After New Haven and our two days in Boston, we again hopped in the truck and headed north. It was only a 4.5 hour drive to get to the adorable little town of Bar Harbor, ME, right next to Acadia National Park.
We stayed in a super unique rental situated right at the edge of town, allowing us to walk everywhere, which was incredibly convenient. The rental itself is a historic building, a former convent circa 1908 converted to a 7 bedroom, 3 story vacation home. It was creaky, of course, but beautifully updated and clean. Plus, the kids were spoiled to all have their own sleeping spaces, which worked out really well for maximized quality sleep for the week we were there.
We arrived late afternoon, meeting my brother and his family who drove in from Canada, as they were in the middle of a big summer road trip themselves! We all unpacked our things, changed, and walked the .2 miles into town to our first night’s reservation at McKay’s Public House.
I had heard that dinner spots can be hard to get into in summer and to make reservations ahead of time if possible. The only places that take reservations are the nicer restaurants, so while dinner was very good and the kids did fine, I would file this under “date night” category, not necessarily kid friendly. Though the kids did enjoy their mussels and lobster bisque, despite me trying to steer them towards the kids menu.
True to Stathas style, we kicked things off with a martini, then I enjoyed one of the best seafood pastas of my life thanks to the hearty ratio of seafood to homemade pasta. We walked home after, set the kids up with a movie and communications, then the adults went to find the coast. Again, less than a half mile away, we enjoyed the misty, foggy conditions of a summer evening in Maine.
We woke up Sunday to a drizzly day and the joy of nothing being planned. After road-tripping, a day of just exploring the town sounded nice. The early crew (David, my mom, and myself) wandered into town in search of coffee first thing. We found a coffee shop/bakery called The Stadium. Not only is their staff bright and bubbly, their coffee drinks were excellent, as were their baked goods- the blueberry donut is a must!
We walked the town then rejoined our whole crew to go to breakfast. We walked to the recommended Cafe This Way in the morning drizzle. After a short wait, we were seated and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of egg scrambles, blueberry pancakes, and lobster benedict (when in Maine…). We spent the rest of the morning exploring town.
That afternoon, when low tide came, we hiked Bar Island Trail. It’s a path that leads from town across to Bar Island that can only be accessed during low tide. It’s a neat phenomenon and the kids loved looking in tide pools, then hiking up the mountainous little island on the other side to look back over at the little town of Bar Harbor.
We crossed back over in search of dinner, which we found at a little spot called The Thirsty Whale Tavern. The kids got their own table, which they thought was the bees knees, and the adults enjoyed burgers, wraps, and local beers.
The next morning we were ready to head into Acadia National Park! We walked to breakfast first at 2 Cats Cafe, then loaded up and drove in search of the Jordan Pond Path. The 3.3 mile loop around Jordan Pond is a popular one and with good reason. It’s flat but offers great views around the lake, some adventurous stepping over tiny tributaries, and a boardwalk section, too. It was quite misty and muddy for us, but we loved the adventure. Afterwards we put our name in at Jordan Pond House for lunch and spent the hour wait exploring the gift shop and local river area.
The food was very good, as were the popovers that they are famous for! We all perked up with a little food in our bellies, and went to hike Jordan Stream Path, which proved to be a ton of fun! With all the rain, the river was raging and in some spots you had no choice but to walk right through it. It culminated with a beautiful bridge on a carriage road.
That evening we again walked to town for dinner, this time at Project Social, a very cute and delicious small plates spot. It would make a great date night spot and the food was fantastic, but for our hungry and tried kid crew, it wasn’t the best fit. There weren’t nearly enough mussels to fill them up so we kept ordering plates of pita bread-ha!
Tuesday was our early morning! We had won the lottery spot for the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, so we set our alarms for 3:15 and were all walking out the door by 4:00 AM to take the drive in the dark up Cadillac Mountain, which was only a 15 minute drive from our rental house.
It was such a neat experience to head out onto the rocky mountain with so many others, looking for a place to perch and hoping to get a glimpse of the first sunrise the US sees! Per usual, it was quite misty and foggy as the day slowly dawned, and though there was no glorious sunrise moment, a glowing orange ball did eventually appear with it’s own sort of magical appeal! I’m glad we did it.
Being that we were int he park so early, we decided to beat the crowds and head over to one of the most popular hikes, The Beehive Trail. It’s known to be a bit of a challenge with it’s iron rungs and steep spots, and it ended up being a ton of fun! I was so proud of our whole crew for tackling it and proud of the kids for taking it seriously enough to understand the risk and how to stay safe. They LOVED it.
After Beehive we were all feeling hungry, so we headed back into Bar Harbor and down to the water front to get crepes and coffees from Sunrise Cafe. Kaitlyn decided to refuel herself with straight up chocolate and regrets nothing.
Afterwards we headed back into the park to walk Ocean Path and check out Sand Beach. We stopped to check out Thunder Hole and loved walking around on the gorgeous cliffs that border the park and the ocean. It was a relaxed afternoon.
That evening we went in search of an easy dinner that would fill us all up. We decided on a funky little spot called Route66. The vintage decor was fun, but seeing that we could walk right in should have been a warning sign.
I had onion rings, a burger, and fries. The waitress was a little snarky, my niece found a hair in her mashed potatoes… and I found myself violently ill a few hours later. No doubt, I had food poisoning from the spot and I can’t remember the last night I felt so sick. There was a moment or two I thought for sure I was dying. I know no other word to describe it but violent. Needless to say, I don’t recommend putting this restaurant on your list. Just seeing exterior in this picture still makes my stomach turn… TO BE CONTINUED.
Bar Harbor, ME Part 2 // Newport, RI
sherry says
What a fabulous job you did of recapping the first part of our trip. Love all the pictures! Like being there all over again!
Brittany Dixon says
It’s fun to recap it all because that feels like reliving it, too! What a fabulous family trip! xoxo
Laura says
Fun recap- that historic home rental looks so nice! Looks like you all did some great hikes! The restaurants look amazing up until the last one. Sorry you got sick on vacation, food poisoning is the absolute worst. I’ve only ever had it from eating out (some of the practices in restaurant kitchens would shock people), and like you it was on a vacation and hit pretty quickly. Glad you recovered!
Brittany Dixon says
I don’t think I’d want to have seen behind the scenes there- yuk! I was grateful I made a relatively quick recovery. I think because it hit me so quickly (like 8:45 after having eaten at 5:15ish).
Grateful Kae says
Awww, we did Acadia in 2021 and had the BEST trip there, too! We did many of the things you’ve mentioned, so this brings back so many great memories. It’s just so beautiful there.
We almost ate at that Route 66 restaurant, but ended up deciding not to just as they were about to seat us! I guess I’m glad we didn’t. I got food poisoning in May of this year while at an awards dinner for my husband at a fancy hotel in Austin, TX. So I guess it can happen anywhere!! But yes, “violent” is exactly the word I would use to describe that experience as well. It’s just awful. We had to reschedule our flight home because I literally could not have travelled in that state. Worst I’ve ever felt in my life!!
Brittany Dixon says
Ohh I’m so glad you escaped Route66 in Maine but what a bummer to have experienced that terrible feeling after a fancy dinner. I know what you mean about having to reschedule a flight because that night I couldn’t even pick myself up off the bathroom floor. Ick!
Christine says
Thank you for sharing your trip! I’m going in two weeks, and your recap and suggestions will be so helpful. It looks like your family had a wonderful time. I can’t wait for Part 2.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh I’m so excited for you! I hope you have some clear days! 🙂
Addie Eichman says
We just arrived home from Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. We had nice weather enjoyed the entire experience. All the people that worked at Acadia where happy and helpful. They gave suggestions about the use of the loop bus where to get off and hike backwards. Fabulous pictures and wrote home to our grown children everything we did daily pictures also. Would go back again. Any suggestions for finding homes?
Brittany Dixon says
We spend a lot of time combing AirBNB and VRBO looking for good fits; sleeping space seems to make the biggest difference with our crew! 🙂
Ellen Healet says
Loved the wonderful photos and got veryhomesicky. I am from Blue Hill,Me and workef in Bar harbor Sommer in college and after being married we spent many weekend at the Bar harbor Inn .it’s touristy but go to southwest harbor for a lovely fishing town
Adrian Graham says
Great job. My wife and I are planning a trip there soon and you provided great feedback into the area. What kind of camera were you using?
Brittany Dixon says
I’m glad it’s helpful! The pictures are a combo of iPhone and our Canon 4D DSLR. Hope you have a wonderful time!
Krystal Soto says
Looks like a wonderful trip! I’m sorry to hear you were ill.
Silly question here, but what would you recommend as far as packing us concerned? My boyfriend and I are headed there in October and I live in Southern Indiana where it’s still upwards 90 degrees in the latter part of October.
Brittany Dixon says
Honestly I was expecting it to be cooler than it was for our visit, but I imagine by October it will have definitely cooled down. This is probably trite advice, but layers! Hiking shorts and shirt, plus a leggings option and long sleeve option would get you through most hikes I imagine.
Gwen says
Coming from a local
October can range from 75° during the day to 40° at night with a cool ocean breeze. You will want to pack shorts for the warmer days and sweatshirts pants for the chilly evenings.
Diana says
We just got back from Bar Harbor and we loved it We camped in our RV and the RV campgrounds were great . Met wonderful people . We loved the park also .
Diana
Brittany Dixon says
How fun to have your RV there!! A big RV trip is high on my want to do list. I’m sure Bar Harbor was an amazing place to camp!
Chris says
Huh, that was unlucky at Route 66! My family and I actually really enjoyed that restaurant…
Vicki Walsh says
I really appreciated your daily description of your family vacation. You did all the high spots in Bar Harbor but next time try Northeast Harbor boat trip, Sea Princess. It goes to islesford & up Somes Sound (Fijord). Also what we call the back side where there are lots of local things to do. Hope you return. Vicki Walsh Native.
Doug M says
I have to ask, why you didn’t utilize the free bus service from bar harbor into the park? After all, it’s rated the best in the country by the director of the NPS.
Brittany Dixon says
We weren’t aware of the system before we arrived, but it sounds like a great service!
Chris Singleton says
We just arrived in Bar Harbor and found your post. Thanks.
Carrell says
Thanks so much
For the tour and preview of what to do there! We are planning a 25th Anniversary trip there this fall. Excited to see the park and the coast!
Rebecca A Knowlton says
I was born in Bar Harbor in 1960 and has always been my favorite place to visit.
Rebecca A Knowlton says
Also my Dad worked for the city for 15 years until his death in 1991
George says
Great write up! As having lived in bar harbor myself, you really did hit all the good spots. I’ve been to all of them myself. Even Route 66! That place is just a tourist trap with awful food. (Locals know that too). Too bad the sunrise wasn’t great per se. Next time your back around check-out the quite side of the island too. Southwest, Northeast and Seal Harbor are must sees too
Bonnie says
Randomly found your Bar Harbor posts, Part I and Part II, first thing this morning as I was having my coffee. What a great job you did capturing the captivating essence of this most magical place. Your pictures were both wonderful and heartwarming. I have a decades long history with MDI (Mount Desert Island), and have deemed it my most beloved spot in the world. My son now lives permanently on the island, so I’m fortunate to be able to drop anchor there whenever I feel the pull back to the place. Which is often! About a 5 hour drive north for me from my home in the Lakes Region of NH. Thanks again for taking me back just now. Loved your every word and picture. ❤️
Diane says
We lived in Ellsworth Maine for 3 years and Bar Harbor was a regular stop for us.the trails,restaurants, coffee shops you mentioned all bring back wonderful memories of the time we spent exploring. Even got a chuckle about Route 66.we too were shocked at how we got in so quickly, so excited to try such a quirky place and as well all fell ill a few hours later. 🤷♀️ thank you for sharing your adventures.
Robyn Tsacoumangos says
Thank you for a great blog! We are traveling to BH for labor day weekend, with 2 other families- do you recommend rental cars? Or can you get around the town/Acadia with the shuttles? We want to do a similar trip to yours, and have a four year old and a six year old with us…7 kids up to age 13. Thank you!!
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Robyn, I bet Labor Day will be a beautiful time to be there; excited for you! We drove from North Carolina so I can’t recommend a rental car, but I have heard excellent things about the bus system from town into Acadia NP, so I definitely recommend using that as an option, especially because parking inside Acadia can get quite full by 9:00 AM. If you are staying in town, you will probably find you can walk most places. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Nancy Clark says
I’m sorry to hear about your getting food poisoning. Not a good way to end your time in Bar Harbor. Anyways, have been the many times since I use to live in the vicinity. Thanks for sharing, it brought back many good memories of the place. Happy trails….
Stephanie @ Seeking Stephanie Travels says
I’m sorry you got sick! That’s the worst, especially on vacation…a hiking vacation. Question: Between Jordan’s Pond Loop and Gorham Mountain Loop, which do you recommend? Thank you!
Brittany Dixon says
Jordan’s pond is flat and scenic; a great way to be near water and walk on boardwalks. I also feel like it’s staple because of it’s proximity to the Jordan Pond House. However for views and a bit of a fun challenge, I’d lean Gorham Mountain. Depends on what you’re after 🙂
Stephanie @ Seeking Stephanie Travels says
Thank you!