Region

Downeast & Acadia

Granite headlands, Acadia National Park, lobster boats heading out before sunrise. The classic Maine postcard, and the start of the country's first sunrise on Cadillac Mountain in winter.

Guides

Guides about Downeast & Acadia

All Guides

Destinations

Downeast & Acadia destinations

Bar Harbor

Downeast & Acadia

Bar Harbor

Gateway to Acadia National Park - Cadillac Mountain, puffin cruises, and a harbor town that fills with cruise ships from May to October.

a group of birds sitting on top of a wooden dock

Downeast & Acadia

Northeast Harbor

The quiet, moneyed side of Mount Desert Island, with a marina, two famous gardens, and fast access to Acadia.

brown and gray rocks by the sea during daytime

Downeast & Acadia

Southwest Harbor

The working harbor on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, with boatyards, Bass Harbor Head Light and easy Acadia access.

green body of water

Downeast & Acadia

Stonington

Maine's busiest lobster port, at the far end of Deer Isle, with the mailboat to Isle au Haut leaving from the town dock.

a person wearing a hat

Downeast & Acadia

Blue Hill

A peninsula town with a serious music and pottery scene, a hill worth climbing, and a working village center.

Bucksport

Downeast & Acadia

Bucksport

The Penobscot Narrows Observatory tower, the Fort Knox granite fortress, and the gateway drive to Acadia from the north.

Colorful buildings line a waterfront with a boat.

Downeast & Acadia

Castine

A small peninsula town with an outsized military history, the Maine Maritime Academy, and streets of Federal architecture.

a small boat in a large body of water

Downeast & Acadia

Deer Isle

A granite-and-spruce island connected by a 1939 suspension bridge, home to the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.

white lighthouse near body of water

Downeast & Acadia

Eastport

The easternmost city in the United States, on an island in Passamaquoddy Bay, with some of the largest tides in the country.

Ellsworth

Downeast & Acadia

Ellsworth

Gateway to Acadia - Main Street's shopping strip, the Colonel Black Mansion, and the scenic Union River dam walk.

white and black boat on body of water under cloudy sky during daytime

Downeast & Acadia

Lubec

The easternmost town in the continental US, with West Quoddy Head Light and a bridge to Campobello Island.

Rugged coastline with a lighthouse under cloudy sky

Downeast & Acadia

Mount Desert

The quiet middle of Mount Desert Island: Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor and Somesville, plus Jordan Pond and Somes Sound.

A black and white photo of a lighthouse on a rock

Downeast & Acadia

Tremont

The working end of Mount Desert Island: Bass Harbor, Bernard, and the most photographed lighthouse in Maine.

a bridge with lights on it

Downeast & Acadia

Trenton

The mainland gateway to Mount Desert Island: the causeway, the airport, and a run of lobster pounds on Route 3.

A bird flies over a rocky coastline with waves.

Downeast & Acadia

Winter Harbor

The Schoodic side of Acadia: the same granite coast as Mount Desert Island, with a fraction of the visitors.

a field with trees and houses

Downeast & Acadia

Sullivan

A Route 1 town on Frenchman Bay with reversing tidal falls and views straight across to the Acadia hills.

All Destinations

Hotels

Where to stay in Downeast & Acadia

$$$

Hotel

Bass Harbor

Lighthouse Cabins Maine

Pet-friendly cabins 30 minutes from Acadia National Park with free breakfast, kitchenettes, and a knowledgeable owner who knows Mount Desert Island inside out.

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Hotel

Sullivan

Flanders Pond Cabin Complex

Spacious two-bedroom cabin on **Sullivan**, Maine's Flanders Pond. Perfect for group getaways with full kitchen, fireplace, and beach access.

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Hotel

Mount Desert Island

Cozy Apartment with Deck in Northeast Harbor

Private 1-bedroom apartment in Northeast Harbor, 5 miles from Acadia National Park. Full kitchen, fireplace, free WiFi & parking. Perfect for Acadia visitors.

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Hotel

Tremont

Secluded Cabin With Ocean Access

Private two-bedroom cabin near Bar Harbor with ocean access, full kitchen, and balcony. Perfect for families or couples seeking coastal Maine solitude.

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Hotel

Bar Harbor

Saltair Inn Waterfront B&B

Beachfront B&B on Frenchmen Bay with exceptional breakfast, private beach access, and walkable downtown location. 46 reviews, 9.8/10.

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Hotel

Bar Harbor

Bayview Hotel

Waterfront 4-star hotel in Bar Harbor with sea views, included breakfast, shuttle service, and pool. Steps from Acadia National Park and downtown.

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Hotel

Robbinston

Bear Mountain Lodge

Secluded 560-acre lodge on Goulding Lake with private beach, hot tub, and full kitchen. Perfect for families and couples seeking woodland escape in Downeast Maine.

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Hotel

Ellsworth

House Close to Acadia National Park

Spacious 3-bedroom townhouse near Acadia. Full kitchen, fireplace, parking. Perfect for groups. 9.8/10 rated. Book your Acadia adventure in Ellsworth.

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Hotel

Penobscot

Pet-Friendly Maine Cottage by Northern Bay

Spacious waterfront cottage in Penobscot with full kitchen, fireplace & water views. Pet-friendly, 2 min walk to shore. Perfect for couples & families.

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Hotel

Tremont

Luxury Cabin in Tremont

Private 2-bed, 2-bath villa near Acadia with hot tub, outdoor fireplace & EV charging. Perfect for families & groups exploring Mount Desert Island.

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Hotel

Ellsworth

Ellsworth Home

Spacious 2-bedroom Ellsworth vacation home with fire pit, 18 miles to Acadia National Park. Perfect for families seeking a secluded retreat near Bar Harbor.

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Hotel

Lubec

Newly Renovated Maine Retreat

Two-bedroom oceanfront apartment in Lubec with full kitchen, sea views, and walkable access to restaurants and Campobello. Exceptional 9.8/10 rating.

All Hotels

Restaurants

Where to eat in Downeast & Acadia

Brick House Soups

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Restaurant

Ellsworth

Brick House Soups

Homemade soups and creative melts in a cozy Ellsworth spot. The lobster bisque is legendary.

Salsa Shack Maine

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Mexican restaurant

Ellsworth

Salsa Shack Maine

Fish tacos and hefty burritos at Ellsworth's beloved Mexican food truck on Main Street.

Zeppa's Pizza

$$$

Pizza restaurant

Ellsworth

Zeppa's Pizza

NY-style pizza with perfect crust, fresh toppings, and a cozy board-game-filled room in Ellsworth.

Ellsworth’s Candlepin Bowling Alley

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Bowling alley

Ellsworth

Ellsworth’s Candlepin Bowling Alley

Candlepin bowling in a vintage alley with glow nights, game rooms, and a full bar.

Limon Grille

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Restaurant

Bar Harbor

Limon Grille

Turkish and Mediterranean spot in Bar Harbor with tender chicken wings, bright salads, and killer red lentil soup.

Sassafrass Cafe

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Cafe

Bar Harbor

Sassafrass Cafe

Bar Harbor cafe with sourdough waffles, custom elopement dinners, and coffee worth the trip.

The Gallery

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Restaurant

Bar Harbor

The Gallery

Small-town Bar Harbor spot with rotating specials, killer lobster roll, and cocktails from owner Troy.

The Travelin Lobster, LLC

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Seafood restaurant

Bar Harbor

The Travelin Lobster, LLC

Fisherman-owned lobster shack in Bar Harbor with fat rolls, fire pits, and cold beer.

Sweet Pea's Farm Kitchen

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Pizza Restaurant

Bar Harbor

Sweet Pea's Farm Kitchen

Wood-fired pizzas and farm-to-table mains on a working farm outside Bar Harbor.

Island Take Out

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American restaurant

Bar Harbor

Island Take Out

Lobster rolls and jerk chicken from a takeout shack behind a Bar Harbor gas station.

Mother's Kitchen

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Sandwich shop

Bar Harbor

Mother's Kitchen

Stellar coffee and breakfast sandwiches at this Bar Harbor counter spot with picnic tables.

Taste Jamaica

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Restaurant

Ellsworth

Taste Jamaica

Jamaican spot in Ellsworth with jerk chicken, goat curry, and fish fritters that draw crowds.

All Restaurants