A Couples’ Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine

Family travelers and outdoor enthusiasts travel through Bar Harbor on their way to adventures in Acadia National Park, but couples looking for a romantic getaway need travel no further than Bar Harbor itself.

Where to Stay

The minute you check into the historic Holbrook House, you’ll want to pull up one of the wicker rockers on the long front porch and take in views of the historic district, or maybe drop into one of the Adirondack chairs overlooking the gardens on the side lawn.

If a cool fall breeze makes indoors more attractive, choose the spacious parlor and work on a puzzle in front of the fireplace. Large guestrooms are in dreamy seaside colors, and many have patios or balconies.

What to Do
Stroll along Shore Walk, popular since the Gilded Age, when wealthy city families traded the summer heat for Maine’s cool ocean breezes. It borders Frenchman’s Bay, beginning at Agrimont Park, with views of the islands across the bay.

For a longer walk with a hint of adventure, wait for the tide to recede enough to expose the rocky sand bar leading to Bar Island. Watch the time as you explore the island’s trails — you don’t want to be stuck there when the tide comes in.

Sail Away
Let the wind carry you around the islands of Frenchman’s Bay on a traditional Maine Windjammer. Afternoon sails are livelier, as the winds usually grow stronger. Take a puffin cruise to islands where these too-cute birds nest, or cruise to visit island lighthouses or explore the fjord at Sommes Sound.

Sunset, Sunrise
Watch the sunset from Town Wharf, where the ever-changing colors of the sky are mirrored in the water. Or take a sunset cruise on a windjammer; the four-masted Margaret Todd often has live music on these evening cruises.

If watching the sunrise is your idea of romance, be at the summit of Cadillac Mountain early, and expect lots of company; it’s one of the most popular things to do in Bar Harbor. As dawn breaks, you will be treated to the best views of Acadia National Park and Frenchman Bay.