Exploring Downeast Maine

That stereotypical image of what Maine looks like can best be summed up in a visit to downeast Maine. Majestic green pine trees dotting the rocky coastline as waves crash and the tide rolls in and out are the views after every turn in downeast Maine. “Downeast” is the term often used to refer to the very eastern coastal region of our state. Visitors from near and far can’t help but appreciate Mother Nature’s beauty after a few days exploring all that downeast Maine has to offer.

We love visiting downeast Maine, including both the Bar Harbor/Acadia area and Lubec. Note - even in the summer months, temps during the day and evening may be chilly so plan accordingly. The ~3.5 hour drive from Portland offers a few great stops along the way too if you’re looking to break up the drive. If flying to Maine to visit downeast, you can either fly into Portland and drive or fly into Bangor with a shorter drive.

Stops along the way from Portland to Downeast Maine:

Augusta, Maine

Fiddlehead Pizza at Cushnoc Brewing (Augusta)

• Cushnoc Brewing Co - Grab a spot outback by the river and order a beer and pizza. We love visiting in May/June to get a seasonal fiddlehead pizza.
  After your pizza and beer, take a stroll along the river walk. The owners behind Cushnoc also own State Lunch, serving up impressive cocktails and comfort food right down the street.

Ellsworth, Maine

• Create your own Beer Tasting Tour

  • Airline Brewing Co - Stop first at this cute downtown spot. Grab a seat at the bar and order your own custom flight. We recommend grabbing a seat at the bar top and starting a chat with a local. They’ll fill you in on all the local gems. This English owned brewery has some great English style ales but our favorite is the New England style IPA.

  • Fogtown Brewing - Take a quick stroll down the street from Airline Brewing Co and find yourself at Fogtown. Their outdoor space brings all the vibes! Grab a flight and a wood fired pizza and sit under the twinkle lights in their beautiful garden.

• Lunch or Dinner at Josie’s - Now this is the hidden gem of all hidden gems! I bet you’ve never met a nicer convenience store! Ask for a table and you’ll be treated with a full sit down menu for lunch and dinner. Their sandwiches are amazing! Josie’s also has a great selection of craft beer. Grab a flight with your meal and a few cans to go from their impressive back room walk-in cooler.

• Brunch/Lunch at Sylvia’s Cafe - This local diner is the perfect spot for all day breakfast or a delicious turkey club with fries. Friendly service and down to earth atmosphere make this a must-stop if you’re driving through before they close mid-afternoon.

Cherryfield, Maine

• Breakfast at The Paisley Loon - This is the perfect stop for coffee drinks and morning pastries. Grab an outdoor seat by the river if the weather is nice too. They also offer ice cream and pies!

Bangor, Maine

• Pompeii Pizza Food Truck - Find this hidden serving wood-fired pizza food truck serving up pies and slices along Bangor’s riverfront.

• Orono Brewing Co. Downtown Tasting Room - We are big fans of the Orono Brewing Co. beers (hello, Tubular!) and love this downtown urban tasting room to sample the latest on draft. You can grab a mix of cans to go here too!

Brewer, Maine

• Mason’s Brewing Co - This casual spot for pub fare including burgers and pizzas on the riverfront is a fun spot. We love their outdoor pet friendly patio and the beer is delicious.

EXPLORING ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Where to Stay?

The towns of Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island and Southwest Harbor are all very proximate to Acadia. We love staying in and around downtown Bar Harbor on our visits. Downtown Bar Harbor is a coastal town with a very walkable area full of shops, bars and restaurants, though it can get very crowded with seasonal tourists. There are both major hotel chains and small bed and breakfast type accommodations available.

Keep in mind downtown Bar Harbor can get extremely busy during the summer months! A bit outside of town is Under Canvas Acadia. This oceanfront glamming resort is focused on reconnecting with nature and wellness, and offers beautiful canvas tent accommodations with private bathrooms. This spot if a favorite of ours (and it’s pet friendly)!

Additionally, the Claremont Hotel in Southwest Harbor (part of the Kennebunk Resort Collection) is a luxury option that is all things coastal Maine dreamy. Think swimming pool, croquet on the lawn and delicious food options on site, including a Batson River Fish Camp.

Visiting Acadia National Park

The Park requires admission ($30/vehicle for 7 days) which can be reserved online ahead of time or purchased at the entrance. The South Park Loop Road offers a driving opportunity to explore the Park and pull off at sites of interest:

• Cadillac Mountain - This is the first place the sun rises over the U.S. each morning! Experience a magical sunrise or visit during another time of day. It’s fun to walk around the rocks and take in the breathtaking views. Note - Advance Reservations are now required for access to Cadillac Mountain and must be reserved online in advance with a $6 fee.

• Jordan Pond House - This restaurant offers a fabulous break from hiking and exploring to indulge in their famous popovers and blueberry iced tea. No trip to Acadia is complete for us without indulging in this treat!

• Carriage Roads - Gifted from the Rockefeller family are these 45 miles of carriage road system throughout the park. We love renting bicycles and spending the day biking the carriage road system. It’s a great way to see a lot of the park!

• Otter Point - This is a great spot to hop out on the rocks that dot the coastline and take some awesome pics against the pine trees and ocean. There is a nice parking lot turn in for easy parking too.

• Sand Beach - This beautiful sand beach area is like a true Maine postcard. During the summer, you can bring a blanket and picnic and enjoy your time on the sand and maybe even take a dip in the chilly ocean if you dare! This spot always reminds us of black sand beach on Maui’s Road to Hana, I guess because of the magical connectedness with nature that we feel here. The parking situation can get very full here so plan to circle back later in the day once the crowds die down.

• Hikes - Enjoying a hike is one of our very favorite ways to spend a day in Acadia. On our most recent trip, we hiked to the top Bubble Mountain to take in some beautiful views of Jordan Pond. Next on our list is the famous Beehive Trail!

Where to eat?

The Happy Clam, Bar Harbor

• Happy Clam Shack - This shack is adorned with ALL the buoys! Grab a delicious lobster roll and sit on the picnic tables outside next to the lobster boiler pots! Doesn’t get more authentic than this. (located outside of downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3).

• Atlantic Brewing @ Town Hill & Mainely Meats BBQ (Bar Harbor) - While Atlantic Brewing has a tasting room in downtown Bar Harbor, our favorite location is at Town Hill. With plenty of free parking, this spot is a great place to grab a beer and enjoy our favorite BBQ in Maine!

• Cocktails at Ivy Manor Inn (downtown Bar Harbor) - This spot is so picture perfect! Grab a drink in their outdoor English garden next to the fire pits in the evening if the weather is nice. Such a cozy and romantic spot!

• Side Street Cafe (downtown Bar Harbor) - Order a pitcher of the house margarita special and a lobster stew! Their patio is always pet friendly.

EXPLORING LUBEC, MAINE

Visiting Quoddy Light - Sept. 2022

If you’re up for an even bigger downeast adventure, we recommend traveling the additional ~2 hours to visit the easternmost point in the U.S. (your cell phone will think you’ve already crossed the border to Canada!). Lubec, Maine is a very small Maine town located right on the Canadian border and home to the famed West Quoddy Head Lighthouse. This charming spot will connect you to some of the happiest and friendliest folks around.

Where to Stay?

• The “Keeper’s Cottage” at The Lodge at West Quoddy Station is a quaint 2 bedroom cottage with beautiful ocean views.

  • We loved our stay here and would highly recommend when visiting the area.

  • The cottage is located just a half mile from the lighthouse and is a quick 10 minute drive into town.

  • The kitchenette has the basics including a fridge and hot plate, but we ate out instead of cooking in.

  • While we didn’t make it up early enough, this spot is great for catching the sunrise.

Visiting West Quoddy Head Lighthouse

• This lighthouse is a true beauty. The iconic stripes are also a deliberate part of the aesthetic to aid visibility in frequent fog and snow conditions. The lighthouse is the official “easternmost point in the U.S.”

  • Coastal Hikes: Plan to spend a few hours exploring the beautiful coastal trails located in the park around the lighthouse. The views from every vista are truly stunning The bog trail was especially interesting to learn how bogs are formed and what grows in them.

  • Picnic in the Park: There are picnic tables and charcoal grills scattered throughout the park, making this a great spot to spend an afternoon with friends enjoying a BBQ.

  • Visit the Beach: There are multiple trails that take you down to the water’s edge. This is a great spot to soak in some rays during the summertime and maybe even go for a dip.

Where to Eat?

• Water Street Tavern and Inn: The food at this waterfront spot is delicious. Try to get a table on the ocean deck during sunset if you can. Their pasta and fish dishes are superb! Reservations in advance are a good idea, but try to grab a seat at the bar top if not.

• Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant - This busy waterfront stop is the perfect stop for lunch. Make sure to order the fish and chips, they do not disappoint. Not sure we have tasted fresher haddock!

• Morano’s Authentic Pizza - Stop in for dinner for authentic Italian pizza to go, or enjoy on one of the picnic tables out front.

• Cohill’s Inn for pub fare food and Lubec Brewing Company for beer flights in their beer garden are two other stops that we didn’t make but came recommended!

Helpful Tips:

• Lubec is a very small town and many restaurants have extremely limited hours, so plan ahead as best you can.

• The bridge to Campobello Island in Canada is accessible from the Main Street in Lubec. Pack your passport and cross the border for Eleanor’s afternoon tea. Tickets are free and reservable in advance. Note - You’ll pass into the Atlantic time zone when you cross the border!

• From Lubec, you can take the ferry to Eastport island and explore for the day as well.

Views of Canada from Lubec’s downtown