Rebecca’s guidebook (current as of summer 2023)
Sightseeing
If you want to see the ocean, we highly recommend going down the shore road (Route 186) to Lamoine beach (free) or Lamonie State Park (fee).
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Lamoine Beach
If you want to see the ocean, we highly recommend going down the shore road (Route 186) to Lamoine beach (free) or Lamonie State Park (fee).
Fresh water place to swim: Search Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land on visitmaine.com. Donnell Pond has a beautiful beach (Schoodic Beach) on a large pond. You can make a day of it and climb Schoodic Mt. right from the beach (up and back 2.5 miles). The mountain's summit is bare and flat with 360 degree views, including dramatic views over Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island. The most direct route up Schoodic Mountain leaves from the rear of the Schoodic Beach parking area. A popular route on a hot summer day combines an ascent from the parking area with a descent to Schoodic Beach for a refreshing swim before the half-mile walk back to the parking area.
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Donnell Pond
Fresh water place to swim: Search Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land on visitmaine.com. Donnell Pond has a beautiful beach (Schoodic Beach) on a large pond. You can make a day of it and climb Schoodic Mt. right from the beach (up and back 2.5 miles). The mountain's summit is bare and flat with 360 degree views, including dramatic views over Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island. The most direct route up Schoodic Mountain leaves from the rear of the Schoodic Beach parking area. A popular route on a hot summer day combines an ascent from the parking area with a descent to Schoodic Beach for a refreshing swim before the half-mile walk back to the parking area.
Seawall is a beautiful coastal spot on the other side of Mt. Desert Island—highly recommend seeing it. The 1.4 mile (roundtrip) Wonderland Trail near Seawall is also a great hiking option for small children as you are on flat terrain, but get to access the rocky coast.
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Seawall
Seawall is a beautiful coastal spot on the other side of Mt. Desert Island—highly recommend seeing it. The 1.4 mile (roundtrip) Wonderland Trail near Seawall is also a great hiking option for small children as you are on flat terrain, but get to access the rocky coast.
There are several whale watching and scenic tours that can be coordinated out of the main pier in downtown Bar Harbor.
Whale Watching Tickets
55 West StThere are several whale watching and scenic tours that can be coordinated out of the main pier in downtown Bar Harbor.
The Cranberry Cove Ferry departs from the UPPER TOWN DOCK at 110 Clark Point Rd in Southwest Harbor. The ferry then stops at the Manset Dock, before departing for the Cranberry Isles.
When you tour the Cranberry Isles, here is what you can expect:
Beautiful scenery
Hike or Bike
Picnic or visit the restaurant
Visit a museum
Bikes welcomed
One way or Round trip fee offered
Adult and Child rates
Explore each island for no extra fare!
Pet-friendly
To book visit: https://downeastwindjammer.com/cruises/cranberry-cove-ferry/
110 Clark Point Rd
110 Clark Point RoadThe Cranberry Cove Ferry departs from the UPPER TOWN DOCK at 110 Clark Point Rd in Southwest Harbor. The ferry then stops at the Manset Dock, before departing for the Cranberry Isles.
When you tour the Cranberry Isles, here is what you can expect:
Beautiful scenery
Hike or Bike
Picnic or visit the restaurant
Visit a museum
Bikes welcomed
One way or Round trip fee offered
Adult and Child rates
Explore each island for no extra fare!
Pet-friendly
To book visit: https://downeastwindjammer.com/cruises/cranberry-cove-ferry/
Thuya Garden is a semi-formal herbaceous garden, in the style of Gertrude Jekyll, located 15 Thuya Drive, Northeast Harbor, Maine. It is open daily from May through October. The garden is located on the grounds of Thuya Lodge, built between 1912-1916 for Boston landscape architect Joseph Henry Curtis. This place is gorgeous! This is a can't miss for photographers and gardeners alike. Visit the Asticou Azalea Garden in the same trip.
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Thuya Gardens
15 Thuya DrThuya Garden is a semi-formal herbaceous garden, in the style of Gertrude Jekyll, located 15 Thuya Drive, Northeast Harbor, Maine. It is open daily from May through October. The garden is located on the grounds of Thuya Lodge, built between 1912-1916 for Boston landscape architect Joseph Henry Curtis. This place is gorgeous! This is a can't miss for photographers and gardeners alike. Visit the Asticou Azalea Garden in the same trip.
Located on the outskirts of Northeast Harbor. The Asticou Azalea Garden is a small beautiful garden with a rich history (https://www.gardenpreserve.org/asticou-azalea-garden). Combine a trip here and to Thuya Garden close by.
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Azalea Garden
Maine 3Located on the outskirts of Northeast Harbor. The Asticou Azalea Garden is a small beautiful garden with a rich history (https://www.gardenpreserve.org/asticou-azalea-garden). Combine a trip here and to Thuya Garden close by.
Food scene
The Jordan Pond House has a tea service that is supposed to be neat. Also there is a loop trail around Jordan Pond that is scenic and flat if you want to do a hike that is not strenuous and ok for small children or if you are toting a toddler on your journey.
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Jordan Pond House Restaurant
2928 Park Loop RdThe Jordan Pond House has a tea service that is supposed to be neat. Also there is a loop trail around Jordan Pond that is scenic and flat if you want to do a hike that is not strenuous and ok for small children or if you are toting a toddler on your journey.
Union River Lobster Pot
8 South StLocals spot for lobsters.
Great place for breakfast. Be sure to try the blueberry pancakes!!
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Riverside Cafe
151 W Main StGreat place for breakfast. Be sure to try the blueberry pancakes!!
Small restaurant with good local beers.
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Airline Brewing Company - Ellsworth
173 Main StSmall restaurant with good local beers.
McKay’s is in Bar Harbor. Located on the outskirts of the busy town center, but still walkable to it, McKay’s has outdoor seating and you can get great lobster, steaks, or fish. When we are up in Maine for special occasions, this is the place we go for date night. Reservations required.
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McKays Public House
231 Main StMcKay’s is in Bar Harbor. Located on the outskirts of the busy town center, but still walkable to it, McKay’s has outdoor seating and you can get great lobster, steaks, or fish. When we are up in Maine for special occasions, this is the place we go for date night. Reservations required.
Thurston’s lobster pound (9 Thurston Rd, Tremont, ME 04612): When you want to put on the bib for a traditional Maine lobster without the frills. It takes some time to get there, but worth it. This place is on the water and can be chilly, so bring your fleece. Call ahead to make sure they are open if you are visiting outside of the high season (June-August).
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Thurston's Lobster Pound
9 Thurston RdThurston’s lobster pound (9 Thurston Rd, Tremont, ME 04612): When you want to put on the bib for a traditional Maine lobster without the frills. It takes some time to get there, but worth it. This place is on the water and can be chilly, so bring your fleece. Call ahead to make sure they are open if you are visiting outside of the high season (June-August).
Closer lobster eats: Lunt’s Lobster Pound: When you need your lobster fix within the 1st 24 hours of your visit. You can order a lobster roll (hot dog bun with lobster meat piled on top) from the window and eat it at the picnic tables there.
Lunt's Gateway Lobster Pound
1133 Bar Harbor RdCloser lobster eats: Lunt’s Lobster Pound: When you need your lobster fix within the 1st 24 hours of your visit. You can order a lobster roll (hot dog bun with lobster meat piled on top) from the window and eat it at the picnic tables there.
Lompoc Cafe, 36 Rodick Street, Bar Harbor, ME. Neighborhood spot with pub food (better than the picture would suggest) and bocce. This place is awesome on a sunny late afternoon when you are worn out from a long hike and feel like relaxing and turning in early.
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Lompoc Cafe
36 Rodick StLompoc Cafe, 36 Rodick Street, Bar Harbor, ME. Neighborhood spot with pub food (better than the picture would suggest) and bocce. This place is awesome on a sunny late afternoon when you are worn out from a long hike and feel like relaxing and turning in early.
Eat-a-Pita & Café 2 in Southwest Harbor. Better than the name would suggest. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fresh, local ingredients. Vegetation options.
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Eat-A-Pita & Cafe 2
326 Main StEat-a-Pita & Café 2 in Southwest Harbor. Better than the name would suggest. Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Fresh, local ingredients. Vegetation options.
This restaurant was recently written up in Maine magazine with a glowing review. It is owned and operated by a husband-wife team. The wife is originally from MDI and the husband grew up in the South, so its a mix of southern cooking with local Maine ingredients. My husband and I went and thoroughly enjoyed it! Check out the photo of the fish sandwich. Needless to say we brought home leftovers!!
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Peter Trout’s Tavern & Inn
48 Shore RdThis restaurant was recently written up in Maine magazine with a glowing review. It is owned and operated by a husband-wife team. The wife is originally from MDI and the husband grew up in the South, so its a mix of southern cooking with local Maine ingredients. My husband and I went and thoroughly enjoyed it! Check out the photo of the fish sandwich. Needless to say we brought home leftovers!!
Good place to grab a sandwich or coffee in downtown Ellsworth.
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Flexit Cafe & Bakery
142 Main StGood place to grab a sandwich or coffee in downtown Ellsworth.
This roadside gem won a James Beard "American Classic" award. The owners pride themselves on serving only fresh and locally sourced fish. It is a seasonal operation, generally open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The seafood menu has not changed since 1946. Get there early! The line gets cut off at 6 P.M.!
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Bagaduce Lunch
145 Frank's FlatThis roadside gem won a James Beard "American Classic" award. The owners pride themselves on serving only fresh and locally sourced fish. It is a seasonal operation, generally open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The seafood menu has not changed since 1946. Get there early! The line gets cut off at 6 P.M.!
Neighborhoods
Blue Hill is a nice community with restaurants and shops about 30 minutes away just southwest of Ellsworth.
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Blue Hill
Blue Hill is a nice community with restaurants and shops about 30 minutes away just southwest of Ellsworth.
Downtown Ellsworth has some good shops (Rooster Brother) and restaurants (Union River Lobster Pot, Riverside Café-great breakfast spot, Airline Brewing Company, Flexit-breakfast and lunch) that are within 20 minutes of the cabin and won't be as crowded as places on Mount Desert Island.
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Ellsworth
Downtown Ellsworth has some good shops (Rooster Brother) and restaurants (Union River Lobster Pot, Riverside Café-great breakfast spot, Airline Brewing Company, Flexit-breakfast and lunch) that are within 20 minutes of the cabin and won't be as crowded as places on Mount Desert Island.
Shopping
This is a wonderful shop for the kitchen enthusiast and has a café with coffee, treats, and sandwiches. Foodies will enjoy this place!
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Rooster Brother Coffee Roasters
29 Main StThis is a wonderful shop for the kitchen enthusiast and has a café with coffee, treats, and sandwiches. Foodies will enjoy this place!
Global Beverage Warehouse
425 High StGreat place for beer and other adult beverages in Ellsworth.
Great place for beer and wine on MDI in Southwest Harbor.
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Liquor Locker
11 Seal Cove RdGreat place for beer and wine on MDI in Southwest Harbor.
For the stuff that you just have to get at Walmart. It is very convenient to the cabin and closest place to get groceries.
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Walmart Supercenter
17 Myrick StFor the stuff that you just have to get at Walmart. It is very convenient to the cabin and closest place to get groceries.
Excellent bakery, but check their days and hours of operation.
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Little Notch Bakery and Café
340 Main StExcellent bakery, but check their days and hours of operation.
Great health food store in Bar Harbor. Look for their local blueberry honey!
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A&B Naturals
101 Cottage StGreat health food store in Bar Harbor. Look for their local blueberry honey!
Hannaford Supermarket
86 Cottage StA good option to get groceries.
Local market for organic food. Look for Little Notch bread and other Maine-made food.
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John Edward's Market Inc.
158 Main StLocal market for organic food. Look for Little Notch bread and other Maine-made food.
Local store with organic, local food (butcher, deli, seafood) that is easy to get to from the cabin. A beverage store is next door too!
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Acadia Crossing
56 Myrick StLocal store with organic, local food (butcher, deli, seafood) that is easy to get to from the cabin. A beverage store is next door too!
Recreation
Great place to rent a bike and access Acadia National Park's park loop road. Plan to arrive when they open. This place gets busy quick with a line out the door in the highest season (July and August).
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Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop
141 Cottage StGreat place to rent a bike and access Acadia National Park's park loop road. Plan to arrive when they open. This place gets busy quick with a line out the door in the highest season (July and August).
Laundry
If you run out of clean clothes during your stay, this place is perfect!! You can take them a bag of clothes in the morning and they will launder them and have them folded and ready to go later that day. Totally worth it so you don't have to miss out on a day of hiking!
Gold Star Cleaners
47 Downeast HighwayIf you run out of clean clothes during your stay, this place is perfect!! You can take them a bag of clothes in the morning and they will launder them and have them folded and ready to go later that day. Totally worth it so you don't have to miss out on a day of hiking!