Welcome to the Bar Harbor Tour
Return to the extravagance of the Gilded Age in Bar Harbor, Maine. Once the vacation destination of choice among some of America’s wealthiest families, this quaint seaside town is still chock full of lavish historic architecture. Dive into Bar Harbor’s rich history, stroll alongside the ocean, and learn how the lobster became a Maine icon!
About the Tour
Your tour begins at the Bar Harbor Pier. From there, you’ll head west and hear about Bar Harbor’s early days as a fishing town and its transformation during the Gilded Age.
You’ll then have the chance to cross a land bridge to the beautiful, untouched Bar Island—a must-see for visitors! After that, you’ll enter the West Street Historic District, which is packed with gorgeous homes dating back to the Gilded Age!
The first major landmark you’ll find in the historic district is La Rochelle, an extravagant Gilded Age mansion that now functions as a museum. Continuing on toward the Primrose Inn, you’ll hear about a fire that ravaged the town, from how it started to how it changed Bar Harbor.
Next up are the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church, each displaying eye-catching and totally unique styles. Past those is the Jessup Memorial Library, which dates back almost 150 years!
At the Abbe Museum, up next, you’ll find a collection dedicated to the Native Wabanaki of the region. Then there’s the Village Green, designed by the same woman who designed the White House Rose Garden!
Then it’s time to stroll down Main Street, loaded with shops, restaurants, and cafes offering anything your heart desires.
Afterward, you’ll head to the Shore Path, which, as you might expect, leads you along the picture-perfect waterfront. As you walk and take in the scenery, you’ll learn more about Bar Harbor’s earliest history and how to spot some of the area’s prettiest wildflowers. You’ll also come across an extraordinary landmark deposited in Bar Harbor during the Ice Age!
Next is a personal tennis court-turned-public park, which is an excellent example of how Bar Harbor has transformed since the Gilded Age. Right next to that is the Bar Harbor Inn, an essential part of the town since 1887! Your tour concludes just beyond the inn, right by the spot where you began.
Tour Map
What You'll See
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Welcome to Bar Harbor
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Bar Island Trail
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West Street Historic District
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The Tides, La Rochelle
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Primrose Inn
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Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
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St. Saviour's Episcopal Church
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Jesup Memorial Library
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Abbe Museum
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Village Green
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Main St
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Shore Path
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Frenchman Bay
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Balance Rock
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Grant Park
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Bar Harbor Inn
Additional Information
Lifetime Validity
​Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.Â
Works Offline
The tour works offline, so you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we suggest you download the tour on WiFi at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc., before heading out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket to any of the attractions along the way.
Carry a Portable Phone Charger
We Recommend carrying a portable power bank to avoid running out of charge during your tour.
How many tours should I buy?
Since this is a walking tour, we suggest you buy one tour per person for the best experience.
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!Â