Destination attractions things to do in bar harbor

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

If your vacation destination is Bar Harbor, Maine, youve definitely arrived at the right site! The Bar Harbor area is one of the only places in the world in which you can enjoy the majestic sights of the mountaintops and the scenic views of the tranquil ocean, by merely looking to your left or to your right. There are many things to do and see in or around Bar Harbor, and I would be happy to show you exactly what Bar Harbor has to offer.

The main attraction to Bar Harbor is the Acadia National Park. Visiting the Acadia National Park is a must for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers. The auto road traveling through Acadia National Park is called Park Loop Road, and as the name may suggest, this road is a loop around the entire park. One half of the loop will bring you on a tour of the mountains with the ocean in the distant background. Here you will be able to drive up to the summit of Mount Cadillac, which is at 1,532 feet, and view all the splendors of Acadia National Park from its highest point. Also along this half of the loop are many spots to pull over for other great views and photo opportunities. So dont forget to bring your camera! On the other half of Park Loop Road, you will encounter the ocean side of the park. Located here are also many stops for hikes and pictures, but the main attraction is Sand Beach, the only saltwater beach open to the public in the area. You should plan on spending between two and three days exploring the park during your visit to Bar Harbor.

A fun place to bring children is the Acadia Zoo. It is located on Route 3 in Trenton, a town just outside of Bar Harbor. At the zoo, you will encounter wild and domestic animals, which include reindeer, wolves, monkeys, and moose. In addition, you will see many different species of wild cats such as lions and leopards. Also on the property you will find a rainforest exhibit which displays various birds, reptiles, and other species of animals from the Amazon.

Timber Tinas Great Maine Lumberjack Show is also worth a visit. This is located on Route 3 in Ellsworth, another town just outside of Bar Harbor. Every night, Jack and Jill lumberjacks challenge each other to the Olympics of the Forest. These lumberjacks have also performed on ESPN and on MTVs Real World. Come visit and cheer for your favorite team!

For those interested in shopping or picking up gifts for loved ones, downtown Bar Harbor has many specialty shops for you to browse. Some of the stores that you may wish to stop by include Evergreen Pottery, Jacks Jewelry, Willis Rock Shop, Bark Harbor, and the Bar Harbor Hemporium. Those are just a small handful of the unique stores that wait for you in Bar Harbor!

The Cat, located in the heart of Bar Harbor, offers passengers a high-speed ferry ride to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Once you have boarded The Cat, you are only a three-hour ferry ride away from Nova Scotia. Reservations are strongly recommended. If traveling to Nova Scotia is not of interest to you, there are many other cruise options available.

The Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co. offers many different packages for nature cruises, such as the ones dedicated to whale and puffin sightings. They are located in downtown Bar Harbor. A portion of each ticket sale is donated to Allied Whale, which is a local organization that is dedicated to the study and protection of marine animals in the Gulf of Maine. A great cruise specifically designed for children is Diver Eds Dive-In Theater Boat Cruise. Once far enough out into the ocean, Diver Ed will scuba dive to the bottom of the ocean floor with his movie camera in tow. Aboard the boat, you will see Diver Eds excursion documented on a large LCD projector, while an assistant will narrate. On his way to the surface, Diver Ed will collect about a dozen deep-sea creatures to show, and some to even handle. Diver Eds Dive-In Theater is also located in downtown Bar Harbor. Please note that due to the popularity of this cruise, reservations are required.

If a cruise doesnt quench your thirst for adventure, the glider and biplane rides will! Located along the small airfield on Route 3 in Ellsworth are a few different businesses that offer these memorable rides. These rides will give you a tour of the Acadia National Park, and the surrounding area, from an exciting height of 5,000 feet! Reservations and walk-ins are welcomed.

This is just a sampling of what is available to do when vacationing in Bar Harbor, Maine. I would recommend that the first stop of your visit be at the Acadia Information Center on Route 3 in Trenton. You will pass them on your drive into Bar Harbor. They have all the pamphlets, newspapers and guides that you will need for your Acadia adventure. I hope that you will enjoy your visit to Bar Harbor, Maine!