Introducing Southwest Harbor, Maine! Located just outside Acadia National Park, Southwest Harbor is home to approximately 2,000 full-time residents. This town is a great alternative to busy Bar Harbor, ME, and visitors can enjoy the boats, lobster, and shops in town. Southwest Harbor has many fishing boats that bring in live fish and lobster to local restaurants! Located near Bar Harbor, ME (25min, 15 miles), Bangor, ME (1hr 15min, 50 miles), and Portland, ME (3hrs, 175 miles), Southwest Harbor is the perfect place to take a quiet break from Acadia National Park. Read more about this gem in the travel guide below!

Southwest Harbor is frequented during the summer, when tourism is brought in by Acadia National Park. The park attracts several million visitors every year! Acadia is known for its great hiking trails, popular ones include the Beehive Loop Trail, Jordan Pond Path, and Gorham Mountain Loop. Experienced hikers can try more difficult trails, like Precipice Loop and Acadia Mountain. Other park activities include camping, biking, birding, stargazing, swimming, and paddling. Southwest Harbor is conveniently located near Echo Lake Beach and Long Pond, both of which are great for swimming and paddling. Also nearby is the Bass Harbor Head Light Station, a beautiful lighthouse that is a popular destination! If you plan on visiting the park, plan on being here at least a couple of days to see all it has to offer!

Southwest Harbor has plenty of activities outside of the national park. Consider taking the Cranberry Cove Ferry that leaves from the harbor to Great Cranberry Island! Another great boating experience can be booked with Grateful Day Charters for rides around the harbor. The town is home to a few museums too. Head to Carroll Homestead to learn about the area in the 1800s, and stop by the Wendell Gilley Museum to see the beautiful carved birds.

No New England coastal town can be complete without a few shops, right? Southwest Harbor is no exception. Head to Bramble and Stone, Acadia Quietside Shop, and Tom Cat Tide to find gifts, souvenirs, and little treasures. Also near town is the Charlotte Rhoads Park & Butterfly Garden, where visitors can spend the day surrounded by butterflies. Visitors should also see the Asticou Azalea Garden and walk through the Japanese-style paths. Lastly, swing by The Claremont Hotel and consider booking a treatment at their spa.

Need to fuel up after days of hiking and camping? Southwest Harbor has plenty to munch on. Like most of New England, lobsters, especially lobster rolls, and cherished here. Locals love Beal’s Lobster Pier, a working lobster pier, for their fresh lobster. They also recommend The Claremont’s Batson River Fish Camp for plenty of lobster and a variety of other cuisines. Another great lobster spot is Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound - a shack-style restaurant serving up lobster rolls and haddock sandwiches. Other loved restaurants include Red Sky Restaurant for Main-style fine dining and Peter Trout’s Tavern & Inn for Maine-inspired tavern foods.

Here in the morning? Grab your caffeine of choice from Vacationland Coffee Roasters, and be sure to try their nitro latte! Grab breakfast favorites from Clark Point Cafe, and get freshly baked bread and treats from Little Notch Bakery and Café. Don’t forget to finish off your day with gourmet ice cream from Salt Shop!

For a night out of the woods, consider booking a room in Cafe Drydock & Inn, Cranberry Hill Inn, or The Claremont Hotel. For that New England Bed & Breakfast experience, stay with Penury Hall Bed & Breakfast, The Harbor Cottage Bed & Breakfast, or The Birches Bed & Breakfast & Cottages. Want a whole rental for yourself? Consider booking a Vrbo. Here are some of our favorites:

Want to visit Southwest Harbor, but not sure when? Consider coming during one of their many festivals! Celebrate all things flamingo at the Harbor House Flamingo Festival or shop handmade pieces at one of the Southwest Harbor Artisan and Craft Fairs. Whatever you’re into, Southwest Harbor, Maine has something worth seeing. We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Southwest Harbor that can inspire a future visit. To find more travel guides near you, check out our map!

Happy Travels!

The Modern Travel Guide

Southwest Harbor, Maine Travel Guide

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