Bar Harbor Cruises
The charming town of Bar Harbor is on Mount Desert Island, easily accessible from the mainland via a bridge since 1836. Although measuring a mere sixteen by thirteen miles, the island is packed with natural wonders. It boasts the East Coast's only fjord (Somes Sound) and the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast with 1,530-foot-high Cadillac Mountain. The territory features no less than seventeen mountains, five lakes, hundreds of ponds, streams and the most incredible flora and fauna.The island was named Monts Deserts (bare mountains) by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1604, and for the rest of the century it was fought over by the French and the English. Even though the French were defeated in the end, the name remained.
Mount Desert Island's most famous attraction is undoubtedly Acadia National Park. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. considered the island 'one of the great views of the world' and donated more than 10,000 acres to the national park. In fact, in 1919 Acadia became the first national park east of the Mississippi and Bar Harbor the summer society rival of Newport, Rhode Island. Millionaires' 'summer cottages' were built by such illustrious families as the Astors, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Fords – only to be destroyed in a disastrous fire in 1947.
Today, Bar Harbor is very much tourist-oriented.They come here by the thousands to hike in Acadia National Park and observe the wildlife and flora. An absolute must is a drive through the park on the 27-mile Park Loop Road; it skirts Cadillac Mountain and provides the most incredible views. Afterwards, you may want to stroll the quaint streets of Bar Harbor or indulge in one of the famous lobster meals.