A family tradition passed down through generations, proudly serving Maine’s iconic lobster dinners to locals and visitors alike.

~The Corsons

Small white boat with blue lettering 'XL-5 Bar Harbor, ME' docked at a pier, with a person working on it, against a backdrop of a calm bay with boats and green shores under a blue sky.

1972 - 1978

The story began in the 1970’s with captains Phil’s Parents, Phil & Caroll Corson started selling their own fresh caught lobsters from their small homeside lobster shack on West Street in Bar Harbor. They packed live and cooked lobster to-go for local islanders and visitors. Seen in the photo is Capt Phil’s Dad - Phil, the XL-5, his old Novi lobster boat — where it all began.

A street scene from a small town or city with parked cars lining the street, storefronts on the left including a souvenir shop, and buildings with different architectural styles. There are a few pedestrians walking and the sky is partly cloudy.
Aerial view of a lakeside town with marinas, green trees, and a beach, labeled 'Bar Harbor' in red text at the top.
Sign for The Travelin' Lobster, featuring a red lobster illustration and the text 'Live or Cooked, Packed for Travel' with an arrow pointing to the right.

2002 - 2015

Flash forward 30 years, Hank and Charlene Tibbetts — Kelly’s parents — carried the Corson family tradition forward at a small roadside shack beside their family cottages at Rose Eden Cottages in Bar Harbor. They added a few picnic tables and continued packing live and cooked lobsters. Customers always knew they were getting the freshest caught lobsters, combined with other enjoyed favorites mussels, clams, crab claws, and corn.

A house with a large inflatable lobster on the roof and people gathered outside. There are cars parked in front and a flag is visible on the side of the house.
Two blue containers filled with cooked mussels, crawfish, corn on the cob, lemon wedges, and small cups of melted butter, with a bottle of lemon-flavored beverage on the side.
A smiling woman and man standing together outdoors among greenery, both wearing red shirts, with a sign in the background that reads "The Travelin Lobster" and a logo featuring a lobster. The woman has a colorful headband and dark skirt, the man has a navy baseball cap and shorts.

The Travelin’ Lobster Today

After Hank and Charlene decided to sell the cottages, Kelly took a leap of faith and stepped out her full-time private sector job and continued operating The Travelin’ Lobster at its new home at 1569 State Highway 102, Bar Harbor. While keeping the family tradition and old-school lobster pound feel, the restaurant grew to include over 60 seats, a full bar, and a raw seafood bar. It was here that our famous lobster rolls were born, and the menu expanded.

Kelly never imagined she would one day own a restaurant, but with the support of family and a lot of hard work, The Travelin’ Lobster continued to grow — even rebuilding after a devastating fire in 2017. Like any family business, there’s a balance between pushing forward and staying grounded — one family member on the gas and another on the brakes — helping guide thoughtful growth, including the opening of a second location in 2024 - Frenchman Bay Lobster Rolls.

Captain Phil, captain of the lobster boat Go Time, has been fishing out of Bar Harbor for decades and now enjoys sharing his passion with our guests. He can often be found going table to table showing off the day’s catch and giving lobster lessons — how to band a lobster, what they eat, and how they taste. Just don’t ask him his favorite way to eat lobster — he’ll tell you he hates it.

Today, The Travelin’ Lobster remains rooted in family, tradition, and a love for providing fresh Maine lobster to both visitors and locals who gather at our home on Mount Desert Island.

Our Boats

A small fishing boat docked at a pier on a calm body of water, with a person onboard near the controls, surrounded by blue storage containers and equipment, with other boats floating in the background.
Two boats anchored in calm waters on a cloudy day, with a small buoy nearby.
A boat named 'MADI-GAIL' docked at Bar Harbor, Maine, with two people working onboard, surrounded by water and rocky shoreline.
A man on a dock near a boat with the words 'Captain Obvious' on its side. There are lobster traps and a buoy on the dock, and the man is holding a rope.

Other Locations

Hand holding a lobster roll with lobster meat, against a backdrop of a marina with boats and water, on a cloudy day.

Frenchmen Bay Lobster Rolls

Close-up of a wooden wheel with a brass hub, part of a vintage ship's wheel, with a glass of cocktail with ice and an olive garnish in front.

Siren & Sailor

The Family

Group of people posing in front of a decorated Christmas tree at an indoor event.