Walk Out the Front Door and Into One of New England’s Most Charming Shopping Districts
One of the quiet pleasures of staying at the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel is that downtown Bar Harbor is already right outside your door. Step outside and you’re on Main Street, in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor, with the best shops on the island just a short stroll in any direction. No shuttle needed, no parking to figure out, no time lost.
You won’t find big-box stores or chain retailers here. What you’ll find instead are independent bookshops, cooperative galleries run by Maine artists, thoughtfully stocked boutiques, and a handful of spots that carry things you genuinely won’t find anywhere else. It’s the kind of shopping where you find something you just have to bring home or send to someone you love.
This guide highlights shops known for locally made goods, memorable souvenirs, and the kind of unhurried browsing that a slower Maine pace invites.
Classic Bar Harbor Finds
For many visitors, a proper Bar Harbor shopping stroll starts at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop. The flagship store sits at 56 Main Street, about a five-minute walk from the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, and has been part of Bar Harbor since 1886. It is Maine’s oldest bookstore and one of those rare shops that feels both useful and nostalgic the moment you step inside.
Sherman’s is especially good for travelers who like to understand the place they are visiting. You will find books by Maine authors, coastal field guides, Acadia trail books, natural history titles, local interest reads, stationery, greeting cards, and gifts that feel more thoughtful than the usual souvenir. It is a good stop for a book to read on the porch, a gift for someone back home, or a small reminder of the island that will still feel meaningful long after the trip is over. From there, keep following Main Street and the shopping shifts from bookshelves to pantry shelves.
Acadia Country Store is the place to look for classic Maine pantry gifts. Blueberry products are a Bar Harbor favorite for good reason, and you’ll find plenty here, from jam and syrup to candies and other sweet treats that are easy to pack, easy to share, and instantly tied to Maine. The store also carries maple syrup, local honey, fudge, sauces, soaps, candles, and small Bar Harbor keepsakes. If you are shopping for neighbors, grandchildren, house sitters, or anyone who would appreciate a taste of Maine, this is one of the best stops downtown.
For Acadia-themed gifts and souvenirs, The Acadia Shop is another easy Main Street stop. This is where to look for park-inspired keepsakes, Bar Harbor apparel, ornaments, home accents, and small gifts that speak directly to the reason many visitors come to Mount Desert Island in the first place. It is also a useful place to pick up a cozy Bar Harbor sweatshirt for those chilly evenings by the water.
Between these three classics you’re sure to find small, well-chosen things that feel connected to the island, whether that means a book about the Maine coast, a jar of wild blueberry jam, or a simple gift that says, “I thought of you while I was here.”
Bring Home Something Made Here
Around downtown, you’ll find shops filled with pieces that have a story behind them. Some are crafted by island artists, some are designed by Maine makers, and others are chosen because they reflect the colors, textures, and character of the coast.
A good place to begin is Island Artisans, a cooperative gallery on Main Street that has been dedicated to Maine arts and crafts for more than 40 years. The shop represents more than 100 Maine artisans, with handmade pottery, jewelry, glass, fiber work, baskets, wood pieces, embossed paper, and other original goods throughout the store. It is the kind of place worth taking your time in, especially if you are looking for something with more permanence than a typical souvenir.
For a cheerful mix of Maine gifts, clothing, and home accents, My Darling Maine on Cottage Street is another great pick. The shop carries locally made gifts, apparel, accessories, jewelry, home decor, artwork, and specialty items with a unique feel. It is especially worth browsing for cozy roll-neck sweaters, Maine-themed kids’ clothing, candles, art prints, and small gifts that are easy to tuck into a bag for someone back home.
We also love a visit to The Maine Store, which stands out for its eclectic mix of Maine-inspired gifts and home accents. The bright rope mats and painted buoys out front set the tone before you even walk in. Inside, you’ll find pieces that can bring that same Bar Harbor character home, from art and jewelry to decorative accents with a working-coast feel.
In the Woods brings a different kind of craftsmanship to the mix, with handmade wooden toys, puzzles, kitchenware, and tableware made from sustainably harvested trees. Their wooden puzzles are especially charming, including Maine-friendly designs like lobsters that make sweet gifts for children. Every product also supports a larger purpose: all profits go toward land conservation efforts in Maine, building on more than 50 years of forest conservation work. It is a meaningful place to browse if you want something simple, sturdy, and rooted in the Maine woods.
The common thread between these shops is that they reward slower browsing. You are not just looking for “Bar Harbor” printed on something. You are looking for the hand-thrown mug you’ll reach for every morning, the scarf that will remind you of your trip every time you wear it, or the gift that feels personal because it has a story beyond the shelf it came from. Pro tip: chat with the shop owners as your browse! You’re guaranteed to learn more about our little coastal town and get some insider tips for the best goodies.
Browse for Coastal Layers and Bar Harbor Style
Packing for Bar Harbor is part art, part optimism. A sunny morning can turn breezy by lunch, and even the most beautiful summer evening can make you grateful for a sweater once the wind comes off the water. If you are still deciding what to bring, this guide to packing for three days in Bar Harbor is a helpful place to start. And if you find yourself wishing for one more layer once you arrive, downtown Bar Harbor has plenty of places to find clothing and accessories you will actually use while you are here and keep wearing once you are home.
For classic Bar Harbor apparel, Cool as a Moose has a great selection of sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, sunglasses, and casual pieces tied to Maine, Acadia, and the coast. It is a good place to get prepped for a chilly boat ride or the baseball cap you forgot to pack.
Debbahs is another good stop for casual resort wear, Acadia clothing, and Bar Harbor souvenirs. The selection leans vacation-friendly, with pieces that are easy to wear around town, back to the hotel, or out for a relaxed dinner after a day in Acadia. It fills that useful middle ground between practical and souvenir-worthy.
For something soft and timeless, Peruvian Link on Cottage Street offers unique alpaca garments and accessories, including sweaters, scarves, hats, and other cool-weather pieces. It is not Maine-made in the same way as the artisan shops, but it fits the Bar Harbor wardrobe beautifully: warm, easy to wear, and perfect for cool evenings by the water.
The best clothing finds in Bar Harbor are the ones that feel useful right away. A fleece for the evening walk. A hat for a sunny afternoon in Acadia National Park. A sweater you bought because the weather changed. These are the pieces that make the trip more comfortable in the moment, then earn a regular place in your closet later.
Gear Up for Acadia Before You Go
Some Bar Harbor shopping is about finding the perfect gift. Some of it is about realizing, halfway through your trip, that hiking would be much more enjoyable with better socks, a sturdier daypack, or a rain layer. With trails, carriage roads, boat tours, and rocky shoreline all close by, the right gear can make a real difference.
Acadia Park Company is a helpful stop if you are planning to spend time in the park. The shop carries maps, backpacks, hiking boots, and outdoor wear for the whole family, making it useful for everything from an easy carriage road walk to a full day of exploring Acadia. It is also a good place to stop if the forecast shifts and you need to adjust quickly.
For a broader outdoor selection, Cadillac Mountain Sports on Cottage Street focuses on outdoor gear and apparel, with staff who can help visitors choose the right pieces for hiking, walking, layering, and spending time outdoors around Mount Desert Island. If you need something more technical than a souvenir sweatshirt, this is the section of town to browse before heading into the park.
You do not need to outfit yourself like you are summiting Everest to enjoy Acadia, but a few smart pieces can make the day better. Comfortable walking shoes, breathable layers, a small backpack, sun protection, and something wind or rain-resistant all earn their place here.
Save Room for Small, Packable Souvenirs
Not every souvenir needs to be wrapped in bubble wrap or rearranged in your suitcase three times before it fits. Some of the best things to bring home from Bar Harbor are small, useful, and easy to share: a tin of tea, a box of note cards, a handmade soap, a candle, a polished stone, or a piece of jewelry that carries a little bit of the coast with it.
For something especially easy to pack, Bar Harbor Tea Company is a lovely stop. Their teas make thoughtful gifts for hosts, neighbors, friends, or anyone who would appreciate something a little quieter than the usual souvenir. It is also the kind of thing you can bring home for yourself and enjoy slowly, cup by cup, after the trip is over.
Another worthwhile stop for small, meaningful gifts is Fair Trade Winds. The shop carries artisan-made jewelry, handmade cards, paper goods, journals, purses, home accents, and Maine-inspired items, making it a good place to look for something light, packable, and a little unexpected. It is especially helpful when you want a gift that feels thoughtful without taking up much room in your luggage.
For something sweet, Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium on Main Street brings decades of family-owned New England candy-making to Bar Harbor. The business was started in 1956 and continues to offer chocolates and candies made from original recipes, along with saltwater taffy, 15 fudge varieties from 100-year-old recipes, and an impressive ice cream case that even includes their famous lobster ice cream. A small box of chocolates, a few pieces of Swedish candy, or a slice of fudge makes an easy gift to pack, if it makes it home before you eat it.
For a small souvenir with a little more history behind it, Willis’ Rock Shop is a Bar Harbor classic. This family-run shop has been part of town for more than 80 years, offering rocks, minerals, gemstones, and jewelry that reflect an island known for granite cliffs, rocky shoreline, and Acadia’s dramatic landscape. It is a fun stop for a polished stone, a small mineral specimen, or a piece of jewelry.
This is also a good category for anyone shopping for multiple people at once. A few small items can cover friends, parents, or coworkers back home without turning your luggage into a puzzle. And if you are shopping for yourself, these little pieces can be just as meaningful as the larger ones.
Make an Afternoon of It
One of the best parts of shopping in Bar Harbor is that it does not need to be squeezed into the margins of a busy itinerary. From the Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, downtown shops are close enough to enjoy at an easy pace, whether you are browsing before dinner, filling a quiet afternoon, or picking up a few last gifts before heading home.
Because so many of Bar Harbor’s shops are independent and locally owned, hours can vary by season. Summer brings the fullest selection and the liveliest downtown atmosphere, while spring and fall tend to feel a little quieter. If there is a specific shop you are hoping to visit, it is always worth checking current hours before you go, especially outside of peak season.
It also helps to shop with the shape of your trip in mind. Smaller items like tea, note cards, jewelry, soaps, candles, and pantry gifts are easy to pack. Larger pieces, fragile items, or anything you fall in love with after your suitcase is already full may be worth shipping home when that option is available. Many local shopkeepers are used to helping visitors get special finds home safely, so do not be afraid to ask.
And if you need a break between stops, the hotel is never far away. Drop off your bags, rest your feet, freshen up before dinner, then head back out for one more souvenir. That is the real pleasure of shopping from the Bar Harbor Grand: you can let the afternoon unfold naturally, one storefront, one conversation, and one good find at a time.