bar harbor maine - on our own?

[tc2903]

hi, can anybody suggest alternative to the ship's excursion to Arcadia? shuttle/ car rental/ bus/ etc? thks!!!!!!!

[MTL]

Hi tc,
The best way to see the place is strolling around and don't miss to go to the Bar Harbour Inn.Like they say BAA-HA-BA is not that big.
Have a nice cuise and enjoy.
MTL

[DeepSpace]

Thanks for the info, and we will try the Bar Harbour Inn.

[dottiel]

We also bypassed the excursions and walked all over Bar Harbor. Had a BLAST talking with the locals and visiting all the shops.

No worry about not taking an excursion, which my brother and sil/niece did (they enjoyed it).

We are the type to do things on our own.....

[robh]

It is a small town and when you tender in, the dock has a lovely restaurant on it which you can enjoy.
Within a five minute walk from the dock you can explore the town and its many shops and cafes.
The excursions will get you into the coast areas which are lovely.

I do not remember a lot of independent buses or taxis being available though you could check out the Internet

[pvillechalet]

Just got back two days ago -- we took Oli's trolley, you can buy tickets in the building right off the tender boats. Took the 2 and a half hour option which made three stops in Acadia and the driver was a longterm native filled us in on lots of stories and lore. Took a late afternoon trolley -- first spent the morning on our own, which gave us a chance to cross the sandbar to Bar Harbor Island during low tide, wade and explore the shore, and add to the rock sculptures on the island. Also gave us time to explore the town and grab a bite, so that by the time we hit the trolley the kids were wiped out enough to enjoy the trolley ride, allowing us, and my inlaws, some respite from the almost 100 degree heat wave... Most definitely a very manageable town on your own.

BTW, if you stop in Portland as well, book a lobster fishing trip on your own through Lucky Catch...a two minute walk from the dock, extremely reasonable, a nd an experience not to be missed...

[nctraveler54]

Be sure to grab a lobster roll at the Lobster Shack near Oli's Trolley - GREAT!

[Rum Runner]

Use the Island Explorer. It's free..lots of routes. We used them exclusively while camping on Mt Desert Island a while back. Very convenient; took us wherever we needed to go on our BH vaca:
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