What to do in Mount Desert Island, ME

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Mount Desert Island

Types of activities

Where to stay

Mount Desert Island travel guide

Bar Harbor showing landscape views and a pond

Cadillac Mountain featuring a sunset and landscape views

Bar Harbor showing heritage architecture and heritage elements

Explore activities
Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
Book with ease
Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
Treat yourself
Members save % or more when you book activities.

What to do in Mount Desert Island

Popular places to visit

0_02b2d3a5-2ca1-4427-beed-32aa9a37aec5_raw

Acadia National Park's Visitors Center

Explore the lovely green spaces of Acadia National Park's Visitors Center and also enjoy the hiking trails in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Bar Harbor Whale Watching

Enjoy an outing to Bar Harbor Whale Watching during your stay in Bar Harbor. Wander the area's waterfront or simply enjoy one of its lively bars.

Cadillac Mountain

Drive or hike to the top of Mount Desert Island’s tallest mountain at daybreak and you will be the first person to view sunrise in the United States.

Village Green

Spend some time in this peaceful park in the center of Bar Harbor to experience the village’s thriving community spirit and heritage landmarks.

Otter Cliff

Hone your photography skills by taking artistic images of this towering headland while you listen to the soothing sound of waves lapping the rounded stones at its base.

Jordan Pond

See the looming shapes of the “Bubbles” mountains reflected in the exceptionally clear and deep water of Bar Harbor’s glacial pond.

Bar Harbor showing landscape views and rugged coastline

Thunder Hole

Nature’s magic produces a thunderclap illusion and offers panoramic views of the coastline at one of Acadia National Park’s most popular attractions.

Botanical Garden in Northeast Harbor, Maine

Asticou Azalea Garden

Explore the lovely green spaces of Asticou Azalea Garden and also enjoy the hiking trails in Northeast Harbor. Stroll along the area's waterfront or simply savour its lively bars.

The Criterion in downtown Bar Harbor, Maine, does not look very much from the exterior, but it is a glorious, well-preserved Art Deco style theatre. Opening in 1932, it has served the town of Bar Harbor as a movie palace ever since, accomodating such prominent families as the Rockefellers on their vacations to nearby Mount Desert Island.

Kept in fantastic condition over the years, the theatre still has most of its original interior: seats, curtains, and even the original lighting board for stage performances. The Criterion Theatre also contains a floating balcony, which is rare for most movie palaces. Click on the following link to see a photo of the interior:
https://www.criteriontheatre.org/

#History

Criterion Theater

You can enjoy a show at Criterion Theater during your stay in Bar Harbor. Stroll along the seaside or seek out the hiking trails.

Explore areas of Mount Desert Island

Beautiful sunset over looking the harbor!

Downtown Bar Harbor

While visiting Downtown Bar Harbor, you might make a stop by sights like Village Green and Island Artisans.

Somesville

You'll enjoy the bars and museums in Somesville. You might want to make time for a stop at Acadia National Park or Long Pond.

Hall Quarry

Visitors to Hall Quarry like its bars and parks, and Acadia National Park is a sight worth a stop.

Seawall

While there might not be top attractions in Seawall, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse and Asticou Azalea Garden.

Manset

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Manset and surrounding area, you can visit Somes Sound and Asticou Azalea Garden.

Pretty Marsh

If you're spending some time in Pretty Marsh, Acadia National Park and Long Pond are top sights worth seeing.