Coastal scenery and rugged mountains attract people to Bar Harbor
From a Gilded Age resort to the gateway to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor has a long reputation for recreation and relaxation in coastal Maine. Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine’s Downeast region, the community sees roughly 4 million visitors every year, but it only has a little over 5,000 permanent residents. “Bar Harbor first and foremost is a major tourist attraction, so anyone who plans to live there permanently — and of course you have a lot of people who want a second home there — they have to understand that Bar Harbor itself is going to be extremely busy in the summer, and they have to be prepared for that,” says Christy Alley, an associate broker with Elevate Maine Realty who’s lived in Downeast Maine all her life. Acadia National Park is the area’s primary draw, but the walkable downtown — with its vibrant dining scene and views of Frenchman Bay — adds to the area’s appeal. But Bar Harbor is more than a vacation destination; The Jackson Laboratory, a biomedical research institution, is a major employer, and the College of the Atlantic welcomes over 300 students each year.
Prices vary widely from town-center homes to coastal luxury properties
In the town center, turn-of-the-century Queen Anne and National homes sit close together along busy, sidewalk-lined streets. These have small, flower-filled front yards and narrow driveways. Properties have a more isolated feel outside of town, surrounded by trees along narrow roads that don’t see the same tourist traffic. Ranch-style homes, cabins and New Traditional houses are more common here, and they can sit on a couple of wooded acres. Spacious custom homes along the coast often have luxury amenities, water views and private beaches. Some coastal properties might be at high risk for flooding.
“In Bar Harbor, the price points are higher, and there’s much higher demand because of the waterfront,” Alley says. Homes under 2,500 square feet typically range from $420,000 to $900,000, while larger homes range from $910,000 to $1.8 million. Luxury properties on the water can go for as much as $10.1 million. Bar Harbor has strict regulations on how properties can be rented, with a cap on how many rental permits are allowed each year and an annual permit renewal process.
Acadia National Park and Frenchman Bay are top attractions
Acadia National Park, which makes up a large portion of Mount Desert Island, is one of the area’s biggest draws. The park is known for its rocky Atlantic coastline, mountain trails and bike-friendly carriage roads. Smaller green spaces are in town, such as Agamont Park, which overlooks Frenchman Bay. The bay is a popular place for kayakers to explore the Porcupine Islands. The Kebo Valley Golf Club is open to the public and offers memberships. Visitors to the Oceanarium and Education Center can learn more about the local environment, and the Abbe Museum has exhibits about the Wabanaki Nations, who have lived in Maine for thousands of years.
Fourth of July is a day of seafood, fireworks and big crowds
Fourth of July in Bar Harbor can draw massive crowds. The day’s festivities start early with a pancake breakfast and a patriotic parade throughout town. In the afternoon, the Bar Harbor Seafood Festival offers Maine favorites and cookout staples. The evening ends with fireworks over the bay.
A walkable downtown with upscale restaurants and seafood
Bar Harbor’s walkable downtown is lined with souvenir stores, ice cream shops and specialty stores that cater primarily to tourists. Most restaurants highlight Maine specialties and local ingredients. Geddy’s has served lobster rolls and clam chowder overlooking the harbor since 1974. Havana is an upscale eatery that was a semi-finalist for the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant. Downtown can be especially busy during the summer, and Alley says that many residents will travel to the island’s “quiet side” to dine in towns like Southwest Harbor. For groceries, Hannaford is in Bar Harbor and Southwest Foodmart is in Southwest Harbor. National retailers are on the mainland in Ellsworth.
Getting around Mount Desert Island
State Route 3 is the only road that connects to the mainland. It leads about 21 miles from Bar Harbor’s town center to Ellsworth, a drive that can take roughly 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Downeast Transportation offers bus routes to the mainland, and the seasonal Island Explorer bus has routes to island attractions. Biking is a popular way to get around, and sidewalks make the town center pedestrian friendly. Houses of worship here include St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church and Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Mount Desert Island Hospital provides health care on the island. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, which has flights to Boston, is about 13 miles away, and Bangor International Airport is a 51-mile trip.
National Blue Ribbon Schools and a small college
Kids can attend pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at Conners Emerson School, which earns an A from Niche and is a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. They can then continue to the A-minus-rated Mount Desert Island High, a 2020 Green Ribbon School. The College of the Atlantic, which enrolls around 350 students, offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in human ecology.
The winter off-season offers a break from the crowds
The summer brings huge crowds of visitors and seasonal residents to Bar Harbor, but things start to slow down around mid-October, Alley says. Many of the restaurants and businesses in town close, but a few stay open year-round. Acadia National Park also stays open throughout the winter, and its carriage roads are popular for cross-country skiing when it snows, which, surprisingly, isn’t that often. “We don’t get a lot of snow, being on the water,” Alley says. “I can drive 10 miles in and there can be a 10-degree difference in temperature. We get a lot less snow and more sleet and freezing rain, but it also tends to warm up and disappear quickly.” The crowds start to return in May.
Written By
Annie Franklin
