Bar Harbor, Maine
Our 3-Day Bar Harbor, Maine Itinerary (And Everything We’d Do Again)
If you’re planning a trip to Bar Harbor, here’s exactly how we spent three days there—and honestly, we wouldn’t change much. Between incredible food, gorgeous waterfront views, Acadia National Park, and one of the best Fourth of July celebrations we’ve ever experienced, this little coastal town completely won us over.
Day 1: Arriving in Bar Harbor
We flew into Bar Harbor Airport, which is about a 25-minute drive from downtown. We rented a car at the airport, but here’s the funny part, we never got back in it after checking into our hotel.
We stayed at the Harborside Hotel, and I can’t recommend the location enough. It’s right on the water, has multiple pools, is very family-friendly, and you can walk absolutely everywhere in downtown Bar Harbor. If you’re debating whether you need a car during your stay, you really don’t if you’re staying downtown.
After checking in, we grabbed drinks at the hotel restaurant. The espresso martini was a great way to kick off vacation.
For dinner, we ate at Galyn’s, and wow… CB said the scallops were the best he’s ever had in his life—and he’s eaten a lot of scallops. I ordered the Blueberry Sparkler and asked for light blueberry syrup. It was perfectly refreshing without being overly sweet.
Day 2: Acadia National Park & Amazing Food
We started the morning with breakfast at Jordan’s Pancake House. We tried the famous blueberry pancakes and the blueberry muffin. Both were good, but if I’m being honest, we didn’t think they quite lived up to the price.
On our walk back, we passed Oli’s Trolley and noticed they had a semi-private Acadia National Park tour getting ready to leave. We spontaneously hopped on…only for me to realize I was wearing dressy sandals for what turned into a four-hour adventure. Even with the questionable footwear, it was 10,000% worth it. If you’re visiting Bar Harbor, I can’t recommend doing an Acadia tour enough. It gave us so much history and allowed us to see places we probably would’ve missed on our own. One of the highlights was Jordan Pond House. It was incredibly busy, so we didn’t stay long, but it’s such a beautiful stop and definitely worth seeing.
The shoes lol
After the tour, we changed clothes and headed to West Street Café for lunch.
Please, whatever you do…
Order the clam chowder.
It is hands-down the best clam chowder I’ve ever had. I’m still thinking about it. We also split a slice of blueberry pie, and it was every bit as good as everyone says.
After lunch, we walked out onto the famous sand bar—the natural sandbar that actually gave Bar Harbor its name. It was such a unique experience and something you definitely shouldn’t skip if the tides line up.
For dinner, we ate at The Reading Room inside the Bar Harbor Inn. This restaurant completely impressed us. The waterfront views were stunning, the food was fantastic, and the entire atmosphere felt special. We actually left saying we’d seriously consider staying at the Bar Harbor Inn next time because we loved the property so much.
Day 3: Lobsters, Fireworks & Hidden Gems
Our final full day started with Lulu’s Lobster Boat Ride around Frenchman Bay.
This was one of the coolest experiences of the trip. We helped pull up real lobster traps, learned about the lobster industry, and I even got to band a lobster—something I never imagined I’d do! The captain and crew were incredibly kind and made the whole experience so much fun.
After the cruise, we spent some time shopping downtown before stopping at The Black Friar.
Don’t sleep on this place. The charcuterie board was absolutely fantastic, the cocktails were excellent, and the cozy, historic atmosphere made it one of our favorite stops of the trip.
Next, we wandered over to Siren & Sailor, where they put a unique twist on the classic espresso martini. The bartenders were so friendly, and it ended up being another great stop.
Since we were there for the Fourth of July, we finished the evening watching the fireworks over the harbor. It was one of the best fireworks shows we’ve ever seen.
Of course, we couldn’t end the night without one last stop. We found Brasserie Le Brun for a late-night drink, and I only wish we’d discovered it sooner. They serve late-night bar food, the grilled cheese was pure comfort food perfection, and the live jazz atmosphere made it the perfect way to end our trip.
Final Thoughts
Bar Harbor completely exceeded our expectations.
Between Acadia National Park, incredible seafood, charming downtown streets, waterfront views, and so many locally owned restaurants, it’s one of those places that’s easy to fall in love with.
If I had to give just a few “don’t miss” recommendations, they would be:
Take an Acadia National Park tour (even if it’s last minute).
Order the clam chowder at West Street Café.
Eat dinner at The Reading Room.
Take Lulu’s lobster cruise.
Get the charcuterie board at The Black Friar.
End one evening at Brasserie Le Brun.
We’ll definitely be back—and next time, I think we may just book the Bar Harbor Inn.