Bar Harbor is committed to your safety as you enjoy your stay— to eat, shop, and play! Read on for some insider tips on how to keep it a socially-distanced Bar Harbor experience.
Dining Hacks
Switch up your hours! Sleep in and grab brunch like it’s the weekend even if it’s not, or be an early bird and enjoy lunch before noon, and dinner before 5 p.m. (Upside: That sets you up perfectly for a late evening snack of ice cream or blueberry pie!)
Reserve, Reserve: Wherever possible, make reservations for all of your meals. Then you can show up on time and avoid having to wait in any potential lines.
Shopping like a Pro
Connect: Call the shops you want to visit ahead of time and ask for tips on when the best time would be to shop. Or, request a time before or after their usual hours. It can’t hurt to ask!
Order Online: If you’re not able to visit during off hours, see if the shop offers online ordering for you to browse at your leisure. Plus: more room in your suitcase!
Smart Spaces
Park it: our public parks are great options for some R&R in a spacious setting
Athlete Style: whether for play, picnicking, or running about, our athletic fields are a great social-distancing option
Want more Bar Harbor tips? Stop by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center at 2 Cottage Street, or visit our website.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is regularly one of the top ten most-visited national parks in the U.S. It’s a good idea to plan ahead to help you have a fun and socially-distant trip!
Cadillac Mountain*: At sunrise and sunset, Cadillac Mountain Summit can be a busy place. For the summer season, visitors to Acadia National Park will need a vehicle reservation to drive up the Cadillac Summit Road during sunrise and daylight hours. Learn more about the reservations system at our Acadia National Park Vehicle Reservations page.
Utilize public transportation options (or hike up!) for a reservation-free experience. Get to Cadillac’s peak on one of these fun and informative local providers:
Sunrise/Sunset Alternatives: If sunrise or sunset is a must-see for you, don’t despair. We have some recommendations for alternative places to witness the spectacle.
Sand Beach*:
Be early, or be late: Plan to arrive early to stake your place on the beach, or hit the sand later in the afternoon when many others have already called it a day.
Swap the Sun for Stars: Surprisingly, after sunset is an especially good time to visit Sand Beach—to stargaze! You’ll feel so close to the Milky Way, you’ll want to reach out and grab the stars.
Looking for more information and tips about Acadia National Park? Stop at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center and ask a Park Ranger for personalized suggestions to fit your interests, or visit Acadia National Park’s website. We wish you a wonderful, fun and safe trip!
