Dining
CJ’s Big Dipper
CJ's Big Dipper hits you with a retro ice cream counter and a line of hungry families. The Maine wild blueberry soft serve is silky and bright, a blueberry punch that sticks to your tongue. Vegan options—mint chocolate chip (soy), peanut butter chocolate (almond), raspberry chocolate truffle (soy)—are smooth and indulgent. A tiny outdoor patch invites a post-hike treat along Main Street.
Quick facts
- Meals Served
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Signature Dishes
- Maine wild blueberry soft serve; blueberry and vanilla twist soft serve; vegan options including mint chocolate chip (soy), peanut butter chocolate (almond), and raspberry chocolate truffle (soy).
- Local Specialties
- Blueberry-based flavors; blueberry soft serve is a local standout.
- Popular Items
- Maine wild blueberry soft serve; blueberry and vanilla twist soft serve; vegan flavors.
What to order
- Meals Served
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Signature Dishes
- Maine wild blueberry soft serve; blueberry and vanilla twist soft serve; vegan options including mint chocolate chip (soy), peanut butter chocolate (almond), and raspberry chocolate truffle (soy).
- Local Specialties
- Blueberry-based flavors; blueberry soft serve is a local standout.
- Popular Items
- Maine wild blueberry soft serve; blueberry and vanilla twist soft serve; vegan flavors.
- Menu Recommendations
- Order the Maine wild blueberry soft serve; for vegans, try mint chocolate chip (soy), peanut butter chocolate (almond), or raspberry chocolate truffle (soy).
- Dietary Options
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
Prices & reservations
- Reservations Policy
- Walk-in only.
- Typical Wait Times
- Busy with lines; wait times vary.
- Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit cards
- Cash Only
- 0
Hours & seating
- Operating Hours
- Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Seasonal Hours
- Open daily with no seasonal variations.
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
- Parking Details
- Street parking in downtown Bar Harbor; spots can be tight and competitive.
- Accessibility
- Counter-service, with sidewalk access; indoor seating is limited and a small outdoor area exists. Wheelchair accessibility and restroom specifics are not documented.
Visit strategy
- Best For
- Families with kids
- Post-hike treaters
- Ice cream aficionados
- Not Ideal For
- Quiet dining or long table-service meals
- Service Type
- Counter service
- Service Speed
- Fast and friendly
- Vibe
- 80s vibe
- retro ice cream shop
- family-friendly
- Main Street Bar Harbor
- Noise Level
- Not documented by sources.
- View Type
- View of Main Street and Village Green
- Park area across street
- Busiest Times
- Peak hours; lines form on busy days
- Best Visit Times
- Early in the day or slightly off-peak to avoid lines
- Tips Advice
- Hit the Maine wild blueberry soft serve first—it's the cult pick.
- Try vegan flavors like mint chocolate chip (soy) and peanut butter chocolate (almond).
- Go early or after lunch to shorten lines.
More details
- Park Area
- Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, ME)
- Takeout Available
- 1
- Delivery Available
- 0
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Beverage Program
- Coffee available.
- Tasting Flights
- 0
- Tours Available
- 0
- Bottle Sales
- 0
- Parking Available
- 1
- Dog Friendly Patio
- 0
- Wi-Fi Available
- 0
- Family Friendly
- 1
- Family Friendly Notes
- Kid-friendly with a bustling, energetic vibe
- Age Restriction
- All ages.
- Bar Seating
- 0
- Seasonal Rushes
- Not documented
- Live Music
- Not documented
- Special Events
- Not documented
- Has Gift Shop
- 0
- Unique Attractions
- Retro 80s counter, red Formica, blueberry-forward flavors
- Unique Factor
- Blueberry soft serve and vegan options in a retro Bar Harbor shop
- Nearby Facilities
- Across from Village Green; downtown Bar Harbor; steps from Acadia entrance; street parking nearby
- Recent Updates
- No recent updates noted.
- Best Time To Visit
- Open daily 11:00 AM–10:00 PM. To dodge the lines, go earlier in the day or slightly off-peak hours.
- The Order Strategy
- Skip plain vanilla and go straight for the Maine wild blueberry soft serve. For a caffeine lift, order the coffee.
- The Vibe Check
- This is a casual, retro Bar Harbor stop with a counter-service setup—kid-friendly and bustling, not a quiet date spot.
- The Crowd Factor
- Lines form on busy days; arrive early or off-peak to snag a patch of sidewalk.
- Eat Here If Skip If
- EAT HERE IF: you’re rolling with kids or craving blueberry-forward frozen treats. SKIP IF: you need a quiet, candlelit dessert and table service.
- Distance From Park
- approximately 5 miles from park entrance
- Review Summary
- The Maine wild blueberry soft serve and vegan options earn praise for creaminess and flavor depth; price is flagged by some as high; service can be fast but is variable. Overall, a staple for families and blueberry lovers.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Is there vegan ice cream?
Yes. Vegan options use almond or soy milk bases, including flavors like mint chocolate chip (soy) and raspberry chocolate truffle (soy).
Are there gluten-free options?
Yes. Gluten-free options exist, and the blueberry soft serve is gluten-free.
Is there seating available?
Indoor seating is limited with a small outdoor area; counter service means you order and go, then sit outside when possible.
Do they offer takeout or delivery?
Takeout is available; delivery is not indicated.
What time should I go to avoid the crowd?
Go earlier in the day or slightly off-peak hours to dodge the lines.
More at Acadia National Park
PITA COAST
Shawarma wrap or falafel wrap with hummus; hibiscus soda to brighten the bite.
Humblebee Cafe
"The Slammer" breakfast, or The Gobbler with fries—top crunch, perfect toast.
Archie’s Lobster
Lobster Roll with big, sweet chunks of lobster. BYOB by the Bass Harbor bay.
Ellsworth’s Candlepin Bowling Alley
Big Pig sandwich and calzones drive the lane fuel; 10"/16" pizzas seal the deal.
Dinner
Rotating Maine seafood and diner fare; catch of the day rules the board.
Clark Point Cafe
Blueberry Dutch Baby: popover-light, blueberry caramel; sells out fast.
Recommended gear for Acadia National Park
Sources
- happycow.net
- heytraveler.com
- atly.com
- fodors.com
- glutenfreefollowme.com
- bigdippericecream.com
- fab5familytravel.com
- bhmdpd.com
- visitbarharbor.com
- caitlinkenneysmith.com
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.














