LOCAL GUIDE
For staying at the Black Seal Chalet.
Mount Desert Island is chock-full of things to see and do! Here are a few of our favorite places to get you started.
Be sure to check out the “Experience’s” section at the end. Happy Trails!
Including the towns of Mount Desert, Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Bass Harbor, Tremont and Town Hill.
All distances mentioned are by car from the Black Seal Chalet.
Groceries
Here are a few on Island choices for finding what you need.
101 Main Street, SWH - 7 min
Our local grocery store! The IGA is stocked with all the essentials including produce, deli meats, meat, seafood, frozen foods, dry grocery items, snacks, household items and beer/wine/liquor.
86 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor- 27 min
Bar Harbor’s Hannaford is a full scale grocery store with everything you need, year round.
Gott’s Store - Southwest Harbor
111 Bass Harbor Road, SWH - 4 min
For nearly a century Gott’s is the go-to for quick bites, sandwiches and convenience items. Need propane for the grill? Gott’s has it!
Hanson’s Outpost - Bass Harbor
42 Tremont Road, Bass Harbor - 5 min
Hanson’s has pizza, fried chicken and more. They carry lots of convenience food items and have a seasonal restaurant & ice cream shack that is very much worth the short drive! Maple soft serve for the win!
Specialty & Super Local
FARMER’S MARKET - SEASONAL (check online for dates)
Southwest Harbor Farmers' Market - St John's parking lot, 315 Main St.
Bar Harbor’s Eden Farmers Market - YMCA Parking Lot, Main St.
Northeast Harbor Farmers Market - Harbor Drive, on the Town Green
GROUND TENDER - Down the Road (literally)
50 Hillcrest Circle- 1 min
Local lobsterman and neighbor. Sells most days 4-6pm. Please respect his hours/privacy. No “open” sign, means he’s closed.
SAWYER’S - Southwest Harbor
353 Main Street, SWH - 4 min
Local resource for specialty cheeses, wines and other delicacies!
BEECH HILL FARM
171 Beech Hill Rd, Mt Desert, ME 04660 - 15 min
Seasonal organic farm that offers a wide variety of produce, fruit and other local items (when available).
1142 ME-102 Bar Harbor - 16 min
Farmstand open Mid-May-November. Local organic family farm with a variety of offerings throughout the season. Stop. It’s worth it.
PARSON’S - Fresh Seafood & Lobster Market
64 Eagle Lake Rd Bar Harbor - 24 min
Stop by after a day in Bar Harbor or hike in Acadia to pic up the freshest local seafood. Open during summer season only.
Restaurants - Quietside
This side has tons of excellent places to eat. These are a few of our favorites.
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Popular breakfast & lunch, great pastries, coffee. Catering and take-out options.
Southwest Harbor - 3 MIN
Good spot for a cold drink with harbor views. Burgers, seafood and more.
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Great variety of higher end menu options. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s delicious!
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Woodfired pizza, sandwiches and pasta. Great atmosphere and food!
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Casual, family friendly sports bar. Pub food, pool table, and great open mic night.
Southwest Harbor - 5 MIN
Fresh ingredients and big portions. Great vegetarian options. Dine-in or take-out.
Bass Harbor - 7 MIN
Local seafood, homemade bread and gorgeous waterfront views on the patio!
QUIETSIDE SNACKS
Tremont/Bernard - 7 MIN
Food truck with smash burgers, fried chicken, vegetarian. Outdoor seating only
Southwest Harbor - 5 MIN
Asian fusion takeout window. Sushi, ramen and poke bowls. Open year round
PETER TROUT’S
Southwest Harbor - 5 MIN
Waterfront with comfort food, old school vibes and a giant haddock sandwich!
Restaurants - Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor has tons of excellent places to eat. These are a few of our favorites.
Bar Harbor - 28 MIN
Traditional Irish pub atmosphere with large whiskey selection and great fresh food.
Bar Harbor - 29 MIN
Casual old-school style tavern. Easy going seafood menu. Try the blackened fried fish.
Bar Harbor - 31 MIN
Fun and lively with a variety of menu options. Reservations are recommended.
Bar Harbor - 28 MIN
New-Mexico style cooking. Delicious tacos, enchiladas and more. Fresh ingredients.
Bar Harbor - 29 MIN
Craft cocktails, small plates and crepes. Beautiful outdoor garden seating.
Bar Harbor - 30 MIN
Our son’s favorite! Seafood and more with great vibes and a killer calamariapp.
Bar Harbor - 29 MIN
Sustainably sourced seafood, pulled pork, vegan options and a great Sunday brunch.
Bar Harbor - 25 MIN
Casual, friendly seafood, mac and cheese and more. Live music daily at the Annex.
ROYAL INDIAN
Bar Harbor - 29 MIN
Flavorful and popular. Vegetarian options and great alternative to the usual fare.
Rte. 3/Bar Harbor - 25 MIN
Family owned classic BBQ joint, with patio, space for kids to play. Away from crowds.
Lobster Pounds
There are so many to choose from! Here’s a few to get you started.
The HAPPY CLAM SHACK!
Bar Harbor/Knox Rd & Rte. 3 - 18 MIN
Our caretaker, Tim’s, mom‘s place! Patty is adorable and serves up the best and freshest! Get a half lobster/crab roll to enjoy a beautiful 2-in-1. Not sure what to do with lobster? Get the lazy lobster roll. It’s made our son a convert! Kids menu. Outside seating only. The real deal. Relax and enjoy.
Southwest Harbor - 7 MIN
Classic lobster dishes, plus full meals, & sandwiches overlooking the Harbor.
Bar Harbor - 20 MIN
Sustainably sourced seafood, pulled pork, vegan options and a great winter brunch.
Bar Harbor - 30 MIN
Enjoy views of Bar Island. Large place with large menu in the heart of Bar Harbor.
Bar Harbor - 23 MIN
Rustic and old-school. Just off island, but worth the stop coming or going.
Southwest Harbor - 8 MIN
A local favorite. Family friendly, outdoor seating. Located next to Seawall Motel.
Bass Harbor - 5 MIN
Simple and delicious, with non-seafood options overlooking Bass Harbor
THURSTON’S
Bass Harbor - 9 MIN
Old school walk-up with covered or outside seating and amazing views
BAR HARBOR LOBSTER CO.
Bar Harbor - 30 MIN
Great spot to have lunch or dinner outside while exploring downtown Bar Harbor.
Coffee & Baked Goods
There are so many to choose from! Here’s a few to get you started.
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
The best vibes on the harbor! Exquisite coffee, great food for breakfast, dinner & cocktails.
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Fantastic local bread, pastries and to-go items. Coffee & other drinks
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Year round coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, and ice cream in the summer. Hours vary.
MOTHER’S KITCHEN/COFFEE MATTER CAFE
Town Hill - 14 MIN
Amazing sandwiches! Breakfast and lunch walk-up window. Garden seating.
Southwest Harbor - 4 MIN
Perfect spot to grab bagels, blueberry muffins and some excellent drinks.
Bar Harbor - 28 MIN
Great hang out spot. Fresh bagels, and unique breakfast & lunch items. Yum.
Bar Harbor - 30 MIN
Another of our son’s favorite. Get ready for a sugar splurge!
Quietside Must Sees
Enjoy all the big draws of Acadia, but don’t miss out on the lesser traveled parts of the Park. All of these are just minutes from the house!
WONDERLAND TRAIL - 7 MIN
Easy for all ages. Go at low tide and find tide pool creatures!
BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE - 10 MIN
Iconic & historic lighthouse. Go early or late. After 10am gets busy for the limited parking.
SHIP HARBOR TRAIL - 8 MIN
The perfect hike. An easy and beautiful figure eight, that winds along a cove.
ECHO LAKE BEACH - 8 MIN
Lovely freshwater lake with swim area, restrooms and sand beach. Gorgeous granite cliffs along either side.
BEECH MOUNTAIN TRAILS - 12 MIN
A short, moderate loop. Views of Long Pond. Climb one of the few remaining fire towers in the area.
SEAWALL PICNIC AREA - 5 MIN
Walk along the seawall, explore tidepools or enjoy a picnic. Great stargazing.
Experiences
Here are a few fun experiences to add to your stay at the Black Seal Chalet!
WHALE WATCHING & PUFFIN TOURS - Bar Harbor Whale Watch Co.
High-speed catamaran dedicated to deep-sea whale watching tours and cruises to view the Atlantic puffin colonies at Petit Manan Island.
KAYAK TOURS MAINE STATE KAYAK AND RENTALS - Maine State Kayak
Small-group guided kayaking tours and high-quality gear rentals. Explore the granite shorelines and pristine waters of MDI.
E-BIKE TOURS AND RENTALS - Island Time E-Bike
Electric bike rentals and guided tours. All fitness levels can effortlessly cruise Acadia National Park’s historic, vehicle-free carriage roads.
BIRD CARVING & WOOD BURNING - Wendell Gilley Museum
Offering hands-on workshops. Learn the traditional craft of decorative wood carving and intricate wood burning.
SAILING CHARTER AND BOAT TOURS - Sail Acadia
Private charters and shared public sails aboard historically significant wooden Friendship sloops and classic lobster boats.
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES - Acadia By Carriage
Horse-drawn carriage tours through the heart of the national park. Experience the historic bridges and scenery as early travelers did.