Maine Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Bar Harbor, Maine

Population: 4,820

Located in Hancock County

Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park, Maine, is a favorite family vacation spot for good reason. The views are spectacular. The landscape is pristine. And, the wildlife is plentiful and protected. As a result, Acadia National Park is the second most visited national park in the U.S. with 3 million visitors each year.

Bar Harbor Maine, a small coastal town on the northeastern side of Mount Desert Island, has a symbiotic relationship with Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor, with its shops, Restaurants, Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Galleries and more, has a special ambiance blended with "Downeast" character. Bar Harbor, Maine and Acadia National Park is often the starting and ending point of an unforgettable Maine vacation.

Bar Harbor is probably the most well known community near Acadia. As mentioned earlier, the town grew via millionaire's building summer 'cottages' near the ocean. Where these millionaires' summer cottages once stood, visitors today will find inns, hotels, guest houses, sidewalk cafés, formal restaurants and block after block of boutiques, specialty shops and galleries.

Although Bar Harbor is the largest town on the island, it is still quite manageable. There are really only two or three main streets and one could easily see the entire town by walking in a few hours. There are so many little shops however that it might take you days to see it all if you're really inquisitive.

Bar Harbor is also home to such prestigious institutions as Jackson Laboratory, a leading genetics research center, Mount Desert Island Biological Lab and the College of the Atlantic, a small liberal arts college. During summer, both offer educational programs for the public.

Acadia National Forest Area

The Acadia National Forest and the Bar Harbor area is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Situated on Mount Desert Island, Acadia National Forest is the perfect place to hike - there are hundreds of different great trails that vary in view and difficulty. In addition, there are horse and bike trails for the most beautiful rides you probably have ever been on. If you like to swim, you can try the beautiful yet frigid ocean beaches (if you can stay in longer than a few minutes you're a very special person) or some beautiful and warm beaches on various lakes. You can picnic, canoe, kayak, camp and, through it all, smile! You can go rock climbing, shop for that perfect antique, go on a beautiful boat ride or check out a local brewery. You're just a few minutes away from seeing beautiful, huge whales. Or, you can also quickly go out and see seals and lobsters. There is theatre, scenic flights, golf courses and deep sea fishing. There are even lots and lots of places for the kids - like miniature golf, amusement parks, zoos and perfect pizza and ice cream shops! And Bar Harbor, a city on the island that nestles near the park, is the perfect place to relax, eat and shop. When you add Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, etc. you quickly realize that the Acadia National Park area is the perfect place for a vacation.