BAR HARBOR | Lobster Pound + Ice Cream

As cliche as it sounds, one of the top things we wanted to do while in Maine was eat lobster. Lobster pounds were everywhere, even in the rest area buildings along the highway. Our first experience with Maine Lobster happened at a super touristy spot near the water in Bar Harbor. We sat/froze outside while we waited (and waited, and waited, and waited…) for our smorgasbord of steamed clams and 2lb lobsters to arrive. After proclaiming that we couldn’t eat another bite we walked up Main Street and turned the corner to find ourselves at a tiny little ice cream shop with the most amazing flavors. We tried all sorts before finally settling on old favorites: sweet cream and salted caramel. Perfect ending to a perfect summer’s day.

DETAILS

Bar Harbor / The closest town to Acadia National Park,  Bar Harbor is extremely touristy but cute nonetheless. During the day several cruise ships drop off literally boat loads of tourists that fill the streets and souvenir shops. With this in mind it was a fun town to explore on foot. Besides it’s proximity to Acadia NP there are a bunch of other activities that one can engage in Bar Habor — kayaking, renting a bicycle, fishing, boat tours, whale watching, etc. My favorite was just hanging out in Agamont Park — a beautiful grassy area on a hill overlooking the pier. Great place for a picnic and some ice cream.

Stewman’s Lobster Pound /$$-$$$// I sort of have a rule about eating seafood — it should be eaten by the water so at least there’s an impression that the seafood is coming from the sea. We definitely paid for this privilege at Stewman’s. Lobster is expensive here — in fact it was significantly cheaper to buy steamed lobster at one of the rest stops we visited on the way up to Bar Harbor. That and because there were so many people and only about 5 steamers service was sloooowww. We were gnawing at our arms by the time the food arrived over an hour later. That being said you cannot beat the location and atmosphere of this place – I don’t think there’s many other options for eating on a deck over the water in Bar Harbor.  Tip: If you plan on eating outside by the water in the evening, bring a coat. It was freezing cold and there were no heat lamps outside.

Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream / $ // Ice cream in Bar Harbor seems like a summer institution in Maine, and we were happy to oblige. This awesome little ice cream shop(s) stood out from the sea of other ice cream shops because of its original flavors and use of organic milk and cream. You can really taste the difference — the ice cream itself is homemade and delicious. I wish we could have tried every single flavor.