B&B in Bar Harbor or Southwest Harbor?
 

We (my husband and I) are going to Acadia for the fourth of July. We are considering the Ledgelawn B&B in Bar Harbor or the Moorings B&B in Southwest Harbor. Is there any reason to prefer one harbor over the other?

Thanks!

Well, Bar Harbor is going to be a lot busier, and have lots of things to see/do and restaurants within walking distance. Southwest Harbor will be less crowded, quieter, and you'll probably have to get in the car to go to a restaurant.

Pick the one that sounds like "you"!

~Liz

Belle Mare is open for dinner and the Moorings Restaurant (no relation) may be open as well in that area. The Moorings Inn is technically in Manset, one of Southwest's villages and probably a mile from Southwest Harbor Village itself. Southwest *wil*l be more quiet than Bar Harbor. If you decide to stay at the Kingsleigh, Penury Hall, Inn at Southwest, Harbor Cottage Inn, the Lindenwood Inn, Harbor View Motel and, of course, the Claremont, you will be within walking distance of everything. Southwest Harbor is a sweet little village with a number of dining options, bakery, Post Office, library, bank, museum, etc. Have a great vacation.

Thank you for the replies. We have decided to opt for the more sedate areas south of Bar Harbor.

Our itinerary so far:
Thursday night arrive at B&B at midnight.

Friday morning: drive to Acadia from B&B.

Friday afternoon-evening: Finish exploring Acadia, drive to Bar Harbor, park, walk around, eat dinner.

Saturday: Open. Drive along the coast? Look for lighthouses? Eat dinner in Southwest.

Sunday at the dawn: leave.


There is some confusion about Manset verses Southwest. (Thank you, bassharborbaby, for pointing out that Moorings is in Manset and not Southwest). We will have a rental car and intend to drive ourselves most places (to the park, to dinner, etc). So, I'm not sure it's vital we stay in a place where we don't have to drive. But now I wonder if this is a good plan. Is traffic prohibitive? Will it be bumper-to-bumper? Is parking impossible? I did see a website for the Island Bus. But, this seems to take a while to reach it's destinations.

Any suggestions about traffic and driving? Is it vital to ditch the car? Any other suggestions about our itinerary?

Thank You!

Hey there, this is an old post but paperkite was seeking the exact info I'd like to have. We're planning a trip the last week of June, and there are some very nice waterfront rentals in Southwest Harbor. My only hesitation is traffic into and out of Acadia Nat'l Park. Any thoughts?

Hi Suki,
I haven't been to MDI that early in the year, but I think you'll be fine. I don't think traffic will be a problem other than maybe the loop road in the middle of the day.