| 28 Miles of Maine |
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Bar Harbor and its coastline offers visitors Maine in a nutshell all in 28 miles of town and coastline roadways. Ocean breezes, mountain vistas, old growth forests, fine culinary experiences and comfortable or luxurious lodging abound. Bar Harbor may be a small town, but to see everything it has to offer may take a lifetime.
The town of Bar Harbor actually includes everything from Trenton to Otter Creek and all points in between the town pier and the village of Town Hill. Almost 45 square acres and 28 miles of coastline make up all that is Bar Habor. From the mainland, you are immediately posed with a choice, Route 3 to the left (most common) or Route 102 to the right. Most folks travel down Route 3 to get to Bar Harbor proper and all of its hotels and restaurants. Only a few lucky visitors and locals take the road less travelled and head out to the village of Town Hill along Route 102. Be brave, take a chance and make sure to visit Town Hill before you leave. In the summer during the evening, the commonground by the firehouse is alive with performances, ice cream stands and folks out for a stroll through town. Route 3 brings all visitors of Bar Harbor into the downtown district through some of its more rural sections, including Eden, Salisbury Cove and Hulls Cove. As you pass over the Trenton Bridge, you come in to Eden and have the chance to stop at Hadley Point Beach. This public beach, is off a side road, and will bring you around Frenchman and Thomas Bay. Eden has many campgrounds, motels, and hotels for those that want to experience something a little different than the traditional downtown Bar Harbor stay. Hamilton Pond marks the beginning of Salisbury Cove. It is home to the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, where scientists come every summer to hold session and network with colleagues in a pristine, quiet environment. Hulls Cove is where Bar Harbor proper begins to show its face. You will see more house pop up along Route 3 and realize you are about to come into a unique section of Maine. Don't miss the Episcopal Church and its amazing architecture or the Downeast Church Fair they host each summer. You will climb along Route 3 and Frenchman Bay will open up in front of you, welcoming you into Bar Habor. Acadia National Park's main entrance is in this immeiate vicinity. It has a turn-around and parking location for you to take a day hike or more extensive excursion. Route 3 will become Eden Street as downtown Bar Harbor becomes very apparent. Every type of vistor to Bar Harbor can find a suitable place to stay along this stretch of road. |
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