The Ellsworth area is at the heart of many diverse and inviting regions. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Acadia National Park, the serenity of our coastal communities, and the bustling charm of our town center. You’ll find something for everyone – from outdoor enthusiasts to history buffs. Discover the Ellsworth Area Regions and fall in love with our variety!
Bangor Region
The area was once the lumber capital of the world during the 1800s, boasting one of the busiest ports on the East Coast. However, with the advent of steam and steel by the twentieth century, the shipbuilding industry gave way, and Bangor's sawmills and shipyards were replaced by pulp and paper. On Main Street, a towering statue of the legendary lumberjack, Paul Bunyan, serves as a reminder of Bangor's former glory as a timber hub.
Today, Bangor is a modern city offering a wide range of experiences, from fine dining options to The Maine Discovery Museum, where kids can explore hands-on exhibits on nature, science, and the arts. Additionally, the city's University of Maine Museum of Art showcases modern and contemporary works. To the north, Bangor City Forest is home to beavers and deer and features a network of trails for visitors to discover.
Bar Harbor
Situated near the entrance to Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor offers abundant summer activities. Tourists can spend their days exploring nature and their evenings dining at the town's many restaurants and pubs, shopping at quaint stores and galleries, or taking cruises and visiting museums to learn about the region's history and culture. With its scenic location and wealth of attractions, summertime in Bar Harbor provides endless possibilities for fun.
Blue Hill Peninsula
The Blue Hill peninsula, with its crescent-shaped landscape, extends southward towards the Atlantic Ocean, just west of Mount Desert Island. It divides into two islands - Deer Isle across Eggemoggin Reach and Isle au Haut, accessible by a forty-minute ferry ride into the Atlantic. Bordered by Blue Hill Bay to the east, the peninsula offers stunning views of Mount Desert Island across the bay's island-dotted span. Standing at the crest of Caterpillar Hill, you can enjoy expansive vistas that provide a panorama of the myriad islands and towns of the vast Penobscot Bay, with the rugged and majestic Camden Hills distinctly visible on the horizon, serving as a striking backdrop to the panorama.
Isle au Haut, part of Acadia National Park, beckons day trippers with its hiking trails, visible on the southern horizon. The peninsula's length harbors numerous small towns each with their own unique character from galleries, restaurants, artisans, farms, and more, while fishing, boat building, art, music, and literature thrive.
Bucksport
Bucksport, situated at the upper end of Penobscot Bay, has a rich seafaring history dating back to 1764 when it was founded by Jonathan Buck. Despite being burned by the British in 1779, Buck rebuilt the shipbuilding and import/export center. The town's central location makes it a crucial intersecting point for various highways, including US Route 1 and Route 15, leading to popular destinations such as Bar Harbor and Camden. Visitors to Bucksport can enjoy the charming waterfront walk and park, offering views of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory and historic Fort Knox. Other attractions in the area include the Northeast Historic Film Archives, theater, Visitor Center, and the Bucksport Historical Society Museum. Additionally, the town hosts the annual Bucksport Bay Festival in late July. Crossing Verona Island to visit Fort Knox, visitors can also explore the quiet island town, which was once a hub for shipbuilding activity.  Bucksport area is also home to fifteen lakes and ponds, providing various recreational and nature activities for visitors to enjoy.​
Bar Harbor
Some must-see spots include Roque Bluffs and Quoddy Head State Parks, where you can swim, picnic, and hike. The 85-mile Sunrise Trail draws visitors who hike, bike, and ride ATVs, or snowmobiles along its rugged coastal scenery. You can also take in the dramatic vistas along the Bold Coast Byway.
Summertime brings popular festivals like Eastport's Salmon and Pirate Festivals and Machias’ Blueberry Festival, promising family fun.
Ellsworth Area
With scenic coastal beauty and small-town charm, Ellsworth is a historic gem nestled along Maine's Union River. On High Street, you will find both national brand stores, independent shops in our Malls, and services that make visiting and living here the perfect blend of a modern and small town. Its lively downtown offers shops, galleries, restaurants, and entertainment, while the surrounding area boasts hiking trails, boating, and other outdoor recreation. As the county seat, Ellsworth maintains its heritage in preserved historic buildings like City Hall and stately churches, which serve as civic anchors alongside more modern amenities. Whether you're visiting to explore Downeast Maine or looking to settle in a vibrant, close-knit community, Ellsworth's blend of coastal access, natural wonders, and small-city conveniences makes it an ideal home base.
Lubec
No trip Downeast is complete without a visit to Lubec, the easternmost point of land in the continental United States. This rural fishing community retains its rustic charm yet grows into an artistic and cultural hub. Explore Lubec's 96 miles of pristine coastline and immerse yourself in its history, from the two competing lighthouses, including the iconic West Quoddy Light, to the historic sites around town. Enjoy a picnic or hike among the unique flora and fauna of Quoddy Head State Park. Savor the fresh local seafood, reasonably priced and generously portioned. Stay in one of the charming accommodations, from the motel and campground to the selection of vacation rentals and B&Bs and experience the untouched beauty and history of this special place.
Eastport
Eastport has the oldest ship’s chandlery (established in 1818), biggest Fourth of July celebration, fresh seafood most diverse cultural community, last stone-ground mustard mill, and first sunrise in the United States. Whether your interests include local art and artisans, antiquing, music, theater, poetry, whale watching, or traditional Passamaquoddy baskets, you will find lasting memories in Eastport. Water Street boasts a rich history and vibrant present day, with fishing boats, historic buildings, shops, galleries, and restaurants lining its shores. You can access Eastport by car, boat, or plane and stay at local accommodations ranging from motels and campgrounds to lakeside cabins and elegant bed and breakfasts. Bring your passport to visit nearby Canada and experience a true three-nation getaway.
Campobello Island
Campobello Island, one of the three Fundy Isles in the Bay of Fundy, captured the heart of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This special part of the Canadian province of New Brunswick offers visitors two wilderness areas - Herring Cove Provincial Park with camping, RV sites, and a nine-hole golf course, as well as two lighthouses, including Canada's most photographed, East Quoddy (Head Harbor) Light. The Roosevelt Campobello International Park, which includes FDR's historic summer cottage and a multimedia visitor center, is especially noteworthy. In addition to exploring FDR's summer home, visitors can observe working fishing villages, go whale watching, and stay at the island's variety of accommodations and restaurants for a memorable experience.
Mount Desert Island
West of the long Somes Sound lies the Quiet Side of Mount Desert Island, comprised of three delightful towns: Tremont, Southwest Harbor, and part of Mount Desert Town. The beautiful village of Somesville, the island's first settlement, sits at the Sound's head.
Southwest Harbor is known for its boat-building and maritime interests. Tremont has several small villages, including Bass Harbor and Bernard, devoted mainly to lobster fishing. Their small harbor often fills with fishing boats, perfect for picture taking.
Much of the Quiet Side falls within Acadia National Park, with many hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs in the hilly terrain. Two nature trails—Wonderland and Ship Harbor—lead to the south shore's tide pools, teeming with sea life. The Seawall, a barrier of wave-tossed cobbles, evidences the sea's power and makes an exciting storm-watching spot. Two large lakes within the park, Long Pond, and Echo Lake, offer quiet summer paddling and winter iceboat sailing.
In summer, the historic Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor hosts a serious croquet tournament. Octoberfest caps off the town's summer with celebration. Even brief visits prove memorable with museums, interesting restaurants, and shops throughout this delightful Quiet Side of Mount Desert Island.
Schoodic Peninsula
The Schoodic region, located along historic Route 1 just east of Ellsworth, marks the beginning of the Downeast Acadia trail. Whether you seek adventures like kayaking through sea spray or quiet moments like watching lobster boats from a rocky perch, the Schoodic region delights.
Experience brilliant starry skies, loons calling across the water, and hearty lobster dinners. Traveling the 27-mile Schoodic Byway reveals reversing tidal falls, historic architecture, lobster traps piled high, clam diggers knee-deep in mud, and the largely undiscovered Schoodic section of Acadia National Park. Shop at local stores, galleries, and antique shops, buy bread from bakers, sample fresh seafood, go fishing, or rent a bike or kayak to explore. Stay at campgrounds, inns, or B&Bs in the area.
Searsport
At the confluence of the Penobscot River estuary and Penobscot Bay immediately northwest of Sears Island and Cape Jellison is the town of Searsport. As you stroll the streets of Searsport, you can feel the rich maritime history of this deep-water port. The quaint streets host several fun eateries and shops, and be sure to stop by and visit the Penobscot Marine Museum for a deep look at the interesting aspects of maritime living.