Bar Harbor, Maine

The largest island off the coast of Maine, Mount Desert Island’s spectacular natural beauty attracts millions of tourist every year.

• Question: Who originally settled Mount Desert Island, and when was it discovered by Europeans?
  Answer: Mount Desert Island was originally settled by Abenaki Indians some 5,000-10,000 years ago, and the French discovered it by accident in 1604.
• Question: How did Mount Desert Island gain worldwide attention in the mid-19th century?
  Answer: Painters of the famous Hudson River School started a regular pilgrimage to the island, attracted by its rugged beauty. Their art made the island known to the world.
• Question: What led to the establishment of Acadia National Park in 1919?
  Answer: Acadia National Park was established in 1919 to curb rapid development and the cutting of island trees for lumber.
• Question: What industries have historically supported Mount Desert Island, and are they still relevant today?
  Answer: Fishing, shipbuilding, and tourism were the island's main industries in the past and remain so today.
• Question: What activities and attractions do visitors enjoy on Mount Desert Island?
  Answer: Visitors enjoy the shady trails of Acadia National Park, whale watching, and fishing trips. The town of Bar Harbor and three other small cities offer galleries, museums, theater, excellent restaurants, and shopping for more sophisticated entertainment.

Location: Mount Desert Island Map

A beautiful way to start your visit to Bar Harbor is to wake up early in the morning and take a slow stroll along the Shore Path.

• Question: When was the coastal trail in Bar Harbor established, and where does it start?
  Answer: Established in 1880, this lovely coastal trail starts next to Agamond Park at the Town’s Ells Pier and is one of the best things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine.
• Question: What landmarks and features does the trail pass?
  Answer: After passing the historic Bar Harbor Inn, the path wraps around a point and continues south along the eastern shore of the island, passing several magnificent palaces known as cottages.
• Question: What can visitors see over the water along the trail?
  Answer: Visitors can enjoy views of the Porcupine Island, Egg Rock, and other small islands, as well as the enchanting play of colors and shadows that have inspired artists for centuries.
• Question: What can visitors do along the trail?
  Answer: Sit on one of many benches, breathe the clean salty air, and keep an eye out for celebrities who make Bar Harbor their summer home.

Location: Shore Path Map

If you are a photographer:

Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are best explored on foot. That is the only way you will really experience this magnificent world of sounds and sights. If you take the Free Island Explorer Shuttle Bus, you will arrive at the Sand Beach, the beginning of the Ocean Path Trail, stroll along the meandering path by the rough, rocky coast, until you arrive at the Thunder Hole.

If the tide and the waves are right, you will hear the sound much like thunder.

Pay attention to the heady smell of wild roses from the many bushes that grow in the area. Keep going until you arrive at Otter Cliff, 110 feet high rugged cliff that turns golden with the rising sun and is a photographers’ dream. If you decide to walk back the same way, the entire loop is only about four miles. There are also many small side paths that will take you closer to the shore. Watch for the rogue waves.

Location: Ocean Trail Map

Acadia National Park is a spectacular national treasure on the rugged coast of Maine.

• Question: Where is Acadia National Park located, and what does it feature?
  Answer: Situated on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Park is part of a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area that features rocky beaches, pristine woodlands, and glacier-capped granite peaks.
• Question: What is special about Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park?
  Answer: Cadillac Mountain is the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast and is located within the park.
• Question: What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy at Acadia National Park?
  Answer: Visitors can enjoy hiking, climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and bird-watching.
• Question: What does the town of Bar Harbor offer to visitors of Acadia National Park?
  Answer: The small seaside resort town of Bar Harbor serves as a gateway to the park and offers various shops, restaurants, and the modern Hulls Cove Visitor Center.

Romantic Ideas:

Frenchman Bay in Maine is located between Mount Desert Island, the southern coast of Maine, and the western shoreline of Schoodic Peninsula.

• Question: What are some of the small islands scattered throughout Frenchman Bay?
  Answer: Many small islands are scattered throughout Frenchman Bay, including Bar Island, Sheep Porcupine, Bald Porcupine, and Long Porcupine Islands.
• Question: What is the largest town on the coast of Frenchman Bay?
  Answer: Bar Harbor is the largest town on the coast of Frenchman Bay.
• Question: What happens to Bar Island during low tide?
  Answer: Bar Island becomes a natural land bridge to Mount Desert Island during low tide.
• Question: What can you see from Cadillac Mountain on Mount Desert Island?
  Answer: From Cadillac Mountain, the entire Frenchman Bay spreads ahead like a magnificent painting.
• Question: What is a fun way to explore the islands in Frenchman Bay?
  Answer: Paddling your own kayak is a fun way to explore all the islands.

Location: Frenchman Bay Map

• Question: What happened to the site of the old Grand Central Hotel in Bar Harbor?
  Answer: After the old Grand Central Hotel was torn down in 1899, the town of Bar Harbor decided to turn this 1.5-acre site in the center of town into a public open space.
• Question: What was the first structure built on the site in 1899?
  Answer: The first structure built on the site in 1899 was a bandstand.
• Question: What additions were made in 1904 to honor local army veterans?
  Answer: In 1904, a stone wall and a bench were added in memory of local army veterans.
• Question: What is one of Bar Harbor’s best-known landmarks that was moved to the green in 1905?
  Answer: The town’s cast iron clock, moved to the green in 1905, is one of Bar Harbor’s best-known landmarks.
• Question: What notable donation was made to the park in 1909?
  Answer: In 1909, John Callendar Livingston donated an antique Italian fountain to the town in memory of his late wife, Julia.
• Question: What features can visitors find in the park today?
  Answer: Visitors can find pathways leading to the fountain, cobblestone surrounds, colorful flowerbeds, and a granite seat wall as on

  Location: Map

The College of the Atlantic Gardens consist of several historic gardens, community gathering and recreation areas, an arboretum and walking pathways for the community to enjoy.

• Question: What is the purpose of the College of the Atlantic Gardens?
  Answer: The seaside campus of the College of the Atlantic Gardens aims to inspire and educate the public about horticulture through the beauty of landscaped gardens.
• Question: What are the signature gardens at the College of the Atlantic Gardens?
  Answer: Signature gardens include:
  • The Turrets Sea Side Garden, which features a blue-grey color scheme.
  • The Sunken Garden, created for the original owners of the Turrets, John and Lela Emory.
  • The Straus Gardens in the ‘Kathryn W. Davis Student Village’.
• Question: Who designed the Straus Gardens, and what do they represent?
  Answer: The Straus Gardens were designed by landscape architect Sam Coplon and feature courtyards that represent regions around the world along the 45th parallel.
• Question: What types of gardens can visitors find in the Straus Gardens?
  Answer: Visitors can find:
  • A contemporary Northern European garden with beautiful maple trees, Japanese stewartia in winter, and kousa dogwood blossoms in the spring.
  • A Maine cottage-style garden featuring native species such as Cunningham’s white rhododendron and mountain laurel.
  • A Japanese-inspired garden.

Location: College of the Atlantic Gardens, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, 207-288-5015

If you are traveling with kids:

Make most of your visit to the Acadia National Park by exploring The Hulls Cove Visitor Center first, your source of all information you will need.

• Question: What can visitors see at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to get an overview of the park?
  Answer: Visitors can view a huge three-dimensional relief of the park to get an idea of its size and the distances between main attractions.
• Question: How can park rangers assist visitors at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center?
  Answer: Park rangers can provide information about things to know, things to do, and things to avoid.
• Question: What materials can visitors pick up at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center?
  Answer: Visitors can pick up free brochures, trail maps, and other useful documentation.
• Question: What audiovisual presentation is available at the visitor center?
  Answer: A 15-minute audiovisual presentation covering the park's most important features is available for visitors to watch.
• Question: What activities and programs can visitors check the schedules for?
  Answer: Visitors can check schedules for guided hikes, walks, boat cruises, kids’ activities, and other programs.
• Question: What exhibits are featured at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center?
  Answer: The Hulls Cove Visitor Center features high-quality exhibits, including displays on the animals that live in the park.

Walking is great, but sometimes you just cannot see and do everything you want on foot. Oli's Trolley tours are the next best way of exploring Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, or the Cadillac Mountain.

• Question: What are Oli's Trolleys known for?
  Answer: Charming, old-fashioned Oli's Trolleys travel slowly along the coast, through the forests, and along quaint city streets while a knowledgeable guide shares stories about the area's glorious past, quirky characters, most important landmarks, and most expensive mansions.
• Question: How long do the tours of Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain take?
  Answer: The tours of Bar Harbor and Cadillac Mountain take about one hour.
• Question: How long does the tour of Acadia National Park last?
  Answer: The tour of Acadia National Park lasts about two and a half hours.
• Question: What can visitors enjoy during the trolley tours?
  Answer: Visitors can relax in their comfortable seats, inhale the clean salty air, and enjoy the spectacular vistas without getting muscle cramps.

Location: 1 West St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, 207-288-9899

Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company offers a variety of tours in and around Bay Harbor, ranging from whale watching and sunset tours to cultural, nature and sightseeing tours.

• Question: What can visitors see on Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company tours?
  Answer: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company tours take visitors into the heart of the whale's habitat to see humpback, finback, and Minke whales, as well as porpoises, seals, dolphins, offshore birds, and North Atlantic Puffins.
• Question: What can visitors enjoy on the Sunset Tour?
  Answer: Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views over Frenchman’s Bay on the Sunset Tour.
• Question: What does the Lighthouse and National Park Tour explore?
  Answer: The Lighthouse and National Park Tour explores the Somes Sound and Great Duck Island, featuring their beautiful old lighthouse.
• Question: What is unique about the Miss Samantha lobster fishing tour?
  Answer: The Miss Samantha, Maine’s largest lobster passenger boat, offers a fun-filled and informative lobster fishing and seal watching tour, where visitors can watch experienced fishermen haul in their catch.
• Question: When and where do Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company tours depart?
  Answer: Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company tours depart daily from the town pier in downtown Bar Harbor throughout the summer season.

Location: 1 West Street Bar Harbor, ME 04609, 207-288-2386, Map, Facebook