Bar Harbor, Maine, is a popular family vacation destination known for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Located on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, which offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
If you’re planning a family trip to Bar Harbor, you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of activities that your kids will love. From hiking and wildlife watching to sailing and beachcombing, here are the top 10 activities that your kids will enjoy near Bar Harbor, Maine!
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a must-visit destination for families in Bar Harbor. With its rugged coastline, pristine forests, and abundant wildlife, Acadia National Park offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
You can take your kids on a scenic drive along the park’s Loop Road, hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain, or enjoy a picnic on Sand Beach. Read more about our favorite activities to do with kids in Acadia National Park.
Stop at the visitor center, pick up some Junior Ranger books, and see what adventures are in store for you!
Whale Watching
Whale watching is a popular activity in Bar Harbor, with several tour operators offering daily excursions to see whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural habitat. Your kids will love spotting these majestic creatures and learning about their behavior and habitats.
Be sure you ask about the water conditions on the date of your tour. Rough waters can catch people off guard…very off guard… But, if you can tour on a still day, the whale watching will leave memories of a lifetime!
Bar Harbor Whales offers numerous cruises in the area including a ranger-led tour.
Beachcombing & Tidepooling
Bar Harbor has several beautiful beaches where you can go beachcombing with your kids. Collect shells, rocks, and other treasures while enjoying the stunning coastal scenery.
Preview the Bar Island Tide Chart to see the tide schedule, and go tidepooling at Bar Island. The window of opportunity is from 90 minutes before low tide until 90 minutes after low tide. Your kids will love it!
We recommend close-toed watershoes for everyone. As you wade through the water, shells and sand will enter any water shoes that are open-toed or sandals.
Sailing or Kayaking
Sailing is a fun and unique way to explore the waters around Bar Harbor. You can take a guided sailing tour or rent a sailboat and explore the coastline on your own.
Sail Acadia offers sailing tours, nature tours, and sunset cruises around Bar Harbor.
Kayaking is also a popular activity in Bar Harbor, with several rental companies offering kayaks and guided tours. Paddle through the park’s lakes and bays, spot wildlife, and enjoy the peaceful natural surroundings.
Wherever the waters are calm, we encourage you to get out and see this coastal region from the sea!
Visit The Abbe Museum
This charming museum within Acadia National Park has numerous exhibits showcasing the people native to the area. Sometimes they even have life-sized or interactive displays!
While they are not currently offering special programs, touring this small museum gives your family a sense of the people and lifestyle historic to this region.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Acadia National Park and enjoy the scenic beauty of the park. The old fashioned carriage roads are off limits to motorized vehicles. Your kids will love the old-fashioned charm of this activity.
You can schedule private tours or group tours. We suggest scheduling as far in advance as possible, as Acadia is a busy park with a very short season.
Mount Desert Oceanarium
The Mount Desert Oceanarium is an educational and interactive attraction that teaches visitors about the marine life and ecology of the Maine coast. Your kids will love exploring the touch tanks, watching live lobsters, and learning about the local fisheries.
This is a guided experience that includes a lobster hatchery, a salt marsh walk, and a lobster museum. Call ahead or check their website to ensure that they are open and available for tours!
Bar Harbor Village Green
The Bar Harbor Village Green is a beautiful public park in the heart of the town. It connects to the charming downtown making it a great place to take a break between shopping and eating.
Kids can run and play on the green or enjoy the town’s events and festivals. The Bar Harbor Band plays at the Green on Mondays and Thursdays during the summer. Concerts begin at 7:30pm.
For more birding, art, and music festivals check out this list by Port O Call Bar Harbor.
The Village Green is a convenient town hub to wander through at your own leisure. Enjoy the events or delight in the picnic-perfect grass!
Lumberjack Show
If your family loves a good show, or you just want to explore all of the region’s most popular excursions, consider attending a lumberjack show!
Kids will love the 75-minute show of chopping, sawing, ax throwing, and log rolling! You can even sign up for log-rolling lessons.
The Great Maine Lumberjack Show offers nightly shows at 7pm during the summer months.
Jordan Pond House
Jordan Pond House is a historic restaurant located in Acadia National Park. It offers outdoor seating overlooking the park.
Your kids will love sampling the restaurant’s famous popovers, and you can take a leisurely stroll around the pond and enjoy the stunning views.
First, however, you need to book your reservations! They fill quickly, so plan in advance.
The Shops of Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a dream of a tourist town. Its stores cater to tourists and can be entertaining for the kids. While you may not want shopping to be a daily diversion, it makes for a wonderful afternoon on one day of your trip.
To help sustain everyone’s shopping energy, there are numerous kid-friendly candy shops and ice cream shops. If you have any ice cream connoisseurs in your family, you may just prioritize a daily visit to try all of the special flavors on offer!
Special Eats in Bar Harbor
Breakfast is a big deal in Bar Harbor! The pancake wars are serious, and securing your spot at a table can be a battle.
My husband’s favorite place to eat in town is an early morning breakfast at Jeannie’s Great Maine Breakfast. If you have any pancake lovers in your family, the “Great Maine Breakfast” is an adventure in itself! (They also have allergy-friendly options!)
In addition to breakfast, you should not miss eating lobster in this coastal town. While you can order it at any restaurant, you will also find small food trucks on the outskirts of town that offer picnic-style seating while you enjoy this delicacy.
Bar Harbor is a busy town that does a great job catering to tourists. Remember to consider a lumberjack or other evening show! The are plenty of activities that your kids will love.
Whether you’re seeking a fun-filled adventure or an educational experience, there’s something for everyone in this charming coastal town and the surrounding area. Plan your family trip now and make unforgettable memories with your kids in Bar Harbor.
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