Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium

Ben & Bills Chocolate Emporium is a delightful stop on Bar Harbor's Main Street where kids can marvel at creative ice cream flavors (including their famous lobster ice cream!), watch chocolatiers at work, and browse colorful displays of homemade fudge, truffles, and candies. The shop's whimsical atmosphere and generous samples make it a sweet treat destination that combines dessert with entertainment, perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up during Acadia National Park adventures.

• ✓Famous lobster ice cream and other quirky flavors kids love to dare each other to try
• ✓Watching chocolate-making demonstrations through the shop windows
• ✓Generous ice cream portions with homemade waffle cones
• ✓Colorful candy displays and wall of saltwater taffy
• ✓Homemade fudge in dozens of flavors perfect for gifts or souvenirs

1. 1.Visit mid-afternoon (2-4pm) to avoid the post-dinner rush when lines can stretch out the door during peak summer season
2. 2.Don't be shy about asking for samples,staff are generous with tastings, which helps kids decide among the many creative flavors
3. 3.Grab extra napkins,the generous portions and Maine summer heat make for messy but happy kids
4. 4.Browse the chocolate-making area in the back where you can sometimes watch confections being made
5. 5.Bring cash for faster checkout during busy times, though they do accept cards

Visit on weekday afternoons in late spring (May-early June) or early fall (September) to avoid peak summer crowds. If visiting in July or August, come right when they open in the morning or mid-afternoon between lunch and dinner rushes.

Expect to spend around $5-8 per person for ice cream, with additional costs for candies and chocolates. The shop is located right on Main Street with limited street parking nearby; consider parking in municipal lots and walking. The space is small and can get crowded during peak tourist season.

Bar Harbor is highly seasonal with most tourists visiting May through October. The shop operates year-round but with reduced hours in winter months (November-April). Summer months (July-August) bring the largest crowds and longest waits.

For kid-friendly meals nearby, try Rosalie's Pizza just down Main Street for casual slices, or West Street Cafe (a short walk away) which offers breakfast and lunch with kid favorites like pancakes and grilled cheese.