The first thing to decide when planning any trip is where to stay. Have you considered renting a cottage? Bar Harbor cottage rentals are numerous, and can be a great way to immerse you and your travel companions in the area. Cottage rentals range from small and rustic to expansive and modern, and encompass everything in between. In the woods, on the ocean, right in town, there’s the perfect location for whatever your interest. Whether it’s a couple on their honeymoon, or a large group taking a vacation together, renting a Maine cottage can be a fun and cost effective option for lodging while on vacation.

Getting out and enjoying the Gulf of Maine is highly suggested while you visit Bar Harbor. Don’t worry if fishing isn’t your thing, there are a wide variety of ways to enjoy Frenchman Bay while on your Maine getaway. One great way to see the ocean up close and personal, is renting kayaks for the day and exploring the bay either on your own or with a guided tour. If motorized travel is more your style, consider a whale watch or harbor nature cruise. Whale watch tours leave Bar Harbor several times daily throughout the summer, weather permitting. There are a number of lobstermen who book tours throughout the summer as well, showing visitors how lobster are caught, and teaching passengers about the vast number of creatures in the waters. Another great way to experience the Gulf of Maine is to book a tour on a Windjammer, for a daytime or sunset sail around Frenchman Bay.

The food in Bar Harbor can’t be beat, and there are tons of options! From fine dining establishments like Havana or Michelle’s to more casual establishments like Rupununi or Poor Boy’s Gourmet and dozens in between, there’s something for every palate, and every budget. There are also lots of places that are happy to do take out orders for you to take back to your cottage or on an outdoor adventure. Maine is famous for its lobster, and with good reason, the meat is sweet and delicious year round. You can find lobster at nearly every establishment, and if you are staying in a weekly rental, buy some live and prepare it yourself at home for a memorable dining experience.

Visiting Bar Harbor is a great time for couples, families, retirees, everyone really! With the long list of things to do on land and off shore, wonderful dining, and tons of great houses & cottages, Bar Harbor is often a place people return to year after year. Book a rental house, pack a bag, grab your camera, and come see what Bar Harbor has to offer!

For many people, when they envision a Maine cottage, they picture one of the classic bungalow style cottages that popped up all over the coast during the 20s. These shingled, two storied houses often feature a squat roof with a gable, and a wide porch. Another very popular cottage style in Maine is the classic Cape Cod. These boxy little houses are cute and efficient, and extremely popular. Big, old rambling farm houses can be found right on the edge of the water, as many farms used to be located close to the shore. All of these classic cottage styles are readily available for rent, and often sport numerous bedrooms and quaint furnishings, while incorporating all the modern amenities your family needs.

Don’t despair if classic isn’t your style, there are plenty of extremely modern architectural marvels for rent along the Maine coast. These rentals often feature vast expanses of glass looking out over the rocky shore and mighty waves of the Gulf of Maine. Maine has a tradition new and old of master craftsmen, builders, and architects, that carries through into the stunning newer rental cottages from York Beach to Calais.

One thing that is common in most Maine rentals, new and old, is the inclusion of features such as large decks and porches, patios, and tons of lawn furniture, so that you may enjoy the fantastic summer weather, and beautiful surroundings as much as possible. Many rentals feature kayaks, bicycles, and lawn games such as croquet or bocci for your family to enjoy while visiting.

No matter what your family size or budget, there is a Maine rental that will fit your needs. From a small studio sized boat house, to a 10 bedroom family estate, there’s one available. Be sure to plan and book your Maine summer rental early though, prime summer weeks fill up fast, and many families return to the same homes year after year, and are pre-booked months, if not years in advance. If your family finds a rental you love and want to return to, many cottage owners advise booking for the next year upon check out, so that you can secure your spot for the next summer.

Don’t despair if you are planning a last minute get away, Maine cottages are so numerous, you are sure to find something. Check rental sites often, and if there’s a place you just have to have that’s all booked up, go ahead and email the owner anyway, and ask them to drop you a line in case of cancellations.

A summer cottage can be the ultimate Maine experience. Renting a cottage for a week or two can really make you feel like you are at home while on vacation. After your first cup of coffee on a porch overlooking the ocean, you’ll be sold on the Maine cottage experience for life.

Like the endless variety of flora and fauna that can be found in Acadia National Park, you can find numerous cottage rental options for your group. From luxury summer homes on the ocean, to small rustic cabins and camps nestled in the woods, there’s something for every taste and price range when it comes to finding an Acadia vacation rental. All of the communities near the park including Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Seal Harbor, and Trenton, offer a wide range of cottage and cabin rentals to choose from.

Renting a cottage in Acadia can be a great way to share your vacation with friends and family – get a large group together and rent a house, spend vacation with other couples, or invite grandparents to join the family for a week. Enjoy the opportunity and great memories spending quality time with loved ones around the dinner table, playing lawn games, and exploring the area. Some cottages even come equipped with bikes and kayaks for adventures in the park.

Some cottages are part of larger collection of cabins or family compound situated on the waterfront, while others are on their own, offering a private getaway for your rental group. Renting a cottage can really make you feel like your home while on vacation. Tucked into lush pine forest or perched on the shore overlooking the bold ocean, Acadia cottages are a wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of the area from the moment you wake up!

Though many homes in the Acadia region are seasonal, you can still find quite a few that are available to rent year round. Acadia National Park is open all year, and it’s amazing to see the landscape change from season to season. Since it’s the off-season, winter rentals can be a significantly less expensive than rentals during the height of the summer season. No matter when you go, a vacation rental can be a great savings over traditional hotel options, especially if the cost of the cottage is split with another family or couple.

Families large and small enjoy the versatility of a cottage rental. Equipment for your small child such as cribs, highchairs, and playpens are often available in cottages upon request. Of course you can also bring any sort of equipment that your family will need from home.

Maine is a pretty dog friendly state and dogs are allowed in many parts of Acadia. A lot of cottages will allow your favorite family pet to join you in your rental for a small fee. Make sure to confirm that pets are allowed when booking your vacation home, keep your pet under voice or leash command at all times, and make sure to clean up after them.

By the sea or in the trees, with kids, pets, a group of friends, or for a romantic getaway, the options for vacation cottages are vast. When planning your next trip to Acadia National Park, no matter what the season, be sure to check out the many Acadia cottage rentals available.

When you visit Acadia, there are many ways to take in the beauty of the park. Visitors are encouraged to “go car-less” when visiting, and explore on foot, bike, and even horseback! If you’d rather see the sights of Acadia from motorized vehicle, National Park Tours runs guided bus tours May through October – there is also a trolley that boards in Bar Harbor, provides narrated tours of the Park as well. Both trolley and bus stop at the top of Cadillac Mountain, so riders can enjoy breathtaking views of Frenchman Bay and Bar Harbor. Visitors can also take tours of the park via horse-drawn carriage following the traditions of Acadia’s first tourists at the turn of the twentieth century. All of the tour options mentioned are independently owned and operated; information can be found at all local visitor centers.

Hikers, bikers, skiers, kayakers, horseback riders, all love to visit Acadia, not only for it’s natural beauty, but for the many trails and unique carriage road system that runs through the park. The Acadia carriage roads were designed and financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. The gravel carriage roads span over 50 miles and include granite bridges and two lodges. Granite posts, officially called “Coping Stones” but nicknamed “Rockefeller’s Teeth” line the sides of the roads and act as a natural guard rail along the miles of roads and trails. The carriage roads winding throughout the park are extremely popular and an excellent way for visitors to see the many parts of Acadia.

Though many people chose to visit Acadia during the summer months, much of the park is open during the winter. Because of the nature of Maine’s very snowy and icy winters, most of Park Loop Road, is closed from December thru April, as is the road to the top of Cadillac Mountain, and unpaved roads are usually closed November to April. Don’t let the road closures discourage you from seeing Acadia in the winter though – many of roads are only closed to vehicles, making them safe and inviting for other winter sports. In fact, many travel to Acadia in the winter to ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile. Winter camping sites are available during snowy months as well. Be sure to check local weather before you head out, as all openings are subject to weather conditions.

When you visit Acadia, make sure to leave plenty of time to visit Bar Harbor and all of Mount Desert Island. The entire area offers excellent food, shopping, and sightseeing opportunities. Seeing Acadia National Park is a wonderful experience in any season, for families, and groups of any age.

Take a local, narrated bus tour around the Island and throughout Acadia National Park.

Drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain and picnic along the way, take pictures and relax.

Visit Bass Harbor Lighthouse, use the walking trails to Ship’s Harbor and Wonderland and visit Seawall Campground, Picnic area and scenic view, all within 5 miles from here

Get out on the water canoeing, sea kayaking, sailing, motor boating or take one of the ferries to Islesford or Great Cranberry Island.

Go whale watching, see puffins and other birds, watch lobstermen fishing in Frenchman Bay, or visit the Oceanarium and learn about the sea-life.

Watch and photograph the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets within minutes from your cottage, from the top of Cadillac mountain, or nearly anywhere on Mount Desert Island!

Join other nature lovers for bird watching tours and Park Ranger trail tours of scenery and wildlife sitings.

Climb a mountains, walk on one of the many carriage roads, or trails througout the Park, stop at the Jordan Pond House and try their amazing tea and popovers overlooking Jordan Pond and Bubble Mountain.

Become a “Friend Of Acadia” and join the hundreds of volunteers who help keep Acadia National Park clean and the maintain the trail system.

Sleep late and awaken to birds singing, the boats humming and all the noises of a working island!

If you need other ideas, try visiting the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce or Acadia National Park Visitor Center.