Where to Stay in Bar Harbor for a New England Summer

Nestled along Maine’s Frenchman Bay, beautiful Bar Harbor is a quintessential New England town filled with outdoor adventure. If you’re seeking a charming summer vacation in New England, you’ve come to the right place. Located on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor bustles with history, delicious seafood, and charming shops. Not to mention, the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding Acadia National Park makes Bar Harbor a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking a quiet escape into nature. But where to stay in Bar Harbor for the perfect summer getaway? Travelers will find no better lodging than Terramor Outdoor Resort. Continue reading to learn more and start planning your Bar Harbor retreat.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor: Terramor Outdoor Resort

So, where to stay in Bar Harbor? No other Bar Harbor hotel can compare to the Terramor Outdoor Resort. A designer hideaway in the woods, this one-of-a-kind resort encourages you to relax in the quiet, serene natural beauty of Mount Desert Island while enhancing your vacation in the outdoors with comfortable essentials, refined style, and authentic local opportunities. Learn more about what makes elegant Terramor one of the best hotels in Maine below.

Terramor Amenities

Terramor’s amenities offer an elevated outdoor experience, just minutes from the hiking trails of Acadia National Park and lovely Bar Harbor. This Bar Harbor resort makes for a perfect four-day vacation, providing countless opportunities to connect with nature (and yourself). Cool off from a bike ride in the swimming pool, or spend a chilly night in the hot tubs or sipping cocktails around the crackling campfire. Moreover, the Pavilion is the place to gather for breakfast or before exploring harbor towns, and there are plenty of yard games for friendly competition.

What’s more, Terramor’s restaurants offer true-to-Maine menus using seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. From sipping artisanal morning coffee on the Lodge deck to digging into a hearty ribeye at dinner, to nightly s’mores and craft cocktails curated by Terramor mixologists, there’s something to satiate any traveler.

Terramor also offers curated experiences and guided excursions for guests looking to immerse themselves in their surroundings. These include beekeeping lessons at the on-site apiary, stargazing, a private lobster boil, and morning yoga sessions. Moreover, if you’re craving a little extra pampering, the Wellness Tent at Terramor features Reiki sessions, signature massages, aromatherapy facials, and more, all using organic, plant-powered materials and natural practices to help ground and center you.

Where to Stay in Bar Harbor: Terramor Accommodations

Ready for a dreamy glamping experience? Accommodations at Terramor Outdoor Resort aren’t your average “tents.” These luxury tents are just as glamorous as typical resort suites, with deluxe bedding, in-room diffusers, premium bathroom amenities, and electricity and wi-fi. What’s more, each tent includes towels and linens, cozy furnishings, an electric kettle, wine glasses and opener, portable heater, noise machine, wool blankets, and more. So, where to stay in Bar Harbor? Explore the five tent accommodations at Terramor below.

• Moosewood Tent: features one king bed, a separate bedroom with a bunk bed (twin on top, double on bottom), secluded outdoor shower, and a private fire pit. Sleeps five.
• Hemlock Tent: features a king bedroom with a connecting bathroom. Includes an outdoor secluded shower and private fire pit. Sleeps two.
• Birch Tent: features two separate rooms with a king bed and a bunk bed (twin on top, double on bottom), an ensuite bathroom, and a private fire pit. Sleeps five.
• Bayberry Tent: features a king bed, an ensuite bathroom with a large walk-in shower, and a private fire pit. It can also accommodate a crib. Sleeps two.
• Alder Tent: features a queen bed, three twin beds, a private, keyed bathroom at the bathhouse (175′ away), and a large porch that looks toward the pavilion. Sleeps five.

Can’t-Miss Activities in Bar Harbor

Enough about where to stay in Bar Harbor; it’s time to explore some unforgettable adventures on land and sea in the Bar Harbor area. Mount Desert Island is known for the stunning natural beauty of Acadia National Park, as well as picturesque bays, charming towns, and active wildlife. Explore what’s in store for you on your summer retreat to Bar Harbor below.

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park, the crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast, is one of the ten most-visited parks in the U.S. With over 125 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails to explore, this park is a haven for nature enthusiasts. Explore lush mountain forests, admire the view from scenic overlooks, or enjoy a picnic lunch by one of the tranquil lakes or ponds. Acadia also boasts the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic Coast, Cadillac Mountain. This massive granite mountain is the homeland of the Wabanaki people, and from the summit, you can soak in expansive views of the island landscape. All in all, Acadia National Park is a must-do during your trip to Bar Harbor.

Downtown Bar Harbor

Of course, visitors to Bar Harbor should spend an afternoon or two exploring downtown. The area is filled with attractions like walking ghost tours, a handful of museums, and regular music shows and other fun events. Main Street is lined with colorfully painted, locally owned shops featuring handcrafted treasures with a signature New England charm. So, be sure to grab a memento or two before your retreat ends. What’s more, the charming village of Bar Harbor features some of Maine’s most delicious food and drink. You’ll find plenty of waterfront restaurants overlooking the historic Shore Path and glittering bay, serving fresh lobster, crab, and other specialties with home-grown produce. Not to mention, the craft beer, wine, and cocktails are hard to beat.

Bar Harbor Whale Watch

Fortunately for summer travelers, June is the start of whale watching season in Maine. From June to September, the ocean waters come alive with marine life, varying from humpback, fin, and minke whales. This means summer visitors to Bar Harbor can witness these magnificent creatures feed in the local waters on sand eel, plankton, copepods, and more. The Bar Harbor Whale Watch company offers offshore experiences that allow travelers to witness dolphins, porpoises, sharks, sunfish, and, ultimately, whales. During this excursion, your expert guide will teach you about the local marine life, as well as the natural history of the Gulf of Maine.

Bioluminescent Kayak Tour

Embark on an unforgettable nighttime experience in Castine Bay with a bioluminescent kayak tour! Castine Kayak Adventures offers this once-in-a-lifetime experience to guests of Bar Harbor, where they paddle beneath a twinkling blanket of stars after dark. Each stroke in the water stirs up the bioluminescent organisms, creating a mesmerizing show of colors. So, book your tour with Castine Kayak Adventures, located on the water at Eaton’s Wharf. This company also offers additional ecotour adventures, so be sure to ask them about other experiences in Bar Harbor.

Explore Mount Desert Island with Nook Outdoors

Now that you know where to stay in Bar Harbor, you can start planning the rest of your trip. Let Nook Outdoors be your guide! Our curated collection of boutique hotels, glamping destinations, cabin rentals, and more puts nature at the forefront of your vacations without sacrificing the modern hotel luxury you know and love. So, book your Bar Harbor getaway today, or explore other summer adventures below!