This Small Maine Town Has The Best Downtown
Its picturesque setting on Maine’s largest island has been a tremendous blessing to Bar Harbor. Not only is Mount Desert Island the sixth largest in the contiguous United States, but it is also home to Acadia National Park, one of New England’s most popular tourist attractions. Millions of visitors arrive each year to explore the park’s rocky headlands, glacier-formed lakes, and seemingly endless hiking trails, with most of them spending at least a little time in Downtown Bar Harbor. The main jumping-off point for both the island and the park, Bar Harbor boasts one of the most walkable downtowns on the entire Eastern Seaboard. Centered around Main Street, Cottage Street, and Mount Desert Street, there’s architectural eye-candy everywhere, from historic waterfront hotels overlooking Frenchman Bay to quaint old churches housing original Tiffany stained-glass windows.
Bar Harbor’s Long History of Tourism
Bar Harbor first appeared on the nation’s radar as the Town of Eden in the 1840s, some 50 years after its founding. It was during this early period that artists of the Hudson River School, including Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church, turned up to paint its magnificent seascapes. Their work caught the attention of wealthy families from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and by 1880, around 30 hotels had sprung up to meet the increasing demand for reputable places to stay on the island.
Even wealthier folks arrived during America’s Gilded Age, with families like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors building elaborate summer estates (euphemistically called "cottages") along what came to be known as Millionaires' Row.
Renamed Bar Harbor in 1918 after the natural sand and gravel bar that connects the mainland to Bar Island, 67 of those palatial homes were destroyed in a devastating wildfire in 1947, along with five grand hotels and 170 permanent residences. The town's business district, however, was spared and survived intact.
A Waterfront Walk in Bar Harbor
By far the best way to explore downtown Bar Harbor today is to put on those walking shoes and head out for a stroll. Begin your adventure at Agamont Park, a hilltop green at the northern end of Main Street where it meets West Street. Overlooking the John B. Ells Pier, from here you’ll get wonderful views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands(aka, the Porcupines), and, away in the distance, the Schoodic Peninsula. It’s also a pleasant picnic spot in summer when cruise ships come and go.
From Agamont Park, pick up the Shore Path for a wander along Bar Harbor’s lovely waterfront. Established in 1880, this gravel trail runs for three-quarters of a mile along the eastern shore of Mount Desert Island, passing Bar Harbor Inn & Spa, one of the town's oldest lodging properties, and several historic summer "cottages." You’ll also pass Balance Rock, a glacial boulder left behind roughly 10,000 years ago that makes for a unique selfie.
Tiffany Windows And Wabanaki Heritage
Follow Main Street for a few blocks, and you’ll find the Village Green. The hub of Downtown Bar Harbor, it’s especially pleasant during the summer when the Bar Harbor Town Band puts on regular free concerts. There’s also the handy Acadia Information Center located at Village Green, offering info about Acadia National Park, as well as a shuttle bus service so you can leave the car parked in town.
A short stroll along Mount Desert Street from the Village Green will take you to two of Bar Harbor's top cultural attractions. St. Saviour's Episcopal Church dates to 1877, with a newer section featuring a collection of 10 rare Tiffany stained-glass windows. Installed between 1886 and 1907, among the most notable are Christ the Good Shepherd from 1893, and Salve Regina, made in 1907. Several memorial windows by American and European artists can also be viewed.
Directly across the street from the church, the Abbe Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate focusing on the history, heritage, and culture of Maine's Wabanaki Nations. Its main exhibit, People of the First Light, covers 12,000 years of their presence in the region, including a large collection of basketry. If visiting in May, be sure to include the museum’s Indian Market in your itinerary for its custom jewelry, traditional foods, and works of art by Wabanaki craftspeople.
Main Street To The Sandbar
Try to time your walk around Bar Harbor to finish up at the Bar Island Trail at low tide. Starting at the foot of Bridge Street, a short walk from West Street, this sand and gravel trail emerges from the water twice a day when the tide goes out, creating a nearly half-mile walkable route to Bar Island, which is located within Acadia National Park.
This narrow natural sandbar is typically only passable for about 90 minutes before and after low tide, giving visitors a roughly three-hour window to cross, explore the tide pools for sea stars and crabs, and hike the short trail to the island's summit. It’s certainly a highlight of a visit to Bar Harbor, and best of all, it's only a few minutes' stroll from the downtown core.
Downtown Bar Harbor Is A Must-Visit
While you’re more than likely wanting to visit Mount Desert Island for its national park, allowing some extra time to explore Downtown Bar Harbor is well worth it. With its nearly 150-year-old coastal walking path and its pleasant old architecture, this New England gem definitely deserves its reputation as Maine’s best downtown.
