toast sandwich and scrambled eggs with smoked trout. For fine dining, make reservations at Havana for Latin-inspired cuisine. Don't miss the locally-made Mount Desert Island Ice Cream, known for unique flavors like butterscotch miso and salt wildflower honey, perfect for a treat.

Hotels

Bar Harbor offers a mix of national hotel chains and locally-owned, independent accommodations like bed-and-breakfasts. Staying downtown often means free parking, avoiding the hassle of finding a parking spot and feeding a meter. For an authentic Bar Harbor experience, consider the waterfront Bar Harbor Inn, welcoming guests since the 1880s. The Saltair Inn provides a taste of Bar Harbor's Gilded Age, featuring an updated, elegant waterfront mansion with ocean-view breakfast. At the West Street Hotel, an adult-oriented venue, you can enjoy sunset cocktails overlooking the Porcupine Islands by the rooftop pool.

Relaxing in the Village Green

After a day of exploring, unwind in the picturesque Village Green. This lovely park, crisscrossed with paths and featuring a gazebo-style bandstand, a 17th-century tiered fountain, and the town's 1896 clock, is lined with old-fashioned light posts. Recent visitors describe it as the perfect spot for people-watching. For indoor activities during inclement weather, check the Reel Pizza Cinerama or see if any performances are happening at the art deco-style 1932 Criterion Theatre, which frequently screens movies and hosts performers like David Crosby.

Additional Tips

Continuing southward along Main Street, you'll reach Wayman Lane, where you can embark on the scenic Shore Path back to Agamont Park. The natural attractions in downtown Bar Harbor are free and have no set hours, although businesses set their own operating times, so verify opening hours before visiting any restaurant, bar, or shop.