Skip to main content

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bar Harbor

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 How a federal ruling just reshaped Bar Harbor’s cruise ship limits

Bar Harbor, Maine Patch AM: a 5 min read

What's up Bar Harbor! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a federal ruling just reshaped Bar Harbor’s cruise ship limits
  • What really happened in last week’s Bar Harbor and MDI police calls?
  • Why Bar Harbor parents worry they’re “giving the school building away”

Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Bar Harbor Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Bar Harbor Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Bar Harbor. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Plenty of sun, but cool, with a high of 61 and low of 49 degrees.
  • Thursday: Sunny; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 68, low: 49.
  • Friday: Increasing clouds, with a high of 71 and low of 55 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. After federal court ruling, Bar Harbor to refine cruise ship passenger cap (mainebiz.biz subscription) — Bar Harbor’s cruise ship passenger cap has been ruled unenforceable outside July and August, forcing the town council to quickly craft a new way to manage cruise tourism. Large ships are still grandfathered for this season, but the town has paused new reservations while it designs a system that better balances business revenue with congestion and quality-of-life concerns.
   

2. Latest Police and Community Updates in Bar Harbor Area (barharborstory.com) — Bar Harbor residents get a full rundown of last week’s local police activity, from minor traffic issues and noise complaints to an arrest on a warrant and a reported theft. The report also covers nearby Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, and Tremont incidents, plus recent Maine State Police and Fire Marshal investigations, helping you understand what’s been happening around the island and beyond.
   

3. Financial 'relief valve' takes shape in MDIRSS reorg (mdislander.com) — Bar Harbor residents are pushing for a fair “relief valve” in the Mount Desert Island school reorganization, worried they’ll lose a school building they just finished paying for. Local representatives say unresolved questions about buildings and debt sharing are the main obstacle for both Bar Harbor and Mount Desert, and new options are now being explored.
   

4. 10 Stunning Maine State Parks That Make For An Unforgettable Day Trip (everafterinthewoods.com) — Bar Harbor gets a nod here as the gateway to Acadia National Park, one of ten Maine parks highlighted for memorable day trips. The piece focuses on scenic hikes, beaches, and wildlife across the state, with practical notes like parking reservations for Cadillac Mountain and why places like Bradbury, Baxter, and Popham are worth a full day’s visit.
   

5. Acadia Advisory Commission Fails to Meet. Again. (barharborstory.com) — Acadia National Park’s citizen advisory commission has now skipped three meetings in under 18 months, leaving nearby communities, including Bar Harbor, with fewer chances to weigh in on park decisions. With staff cuts, communication breakdowns, and many commission terms expiring soon, residents may see less transparency just as key management choices loom.
   

📸 Around Bar Harbor

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Bar Harbor

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Thursday June 4
  • Figure Drawing
    Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park Chamber of Commerce ArtWaves 1345a State Hwy 102 Bar Harbor, ME 04609
    12:00 pm
    • Saturday June 6
  • 2026 Wilderness First Aid by SOLO II
    Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park Chamber of Commerce Schoodic Institute
    8:00 am
  • Bar Harbor Pride: Drag Show - Bar Harbor
    Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park Chamber of Commerce 1932 Criterion Theatre
    8:00 pm
    • Sunday June 7
  • The Dustbowl Revival - Bar Harbor
    Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park Chamber of Commerce 1932 Criterion Theatre
    7:00 pm
    • Monday June 8
  • Task Force on the Climate Emergency →
    Bar Harbor, ME Calendar, 93 Cottage St., Bar Harbor
    4:00 pm
  • Conservation Commission Meeting →
    Bar Harbor, ME Calendar, 93 Cottage St., Bar Harbor
    5:30 pm
    • Tuesday June 9
  • State of Maine Primary Election and Town Election →
    Bar Harbor, ME Calendar, 93 Cottage, Bar Harbor
    8:00 am
  • Election Day - Petitions →
    Bar Harbor, ME Calendar, 93 Cottage, Bar Harbor
    8:00 am

📣 Bar Harbor Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hannaford Bros Co posted a job opening for PT Hourly Seasonal Associate Grocery in Bar Harbor. Apply here.
  • Walgreens posted a job opening for Shift Lead in Bar Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bar Harbor here.

Ok Bar Harbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bar Harbor

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Bar Harbor

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.