Bar Harbor, Maine. HELP!

I am going to make a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine within the next five weeks. I have zero idea of what I am getting into. I am planning on flying, since the train would be a pain in the behind. I will be hanging. I may or may not take my Medical Alert Dog.

I have heard the bugs are awful, is that true? What kind of weather might I find? Rain, like here in Western Oregon. I assume the snow is gone. Where is a good place to hang? What costs are involved. Do I need to bring my own food, or is there shopping nearby the hang site.

My best friend from 1957 lives in Bar Harbor, so I want to visit her, however, I would rather not stay at her house...Just visit.

Alexandrea, Virgina is the farthest North on the East Coast I have traveled. I have been to Michigan and WI, but anything East of those two states.

I may have to leave my Service K9 home, if the skeeters come in clouds, as I have heard.

Are there car rental agencies in Bar Harbor. Is there decent medical care available?

Thank you in advance for any and all constructive information.;)

If you fly commercial jet you will likely have to land in Bangor which is quite a way inland from Bar Harbor. There are small private general airports dotted all over "down east". Check with your friend on the weather. The snow is real fickle in Maine. Southern Maine you should be ok but down east is a whole different kettle of fish. I never tried to camp there so I don't know what to suggest there.

Be aware that some of the biggest danger might not be snow but Ice. The northern Atlantic is a harsh mistress and Bar Harbor is very exposed to some of the worst of her fury. Make sure you check with the your friend before making unchangeable plans.

I love Bar Harbor! Its been many years since I've been there. They have the best Clam Chowder! I still dream about it.

Acadia National Park is not far from there. There are a few campgrounds within driving distance. I never hung there because I was there way before I ever heard of hammocks but from what I remember there are a lot of trees there. fly in from Boston's Logan Airport and land at the Hancock County Airport, located 10 miles from Acadia National Park. National airlines serve the Bangor International Airport, about one hour from the park. Car rentals are available at both airports.

Not sure what the weather will be like. May be someone local to there area can chime in. I think you will have a great time there. Have some chowder for me when you go. Beautiful coast line there as well.

S

Don't know if the shuttles run this time of year, but if they do they run not just in Bar Harbor and the National Park, but also to local camping areas. Last time we were there we camped right on the coast a about 10 minutes from Park headquarters and were able to take the shuttle in.

As for weather - be ready for anything. The first time I went we were there 3 days and saw nothing. It was either raining or foggy. this type weather seems to be common. (I went a second time and enjoyed the views.)

I don't remember any bug problems and so can't help you there.

Ellsworth is a fair size town not far from BH and would have full services.

You should be able to get food in BH - if the shuttle is running that would be easy.

I never tried hanging while there - I've been with the wife and she won't hang :(.

Don

THANK YOU, Ramblinrev and Sidewinder.

I am going to "Surprise" my friend, I just want to see her for a short visit. She is more excentric than I am. I do not want to upset her I just want to visit.

Plus I have always wanted to see Maine for myself. There is air service into Bar Harbor, I will bet it is a Dash 7 or something like that. I am still legal to drive, even with the on boad computer, so I am going to hope all continues to go well, and the device, does not fire off any Joules while I am off on my safari. I am going to insure the heck out of the rental car. I do not think I want to ride my bike in such iffy weather. Even here in Portland, OR we are having snow (white rain as I call it).

I am Canadian, so cold I know ice, I hate, it is nasty stuff right at freezing!

Acadia Nat. Park is a fairy tale place; absolutely gorgeous IMO. on the other hand, Bar Harbor is one big tee shirt shop for the tourists that don't like the outdoors.

June is probably the worst month for bugs. Earlier than that is usually too cold (although this has been a mild winter). I've been there in August and the bugs were gone by then.

I fly into Bangor and rent a car for the hour drive to B.H.
Ellsworth is only 20 minutes from B.H.

Try contacting the Chamber of Commerce there. Maybe they can give you up to date info on shuttles and the like. Also, contact the rangers in the Nat. Park.

We flew into Bangor and rented a car to Bar Harbor. We rented a cottage for the week we were there. There were two trees close to the cottage so I hung my hammock out there to take naps in when we came home form sightseeing. We had rain, but mostly sunshine. We did have fog roll in when we visited the lighthouse run by the Coastguard. We hiked Cadillac Mountain, (campgrounds there) and went down to the Harbor . We had a great time on the whale Watching boat trip. Recommend the trip going to puffin island to view the birds there. I don't remember the road name but it was the main drag to Bar Harbor, there was a house where they made homemade pies. Our favorite was the wild blueberry. I am tasting it as I write this. Some of the best pies I have ever eaten. Course there was lobster bakes everywhere. The area is beautiful. We also had a great time and fond memories of our visit. I hope you get to go and visit your friend.

I looked at this a couple of years ago when my some was looking at a job there. Bar Harbor is a major tourist destination but you are talking off season. Folks are there year round but the major "normal" shopping is Bangor. OTOH there seems to be enough folks there all the time to get limited selections of groceries plus the outdoor shops.

The east has been running record warm temps this year so you may luck out but I would check the 10 day forecast before heading that way. Record temps run from freezing to 70 ish. Count on at least cool.
Population density is such that you will find medical care geared more toward stabilize and transport but capable of doing that and limited primary care well. The summer crowd has money and expects good service.

Bugs will depend on the current weather. Warm=bugs

There is a large transient population for the summer so there are a lot of off season empty places. You might be able to find a good deal on a room if you do not want to camp. You probably will find a car necessary.

I just checked Acadia. Camping may be a problem as the campgrounds are closed. Maine also gave me a hard time about tying off a tarp to a tree some years ago. Just saying, you need to make some phone calls to the park.

Probably some folks who know more than I do will jump on this. Good luck with your trip.

Haven't spent the winters there but I've been told that BH is a ghost town then. Now during the tourist season you can't even turn around in the place. In a few weeks, especially with the weather they've had recently it should be beautiful. There is a small grocery in the center of town, can't remember the name. If you're like my wife she can spend hours on the 'Seawall' on the south end. My favorite short hike is just west of the seawall and is called 'Wonderland' maybe an easy 1 mile hike out to the shore. Personal favorite Lobster pound is at Trenton Bridge just before crossing over to the Island. This time of year anytime you're on the coast fog may make sightseeing impossible but if it's clear the view from atop Cadillac Mountain is fantastic. We have spent 5 of the last 7 years in Maine during the summer and couldn't make it last year. Really do miss it.

Forgot to mention, the Lupines may be in bloom.If so a drive around the east side of the loop should be beautiful.

Hello, I grew up in Maine and worked in Bar Harbor for a summer. The park is beautiful, and the town isn't all T-shirts if you know where to look. Don't be afraid to explore.

If you have time for a movie or want to take your friend out, hit up Reel Pizza, they are a local movie place that shows a good mix, with couches, fresh pizza, and an intermission. For lunch you should check out the burrito place, Gringo's, also fresh made and very filling. Siam Orchid is a nice Thai place run by a kind Thai family, but they can be a bit expensive.

It is still 'off season' until May there, so a lot of places will be closed. Though right now we are just getting out of a warm snap, so there is almost no snow anywhere. On the coast be ready for windchill, fog, and moist conditions.

There are mosquitos and ticks are out because last week was unusually warm, but they aren't very bad yet and the cold weather should keep them down.

Temps right now range from the 20's to the 60's depending on the day.

Dogs are welcome there, many places let them right in without problem, though it is always nice to ask first. Your medical dog shouldn't be a problem, the local area is a bit dog crazy.

For camping, there are a lot of camp sites, as camping in the park is discouraged and much of the island is private property. If you endup looking for a hotel, 'The Grand' is right in town and usually has cheaper off season rates. For camping, bring your warm insulation, again because the temp drops into roughly the 30's at night, and the town is an Island, so you get coastal winds in a lot of places and always be ready for wet weather.