Acadia National Park / Bar Harbor

About this city

Also known as: The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic

Encompassing a breathtaking expanse of Mount Desert Island and adjacent coastal peninsulas, the Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor area represents the crown jewel of the North Atlantic coast. Formed over millennia by glacial carving that left dramatic granite peaks, deep valleys, and the unique fjord-like Somes Sound, this region has captivated humans for centuries—from the indigenous Wabanaki Nations to 19th-century 'Rusticators' and elite Gilded Age tycoons like the Rockefellers. Bar Harbor serves as the lively, historic gateway town to the national park, transitioning from an early fishing and shipbuilding community into a world-class summer resort destination. The contemporary landscape perfectly blends rugged coastal wilderness with sophisticated culinary scenes and maritime heritage.