Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bar Harbor?

Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bar Harbor?

Most visitors spend two to three days in Bar Harbor when visiting. The relaxed 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Bar Harbor?

Three days is the perfect amount of time here, as many visitors prefer to spend around two to three days exploring the area. You'll be able to take in the beautiful landscapes and scenery, as well as the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, the food, and the beautiful scenery. We have some suggestions for what to do and where to start your adventure below.

How to spend 3 days 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.

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)

Don't miss Acadia National Park during your trip to Bar Harbor, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Bar Harbor.

Is 4 days enough time in Bar Harbor?

With four days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that this coastal town has to offer, giving you the flexibility spend extra time checking out the small town charm, the quaint atmosphere, the food, and the beautiful scenery. You can move at your own pace and take time to relax, too. We have some suggestions of things to do below.

Bar Harbour, Maine Bar Harbour, Maine

How to spend 4 days in Bar Harbor

If you have more than 4 days in Bar Harbor, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal town has to offer.

Shopping in Bar Harbor is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Bar Harbor.

Is 5 days enough time in Bar Harbor?

Five days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to the relaxed coastal town, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Explore the small town, admire the quaint atmosphere, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel and use it as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend 5 days in Bar Harbor

Having 5 days in Bar Harbor will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the coastal town.

The beautiful beaches await you in Bar Harbor, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Bar Harbor.

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.

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.