Bar Harbor's Gilded Age Walking Tour

OVERVIEW

Step back in time to the turn of the 20th century, when Bar Harbor became one of New England’s most exclusive destinations. As you walk through the historic district, the guide will entertain you with tales of rich and powerful families such as the Rockefellers, Carnegies and Vanderbilts and with stories about their opulent summer “cottages” on Frenchman Bay. Pausing in Village Green, you will see Bar Harbor’s cast-iron town clock and the bandstand, which has hosted summer concerts since it was built in 1899. Although the Great Fire of 1947 left its mark on Bar Harbor, a number of Victorian mansions survived and are well worth a look. This tour offers an intriguing introduction to the city and points outs attractions you may wish to explore later on your own, such as Dorr Museum of Natural History and the Abbe Museum, a showcase for Wabanaki Indian artefacts.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through Bar Harbor’s historic district.
• See central landmarks such as Village Green.
• Pass Victorian mansions that survived the Great Fire of 1947.
• Hear tales of famous residents such as the Rockefellers and Fords.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.