I went to Bar Harbor over the Fourth of July and thought it was great. Maybe it's because I'm from over-populated Chicago, but it wasn't crowded like all the Fodorites claimed. I never waited more than 15 minutes for a table at a restaurant. I stayed at both the Fairfield Inn and the Bar Harbor Regency. Could not have been more disappointed in BHR. See my post on Rants and Raves.
I got most of my info from this website and I want to thank everyone for the good tips; saw whales on Friendship V, went Kayaking with Coastal Kayak, "tried" to hike the Beehive,and ate at recommended restaurants (Gaylan's, Poor Boys, Quarter Deck, Jordan Pond House,etc. and all were great!)

Thanks again for all of your input! Happy Vacationing!

Hi! Jenny: You may recall you and I "chatted" about the Holiday Inn Bar Harbor a few months ago. I'm sorry your experience there was less than stellar, but it sounds like you at least enjoyed many other parts of your trip. I have to hope that yours was an isolated experience since my husband and I and our best friends are still going to be staying there for four nights beginning 8/13/01. We have so many plans that we will not be spending much time in the hotel so if it's at least clean and has comfortable beds we'll probably endure. How was the whale watching on Friendship? We haven't decided on a whale watching company yet, but we definitely plan to go. I've made note of the restaurants you mentioned. We'll be celebrating our wedding anniversary while we're there so I'm looking for something kind of special. Would Gaylan's be the best?

I'll be travelling to your fair city of Chicago in October to attend a wedding. We've left time for sightseeing so if you have any suggestions, please share them with me. If you're ever coming to the Tampa, Florida area or anywhere in west central florida, let me know if I can help out with information. (We're going to have to stick it out with the Bar Harbor Regency since we're using "points". Have a good summer.

Hey Val! I posted my comments hoping you'd see them.
If I were you, I'd ask to at least stay at the "main" part of the Bar Harbor Regency. It has to be better than the detached rooms. I guess I was so bitter because I could have enjoyed all of the BHR amenities by staying at the cheaper Fairfield Inn right next door. Plus, I would have had the free local calls to make all of my reservations, and a free continental bkfst to boot. Oh well, water under the bridge.
For the amount of time you spend in the hotel, it's fine. My expectations were too high.
Whale watching was awesome. The Friendship V is the way to go. They offer cash back if you don't see anything, but you will! Word of caution...I'd say that 25% of the folks on the boat got terribly sea sick. So if you think you'll be affected, bring some dramamine. A lot of people ate when they got on board and probably regretted it. The waters can be rough, but the whales, dolphins and seals are worth it!
Gaylan's was nice but I don't know if it's the "special place" you're looking for. They do have a nice upstairs area. Check it out before you book your anniversary dinner/party though.
If you're going to downtown Chicago, go to Navy Pier. Keep in mind that the weather is unpredictable in October. It can be 80 degrees one weekend and then 40 degrees the next. Second City is a fun indoor activity. The late show does improv and is worth staying out late for. Good luck with all your travels and Happy Anniversary!

Jenny:
we're planning a trip to Bar Harbor in Sept. I can't seem to find anything on Friendship V. Is this a tour company & how did you find them? How long did you go & was it expensive?
Thanks in advance!

Check out www.whalesrus.com. The company is called Bar Harbor Whale Watch.
I think they are the only company that offers $ back if no sightings.
I got the recommendation from other postings. We were on a 3-hr. cruise and I believe it was about $40 each.
Well worth it. Don't eat before you go - in case you get sea sick!
Have Fun!

FYI - people tend to get more sea sick if they eat greasy foods. So I would just suggest not loading up on fries, chips, burgers, etc. before going on sailing.

Hello again, Jenny: Thanks for responding to my comments about Bar Harbor (especially BHR) and Chicago. I've noted all your advice. While I'm excited about whale watching, I'm concerned about seasickness since I once got really, really sick deep sea fishing off the coast of Miami. I took dramamine that time too, but think maybe I didn't take it far enough in advance. In any event, I am definitely taking some with me this trip. I also noted - I believe it was Ana's - advice about not eating greasy food before the voyage. We leave on 8/11 - can't wait! Again, if you ever head to Florida and want advice, e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks again!

Hi Jenny, my family (2Adults one 10 yr.old and one 6 yr.old) are leaving for Bar Harbor Maine on Aug 17, we are leaving after dinner we have at least a 11 hour drive and thought the kids could sleep a majority of the time while we drive. We are staying at the Atlantic Eyrie on Frenchmans Bay. This is my first time to Maine. The rest. you listed are they fine for children?
Also I don't remember you saying you went to the Acadia Nat. Park, if you did how was it. We are from the most southern part of New Jersey if I can every help with a trip let me know. Thanks for any info.

My husband and I went to Bar Harbor/Acadia for our honeymoon last October. We did everything the cheap way (Bar Harbor Motel was very clean and basic - no frills), but had a great time! We didn't get to do quite as much in the park as we wanted and the water was too rough for whale watching while we were there, but it was wonderful without the crowds and the leaves were amazing. If you are planning a trip to see Acadia, make sure you go to the other parts of Mt. Desert Island - Southwest Harbor, Pretty Marsh, Somesville, etc. There is plenty to do. And check out Reel Pizza in Bar Harbor if you can!

Val,
Have you tried taking Ginger tablets ahead of time? I start a couple of weeks ahead, but it's probably not too late to start taking them. These aren't in place of Dramamine, but in addition. Take as many as recommended on the bottle. (They're safe!) Also, friends of ours own a whale watch company here in MA and they recommend eating Wintergreen lifesavers. I tried that once. It seemed to help, but it may have been mind over matter.
If you have bicycles, don't overlook the carriage trails in Acadia.
Have fun!

Hey Sundance,
I did not travel with children, but just about everything is child-friendly (except that Beehive in Acadia!) There are easy trails for kids, and you can wake them early to drive up Cadillac mountain to see the sunrise. There were plenty of kids on the whale watching boat - and it was mostly adults who got sick. You can take them Kayaking too, just be sure to tell the outfitter when you make the reservation. I would recommend 2 hours or less, going tandem; anything more would be too hard for your youngest.
There are many places in Acadia to take the kids - you'll like what it has to offer. Seems to me, the hardest thing will be that 11 hour drive! :0)
Good luck and have fun.

We will have eight hours in Bar Harbor and want advice on two excursions we are considering taking. Which do you recommend? Acadia National Park or Whale Watch and Nature Cruise.
Thanks
Jean

I'll be vacationing in Bar Harbor for a week the 3rd week of Oct and also staying at the Bar Harbor Regency for 2 nights and the rest at Blue Nose Inn. It's a little pricier than BHR, but it's the only vacation that I'll be having this year, so...Originally I was going to spend that week in Paris, but cancelled due to the tragic event. I also want to go whale watching and called to make a reservation, but the lady told me that they may be stopping the tours earlier than scheduled. So, the best thing to do is to call ahead to be sure!