The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Bar Harbor, Maine (ME)

July 29, 2021 Merry Kessler

Mansions and majestic hotels serve as reminders of Bar Harbor’s past (in the 19th century, it was a favorite vacation spot of society’s upper crust). Today, visitors kayak, explore Acadia National Park, go bird- or whale-watching, and enjoy salty sea air and sandy beaches.
Restaurants in Bar Harbor

1. Mount Desert Island

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609 +1 207-288-5005 http://www.barharborinfo.com
Excellent
89%
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5.0 based on 2,891 reviews

Mount Desert Island

Home to Acadia National Park, this island off the coast of Maine with its beaches, sweeping cliffs and mountains offers visitors numerous recreational activities, from hiking, biking and following nature trails to swimming, sailing and kayaking.

Reviewed By mikey605 - Sevierville, United States

So much to see and do on Mount Desert Island! Acadia National Park, Whale Watching, Scenic Charters and Tours, Beaches, Shops, Golf, Hiking, Biking, Sea Kayaking, Plane rides, glider rides, helicopter flights, mini golf, if you want to do it you will find it on MDI

2. Frenchman Bay

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME http://www.acadiamagic.com/frenchman-bay.html
Excellent
81%
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5.0 based on 378 reviews

Frenchman Bay

Reviewed By PerksAdvisor_NYC - New York City, United States

This is a great way to enjoy the power of nature of the beauty of Frenchman’s Bay which is off of Bar Harbor. Just watch the boat pass by or see the seals jumping in the water. This can be a very relaxing way to enjoy your trip to Bar Harbor. There are also many companies that will give you a Bay ride.

3. ImprovAcadia

15 Cottage St 2nd Floor, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-1885 +1 207-288-2503 [email protected] http://www.improvacadia.com/
Excellent
85%
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5.0 based on 388 reviews

ImprovAcadia

ImprovAcadia is closed during the pandemic. We will be pivoting our theater to Bangor Maine and continue to offer world class improvisational theater. Go to our website to see up to date information.

Reviewed By D6719UJcarolynh - Amherst, Canada

Went with my 16 year old daughter, first time for either of us at improv...so went with no expectations but so glad we went. Both of us enjoyed it, the service and cozy atmosphere was excellent and the performers hilarious! Great job!

4. National Park Sea Kayak Tours

Excellent
87%
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5.0 based on 472 reviews

National Park Sea Kayak Tours

Ecological Sea Kayak trips on the remote West Side of Acadia...Half Day (4 hours) AM, PM & Sunset. (2.5 - 3 hours) "on-the-water"... Top Rated on Trip Advisor. Great Wildlife Sightings (Harbor Seal, Porpoise, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Loon, other Sea Birds. Locally owned and operated since 1993. Professional Sea Kayak Guides provide all equipment, instruction and van transportation. Beginners welcome.

5. Schoodic Peninsula

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-801-9444 http://www.acadiamagic.com/schoodic/schoodic-head.htm
Excellent
86%
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5.0 based on 465 reviews

Schoodic Peninsula

Reviewed By 70clarkek - New York, United States

Recently took a a trip out to Maine. First time being there. If you want to enjoy some truly wonder sites, without a ton of people or crowds then you should check out Schoodic for sure. During our stay, we there twice. Once during the day where the scenery and shoreline is incredible. Be sure to stop by Raven's Nest where you can get a close up (but don't get TOO close) of this beautiful sheer cliff face where it meets the water. Also make sure you take a walk on the shoreline just past Blueberry Hill so that you can hear the "applauding river rocks". If you're up for it, do yourself a favor and go back at night. Find a place to park, turn your vehicle and vehicle lights off and look up at the sky. From here the Milky Way Galaxy is visible with the naked eye. You'll be glad you went.

6. Acadia Stand Up Paddleboarding

Excellent
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5.0 based on 148 reviews

Acadia Stand Up Paddleboarding

Acadia Stand Up Paddle Boarding offers guided trips, instruction, rentals, SUP yoga, and SUP Fishing tours on the beautiful lakes and calm bays of Mount Desert Island. Located in downtown Bar Harbor our retail store offers a wide variety of paddle boards for sale as well as beach lifestyle accessories. All our programs are led by certified professional instructors. Due to the small group nature of our program offerings, please note our strict 24 hour cancellation policy.

7. At Your Service Tours

Excellent
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5.0 based on 514 reviews

At Your Service Tours

We are Bar Harbor's largest and oldest private van touring company. Locally owned, we specialize in a personalized experience of Acadia National Park. Our experienced local guides have a deep knowledge of the area and narrate the tours with history and facts in an unscripted way which allows for many questions and custom experiences. We have tours that range from 3 to 6 hours for groups up to 5. The tours are private to the group booking. We don't put groups together. We are advanced reservation only. The price is per hour per vehicle, we don't have a per person rate. All the time is all yours while on tour, you can spend as long as you want at each stop. Perfect for photographers or those who don't want 10 minute per stop experience. See Acadia in a chauffeured way and see all the highlights: Summit of Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, glacial lakes, soaring granite cliffs, as well as gardens, mansions, lighthouses, & stone bridges.

8. Jesup Memorial Library

34 Mount Desert St, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME 04609-1727 +1 207-288-4245 [email protected] http://www.jesuplibrary.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 37 reviews

Jesup Memorial Library

9. Acadia Photo Safari

Excellent
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5.0 based on 252 reviews

Acadia Photo Safari

Acadia Photo Safaris are hands-on nature photography tours conducted in Acadia National Park and led by Howie Motenko, a local, professional photographer. Every photo safari explores camera setting choices, creating compelling and engaging compositions and developing a photographic awareness enabling you to capture Acadia's natural beauty. All photographers and all skill levels (beginner and beyond) are taught in a small, intimate group (limited to 6 participants) during our 3-hour photography tour. Safaris are offered in the mornings, afternoons or evenings to suit your schedule.

10. Eagle Lake Acadia National Park

Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME +1 207-288-3338 http://www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm
Excellent
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5.0 based on 140 reviews

Eagle Lake Acadia National Park

Reviewed By suzannef795

Free parking and entrance! Just choose to walk or rent a bike. I walked because I love to stop and take pictures of the wildflowers, lake, and rock. The trees have such beauty with the sun reflecting off their leaves. It is truly tranquil and it's a level path around the lake but if 6 miles is too much for you then just walk or bike what you can.

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