Bar Harbor, Maine
Description
View cruises with Bar Harbor, MaineNestled in Maine's Frenchman Bay on Mount Desert Island lies the quaint town of Bar Harbor. The wealthy have flocked to the area since the early 1900s, making it a fashionable summer resort filled with Newport-style "cottages," though many were razed in a catastrophic fire in 1947. As you approach the shore, gaze upon the many unique lighthouses still standing guard over 3,478 miles of Maine's coast. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, established 1919 and one of the most visited national parks in America. A haven for nature lovers, its 35,000 acres are home to sea-scoured shores, forested mountains and rocky cliffs overlooking sparkling lakes. You can cycle, drive, hike or trot by horse-drawn carriage through the park's postcard-perfect scenery and along 27-mile Park Loop Road that ribbons around the island and wends its way up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain. And you can't leave Maine's shores without feasting on a traditional "downeast" meal, a lobster bake with all the trimmings.
Points of Interest
- Acadia National Park
- 27-Mile Park Loop Road
- Cadillac Mountain
- Thunder Hole
- Victorian Bar Harbor
- Lobster Bake
- Cranberry Islands
- Lighthouses
More about Bar Harbor, Maine Points of Interest
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Acadia National Park -
A cluster of islands encompassing over 47,000 acres of rugged shoreline, evergreen forests, and mountain summits. Acadia, once the summer home of America's mercantile aristocracy, today is an outdoor paradise for nature lovers.
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27-Mile Park Loop Road -
Meandering through Acadia, this magnificent scenic drive begins at Hulls Cove, loops around Mount Desert Island and wends its way up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain.
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Cadillac Mountain -
Composed of pink granite and towering 1,532 feet, Cadillac Mountain is the tallest point along the eastern coast of the United States and offers awe-inspiring views of Bar Harbor, Frenchman Bay, and the Cranberry Islands.
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Thunder Hole -
This small inlet carved out of rocks is famous for its thunderous clap when seawater crashes in the air and water is forced out as high as 40 feet. Taking a photo? Prepare to get wet!
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Victorian Bar Harbor -
Tucked on the east side of the island, this quaint village was once the playground of the rich and famous; many of the opulent mansions from the Gilded Age can be seen along Main Street.
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Lobster Bake -
Plucked fresh from the coastal waters off Maine, lobster is the star and undisputed king of dinner. The locally dubbed "downeast" meal also includes corn on the cob, potatoes, and all the trimmings.
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Cranberry Islands -
Named for the tart red berries that grow in nearby bogs, the islands are comprised of five islands, each with its own general store, post office, church, historical society, and school.
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Lighthouses -
Illuminating Maine's rugged, sometimes treacherous coast, many of these stately and unique lighthouses still stand guard over 3,478 miles of the shoreline.
