Bar Harbor / Acadia Maine

[sarah2397]

I'm planning a 5 night trip to Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park (Mt. Desert Island) for the beginning of August w/ DH. Never been and the accommodations listings found online are endless. Anyone have any good recommendations?

We want to hike, bike & kayak in the park by day, and be conveniently located to dine out and walk around at night. Not overly fond of small, frilly B&B's, but I've stayed at some nice Inn's and those may be a better choice here than the steril looking hotel/motels??? I welcome any comments & suggestions!

[Terrytx]

One of my favorite places! I have a son that lives there and one that went to college there, so we have visited often. We have stayed in several of the ocean front hotels and in a few rental homes. I think that anyplace you stay will be great. You are just minutes from everthing, no matteer where you stay in Bar Harbor.

[Mary Ann]

We stayed at the Bar Harbor Manor (http://www.barharbormanor.com/)last May, and found the location very convenient to walking around Bar Harbor. We booked one of the hotel guest rooms, but were upgraded for free into one of the inn suites. The owners were very helpful both before we arrived, and while we were there. I would definitely recommend it.

Enjoy your stay!

[AndreaU]

Any budgetary considerations or does anything go?

DH and I go to BH every summer. (His grandparents were born there and still have a house in town)

If you're looking for convenience in terms of getting to dining and hanging out at night, look for places on either Main Street, Cottage Street or West street (or just off those streets). Eden Street is a bit further out of town, but there is a fantastic bus service- Island Explorer- that is FREE and not only covers downtown, but all over the island. If you're going into the park, though, you do need to buy a park pass. It runs on propane, so it's better for the environment and you don't have to deal with summer traffic and (lack of) parking.

The Bar Harbor Grand is a fairly new hotel on Main Street, about 2 blocks outside of the main hustle and bustle, but still a very easy walk around town. If money's no object, then the Bar Harbor Inn is THE place to stay. Gorgeous hotel, right on the bay, smack in the heart of town by the wharf... perfect!

Please PM me for more info as you get closer to the trip. I can give you tons of dining recommendations and favorite hiking, biking and kayaking destinations (as well as rental info if you don't have your own bikes/boats). DH and I are planning to circumnavigate the island next summer, so we're doing a scouting/test run this summer. Have fun!!! You'll love it.

[scudgal]

Hi - we love Bar Harbor area. We go every year for at least a week - sometimes 3 weeks and stay on the other side of the island (the working side) near Southwest Harbor. We rent a cottage from the Fernald family.

I would be happy to share restaurant recommendations (we are foodies!) if you send me a PM.

Once you go to that part of Maine - you will fall in love with it!

[sarah2397]

Any budgetary considerations or does anything go?

I wish it was "anything goes" but alas, that is not the case! I know it is high season and this is when they make all their $$. I put the loging budget at $1000 for 5 nights, give or take. Was hoping to get the best I could within that range ($200/nt). I saw a couple awesome looking places for $350-$385/nt but I just think that's too much.

We do have our own bikes & kayaks so loging & dinning will be the only (well, mostly) expenses. I plan on getting some books/maps for trails, etc.

I will definetely PM you for more info latter in the planning stages if you don't mind.

All - thanks for the great info, I will definetely investigate what you've provided.

[Melman]

I am seriously hoping to make it to Bar Harbor this year!!!! I received a travel-alert from Travelocity yesterday and even found relatively cheap airfare for the first time in years. (No, I didn't book anything...but it made me hopeful that it won't be a one-time shot).

When searching for lodging in Bar Harbor, I noticed many listing are either Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, or Southwest Harbor. "Close to Acadia National Park" is also used quite often. Is there a way of describing those areas so I may be able to narrow my options??? Any recommendations???

[AndreaU]

When searching for lodging in Bar Harbor, I noticed many listing are either Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, or Southwest Harbor. "Close to Acadia National Park" is also used quite often. Is there a way of describing those areas so I may be able to narrow my options??? Any recommendations???

Bar Harbor is the main village on Mount Desert Island. (Some say it as the dry, sandy place where camels live, but others say it like the after-dinner treat... as in deserted isle) It's fairly close to the bridge to get on the island. To get around from town to town, nothing is really more than about 15-20 miles from anything else. You can drive around the whole island in about 45 minutes. Northeast Harbor (http://www.acadiamagic.com/NortheastHarbor.html) and Southwest Harbor (http://www.acadiachamber.com/) are on the quieter side of the island, but they're just as beautiful (and not necessarily as crowded most of the time). Northeast Harbor, IMO, is a bit more chic... trying to be like a Palm Springs of the Atlantic Coast. Fancy shops and the like. There's definitely more to see, do and eat IN downtown Bar Harbor, but as I mentioned above the Island Explorer (http://www.exploreacadia.com/) bus system is fantastic as it pretty much blankets the island and you can get on and off in many different places- all for free! Check out the BH tourism site for maps and lots of great info: http://www.barharborinfo.com/gettinghere_frame.html