Although they're not in Bar Harbor proper, two lovely gardens are worth a special trip. Both are on the grounds of the Asticou Inn in Northeast Harbor, an upper-crust enclave about 10 mi/16 km southwest of Bar Harbor. Asticou Azalea Gardens is in the classic Japanese style, with ornamental stone bridges and paths winding through 20 varieties of azaleas, rhododendrons and laurels. There's also a tranquil pond and a sand garden with stone lanterns. Thuya Gardens combines Japanese landscape effects with semiformal English flower beds, all set against a backdrop of granite outcrops and piney Maine woods. (The name of the gardens comes from the cedar Thuya occidentalis.) Also on the grounds is Thuya Lodge, which contains botanical prints and books. Both gardens are open mid-May to late October daily from sunrise to sundown. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Junction of routes 3 and 198, Northeast Harbor. Phone 207-276-3344. Toll-free 800-258-3373. http://www.asticou.com/gardens.html.
