Bar Harbor is a town proudly located in the southeastern part of Maine on the Atlantic Ocean. The town was once a quaint fishing village and specialized in shipbuilding in the 19th century, though not much of the economy comes from seasonal tourism. Acadia National Park is located in Bar Harbor and draws visitors from all over the country and the world. The town is well-known for its traditional vacation retreat atmosphere as well as its awesome fishing and lobster trade.
The history of Bar Harbor is closely attached to the sea and the citizens of the area. Even prior to fishing and shipbuilding, Native Americans inhabited the area. The Abbe Museum has been open since 1927 and details the Native American experience in Bar Harbor and Maine in general with its collection of more than 50,000 items ranging from 10,000 years old to the 20th century. The William A. Bracken gallery is a further place to learn about the cultural heritage of the area. The paintings in the gallery portray locals engaged in the conventional work of the region, including fishing. Even the plentiful cabin rental accommodations available are adorned with authentic seafaring tools and artifacts of the area.
Today, fishing is still a prevalent occupation and recreational pastime. There are many charter vessels in and around Bar Harbor that will take you and your family on a half day or full day fishing expedition. One boat, the 50’ Tiger Shark, takes tourists on a 4 hour fishing and sightseeing outing around the many scattered islands of the bay. Bald eagles and seals are regularly detectable from such a nature watching fishing cruise, as well as local lobstermen at work. Charters such as this offer bait and tackle, as well as a license that covers everyone on the vessel.
Sea Kayaks are another well-liked method to get out on the water, see nature, and possibly do a little fishing. Kayaks are a good method to discover the rocky and distant beaches of the islands that are not otherwise reachable. Just watch out for the whales that are regularly seen in the waters off Bar Harbor, as a suddenly emerging blowhole can give a kayaker a genuine scare.
As one might expect, seafood, especially lobster, play an important role in the culinary experience of Maine. Of course, proprietors of romantic getaways are the best to ask for local neighborhood restaurant tips. Restaurants in and around Bar Harbor offer tourists and locals alike some of the most excellent cuisine in the whole state, from gourmet meals to straightforward lobster boiled in pots out back. Take advantage of seafood in Maine, as a large amount of it is delivered fresh daily to the dock on the north side of town. One of the most renowned Bar Harbor experiences is the Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound. This no frills restaurant is found on Bar Harbor Road, just before the bridge that leads to Acadia National Park. The decor is casual with picnic tables and the lobster is fresh daily.
