File photo Courtesy / Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Everal Eaton
Updated: 0 sec ago
Downeast tourism hotspot basks in national spotlight
Photo / Courtesy Maine Office of Tourism
Bar Harbor was ranked the best small town to visit in the USA in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.
Bar Harbor, the Downeast home of Acadia National Park and a popular cruise ship port of call, has been named the country's best small town to visit in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.
The accolade comes amid efforts to promote the 5,276-population coastal town as a year-round vacation destination.
"To complement Bar Harbor's spectacular natural features, lodging and dining attractions have kept pace with visitor demand,” Kathleen Pierce, HospitalityMaine’s director of membership and communications, told Mainebiz.
“We are now seeing an attempt to accommodate visitors in all seasons,” she added. “An early example is the November opening of Pathmaker, a newly built boutique hotel open year-round. Now that it's voted No. 1 small city in the U.S. to visit, how will Bar Harbor's hospitality infrastructure meet the moment?"
Other small towns highlighted by the magazine include Telluride, Colo., at No. 2, followed by Jackson Hole, Wyo. (No. 3), Steamboat Springs, Colo. (No. 4), and Sedona, Ariz. (No. 5).
Rankings were based on travelers’ opinions, as provided by user votes, with expert and editor analysis. Each destination was scored in 10 categories, from sights, culture and food to nightlife, adventure and romance.
Four-season appeal
“As we approach the new year, we are honored to be included in U.S. News and World Report’s list of top USA destinations for 2025,” Everal Eaton, executive director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, told Mainebiz.
"We are grateful to our amazing community and visitors who make our town a special place to live, work, play and visit," added Eaton, who perviously led a chamber of commerce in Wilkes Barre, Pa. "We encourage visitors to explore our town year-round, as each season really offers a unique experience.”
Winter, for example, “imbues the island with a serene tranquility, ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, leisurely downtown shopping or simply unwinding by a cozy fireplace,” he said. “No matter the season, you can expect a unique and unforgettable experience.”
Among other list-toppers by U.S. News, the Swiss Alps take the top spot of the world’s best places to visit while Glacier National Park topped the list of best places to visit in the USA.
"As the travel industry continues its robust recovery, travelers are increasingly attracted to one-of-a-kind landscapes and jaw-dropping scenery, favoring destinations like Machu Picchu, Tanzania and Mount Fuji," said Elizabeth Von Tersch, senior travel editor at U.S. News.
"From tranquil beaches to awe-inspiring views, the 2025 Best Vacations rankings offer a variety of destinations, both approachable and far-flung, to cater to every traveler's tastes," she noted.
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