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THE VILLAGES OF BAR HARBOR =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There are several towns on Mt. Desert Island, though Bar Harbor is the largest. Each has many facets, offering a wealth of experience to be savored. Bar Harbor encompasses everything from Trenton Bridge in the north to Otter Creek in the south, and west from the town pier to Town Hill. Comprised of 28,000 beautiful acres, over 45 square miles, it has over 30 miles of dramatic coastline. From the mainland, Bar Harbor is reached via bridge or ferry, with modern highways, country lanes and small side roads providing access to the interior. Thomson Island lies between Mt. Desert Island and the mainland, the tiny islet an anchor for the seventeen-mile causeway. Beyond that small spit of land, the bridge swings curves northeast, arriving on Mt. Desert Island not far from Eden. Greater Bar Harbor is made up of six different villages in all. From west to east, they are Eden in the northwest with Town Hill slightly inland from there. Salisbury Cove lies on northeast central coast, Hulls Cove to the northeast. Bar Harbor is just to the south, with Otter Creek on the southeastern central coast. Other small hamlets dot the island, but Bar Harbor is the center of all commercial, social and harbor activity. Each of Mt. Desert Island's communities epitomize the phrase "Down East charm." The rural districts are a popular alternative to downtown, with a full range of accommodations including B&Bs Bed & Breakfasts, inns, cottages, motels and camping resorts. The area is dotted with exquisite country churches, small stores, microbreweries, picturesque covered bridges and charming restaurants. There is an Oceanarium and Lobster Hatchery, as well as scientific and academic facilities such as the Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory (a 100 year-old international research facility), Jackson Laboratory (a leading genetics research center) and College of the Atlantic (a small liberal arts college). Downtown Bar Harbor has a delightful assortment of streets, alleys, squares, paths and piers. All are brimming with a montage of fascinating stores, galleries, museums, restaurants and a full spectrum of accommodations. Art, music, special events, festivals and nightlife are features in all the villages of Bar Harbor. Three celebrated festivals -- Arcady Music Festival, Bar Harbor Music Festival and Legacy of the Arts Festival -- run the gamut from jazz to classical. For a special slice of Americana, attend an old fashioned band concert on the Village Green. Other towns on Mt. Desert Island include: Bass Harbor: This is a small, mostly residential village on Penobscot Bay, not far from Southwest Harbor. Fishing and lobstering are the primary occupations. Manset: Primarily a fishing village become a colony for artists and crafters, this quaint township lies near Tremont on the southwestern coast of Mt. Desert Island. Northeast Harbor: This low-key town lies eleven miles from Bar Barbor, sitting on a protected, deep-water port, one of the best in the state. Somesville: Located at the top of Somes Sound, this smal town is known for its beautiful scenery and accommodations. Fishing, camping and boating are popular activities for tourists and locals alike. Continued in Bar Harbor3 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= |