Bar Harbor with Kids: 4 Things to Do Beyond Acadia National Park
When most families plan a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine, Acadia National Park is usually at the top of the list—and for good reason. But one of the things I loved about our family trip to the area was discovering that there is plenty to do beyond the national park.
If you're visiting Bar Harbor with kids, I definitely recommend leaving some time in your itinerary to explore the town and surrounding area. From museums and marine life to an adventure that depends on the tides, these activities gave our family a nice break from hiking and exploring Acadia.
During our trip, we visited the Abbe Museum, Mount Desert Oceanarium, Bar Island Trail, and Dorr Museum of Natural History. Each offered something a little different, and they were all great additions to our Acadia vacation.
Here are four family-friendly things to do in Bar Harbor beyond Acadia National Park.
1. Visit the Abbe Museum
The Abbe Museum is a great option for families who want to learn more about the history and culture of the Wabanaki peoples of Maine.
Rather than spending another day focused solely on the outdoors, visiting the museum gave our family an opportunity to slow down and learn something different.
The exhibits provide an introduction to Wabanaki history, culture, art, and traditions. It's an especially nice addition to an Acadia trip because it helps provide more context about the people and cultures connected to the land you're visiting.
Why families should visit
The Abbe Museum is a good rainy-day activity or a break from hiking. It can also be a nice educational stop if you're traveling with school-age children.
I always like including educational experiences in family vacations when they don't feel like "school." The Abbe Museum was a great way to add that element to our trip.
Family tip: Give yourself enough time to explore without rushing. Pairing a museum visit with other activities in Bar Harbor can make for a nice change of pace from a full day in Acadia.
2. Explore the Mount Desert Oceanarium
If your kids love animals, the Mount Desert Oceanarium is another activity worth adding to your Bar Harbor itinerary.
The Oceanarium focuses on marine life found around Mount Desert Island and gives families an opportunity to learn about the creatures that live in the waters surrounding the area.
For kids, experiences like this can make the destination feel even more interesting. After spending time exploring the coastline, it's fun to learn more about what lives beneath the water.
Why families should visit
The Oceanarium is a particularly good option if you have younger children or if your family needs a break from hiking.
It's also a nice complement to the outdoor activities around Acadia. Instead of simply seeing the ocean and coastline, kids get an opportunity to learn more about the marine environment.
Family tip: Check the current operating schedule and activities before your trip since offerings can change seasonally.
3. Walk the Bar Island Trail
The Bar Island Trail was probably one of the most unique experiences we had during our trip.
Unlike a typical hiking trail, Bar Island is accessible from Bar Harbor only during low tide. A sandbar known as the Bar Island Land Bridge is exposed when the tide goes out, allowing visitors to walk across to the island.
That makes the experience feel like an adventure before you've even reached the trail.
Why kids will love it
For kids, there's something exciting about being able to literally walk across the ocean floor.
It's also a great way to introduce children to the concept of tides. You're not just going for a hike—you're paying attention to the clock and the ocean.
Once you're on Bar Island, you can explore the area before returning to Bar Harbor across the exposed land bridge.
Important family tip
Pay very close attention to the tide schedule.
The land bridge is only accessible for a limited period around low tide. You don't want to get so caught up exploring that you miss the window to return.
I'd recommend checking the tide times ahead of time and giving your family plenty of time to get back.
This was one of those experiences that felt like much more than simply checking another trail off our list. It was an adventure the kids could actually participate in and understand.
4. Visit the Dorr Museum of Natural History
Another educational stop we made during our trip was the Dorr Museum of Natural History.
This is a smaller museum, but that can actually work really well for families. You don't necessarily need to dedicate an entire afternoon to it, making it easier to fit into a busy Acadia itinerary.
The museum features natural history exhibits and specimens, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the wildlife and natural environment of Maine.
Why families should visit
If your kids enjoy animals, nature, and science, this can be a fun addition to your trip.
I also liked having an activity that didn't require another long hike or several hours outdoors. After spending so much time exploring Acadia, a shorter indoor attraction can be exactly what your family needs.
How to Fit These Activities Into an Acadia Family Vacation
One of my biggest tips for visiting Acadia with kids is don't try to do everything in one day.
Acadia has so much to see and do, and it's easy to create an itinerary that leaves everyone exhausted.
Instead, consider mixing outdoor adventures in the national park with activities around Bar Harbor.
For example, you could spend the morning hiking or exploring Acadia and then head into Bar Harbor for an afternoon museum visit.
Or, plan a day that's focused primarily on Bar Harbor and save your bigger Acadia adventures for another day.
The Bar Island Trail is a little different because you'll need to plan around the tide, so I'd start with the tide schedule when deciding where it fits into your itinerary.
Which Bar Harbor Activities Are Best for Kids?
Every family is different, but here's how I'd think about the activities we experienced:
For kids who love adventure: Bar Island Trail
For animal lovers: Mount Desert Oceanarium
For kids interested in history and culture: Abbe Museum
For kids who love nature and wildlife: Dorr Museum of Natural History
And if you have a rainy day during your trip, these activities can give you some great alternatives to spending the entire day outdoors.
Don't Skip Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park may be the reason many families visit Mount Desert Island, but don't overlook Bar Harbor itself.
Our family really enjoyed having experiences that weren't just hiking and sightseeing. The museums gave us opportunities to learn, the Oceanarium added a different perspective on the area's marine environment, and Bar Island gave us an adventure that we wouldn't have experienced on a typical trail.
That's one of my favorite things about a family vacation—sometimes the experiences you didn't expect to be highlights end up being the ones everyone remembers.
If you're planning an Acadia National Park vacation with kids, I definitely recommend setting aside some time to explore Bar Harbor beyond the national park. It can add a completely different dimension to your trip and give your family some great options when you need a break from the trails.
Looking for more Acadia family travel ideas? Check out my complete guide to planning an Acadia National Park family vacation for more tips, activities, and ideas for your trip. #neverlandingtravelbysara #barharbor #familyvacation #maine
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