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Halloween in Bar Harbor: A Ghostly Guide to October Fun

Bar Harbor in October is hauntingly beautiful, with the trees painted in vibrant reds, oranges and yellows, and residents’ houses decked out with jack-o-lanterns and spooky décor. Here on Mount Desert Island, we take our holidays seriously, especially for their opportunities to gather and connect as a community—just take our 4th of July or Christmas celebrations for example. And Halloween in Bar Harbor is no exception. We lean on the rich history of our town to bring spooky stories to life and plan lots of activities that get us out into the beautiful, crisp October air.

If you’re a fan of eerie thrills or just happen to be visiting our island this time of year, read on to find 4 things to do in Bar Harbor in October that encompass the magic of Halloween.

Fall scenery with spooky, but charming pumpkin head scarecrow beneath a hand drawn "beware" sign.

Exploring the Haunted Side of Bar Harbor

The Wabanaki, Maine’s native people, have inhabited the area in and around Bar Harbor for 12,000 years and the land is steeped in indigenous spirit tales, burial grounds and more. In addition, our town is full of grand summer estates dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries that are ripe for paranormal activity. The Ledgelawn Inn, for example, was built in 1904 and is largely considered the most haunted building on the island, visited by the ghost of Mary Margaret. For those brave enough, there are two options for delving into the chilling mysteries of Bar Harbor.

Bar Harbor Ghost Tours is a 100% Native American Owned and family operated tour company that offers four different ways to explore the spooky stories of our town. Each tour is thoroughly researched and led by experienced, local storytellers. The historically dressed guides guide the way with their eery blue lanterns through Bar Harbor’s ghostly hot spots, telling tales of spirited encounters and even giving you the chance to listen to an Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP) of a resident spirit. Cameras are encouraged to capture evidence of orbs, apparitions and other things that go bump in the night. Tours are typically 90 minutes, set just after sunset and cover varying distances.

The Bar Harbor Ghost Walk is run by American Ghost Walks and focuses on the history of Ledgelawn Inn and the jilted bride who wanders its halls. Tour guests will learn about 3 major types of ghosts: residual manifestations, intelligent hauntings, and poltergeists on their walk through Bar Harbor. Trailing along the shore path at night, with more stories of strange goings-on at the Balance Rock Inn and the legendary Bar Harbor Club, this is true spine-tingling activity.

Our Own Spooky Stories

Like much of Bar Harbor, some of Witham’s properties are also historical residences full of stories of residents and guests. The Willows, a historic estate on the grounds of the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel, is rumored to be haunted by a young girl. General Manager of the AO, Dede Daigle, shares that staff at the 1913 property have seen lights turn on suddenly in parlor, or doors close of their own accord. But to understand these wandering spirits you must go back to when the building was erected. Miss Charlotte Baker and Miss Clara B. Spence summered together each year in their Regency style seaside mansion. Together they adopted four children, perhaps the culprits of the strange sightings around the Willows today.

Originally built as a literary and social club, the Bar Harbor Inn, likewise has rich history. “Well, we have lots of stories…” said Jeremy Dougherty, Manager of the Bar Harbor Inn. The Reading Room, especially holds the stories—and spirits—of yachtsmen, US Naval officers, victims of the 1947 fire, and hotel guests past.

“There have been multiple times when I’ll be here by myself at the end of the season, everyone has gone home, the lights are off, there are no guests,” Jeremy begins. “I would come downstairs from my office above the dining room and as I walked through history hall, I would hear the sounds of people dining,” he said. Knives and forks scraping on plates, glasses clinking, and the muffled voices of diners. But then he would arrive at the restaurant, and no one would be there, the Reading Room blanketed in darkness. “And I’d think, that’s enough for today!” Let the ghosts have their dinner.

These haunting sounds were not the only inexplicable occurrence at the Inn. At the start of the season, staff have claimed to hear a woman’s voice calling sweetly, “Oh, you’re back.” In the winter, room 120 in the main hotel crackled with paranormal activity, the TV frequently turning on unbidden. Spend a few nights in the Inn and you may unknowingly bump shoulders with one of its spirits.

Trick or Treat in Bar Harbor

What would Halloween in Bar Harbor be without costumes and candy? To ensure the evening of traipsing is safe for all, the town of Bar Harbor closes Ledgelawn Ave. to vehicles between 3pm and 8:30pm. Groups of witches, monsters, fairy tale characters, and superheroes hustle from door to door, enticed by residents’ extravagant decorations and gossip of who has the king-sized candy bars. In fact, children from all around the island carpool to this stretch of downtown for some of the best trick or treat in Bar Harbor. Southwest Harbor also hosts their annual Trunk or Treat at the Southwest Harbor Congregational Church where residents post up with cars adorned in spooky décor to hand out candy, play games, and more!

Acadia Oktoberfest

If you’re looking for more fun things to do in Bar Harbor in October, the Acadia Oktoberfest is an event with something for everyone in the family. The festival is more than just beer—although there are 10 different craft brewing vendors in attendance. It also includes local food trucks, wine tastings, craft vendors, live music, and ale-themed games like stein hoisting and the keg toss. It’s a great way to sample local brews, chat with residents, and enjoy the “quietside” of Mount Desert Island. Tickets are $10-35 depending on the amount of tasting you plan to do!

While You’re Here, Enjoy Acadia in October

The national park gets in the holiday spirit too. Halloween in Bar Harbor happens to coincide with the end of peak leaf peeping season for our region of Maine’s coast. The forests of Acadia in October begin to shed their bright red and orange leaves and transform into spindly, spooky fingers reaching to the skies. October’s moon, the Hunter’s moon, will be waning by the end of the month, adding to the perfect Halloween backdrop. For an eerie adventure, visit the park at night to enjoy excellent stargazing. We especially love to bring a blanket and settle down at Seawall where you can get stellar views and the mesmerizing sound of ocean waves.

From spine-chilling ghost tours at the historic Ledgelawn Inn to vibrant community celebrations, Bar Harbor in October offers a unique blend of eerie tales and festive gatherings. Explore haunted histories and enjoy local traditions under a canopy of fiery fall foliage, making your visit a memorable blend of thrill and enchantment. Whether seeking ghostly adventures or festive fun, Bar Harbor invites you to experience its mystical charm firsthand. And if you have any spooky stories from your stay in Bar Harbor, feel free to email us and share them to add to our town’s Halloween lore.

Authentic Bar Harbor: Stories from Returning Visitors

So, you want to know: Where do the locals eat in Bar Harbor? What’s the best time of year to visit Acadia? Where should you stay? Which boat cruise should you take in Frenchman Bay? What is there to do in Bar Harbor that’s off the beaten path? Essentially, how do you plan the perfect trip to Mount Desert Island.

Those are all great questions! You’re among many of today’s travelers that are doing more research before booking a trip. And for good reason. According to a report by IPX1031, 50% of Americans plan to travel more in 2024 than they did in 2023. In fact, the amount of money that’s being spent on tourism in 2024 is expected to reach an all time high of $2.5 trillion. So, it makes sense that we want to be thoughtful about where, how, and on what we are spending our travel budgets.

Increasingly, we’re looking for our investments in travel to be rewarded with personalized experiences that prioritize the ability to unplug and spend quality time with loved ones. Above all, we want our experiences to feel authentic. A 2023 survey by Booking.com found 75% of travelers “seek authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture.” But what exactly does it mean to travel authentically?

As we take trips that are meant to leave us feeling more connected to ourselves and our family or friends, we also want to walk away feeling more connected to the place we visited. We want to develop a deeper understanding for and participation in the culture, community, and traditions of our destinations. But perhaps this is an unsatisfying answer.

How to Have an Authentic Bar Harbor Experience

After more than 30 years hosting visitors to our Downeast town, we have a lot of tips and tricks up our sleeve for how to have the best Bar Harbor vacation. But the truth is that everyone has their own unique way of enjoying Mount Desert Island.

Some spend all their time hiking and exploring Acadia National Park. “People do disappear,” said Jeremy Dougherty, Manager of the Bar Harbor Inn. “They stay with us for four nights but are in Acadia four days in a row, so after check-in, we might not see them much. I mean, this place is an Adventure Land,” he said. “In Acadia, there’s a spiderweb of trails and sights you can link up to customize your adventure.”

Others would prefer to take their Bar Harbor vacation slow, relaxing by the pool or strolling through downtown. “This is their time to sit and drink coffee together and watch the Shore Path,” said Jeremy. “They’re here to drink a glass of wine on the balcony, come down and have long dinner and just do nothing.”

But no matter the vacation style, the evidence shows that many of them fall in love with Bar Harbor. Every year, around 250,000 guests stay in one of our six Bar Harbor hotels or motels. And 10% return—that’s approximately 25,000 people who choose to visit Bar Harbor again. In many cases, we’re not just talking about a second or third visit, rather generations of families who spend a part of every year here.

“Our repeat guests often want the same room. They want to be in the same spot on the property. They even want the same housekeeping staff,” said Jordan Soucy, Manager of the Bar Harbor Motel. “They like that it’s predictable.”

This, we think, is the key to achieving that authentic Bar Harbor trip. There’s no single correct answer for how to make the most of your vacation to Bar Harbor, but those who return to our island again and again have become more than just visitors. We’re most definitely biased, but we witness the true magic of Bar Harbor come alive when our visitors become part of the community fabric, joining us to celebrate local traditions like the annual 4^th of July Seafood Festival, becoming friends with residents and staff, and sharing their love of this place with others.

The Atlantic Oceanside has welcomed New Hampshire guests, Jim and Michelle, to Bar Harbor for 20 years in a row. They stay for a few weeks at a time, inviting friends or family members to join them for a weekend of hiking and biking. In many ways, this has turned Bar Harbor into something of a second home for them, showing off their preferred spots and activities to their own visitors.

Bethany Reece, Manager of the Acadia Inn, is also familiar with this type of repeat visitor. “I have two particular families that have been staying here since I can remember,” she said. “I’ve watched their kids grow up. They come because they feel like they’re connected to us.” One family, she shares, had their first stay when their son was a toddler. Now, nearly 15 years later, their two children are young adults attending college and the family still books the same room for the same week in June. When they arrive each year, check in is more than a formality—it’s an opportunity to spend twenty minutes catching up with the staff they know, asking how the winter was, and getting the low-down on what’s new in town.

Dictionaries might not agree, but maybe the best definition of travelling authentically is when you connect personally with people, places and activities. Bar Harbor’s annual visitors “go to their favorite lobster pound, go to their favorite restaurant, see the staff they know at all these places.” They get a vacation that is truly special because they’ve spent years, sometimes generations, creating those connections.

And it all starts with your first visit. We can help you figure out what to pack for your trip, lend our best tips on exploring Acadia via bicycle, make sure you have plenty to do on a rainy day, or share our absolute favorite hike, but the rest is up to you!

What range of activities are there in Bar Harbor / Acadia National Park?

Shopping
Drinking & Dining
Movies
Live Music
Hiking
Walking
Running
Rock Climbing
Biking
Fishing
Bird watching
Sailing & Boat tours
Photography / Night Photography

Do you offer bikes and/or kayaks for rent on your property?

The property doesn’t offer bikes or kayaks for rent, however there are several outfitters available right in town, here in Bar Harbor. We would be happy to recommend some options for your stay!

Can I book a reservation using a gift card?

Have a gift card? While gift cards are welcome and can be applied during your stay (up to and including the full cost of your stay) they are not taken as deposit for a reservation and must instead be reserved with a credit card at the time of booking.

Upon check-in, alternate forms of payment are accepted, including gift cards.

Are gift cards available?

Share the gift of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park! Gift cards are available in pre-designated and custom values, and they can be acquired here: https://barharbormainehotel.com/gift-card/