Overview
Southwest Harbor is a town in Maine.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 5 places to eat · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Southwest Harbor
The Gilley Museum
A museum devoted primarily to wood carving and artist Wendell Gilley.
The Carroll Homestead
Only open on certain days. The Carroll Homestead is one of the only old houses left from the settlement days of MDI. Contact Park Headquarters for days when tours are available.
Acadia Park Kayak Tours
Acadia Park Kayak Tours private trips can depart from and return to Southwest Harbor. No experience is necessary and all equipment is provided.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Nov. (climate data from nearby Acadia National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BHB Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport, Bar Harbor — 12 mi away. Directions
- RKD Knox County Regional Airport, Rockland — 41 mi away. Directions
- PWM Portland International Jetport, Portland — 108 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $165–$165 a night (typical $597), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$210, mid-range ~$670, comfortable ~$330.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Gilley Museum, The Carroll Homestead
- Lunch XYZ Restaurant
- Afternoon Acadia Park Kayak Tours
- Dinner Little Notch Bakery and Pizzeria
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See The Carroll Homestead
Only open on certain days. The Carroll Homestead is one of the only old houses left from the settlement days of MDI. Contact Park Headquarters for days when tours are available.
Do
Buy
Eat
Eat XYZ Restaurant (Xalapa, Yucatán, Zacatecas)
Authentic Mexican that's packed with robust, complex flavor medleys. The pulled porks are a classic favorite. Don't miss out on dessert! X, Y, Z Pie is always a hit, but for those who want a lighter finish to their meal, try the Key Lime Pie. A delightful room, with many of the same posters/art on the wall and old favorites on the menu. And they make killer margaritas. Lengua is served as an appetizer choice served "pickled" in a vinaigrette. Try the lime bombe pie for the dessert.
Eat Little Notch Bakery and Pizzeria
Freshed baked goods from Southwest Harbor. Great Italian style breads (of the rustic variety) and great pizza and hot sandwiches.
Eat Beech Hill Farm
There's an organic farm on Beech Hill Road which is a project of the College of the Atlantic: Beech Hill Farm.
Eat Xanthus
Gorgeous views of Somes Sound & the surrounding mountains. Waterfront bar open July & August. Excellent cuisine & wine list.
- The Fiddler's Green 411 Main Street. Delicious, fresh, always something new. Call for reservations.
Eat Beal's Lobster Pound
A classic lobster pound on MDI. Everyone knows Beal's!
Sleep
Stay Ann's Point Inn
Ann's Point is a four-diamond contemporary inn on two acres at the tip of a peninsula. It features spacious rooms all with water views, an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna, a hot tub, and nearly 700 feet of shoreline. Services include an exquisite breakfast, afternoon refreshments, and evening cookies.
Stay The Claremont Hotel
A six-acre shorefront resort including the historic hotel with 24 guest rooms, the Phillips House with 6 private inn-style rooms, and 14 housekeeping cottages. On-site facilities include restaurant and bar, dock, moorings, boat house restaurant, rowboats, bicycles, clay tennis court and two tournament-class croquet courts. There are 14 housekeeping cottages, some with ocean views, all with fireplaces, decks and kitchenettes.
Nearby
Northeast Harbor
City / town · 7 listings · 2 mi away
Tremont
City / town · 9 listings · 2 mi away
Acadia National Park
Park · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Somesville
City / town · 4 listings · 6 mi away
Bar Harbor
City / town · 104 listings · 10 mi away
Hulls Cove
City / town · 6 listings · 10 mi away
Trenton
City / town · 26 listings · 11 mi away
Frenchboro
City / town · 7 listings · 11 mi away
My experience
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