Bar Harbor, Maine, Named No. 17 Best Summer Vacation Spot in the World

Now this I can get behind. I went to Bar Harbor, Maine, for the first time a few summers back, and all I remember telling myself was I couldn't believe I hadn't come here earlier. Bar Harbor feels like it's in the middle of nowhere because of the drive, but once you get there, you'll see why it's totally worth it.

On travelusanews.com's list of the 21 Best Summer Vacation Spots in the World, Bar Harbor makes #17 on the list. Acadia National Park has to be one of the biggest selling points, since it's located so close to Bar Harbor. According to travelusnews.com (and most people who know this area will also say this), Bar Harbor is famously known as the "Gateway to Acadia." It was even ranked the No. 1 Best Small Town to Visit in the US.

When we hear the word "vacation", we typically think of summer and sunshine. But with a place like Bar Harbor, a vacation could be fun here no matter what season you're in. In the wintertime, you can rent a house, go to all the little Christmas shops and bars, and imagine you're in a Hallmark movie.

Summertime rolls around, and you can rent kayaks, watch live bands, bop around to all the little open sidewalk bars, and so much more. Ever since I discovered Bar Harbor, I've been going there for a 4th of July rendezvous every summer for their awesome firework show, which you can watch from the ocean. It's always super packed that weekend (as you'd except any summer hot spot to be), so this is your sign to book places now.

Here's a list of the Top 10 Things to Do in Bar Harbor From May Through July, according to opalcollection.com.