We are near many water bodies to swim in in summer, and to admire the rest of the year

Lamoine beach: 2 min drive down the road, this beach is quiet and gorgeous, beautiful at sunrise

Lamoine State Park: 5 minutes walk up the road, this state park has a short hike in the woods and beautiful sunset views over lobster boats

Marlboro beach : Beautiful hidden gem, best to visit at low tide

Blunt’s pond in Bloomfield Park: Absolutely charming family friendly swimming spot, there are some easy trails to explore while you’re there

Sand Beach: Breathtaking!! Sand beach is worth visiting, even on the busiest day, what a beauty!

Seal Harbor beach: Beautiful beach to look at boats, read and relax! If you visit this area, make sure to visit Milk and Honey for lunch!

Echo Lake: Family friendly swim, perfect spot to bring a picnic and chill

Lakewood pond: We probably shouldn’t tell you about this swimming spot…………

We are near Acadia National Park, an incredible magical park with 26 mountains to hike and admire

Our favorite hikes

Great Head: One of our favorite, overlooking sand beach

Flying mountain: Dreamy hike that takes you from mountain top to small remote beach

Shore Path: Beautiful walk right in Bar Harbor

Little long pond: Stunning off leash dog park/hike by the water, with many swimming spot for dogs, how cute

Other Acadia tips

-Thunder hole is underwhelming unless there’s a storm, but ocean drive is gorgeous and we recommend getting out and walking to Otter Cliffs

-Cadillac Mountain at sunrise is absolutely worth it

-The Island Explorer is super nice, we recommend using it for exploring around the park without worrying about parking spots

-Schoodic Point is just on the other side of us, and is gorgeous. It’s the lesser known Acadia with spectacular views

There are many opportunities for antiquiting and thrifting near us

Antiques

Country store antiques and Two old goats antiques: Both on the way to MDI, we've found treasures there!

Old creamery antique mall: A little more pricey, but very organised and cute owners!

Big Chicken Barn: sssssuper big and super fun!

L.L.Bean in Ellsworth is surprisingly popular

Cadillac mountain sports for all your outdoor needs

Marden’s: Marden’s is a local discount store adored by Mainers. You will find absolutely weird things you never knew you needed, and common goods for cheaper. Our neighbors often joke that they want to get married in Marden’s isles…

For your dog needs:

Crystal clear: The best pet store in Ellsworth!

Bark Harbor: Doesn't have the essentials, but good and cute for special treats and souvenir

Here are some events to plan a visit around during summer months

Flamingo Fest: for everyone who loves pink. Harbor House (in Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island) really goes whole hog for flamingos - there's a "whimsical, lighthearted and decidedly pink" parade and lots more. This is usually mid-July.

Dawnland Festival of Art and Ideas: The Abbe Museum premiered its Dawnland Festival of Arts and Ideas in July of 2024. This multi-day event will hopefully be held each year and features an Indigenous market and events open to the public.

The Lesbian History Trail of Mount Desert Island: If you're looking for a wonderful hike adventure, we want to point you toward our history. This self guided tour covers miles and miles of Mount Desert Island, some in Acadia and some not, visiting the homes and sites of our Civil Rights heroines and artisans who lived here and loved here and loved each other.

Maine Open Farm Day: Maine Open Farm Day is a yearly event on the fourth Sunday in July, it's a great way to meet local famers, eat great food, and learn about contemporary agriculture in Maine.

Special event to plan for around a fall visit

Common Ground Fair: Maine's holiday weekend! We are all really serious about this fair. It's enormous and educational and really marks the end of the summer season for us. It's a must-do for anyone interested in agriculture and social justice. Come to learn about animal husbandry and stay late to check out the largest zucchini and most stunning dahlia grown this year. The food trucks are a showcase of our state's best. Cannot be beat. See you there, but we'll be eating and will just wave at you.

Abbe Museum Bar Harbor Ghost Tours: These tours are 100% Native Owned with a staff of all-Wabanaki tour guides. This is a must-do, truly for ghost hunters and decolonial activists and scholars alike. Jennifer Pictou, President and CEO of the ghost tours and a member of the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, said of the tours "I’m looking forward to bringing a cross-cultural look to the ghostly side of Bar Harbor’s past, as well as tell some of the more fantastic tales of our Wabanaki heritage.”

Maine Open Light House Day: One day in September, all these lighthouses throw open their doors and let us in. For those of us who are nerd-alert about the sea or anybody who has a popular bumpersticker around here "On my way to cry near a lighthouse..." this is a great day!

Visiting our region in winter is dreamy because the views are just as spectacular, but you are alone, taking in the grandeur of nature wonders! Here are a few extra activities to enjoy in the cold season

Winter Bed Races: This is the kind of stuff we cook up when everybody's gone and we're alone with our thoughts and our preparations for winter (we truly relish this time) and we decide to race beds down Cottage Street in our pajamas and then go shopping.

New Years Polar Plunge: Every year, the group Cold Tits Warm Hearts and other open water/cold water swimmers, swimming groups, and enthusiastic locals gather at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park around 10 a.m. on New Years Day to take the plunge!

In the summer months, Bar Harbor is painfully busy on rainy days as everyone is flocking there!

Here are a few more suggestions:

Volta gym:

13 minutes away, Volta is a colorful and welcoming climbing gym with a large bouldering section that is perfect for any skill level, including complete beginners! The day pass is 20$ per adult and 10$ for youth, we love going, it feels like playing in an adult playground !

More activities, shopping and bites outside of Bar harbor:

-Courthose gallery fine art, Rock and Art shop and LLBean outlet in Ellsworth

-Hello Hello bookstore, Daughters, curator consignment, Breakwater Lighthouse and the Maine contemporary art museum in Rockland

-Zoot coffee shop and Long grain restaurant in Camden

-Hey sailor restaurant, Bluejacket Shipcrafters for model boats, many antiques and Parsonage gallery in Searsport