In case we don't want to make the entire trip from hartford area to bar harbor in one day, any suggestions on where to stay in between? We have been as far as Bath but never beyond that. Someplace maybe that has some interest for part of the day?

Camden is about half way between Bath and Bar Harbor. It's a lovely seaport village. We stayed there a few years ago - stayed at the Inn at Sunrise Point. It's an upscale B&B right on the ocean. Our room was just fabulous.

If you say in Camden, you might also check out the Windward House. My husband and I stayed there a couple years back and it was fantastic. I highly recommend it.

If you're going to have a few days on the coast in BH, you might want to stay the one night in one of the lakes areas to get a different taste of Maine. The Belgrade Lakes near Waterville are maybe 5 hrs from Hartford & 3 hours to Bar Harbor? Wings Hill Inn is a B&B at the lake, though mostly the lakes feature weekly cabin-type places. You can always check if a one-night cabin is available however at places like Alden Camps, Bear Spring Camps, Whisperwood Lodge, Castle Island Camps. Or the China Lake Cabins between Augusta and Waterville which would give you easy access to Route 3 going towards Belfast then up the coastal route 1 to Bar Harbor.

Thanks for all the suggestions!