Things to Do in the Bar Harbor area
Bar Harbor, located on Mount Desert Island, is known for its amazing variety of activities and close proximity to Acadia National Park.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. It is a popular stop for those staying in Bar Harbor. Founded in 1916 by Woodrow Wilson, it originally encompassed 6,000 acres but currently comprises nearly 50,000 acres. The park's size has grown in size largely due to land donations from wealthy private citizens, such as John D Rockefeller, Jr. Acadia National Park includes 45 miles of carriage roads and over 150 miles of hiking trails. All visitors to Acadia are required to have a park pass, which can be purchased at the Hulls Cove Visitors Center, or other locations in the Bar Harbor area.
Carriage Roads
One particular feature of Acadia National Park is the many miles of carriage roads. During the summer months, visitors walk or cycle these roads amid woodlands, lakes, ponds and beautiful stone bridges. When winter comes and snow falls, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing become popular on the carriage roads, making it a year-round wonder.
The Park Loop Road
The Park Loop Road is a 27-mile paved roadway that winds through forests, past lakes and mountains, and the rocky coastline where Acadia National Park meets the Atlantic Ocean. Motorists who choose this ride can stop at several attractions along the way, such as Sand Beach and Thunder Hole. The Park Loop Road provides access to various hiking trails and carriage roads, which range in length and difficulty.
HIKING in Acadia
Acadia National Park has many hiking trails with varying difficulty and lengths. With over 150 miles of trails, there is something for everybody. We recommend picking up a trail map which features topographical information and other important details about all hiking trails within Acadia. Please adhere to posted closures and signage during your adventures in Acadia!
OCEAN ACTIVITIES
Water activities are some of the most popular for visitors to try because the area has an unmatched front seat to the Atlantic Ocean!
Visitors can take part in a guided kayak tour, enjoy a whale watching excursion, or indulge in leisurely morning stroll along the downtown shore path, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean.
Perhaps a sunset cruise on a 4-masted schooner to top off an epic day of adventuring. Its all here!
a brief history of bar harbor
Originally incorporated as the
Town of Eden, the name was changed to
Bar Harbor in 1918, after the sand bar which becomes exposed at low tide, and extends from the mainland out to
Bar Island. Bar Harbor's tourism history dates back nearly two centuries, evolving from a destination for artists and scholars, to a thriving summer resort town for the elite by the early 1900's. This era is referred to as
The Gilded Age. The decline of Bar Harbor's Gilded Age was due to a devastating fire, the
Great Fire of 1947, which destroyed over 17000 acres of land and many of the summer mansions. The fire also contributed to how the landscape appears naturally today.
Stay at Atlantic Eyrie Lodge in Bar Harbor maine
Here at Atlantic Eyrie Lodge, we strive to create amazing opportunities for our guests. We provide accommodations to help our patrons experience Bar Harbor, such as ocean view rooms, an outdoor saltwater pool, a free Island Explorer Shuttle service to downtown Bar Harbor (starts in late June), and more! Our employees work hard to ensure everything is clean and tidy.
We are happy to welcome you and your crew to our slice of New England paradise. On behalf of everyone at the Atlantic Eyrie Lodge, we look forward to hosting you!
