Many of the shops in Bar Harbor sell variations on a theme—lobster and moose stuffed animals, T-shirts, Christmas ornaments, and other Maine-themed souvenirs. One exception is In the Woods (160 Main St., 207/288-4519, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun.–Thu., 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri.–Sat., May–Oct.), a two-level store that sells everything you could imagine being made out of wood, from kitchen implements to toys to furniture imported from India.

Before you go on a wildlife expedition, stop by Sherman Books & Stationery (56 Main St., 207/288-3161, www.shermans.com, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily May–Oct.; 9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily Nov.–Apr.), which carries an exceptional selection of bird-watching and wildlife guides and trail maps in addition to a full stock of books and cards.

Almost as much a playground as it is a toy store, Stone Soup (113 Main St., 207/288-5219, www.stonesouptoys.com, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon–Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun.) stocks plenty of high-quality gifts for kids, from wooden rocking horses and fantasy flight games to hand-knit sweaters.