A few fun snaps from the trip TM and I just took to Bar Harbor, Maine – he surprised me and actually let me post a few with his face… quelle surprise! I’ll give you a quick run down of what you’re looking at because otherwise you’re just going to be saying “cool view” or “that’s a big lobster!”
Where
If you read my Maine packing list you’ll know TM and I went to Mount Desert Island in Maine. It’s on the coast of Maine, in the southeast part of the State. The island is home to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, and the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse; among many other great places!
We stayed in an adorable little B&B in Southwest Harbor. SW Harbor is about 10 miles away from Bar Harbor, where we really wanted to stay, but since we planned this trip about a month out everything in BH was booked and everything that wasn’t booked was $$$. We found a room at the Lindenwood B&B and it was perfect. Lindenwood had a great breakfast each morning and they also had a pool and hot tub in the yard. After days of hiking etc the hot tub was welcomed. We stayed in room 3 and it was perfect; the only thing I wished for was more counter space in the bathroom. You also want to be aware that while SWH is only 10 miles away from BH it still takes about 30 minutes to get from place to place; you’re traveling on winding two lane roadways.
We flew into Portland and drove 3+ hours up the coast to get to SWH. There’s a smaller airport closer but it was way too expensive and would still be an hour+ drive and then you can also fly into Boston but that drive was 6+ hours. Portland was a good middle ground. Plus the drive up the coast is beautiful and we liked we were able to see the ocean while driving. Portland airport is small so it’s very easy to fly in and out of and return the rental car.
What to Do
Kayaking – we took a Kayak tour with National Park Sea Kayak Tours. It was amazing; we had Joel for our guide and he is like the living breathing encyclopedia of Maine wildlife and history. He’s also got an amazing sense of humor which made the tour even better. The tour was from 9am-1pm and you kayak for about 2.5 hours of that. You start at the shop in BH and get your equipment and a run down of kayaking protocols etc. Then you drive to where you put in, kayak for about 1.5 hours, take a break, kayak some more, and then get picked up and drive back to the shop. I’d recommend bringing a small pouch to put your phone in so you don’t have to keep getting it out of your pocket/bag. I had my belt bag clipped around my life vest, with the bag between my chest and the vest, but I still almost had a heart attack every time I pulled out my phone. Plus I wanted it out all the time because we saw seals, porpoises, eagles, not to mention the amazing scenery! You will get splashed so make sure you wear water resistant or quick drying items. I had my chacos, crops, tank, sunnies, hat, and lined raincoat on.
Hiking – we spent a day in Acadia National Park and did a few different hiking trails. The entire island is basically the park so you see different entrances when you’re going around but we ended up hiking: Beehive Loop, Gorham Mountain Loop, Ocean Path, and down to Sand Beach. Do yourself a favor and buy a map or purchase an All Trails map/membership because it’s easy to get turned around. Add a swimsuit and light towel to your bag so you can take a swim in the ocean or Jordan Pond. Obviously pack water, snacks, sun screen, and a first aid kit. I picked up some new hiking shoes for this trip, in addition to my define jacket, align leggings, hat, and sunnies. TM had the backpack and I just brought my belt bag. I probably should have brought my small backpack too. Be aware that on some trials there were some scary parts; like metal bars and grates that you have to traverse over washed out ledges or up cliff faces. If you’re afraid of heights stay away from Beehive. A trip to Bar Harbor means you can’t miss Acadia National Park!
Biking – we had reserved bikes via Coastal Kayaking Tours but it ended up raining for most of the day we had reserved them so we didn’t end up taking them out. There are a bunch of carriage trails that you can take your bike on in Acadia National Park.
Explore – we spent a day walking around BH. You can walk the coast, which goes past/on resorts on the coast. We went in and out of stores in BH while it was raining and it was really enjoyable day. We walked neighborhoods in BH and it was lovely to get to walk around and smell the ocean (is that weird?) and just look at the beautiful scenery. We also drove down to the southernmost tip of the island and saw the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. I wanted to see a lighthouse so bad and this one was beautiful. We saw it when it was cloudy and rainy which didn’t offer the greatest views but you were able to see WHY these lighthouse were so important. The fog was so thick over the water it was crazy to see. I love wandering around on vacations and doing it on this trip to Bar Harbor was no exception!
Where to Eat
Geddy’s – we had our first dinner straight from the airport at Geddy’s and it was PACKED. I mean STUFFED. We had reservations thank goodness because otherwise there was a 2+ hour wait. We had the lobster bake: clam chowder, lobster (get it “lazy style” and they peel it for you), corn on the cob, veggies, and blueberry pie. It was so good! I honestly didn’t think this place was going to have good food because it seemed commercialized but the food was way better than I expected.
The Stadium – this was probably my favorite restaurant in BH. It’s a food counter and you take the food and walk out, there’s no seating. We ate here for breakfast and lunch. Their lattes are yum and their breakfast sandwiches are outstanding! For lunch we ended up getting a lobster roll and lobster mac & cheese (do you see the lobster theme here?) and taking it to the park to have a picnic overlooking the harbor. It was my favorite meal. Oh and get the cookie- we went back the next day to get one after lunch it was that good. If you’re planning a trip to Bar Harbor you need to get this picnic lunch.
Galyn’s – we ducked in here on the rainy day for lunch and it didn’t disappoint. I thought I might be a little underdressed and if it had been dinner I probably would have been but for lunch I was just fine. We each had the lobster bisque and it was delicious. Ask to sit on the little porch or by the front windows because their little view is beautiful. Their bartender is also good at their job… just throwing that out there.
Reading Room – we had reservations here, it’s the swank restaurant at the Bar Harbor Inn and we got all dressed up for dinner. I had mixed feelings about this dinner but ultimately I’m recommending a pass. The absolute best part of dinner were the views. We each got the steak and lobster and I thoroughly enjoyed it but TM, the steak expert, wasn’t impressed. There were also other patrons who were not as dressed up as we were which kind of took away from the ambiance of the room. I don’t mean jeans, I mean someone brought in their swim fins and snorkel…
Terrace Grille – this is also at the Bar Harbor Inn and I would recommend this restaurant over the Reading Room. You get the exact same view, the Grille is literally under the windows of the Reading Room, and you get to sit outside! I thought the food was better, it’s the same kitchen so I don’t know how, and it’s not as expensive. We had their full lobster bake: clams & mussels, lobster (no lazy style here), corn on the cob, veggies, and blueberry pie.
The Upper Deck (in Southwest Harbor) – we found this restaurant last minute because we ended up being too tired after kayaking to go back into BH. It was five minutes from our B&B and it’s your usual family friendly restaurant. It’s small and you can sit on the deck to get a view of the harbor and wharf. We were happy with the low key restaurant after a busy day.
Mount Desserts – this is not a restaurant, this is not even a roadside stand, this is a company that has a sign out on the road when they have fresh pie. You follow the little signs that say PIE and honk your horn and someone comes out of a house and tells you when pie they have that day. FOLLOW THE PIE SIGNS. They take cash and venmo and it was an amazing pie! We shared it in our hot tub and it was delicious! Trust me, follow the pie signs!
Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster Company (in Freeport, ME) – we ate here on our way to the airport on our return travel day. It was great lunch to grab on the road. There’s a few seats on the roof of the restaurant that you can grab that offer the best view of the water.
What we learned
Eat all the pie, all the lobster, and all the blueberries (why are Maine Blueberries so delicious)? Understand that you’re going to be driving a lot if you don’t stay in BH. Know you don’t have to stay in Bar Harbor to have a wonderful time. Plan to spend a day or two hiking on your trip to Bar Harbor; it’s worth it!
