Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bar Harbor?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bar Harbor?

Most visitors spend two to three days in Bar Harbor when visiting. The quaint coastal town offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, the food, and the beautiful scenery.

Bar Harbor is a charming New England town that sits beautifully on the coast. It has a small town feel with boutique shops and local seafood restaurants. Many couples enjoy staying in the charming local hotels and wandering along the coastline. There are also whale watching tours, kayaking, and easy access to Acadia National Park.

Do you have one or two days to visit Bar Harbor? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Bar Harbor?

One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Bar Harbor. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to explore the small town, admire the quaint atmosphere, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is recommended. Many travelers opt for two to three days to experience the outdoors here. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in Bar Harbor

The small-town atmosphere of Bar Harbor is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It is the quintessential Maine small town with charming shops and restaurants as well as a cute waterfront.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour in Maine ($140)
  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour ($140)
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour ($25)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Bar Harbor is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the coastal town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bar Harbor?

With only a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the outdoors and scenery. To fully embrace Bar Harbor, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to two to three days to experience Acadia National Park as well as explore the small town, admire the quaint atmosphere, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery. However, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your time.

Bar Harbour, Maine Bar Harbour, Maine

How to spend 2 days in Bar Harbor

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Bar Harbor, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal town has to offer.

Bar Harbor offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. With a quaint local vibe and cute shopping streets to explore, this is a charming New England small town.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour in Maine ($140)
  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour ($140)
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour ($25)

Bar Harbor is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Surrounded by the water and beautiful landscaping, the town offers visitors plenty of beauty.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour in Maine ($140)
  • Savor Bar Harbor Culinary Walking Tour ($140)
  • Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour ($25)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Bar Harbor, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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