You can see - lobster races, the first rays of the sun touching land in the United States each morning, golf on the eighth oldest golf course in the US, and walk amongst some of the worlds most famous cruise ships... Bar Harbor and the surrounding area of Mount Desert and Acadia National Park, of Maine invites you to sample their fine vacation activities. Just over 268 miles from Boston and 473 miles due northeast of NYC, you will find history, ecosystems, fine food, outstanding lodging, and visit one of the get-a-ways for the rich and famous.

Bar Harbor and the surrounding area offers the nature of Acadia National Park with its 120 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads (donated and built by John D Rockefeller Jr. to ride his horses on) perfect for cycling, crystal lakes and streams where you can canoe and kayak. Climb or take a motorized vehicle to the top of Cadillac Mountain to watch the sun rise.

Down at the port take a tour boat to learn of the history in the area or see the Seals, Whales and wild life frolicking in their natural settings. The ferry terminal to Nova Scotia is available from the port also. Two summer music Festival featuring Jazz, String Orchestras, Chamber music and a host of clubs with solo artist and bands happen weekly.

Mount Desert Island, part of the Bar Harbor area has a very prominent background. A playground for the wealth, Mount Desert boasted one of the gilded eras Millionaire Rows of Summer homes and cottages. Most of this was destroyed in a 10 day fire in 1947, and now many of the surviving "cottages" have been turned into bed & Breakfasts or Inns. Its prestigious visitors list still includes names like Ford, Rockefeller, Julia Child and the Late Katherine Hepburn.

Bar Harbor is host to the Mount Desert Island Marathon, a 26.5-mile run that has been labeled "The most scenic Sporting Event in the USA". Come on up and visit the Bar Harbor Area for spectacular scenery and a peaceful vacation.

- Special thanks to Maine Office of Tourism for providing photographs for this article.