6 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park

dog in front of lighthouse, boardwalk through fall foliage trees, man eating lobster roll

Planning a trip to Acadia National Park or Bar Harbor? You’re in for one of the most beautiful, dog-friendly, and adventure-filled destinations in the U.S.

Acadia is one of the few national parks that weaves directly in and out of local towns, including Bar Harbor, the most popular town on Mount Desert Island (MDI). That means you can start your day with a mountain hike, grab a lobster roll for lunch in town, and be back on the trail for sunset. It’s the best of both worlds—outdoor adventure and charming New England coastal vibes.

This list covers 6 must-do things in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, from scenic drives to sunrise hikes and buttery lobster rolls. These were our favorite moments from our time in Maine, and we’re sharing them with you to help you plan the perfect visit.

📍We visited Acadia during our 2022 Travel Season, a 5-month road trip through Ontario and New England. We stayed in Ellsworth (about 40 minutes away), but if you’re visiting for a short trip, we recommend staying on Mount Desert Island to maximize your time.

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1. Drive Park Loop Road

If it’s your first time in Acadia, we highly recommend starting with the scenic drive. Park Loop Road is a 27-mile loop that winds through some of the most iconic spots on the east side of Mount Desert Island.

Here are some great spots to stop while driving Park Loop Road:

Sand Beach (great views and dog-friendly in the off-season)
Thunder Hole (a dramatic spot to hear crashing waves)
Otter Point
Jordan Pond (beautiful boardwalk trail)
Cadillac Mountain (you’ll need a timed entry ticket for sunrise)
Access to The Beehive Trail, one of Acadia’s most thrilling hikes

🗺️ Start at Hulls Cove Visitor Center and follow the signs for Loop Drive. Hulls Cove is also a great sunset spot at the end of the day.

Dog-friendly? Yes, especially if you stop to walk Ocean Path or Jordan Pond Loop. Both are dog-friendly and scenic.

2. Explore Downtown Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is everything you want in a small coastal town: charming shops, dog-friendly patios, and a view of the water from just about everywhere. You can even walk across the sandbar to Bar Island during low tide—part of Acadia National Park!

Here’s how we loved spending time in downtown Bar Harbor:

Brunch on the patio at Cafe This Way
A drink on the lawn at Ivy Manor Inn
Craft beer at Fogtown Brewery
A lobster roll at Bar Harbor Lobster Co.
Shopping and people-watching on Main Street
Walk across the Bar Island Land Bridge (only during low tide!)

Dog-friendly? Yes! Many patios and stores welcome dogs—just ask.

town of Bar Harbor surrounded by fall trees — View looking towards downtown Bar Harbor from Bar Island

3. Hike in Acadia National Park

Acadia’s trail system is one of the most unique in the national park system, and one of the most approachable. Most hikes are under 5 miles roundtrip, which means you can hike more than one in a day (and you’ll definitely want to).

You’ll find ladders bolted into cliffs, wooden boardwalks through marshes, and panoramic summit views, often all within a few miles of town. Whether you want a heart-pumping adventure or a peaceful walk, Acadia delivers.

Here are some great hikes to consider in Acadia National Park:

🥇 Precipice Trail (1.6 miles roundtrip): This was our favorite hike of the entire trip. Iron rungs, exposed cliffs, and exhilarating scrambles lead to jaw-dropping views over the coast. Warning: not for those afraid of heights! (Heads up: The Precipice Trail also closes seasonal between March and mid-August for peregrine falcon nesting.)

🌅 Gorham Mountain Loop (2.9 miles roundtrip): A moderately challenging trail with a big reward, especially if you hike it at sunrise. You’ll see the coastline bathed in golden light, and if you time it right in the fall, the foliage below will glow.

🌲 Jordan Pond Path (3.1-mile loop): A peaceful, scenic trail that loops around the entire pond. One side is a flat path with sweeping views of the Bubbles. The other is a charming boardwalk through the forest.

🧗‍♀️ Beehive Trail (1.4 miles roundtrip): The Beehive is like Precipice’s slightly less intense sibling. You’ll still get iron rungs, cliffside scrambles, and sweeping views—just in a shorter, more beginner-friendly version.

Most of Acadia’s hikes are clustered in areas where you can combine multiple into one adventure. For example:

Do Beehive + Gorham Mountain + Ocean Path in a single morning
Start with Jordan Pond, then hike the Bubbles in the afternoon
Pair Jesup Path with the nearby Nature Center or Wild Gardens of Acadia for a mellow day

🧭 RTL Tip: Check out our post with 5 ready-made Acadia day trip routes to see which hikes pair well together based on location and difficulty. Or browse all 10 of our favorite hikes in Acadia National Park.

Is Acadia Dog-Friendly?

Yes, surprisingly so! Acadia is one of the most pet-friendly national parks in the U.S., with more than 100 miles of hiking trails and carriage roads open to dogs. That said, dogs aren’t allowed on ladders or steep scrambles, so avoid trails like Precipice and Beehive if you’re bringing a pup.

✅ Great dog-friendly hikes:

Jordan Pond Path
Jesup Path
Gorham Mountain
Ocean Path Trail
Eagle Lake Loop

🚫 Not dog-friendly:

Precipice Trail
Beehive Trail
Ladder Trail routes with vertical climbs

🐾 Seasonal Note: Sand Beach is closed to dogs from June 15–September 8. Plan accordingly if visiting in summer.

4. Bike the Carriage Roads

Want a unique Acadia experience? Rent a bike and hit the 45 miles of historic carriage roads, built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. These roads are vehicle-free and open to bikers, walkers, and the occasional horse-drawn carriage.

We didn’t get to bike them ourselves (next time!), but locals we talked to called this a “can’t-miss” way to explore the park. You can rent bikes from Acadia Bike or other local outfitters in Bar Harbor.

Dog-friendly? Yes! Pets are welcome on the carriage roads.

5. Catch the First Sunrise in the U.S.

There’s something magical about watching the sun rise before anyone else in the country, and Acadia National Park is one of the best places to do it.

From early October through early March, Cadillac Mountain holds the title of the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. Even outside that window, it’s still one of the most breathtaking places in Maine to greet the day.

But Cadillac Mountain isn’t your only option and if you don’t love crowds or early reservations, you might even prefer one of the quieter alternatives.

Best Places to Watch Sunrise in Acadia

1. Cadillac Mountain (Most Iconic): Cadillac is the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard, so it offers panoramic views of Frenchman Bay and the surrounding islands. It’s the most famous sunrise spot in Acadia. However, you’ll need a vehicle reservation if visiting May–October. These are released 90 days in advance on Recreation.gov.

2. Gorham Mountain (Most Peaceful): Our favorite sunrise experience in Acadia was the Gorham Mountain Loop. It’s quieter than Cadillac, requires no reservation, and still delivers those epic coastal views, especially in fall. Park at the Gorham Mountain Trailhead along Park Loop Road. Start about 30 minutes before sunrise, and after ~20 minutes of hiking, you’ll reach a rocky outcropping that makes for the perfect sunrise perch.

3. Sand Beach or Ocean Path (Most Accessible): If you’re looking for a more relaxed morning or traveling with kids or dogs, head to Sand Beach or any nearby pullout along Ocean Path. You’ll still get that golden sunrise glow over the water, without the early wake-up hike or reservation stress.

Is It Really the First Sunrise in the U.S.?

Technically, Cadillac Mountain is only the first place to see sunrise in the U.S. from early October to early March due to the tilt of the Earth and sunrise angle. During other months, the honor moves briefly to other parts of Maine or to West Quoddy Head.

That said, watching the sun rise over the Atlantic from Acadia is an unforgettable experience any time of year.

6. Enjoy a Lobster Roll (or Four)

When you’re visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, eating a lobster roll is practically a requirement, and we took that responsibility seriously. During our three weeks in Maine, we made it our mission to try as many lobster rolls and bowls of clam chowder as possible. Below are our honest takes, with a clear favorite by the end.

C-Rays was our first stop. The lobster roll came on good bread, loaded with buttery lobster. The clam chowder was creamy but had smaller clams, which wasn’t our favorite texture. Still, it was a solid, satisfying stop.

Next up was Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound. The bread fell apart a bit, which made for a messier meal, but the lobster itself was even better than C-Rays—super fresh and flavorful. Their clam chowder featured whole clams (a plus), though the base was thinner and a bit watery.

We also stopped by Seaside Lobster and Dairy Bar while exploring the Southwest Harbor side of the island. We didn’t get a lobster roll this time—Jon shocked us all by declaring he’d had enough lobster for now—but he did try the clam chowder and said it was his favorite yet. Creamy, flavorful, and a top contender in the chowder category.

Bar Harbor Lobster Company was next. Their lobster roll was served cold, which isn’t our personal preference, but the lobster itself was good and the bread held up well. The clam chowder had mostly small clams with a creamy base and briefly took the lead in our chowder rankings.

And finally, The Travelin Lobster. This was hands down our favorite. The lobster roll was hot, sautéed in butter, and absolutely delicious. The chowder was rich, creamy, and almost bisque-like. It was the most expensive stop on our list, and we waited nearly an hour to order, but the flavor was so worth it. If we had to pick just one place to recommend, this would be it.

The bottom line? Every spot we tried was delicious and worth visiting if you want to craft your own rankings. But if time is tight and you’re only picking one, head straight to The Travelin Lobster. It was hands-down our favorite.

RTL Tip: If you have extra time, consider taking a lobster boat tour. We didn’t make it out on one, but my sister did a tour with Lulu Lobster Boat and said it was fantastic—both fun and educational.

Dog-friendly note: We found dog-friendly outdoor patios at both Bar Harbor Lobster Co. and Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound, so feel free to bring your pup along for lunch.

Keep Planning Your Trip to Bar Harbor

Ready to dive deeper? These posts will help you plan your dream Acadia getaway:

📍 Visiting more of New England? Check out our 2022 Travel Season itinerary with stops in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Lake Placid.

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6 Must-Do Things in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park