Bar Harbor Area
 

We are planning a 3 night stay in Bar Harbor, Maine, in July.
Anyone have an opinion of a place called
Atlantic Oakes By-The-Sea?
Also, what is a must to do and see?
Thanks!

I don't know anything about that hotel, but I have some knowledge about BH if you have specific questions.

For basic info, there's good info under DESTINATIONS above, or do a search here on the forum.

Walk out to Bar Island. during low tide a sand bar "appears" and you can walk out to the island. At high tide the sand bar ( and walkable access to the island) is covered by up to 10 feet of water.

We visited the Lobster Hatchery and Museum and found it quite interesting.

We stayed at the BayView which I think was next door to the Atlantic Oakes. The place looked old but clean, kitchenette-type units with one door facing the parking lot and another door opening towards the water. Nothing fancy but in a pretty quiet area and a short drive to restaurants/downtown.

Acadia National Park is a must--something to do there for everybody. Check their web site for ideas and stop at the Visitor Center right inside the park entrance. For example you can take an auto tour, hike, swim in a lake, ride bicycles, hike or take a horse-drawn carriage ride on the Carriage Roads, have lunch or tea at the tea house in the park, etc. We took a ferry ride to Nova Scotia (and took a tour once we were over there which was very interesting, but there isn't much else to do--so I wouldn't recommend it unless you were going to be there longer). We went for a ride on a schooner which we enjoyed. You can take tours on whale sighting boats that someone I know did and loved it. You can shop in the town and sit by the bay and just watch the activity on the ocean and pier. And also--we enjoyed the sand bar too.

We have stayed at the atlantic oakes several times and love it. It is on the water, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, huge lawns, far off the highway, water views with direct access to the water (a rocky beach- no swimming) and a nice pier which is perfect for stargazing. There are many types of accommodations. Some are older, motel style although there are none where you drive right up to your room. We like the main building which has large rooms (no kitchenettes in this building though) and balconies with great views (esp. sunrise). There is an endless variety of hiking, walking and biking trails in acadia national park and beautiful drives and gardens to visit on mt desert island. Enjoy your trip!