Travel
Bar Harbor, ME
TRAVEL ALERT: All flights to Bangor Mon-Thur @3pm before the wedding have been cancelled due to runway renovations. If you have already booked travel, confirm that your flight is still flying - if not, plan to fly into Bar Harbor, Augusta, or Portland as the next closest options if you want to arrive before Friday.
Directions
We recommend flying into Bangor, ME for the best flight options and prices for your travels to Bar Harbor for the wedding weekend.
If Bangor doesn’t work for you, you can also fly into Bar Harbor, Portland, or Boston. There are pros and cons to each, so feel free to reach out to the bride and groom if you have questions.
Ride share apps (Uber, Lyft, etc) are not available in Bar Harbor.
Bangor to MDI
There are a variety of ground transportation options available from Bangor to MDI. Check out the specifics on the Bangor Airport Ground Transportation Page
All Airport Options
Bangor - BGR
Recommended Airport if you are flying in Friday.
Mon-Thursday Flights are cancelled due to runway reservations.
Travel time from BGR is 1hr 15mins to Bar Harbor, and there are decent taxi options in addition to rental car and bus.
Bar Harbor - BHB
The closest airport to Bar Harbor, but you will almost always have to connect through Boston on Cape Air. Flights to Bar Harbor are usually pricier as well. Travel time from BHB is 15 mins to Bar Harbor. You cannot get an Uber from Bar Harbor airport, so even if you fly in here, plan ahead with a taxi or rental car. BHB has Hertz and Enterprise.
Augusta - KAUG
In light of BGR closing Mon-Thurs, this is a good option that is closer than Portland, but with less direct flights. Travel time from KAUG is 2 hours to Bar Harbor.
Portland - PWM
Great airport if you want to extend your stay and see some other fun parts of Maine, like Portland and Kennebunkport. More direct flights available to PMW then BGR/BHB/KAUG. Travel time from PMW is 3 hours to Bar Harbor.
Boston - BOS
Farthest drive, but the most flight options. Travel time from BOS is 4.5 hours to Bar Harbor.
The town of Bar Harbor is very walkable, but you may want a rental car if you plan to explore other parts of MDI, like Southwest Harbor. You cannot count on Ubers to be available, either from the airport or in town, so if you don’t get a car, plan to use your own two feet, taxi/cab services, the Island Explorer Bus (free!), or the Acadia GEMs (EV Rentals designed for Bar Harbor/Acadia exploration).
Getting around town
Where to Stay
Hotels and Roomblocks
We have rooms blocked off for wedding guests at a few hotels in Bar Harbor. To use the room block, please call to book and mention the “Chamness-King Wedding.”
AirBnB is also a great option in the Bar Harbor area, but things book up quickly.
BAR HARBOR VILLAGER MOTEL
207 Main St, Bar Harbor, Maine
888-383-3211
Note: the room block is full, but there still may be some rooms outside of the block available.
THE CENTRAL HOUSE
60 Cottage St, Bar Harbor, Maine
207-288-1140
Note: the room block is full, but there still may be some rooms outside of the block available.
What to Do
Activities in MDI
EAT & DRINK
Thurston’s Lobster Pound - our favorite spot for lobster in the world. If you want the best Maine lobster, go here! Website
Choco-Latte - Great coffee, breakfast, and lunch options in Bar Harbor. Website
Jordan Pond House - An iconic Acadia NP restaurant that is our favorite place for a cold beer and a warm popover with a view. Website
Harbor Table - A Southwest Harbor favorite for Taylor’s family. Website
Peekytoe Provisions - Great quality seafood in a casual atmosphere in Bar Harbor. Website
MDI Icecream - A great icecream spot with adventurous and classic flavors….and a location in Washington DC! Website
The Terrace Grille at the Bar Harbor Inn - A great outdoor spot to grab a drink and enjoy the views of the water. Website
The Barnacle - Cozy spot with seafood and local beer cocktails! Website
Leary’s - The closest Irish pub to Ireland in the US! Website
Little Notch Bakery - Bakery and sandwich shop in Southwest Harbor. Great lunch to grab on your way to hikes on the quiet side. Website
The Parrilla - Outdoor Tapas bar in Bar Harbor that is the more casual sister to Havana next door. Website
Paddy’s - While most of the restaurants on the water in Bar Harbor are tourist traps, this spot is actually good quality! Stop in for a drink, elevated Irish food, and pretty views of the water. Website
Thirsty Whale Tavern- Classic old school feel and seafood leaning bar food in Bar Harbor. Website
Finback Alehouse - Nautical spot with more seafood bar-ish food in Bar Harbor. Website
Atlantic Brewing - Great beer and fun spot right downtown in Bar Harbor. They have 6 packs to go for anyone that needs to stock up the hotel room! Website
Jordan’s Restaurant - Very well known breakfast house in Bar Harbor. Lines get long! Website
Lunch - Easy soup and sandwich place in Bar Harbor. Website
Sweet Peas - Farm to table restaurant that also has a coffee shop and winery attached. Go there for their fresh specials, wood fired pizzas, or homemade syrups that make incredible lattes. If you don’t make it to Sweet Peas, have no fear, this is also who is catering the wedding. Website
Explore Acadia National Park, stroll through the shops and restaurants in Bar Harbor, or discover the quiet side of MDI. Here are some of our favorite things to do on the island!
THINGS TO DO
Acadia National Park - Check another National Park off your list! Just don’t forget to get a park pass for entry. Website
Island Cruises - Bass Harbor - The best nature cruise on the island. Website
Abbe Museum - Wabanaki Nation museum in Bar Harbor. Website
Bike Rental + Carriage Roads - A Miller family favorite! Rent bikes from any of the many spots in Bar Harbor and take them on the flat carriage roads in Acadia NP.
Putt Putt
Golf of Maine (Southwest Harbor)
Pirate’s Cove (Bar Harbor)
Wendell Gilley - Nature museum in Southwest Harbor that’s perfect for all the bird nerds out there. Website
Kebo Valley Club - Public golf course right outside of Acadia NP. Website
Seal Cove Auto Museum - Antique car museum over on the quietside. Website
Thuya and Azalea Gardens - Gardens in Northeast Harbor that are great for a casual walk through nature. Website
Salon - Need to get your hair or nails done while you’re on MDI? Here are a few places that we recommend:
RH Salon - Salon in Northeast Harbor that offers hair and nails. Website
Saltwater Sole - Nail salon in Southwest Harbor. Website
Echo Salon - Salon in Bar Harbor that offers hair and nails. Website
Bass Harbor Light - great spot to watch the sunset, but get there early! Website
Seawall - also great spot to watch the sunset. We recommend bringing your own happy hour drink. Website
HIKES
Hiking is the main attraction and our favorite thing to do on MDI. If you plan to hike anywhere inside of Acadia, make sure you have a park pass. You can find all of these hikes listed below on the AllTrails app, which will give you directions, distances, and difficulty. We also like the Hiking Project app.
Quiteside
Acadia Mountain - Taylor’s favorite quick hike with good prizes at the top
Beech Mountain
St. Sauveur
Flying Mountain - nice and easy trail
Beech Cliffs - fun ladders and rungs along the trail
Bar Harbor
Shore Path - easy walk along the shore in Bar Harbor
Bar Island - walk across The Bar
Compass Harbor - right outside of Bar Harbor
In the Park
Sand Beach Great Head trail - easy/mostly flat with pretty views
Beehive - lots of rungs, elevation, very busy, but also very fun
Gorham Mountain
Cadillac Mountain - The best views in Acadia. Reservation is required if you want to drive to the top. If hiking it, North Ridge Trail is the best for anyone staying in Bar Harbor
The Bubbles - hike that takes you along the North Bubble, South Bubble, and Bubble Rock with views of Jordan Pond
Jordan Cliffs
Jordan Pond Path - super accessible and flat
Jessup Path, Sieur de Monts, Wild Gardens of Acadia + Great Meadow - nature center that is popular for bird watchers, and leads you to the Dorr Mountain trails
