This is one of my favorite types of questions to ask, considering Maine is basically one big vacation in the summertime. I mean, our slogan is quite literally "Vacationland", and you see it printed on a huge sign when you first enter our state. The sign's not wrong, especially not in Bar Harbor.

I went to Bar Harbor, Maine, for the first time a few summers back, and all I remember saying to myself was how I couldn't believe I hadn't come here earlier. It feels like it's in the middle of nowhere on the drive up, but once you get there, you'll see why it's totally worth it.

On Travel USA's list of the 21 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the World, Bar Harbor makes #17 on the list. Acadia National Park has to be one of the biggest selling points, since it's so close to Bar Harbor. According to Travel USA (and most people who know this area), Bar Harbor is famously known as the "Gateway to Acadia." It was even ranked the No. 1 Best Small Town to Visit in the US.

Rent kayaks, watch live bands, bop around to all the little open sidewalk bars... you name the activity, and Bar Harbor will deliver. Ever since I discovered this city, I've been going there for a 4th of July rendezvous every summer for their awesome firework show, which you can watch from the ocean. It's always super packed that weekend (as you'd except any summer hot spot to be), so this is your sign to book places now.

Here's a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Bar Harbor From May Through July, according to opalcollection.com.

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